UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
  
 Or
  
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission File Number: 001-34499

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware 13-3637458
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
Level 11,Vegetable Building, Industrial Park of the East City,
Shouguang City, Shandong,
 262700
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +86 (536) 567 0008

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o
Smaller reporting company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yeso Nox

As of November 4, 2015,May 1, 2016, the registrant had outstanding 46,007,120 shares of common stock.
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
 
1
2017
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4130
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4131
4232
 
 
 

 
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
 AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
 

 
September 30, 2015
Unaudited
  
December 31, 2014
Audited
  
March 31, 2016
Unaudited
  
December 31, 2015
Audited
 
Current Assets                
Cash $120,892,138  $146,585,601  $148,411,800  $133,606,392 
Accounts receivable  74,279,887   41,997,862   51,625,649   49,980,358 
Inventories  7,370,051   5,367,868 
Inventories, net  6,958,269   7,180,800 
Prepayments and deposits  11,698   86,301   30,000   - 
Prepaid land leases  311,895   51,024   369,211   49,833 
Other receivable  559   38,272   559   599 
Deferred tax assets  831   864   3,189   3,173 
Total Current Assets  202,867,059   194,127,792   207,398,677   190,821,115 
Non-Current Assets                
Property, plant and equipment, net  125,441,613   124,350,781   121,711,274   127,871,323 
Property, plant and equipment under capital leases, net  1,031,997   1,339,602   847,663   927,218 
Prepaid land leases, net of current portion  5,309,456   733,560   5,101,093   5,197,216 
Deferred tax assets  2,416,369   2,430,417   2,379,015   2,367,180 
Goodwill  30,173,391   -   29,706,970   29,559,174 
Total non-current assets  164,372,826   128,854,360   159,746,015   165,922,111 
Total Assets $367,239,885  $322,982,152  $367,144,692  $356,743,226 
                
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Current Liabilities                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $19,763,798  $4,004,728  $12,000,259  $9,929,700 
Retention payable  563,759   326,959   634,841   1,135,956 
Capital lease obligation, current portion  155,296   205,128   244,133   196,778 
Taxes payable  5,815,909   3,545,429   5,218,566   4,814,003 
Total Current Liabilities  26,298,762   8,082,244   18,097,799   16,076,437 
Non-Current Liabilities                
Capital lease obligation, net of current portion  2,609,023   2,826,495   2,568,693   2,555,914 
Total Liabilities $28,907,785  $10,908,739  $20,666,492  $18,632,351 
                
Stockholders’ Equity                
PREFERRED STOCK; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
none outstanding
 $-  $-  $   $  
COMMON STOCK; $0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized;
46,276,269 and 38,911,014 shares issued; and 46,007,120 and
38,672,865 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and
December 31, 2014, respectively
  23,139   19,456 
Treasury stock; 269,149 and 238,149 shares as of September 30, 2015 and
December 31, 2014 at cost
  (599,441)  (561,728)
COMMON STOCK; $0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 46,276,269 and 46,276,269 shares issued; and 46,007,120 and 46,007,120 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively  23,139   23,139 
Treasury stock; 269,149 and 269,149 shares as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 at cost  (599,441)  (599,441)
Additional paid-in capital  94,102,765   80,380,008   94,131,365   94,124,065 
Retained earnings unappropriated  208,580,627   183,480,402   221,253,353   215,286,395 
Retained earnings appropriated  19,748,120   18,078,392   20,840,442   20,340,436 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  16,476,890   30,676,883   10,829,342   8,936,281 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  338,332,100   312,073,413   346,478,200   338,110,875 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $367,239,885  $322,982,152  $367,144,692  $356,743,226 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1

 
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three-Month Period Ended
September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period Ended
 September 30,
  
Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2016  2015 
              
NET REVENUE              
Net revenue $42,601,598  $31,106,964  $126,862,497  $88,451,954  $34,495,450  $34,910,829 
                     
OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES)                
OPERATING EXPENSES/INCOME     
Cost of net revenue  (27,000,576)  (21,901,056)  (84,761,554)  (63,202,383) (23,881,646) (25,480,858)
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses  (91,919)  (29,064)  (294,095)  (78,793) (81,901) (81,430)
Research and development cost  (69,403)  (30,985)  (181,108)  (94,323) (59,837) (48,235)
Exploration cost  -   -   (325,840)  -  - (325,840)
Write-off/Impairment on property, plant and equipment  (819,701)  (673,705)  (819,701)  (673,705)
Loss from disposal of property , plant and equipment  -   -   -   (9,866)
General and administrative expenses  (831,955)  (1,894,507)  (5,247,318)  (4,916,626) (1,916,030) (1,981,117)
Other operating income  115,114   116,942   342,317   351,547   110,282   117,302 
  (28,698,440)  (24,412,375)  (91,287,299
 
)
  (68,624,149)  (25,829,132)  (27,800,178)
                     
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  13,903,158   6,694,589   35,575,198   19,827,805   8,666,318   7,110,651 
                     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                     
Interest expense  (46,675)  (48,950)  (148,541)  (154,090) (46,129) (50,853)
Interest income  113,311   125,625   348,454   351,271   114,446   126,961 
INCOME BEFORE TAXES  13,969,794   6,771,264   35,775,111   20,024,986   8,734,635   7,186,759 
                     
INCOME TAXES  (3,290,372)  (1,732,861)  (9,005,158)  (5,035,433)  (2,267,671)  (1,871,488)
     
NET INCOME $10,679,422  $5,038,403  $26,769,953  $14,989,553  $6,466,964  $5,315,271 
                     
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:                     
NET INCOME $10,679,422  $5,038,403  $26,769,953  $14,989,553  $6,466,964 $5,315,271 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)     
- Foreign currency translation adjustments  (14,565,025)  24,054   (14,199,993)  (2,915,066) 1,893,061 (1,110,348 )
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) $(3,885,603 $5,062,457  $12,569,960  $12,074,487 
        
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $8,360,025  $4,204,923 
                     
EARNINGS PER SHARE:                     
BASIC $0.23  $0.13  $0.60  $0.39  $0.14 $0.12 
DILUTED $0.23  $0.13  $0.58  $0.38  $0.14 $0.12 
                     
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES:                     
                     
BASIC  46,007,120   38,726,415   44,884,268   38,684,220  46,007,120 42,680,899 
DILUTED  46,905,362   39,297,334   45,854,130   39,305,975   46,740,326   43,477,401 
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
2

   
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
NINE-MONTH
THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
 
 
  Common stock              Accumulated    
  Number  Number  Number        Additional  Retained  Retained  other    
  of shares  of shares  of treasury     Treasury  paid-in  earnings  earnings  comprehensive    
  issued  outstanding  stock  Amount  stock  capital  unappropriated  appropriated  income  Total 
                               
BALANCE AT
DECEMBER
31, 2014
Audited
  38,911,014   38,672,865   238,149  $19,456  $(561,728) $80,380,008  $183,480,402  $18,078,392  $30,676,883  $312,073,413 
Translation
adjustment
 
- 
   -   -  
- 
      
- 
  
- 
  
- 
   (14,199,993)  (14,199,993)
Common stock
repurchased
  -   (31,000   31,000   -   (37,713)  -   -   -   -   (37,713)
Cashless
exercise of
stock options
  97,244   97,244   -   49   -   (49)  -   -   -   - 
Issuance of
stock options to
employees and
directors
  -   -   -   -   -   353,300   -   -   -   353,300 
Common stock
issued for
business
acquisition
  7,268,011   7,268,011   -   3,634   -   13,369,506   -   -   -   13,373,140 
Net income for
nine-month
period ended
September 30,
2015
 
- 
   -   -  
- 
   -  
- 
  
26,769,953 
   -  
- 
   26,769,953 
Transfer to
statutory
common reserve
fund
  -   -   -   -   -   -   (1,669,728)  1,669,728   -   - 
BALANCE AT
SEPTEMBER
30, 2015
Unaudited
  46,276,269   46,007,120   269,149  $23,139  $(599,441) $94,102,765  $208,580,627  $19,748,120  $16,476,890  $338,332,100 
  Common stock              Accumulated    
  Number  Number  Number        Additional  Retained  Retained  other    
  of shares  of shares  of treasury     Treasury  paid-in  earnings  earnings  comprehensive    
  issued  outstanding  stock  Amount  stock  capital  unappropriated  appropriated  income  Total 
                               
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2015 (Audited)  46,276,269   46,007,120   269,149  $23,139  $(599,441) $94,124,065  $215,286,395  $20,340,436  $8,936,281  $338,110,875 
Translation adjustment 
- 
   -   -  
- 
      
- 
  
- 
  
- 
   1,893,061   1,893,061 
Issuance of stock options to employees  -   -   -   -   -   7,300   -   -   -   7,300 
Net income for three-month period ended March 31, 2016 
- 
   -   -  
- 
   -  
- 
  
6,466,964  
   -  
- 
   6,466,964 
Transfer to statutory common reserve fund  -   -   -   -   -   -   (500,006)  500,006   -   - 
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2016 (Unaudited)  46,276,269   46,007,120   269,149  $23,139  $(599,441) $94,131,365  $221,253,353  $20,840,442  $10,829,342  $346,478,200 
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENEDCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

  Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 
  2016  2015 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
Net income $6,466,964  $5,315,271 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:       
Interest on capital lease obligation  45,891   50,657 
Amortization of prepaid land leases  131,544   125,331 
Depreciation and amortization  6,869,721   7,378,988 
Unrealized exchange loss/ (gain) on translation of inter-company balances  130,462   (101,359)
Stock-based compensation expense  7,300   7,400 
Deferred tax asset  -   (81,459)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition :       
Accounts receivable  (1,380,964)  810,129 
Inventories  255,763   (8,173)
Prepayments and deposits  (30,000)  84,009 
Other receivables  -   37,713 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  2,000,630   3,649,074 
Retention payable  (501,556)  (281,241)
Taxes payable  376,559   793,740 
Net cash provided by operating activities  14,372,314   17,780,080 
        
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES       
Additions of prepaid land leases  (326,526)  (325,533)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (52,286
 
)
  - 
Consideration paid for business acquisition  -   (66,305,606)
Cash acquired from acquisition  -   14,074,720 
Net cash used in investing activities  (383,812)  (52,556,419)
        
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES       
Repurchase of common stock  -  (37,713)
Net cash used in financing activities  -  (37,713)
        
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  816,906   (358,960 )
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  14,805,408   (35,173,012)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD  133,606,392   146,585,601 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $148,411,800  $111,412,589 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Income taxes $2,319,477  $1,311,695 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING
AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
        
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of business $-  $13,373,140 

  Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 
  2015  2014 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
Net income $26,769,953  $14,989,553 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:       
Interest on capital lease obligation  147,808   153,630 
Amortization of prepaid land leases  510,506   435,642 
Depreciation and amortization  21,954,512   20,602,061 
Write-off/Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment  819,701   673,705 
Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment  -   9,866 
Currency translation adjustment on inter-company balances  (1,037,429)  (237,028)
Stock-based compensation expense  353,300   30,000 
Deferred tax asset  (81,460)  - 
Changes in assets and liabilities:       
Accounts receivable  (15,762,057)  (3,830,608)
Inventories  (623,454)  (22,314)
Prepayments and deposits  80,711   (249,255)
Other receivable  37,713   - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (56,477)  747,789 
Retention payable  248,266   113,935 
Taxes payable  1,554,226   (940,835)
Net cash provided by operating activities  34,915,819   32,476,141 
        
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES       
Additions of prepaid land leases  (683,129)  (664,106)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment  -   21,514 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (2,792,700)  (6,459,250)
Consideration paid for business acquisition  (66,305,606)  - 
Cash acquired from acquisition  14,074,720   - 
Net cash used in investing activities  (55,706,715)  (7,101,842)
        
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES       
Repayment of capital lease obligation  (306,683)  (304,806)
Repurchase of common stock  (37,713)  - 
Net cash used in financing activities  (344,396)  (304,806)
        
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (4,558,171)  (1,031,745)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (25,693,463  24,037,748 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD  146,585,601   107,828,800 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $120,892,138  $131,866,548 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Income taxes $7,527,690  $5,865,449 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FLOW INVESTING
AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
        
Issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of options $49  $73 
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of business $13,373,140   - 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

     
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)           Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared by Gulf Resources, Inc., a DelawareNevada corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), without audit, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the three and nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 presented reflects all adjustments, which are only normal and recurring, necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, financial position and cash flows. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s  20142015 Form 10-K. Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. The Company also exercises judgments in the preparation of these condensed financial statements in the areas including classification of leases and related party transactions.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gulf Resources, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Upper Class Group Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which owns 100% of Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“HKJI”). HKJI owns 100% of Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") which owns 100% of ShouguangYuxinShouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited (“SYCI”) and, Shouguang City Rongyuan Chemical Co, Ltd (“SCRC”) and Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“DCHC”).  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

(b)           Nature of the Business

The Company manufactures and trades bromine and crude salt through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC"), manufactures chemical products for use in the oil industry, pesticides and paper manufacturing industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ShouguangYuxinShouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI"), andmanufacturesand manufactures chemical products used for human and animal antibiotics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang City Rongyuan Chemical Co, Ltd (“SCRC”) in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). DCHC was established to further explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in PRC. The business has not commenced operations.

(c)           Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, allowances for doubtful accounts were nil. No allowances for doubtful accounts were charged to the condensed consolidated statements of income statement for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 2014.2015.

(d)           Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business, primarily related to accounts receivable and cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions in the PRC, namely, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited and China Merchants Bank Company Limited, which are not insured or otherwise protected. The Company placed $120,892,138$148,411,800 and $146,585,601$133,606,392 with these institutions as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts in the PRC.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable exists as the Company sells a substantial portion of its products to a limited number of customers. However, such concentrations of credit risks are limited since the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial conditioncondition. Approximately 74% and due to the generally short payment terms.  Approximately 63.7% and 66.5%73.3% of the balancesbalance of accounts receivable as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively, wereare outstanding for less than or equal to 90 days.three months. For the balances of accounts receivable aged more than 90 days as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, approximately 69% was58% were settled in October 2015. April 2016.
 
 
5

 
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(e)           Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditures for new facilities or equipment, and major expenditures for betterment of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the estimated productive lives. All other ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Mineral rights are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Mineral rights are amortized ratably over the term of the lease, or the equivalent term under the units of production method, whichever is shorter.

Construction in progressprocess primarily represents direct costs of construction of plant, machinery and equipment. Costs incurred are capitalized and transferred to property and equipment upon completion, at which time depreciation commences.

The Company’s depreciation and amortization policies on property, plant and equipment, other than mineral rights and construction in progress,process, are as follows:
 
  
Useful life
(in years)
Buildings (including salt pans) 8 - 20
Plant and machinery (including protective shells, transmission channels and ducts) 3 - 8
Motor vehicles 5
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 83-8
 
Property, plant and equipment under the capital leaseslease are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or where shorter, the term of the lease, which is 20 years.

(f)           Retirement Benefits

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees arranged by a governmental organization. The Company makes contributions to the retirement schemeplan at the applicable rate based on the employees’ salaries. The required contributions under the retirement plans are charged to the condensed consolidated statement of income statement on an accrual basis when they are due. The Company’s contributions totaled $258,977$249,463 and $193,764$193,148 for the three-month periodperiods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively, and totaled $727,526 and $512,794 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(g)           Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue, net of value-added tax, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the goods has occurred, customer acceptance has been obtained, which means the significant risks and ownership have been transferred to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
6

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(h)           Recoverability of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10-35  “Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”, long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment.
6

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(h)           Recoverability of Long-lived Assets – Continued

The Company determines the existence of such impairment by measuring the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) and comparing such amount to the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss, if one exists, is then measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value of such assets less costs to sell. Asset impairment charges are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived asset that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose of such assets.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, certain property, plant and machinery, with net book values2015, the Company determined that there are no events or circumstances indicating possible impairment of $673,705 were replaced during the third phase enhancement project to protective shells for transmission channels, write-offs of the same amounts, were made and included in write-off/impairment on property, plant and equipment.

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, certain property, plant and machinery, with net book values of $819,701 were replaced during the fourth phase enhancement project to protective shells for transmission channels and the enhancement work to bromine production facilities in Factory No.11, write-offs of the same amounts, were made and included in write-off/impairment on property, plant and equipment.its long-lived assets.

(i)           Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share of Common Stock

Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented.  Diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted earnings per share are considered to be anti-dilutive, i.e. the exercise prices of the outstanding stock options were greater than the market price of the common stock. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents which were excluded from the calculation of number of dilutive common stock equivalents amounted to 332,97357,192 and 2,229,731358,836 shares for the three-month periodperiods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively, and amounted to 307,012 and 1,931,556 shares for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These awards could be dilutive in the future if the market price of the common stock increases and is greater than the exercise price of these awards.
7

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(i)           Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share of Common Stock – Continued

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 
Three-Month Period Ended
September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period Ended
 September 30,
 
Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,
 2015  2014   2015   2014   2016   2015 
Numerator              
Net income $10,679,422  $5,038,403  $26,769,953  $14,989,553  $6,466,964  $5,315,271 
                        
Denominator                        
Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period  46,007,120   38,726,415   44,884,268   38,684,220   46,007,120   42,680,899 
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options  898,242   570,919   969,862   621,755   733,206   796,502 
Diluted  46,905,362   39,297,334   45,854,130   39,305,975   46,740,326   43,477,401 
                        
Net income per share                        
Basic $0.23  $0.13  $0.60  $0.39  $0.14  $0.12 
Diluted $0.23  $0.13  $0.58  $0.38  $0.14  $0.12 

(j)           Reporting Currency and Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency, Renminbi (“RMB”), as the functional currency; whereas the functional currency and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“USD” or “$”).

As such, the Company uses the “current rate method” to translate its PRC operations from RMB into USD, as required under FASB ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”. The assets and liabilities of its PRC operations are translated into USD using the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. The capital accounts are translated at the historical rate. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the balance sheets of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are recorded in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. The statement of income and comprehensive income is translated at average ratesrate during the reporting period. Gains or losses resulting from transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies are recognized in net income for the reporting periods as part of general and administrative expense. The statement of cash flows is translated at average ratesrate during the reporting period, with the exception of issuancethe consideration paid for the acquisition of shares and payment of dividendsbusiness which areis translated at historical rates.
 
(k)           Foreign Operations

All of the Company’s operations and assets are located in PRC.  The Company may be adversely affected by possible political or economic events in this country.  The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.

(l)           Exploration Costs

Exploration costs, which included the cost of researching for appropriate places to drill wells and the cost of well drilling in search of potential natural brine or other resources, are charged to the income statement as incurred.

(m)      Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net of the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and the fair value of liabilities assumed in business acquisitions. Management of the Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill annually or when a possible impairment is indicated. The Company performs its impairment assessment annually and between annual tests in certain circumstances and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill. Goodwill impairment is assessed using the expected present value of associated future cash flows.

(n)           New Accounting Pronouncements

No accounting standards and guidance with an effective date during the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 or issued during 20152016 had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements through 2017.
 
 
87

 
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016
 (Expressed(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 2 – BUSINESS ACQUISITION
 
In order to increase the Company’s profit margins, produce more consistent and reliable earnings and lessen dependence on the economically sensitive bromine industry, on January 12, 2015, Gulf Resources, Inc. (the “Company”(the“Company” or “Gulf”) and Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“SCHC”), entered into an Equity Interest Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”) to acquire 100% of SCRCShouguang City Rongyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. (“SCRC”) for a total consideration of $79,678,746 to be settled in cash and in the shares of the commonscommon stock of the Company.

On February 4, 2015, the Company closed the transactions contemplated by the Agreement between the Company, SCHC and SCRC. The Closing Date is deemed to be the acquisition date.

On the Closing Date, the Company issued 7,268,011 shares7,268,011shares of its common stock, par value $0.0005 per share (the “Shares”), at a the closing market price of $1.84 per Share on the Closing Date to the four former equity owners of SCRC. The sellers of SCRC agreed as part of the purchase price to accept 7,268,011 restricted shares of Gulf Resources stock, based on a valuation of $2.00, which was a 73% premium to the price on the day the agreement was reached. For accounting purposes, these shares are being valued at $1.84, which was the closing price of the Company’s stock on the day of the closing of the agreement.Closing Date. There is no change in the number of shares issued. The total purchase consideration consisted of $66,305,606 in cash and $13,373,140$13,169,506 in the shares of the common stock of the Company.

The issuance of the Shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a lock-up agreement with the four former equity owners of SCRC. In accordance with the terms of the lock-up agreement, the shareholders have agreed not to sell or transfer the Shares for five years from the date the stock certificates evidencing the Shares are issued.

The following table represents the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities of SCRC acquired and goodwill recognized at acquisition date.

Cash $14,074,720  $14,074,720 
Accounts receivable  19,365,259   19,365,259 
Inventories  1,646,196   1,646,196 
Other current assets  82,562   82,562 
Property, plant and equipment, net  17,891,360   17,891,360 
Prepaid land leases, net of current portion  4,800,404   4,800,404 
Goodwill  30,173,391   29,706,970 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (8,670,568)  (8,670,568)
Taxes payable  (963,458)  (963,458)
Cumulative translation adjustment  1,278,880   1,745,301 
Total purchase price $79,678,746  $79,678,746 

The net revenue and net income of SCRC since the acquisition date that are included in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30,fiscal year 2015 are $11,829,929were $51,274,989 and $3,003,994. The net revenue and net income of SCRC since the acquisition date that are included in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are $40,418,261 and $10,202,563.Goodwill$12,667,379. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purpose.

Costs of $121,512 related to the acquisition, which included audit fee and valuation fees, have been charged directly to operations and are included in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30,fiscal year 2015.

The following table shows supplemental information of the actual results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and on a pro forma basis for the ninethree months ended SeptemberMarch 31, 2015, and 2014, as if the acquisition of SCRC had been completed at the beginning of the Company’s interim periods presented.presented:
 
 For the three months ended 
 For the nine months ended  March 31, 2016  March 31, 2015 
 September 30, 2015  September 30, 2014  Actual  Pro forma 
Net Revenue $132,576,760  $127,327,152  $34,495,450  $40,625,092 
Net Income $28,239,987  $24,611,499  $6,466,964  $6,785,305 
EARNINGS PER SHARE                
-Basic $0.61  $0.54  $0.14  $0.15 
-Diluted $0.60  $0.53  $0.14  $0.15 

The pro forma information for all periods presented has been calculated after adjusting for results of SCRC to reflect the business combination accounting effect resulting from this acquisition including the elimination of intercompany sales, depreciation and amortization on the increase in valuation of property, plant and equipment and prepaid land lease. There are no nonrecurring items included in the pro forma results of operations presented.

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of:
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 
March 31,
2016
  
December 31,
2015
 
            
Raw materials $1,022,750  $625,160  $1,000,919  $1,014,917 
Finished goods  5,247,548   4,746,163   5,180,114   5,486,970 
Work-in-process  1,103,076   - 
Work-in-progress  789,991   691,604 
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory  (3,323)  (3,455)  (12,755)  (12,691)
 $7,370,051  $5,367,868  $6,958,269  $7,180,800 
 
NOTE 4 – PREPAID LAND LEASES
 
The Company prepaid itsfor land leases with lease terms for periods ranging from one to fifty years to use the land on which the office premises, production facilities and warehouses of the Company are situated. The prepaid land lease is amortized on a straight line basis.

During the three-month periodperiods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, amortization of prepaid land leaseleases totaled $257,083$131,544 and $234,231,$126,503, respectively, which amounts were recorded as cost of net revenue. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, amortization of prepaid land lease totaled $511,170 and $435,642, respectively, which were recorded as cost of net revenue.

The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, the PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships or the government authority. For parcels of land that are collectively owned by local townships, the Company could notcannot obtain land use rights certificates. The parcels of land thatof which the Company could notcannot obtain land use rights certificates covercovers a total of approximately 59.43 square kilometers with anof aggregate carrying value of $943,089$905,346 and approximately 59.3959.43 square kilometers with anof aggregate carrying value of $742,820$686,073 as at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively.
 
8

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:
 
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 
March 31,
2016
  
December 31,
2015
 
At cost:            
Mineral rights $6,258,632  $6,506,668  $6,161,886  $6,131,230 
Buildings  70,127,755   53,231,127   68,968,483   68,510,164 
Plant and machinery  187,202,515   177,485,689   196,272,356   195,295,877 
Motor vehicles  9,031   9,389   8,892   8,847 
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment  4,965,702   4,884,991   4,888,942   4,864,619 
Construction in process  -   57,596 
Total  268,563,635   242,117,864   276,300,559   274,868,333 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (143,122,022)  (117,767,083)  (154,589,285)  (146,997,010)
Net book value $125,441,613  $124,350,781  $121,711,274  $127,871,323 
 
The Company has certain buildings and salt pans erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, and such parcels of land are collectively owned by local townships or the government.government authority. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings and salt pans. The aggregate carrying values of these properties situated on parcels of the land are $44,165,130$42,097,598 and $37,219,221$42,526,151 as at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively.
9

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET – Continued

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $6,960,873,$6,786,400, of which $6,592,218$6,438,140 and $368,655$348,260 were recorded as cost of net revenue and administrative expenses, respectively. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2014,March 31, 2015, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $6,704,711,$7,290,364, of which $6,189,046$6,932,259 and $515,665$358,105 were recorded as cost of net revenue and administrative expenses, respectively. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $21,690,038, of which $20,585,226 and $1,104,812 were recorded as cost of sales and administrative expenses respectively. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $20,336,460, of which $19,180,021 and $1,156,439 were recorded as cost of sales and administrative expenses respectively.

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, NET

Property, plant and equipment under capital leases, net consist of the following:

 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 
March 31,
2016
  
December 31,
2015
 
At cost:            
Buildings $129,362  $134,489  $127,362  $126,729 
Plant and machinery  2,431,638   2,528,007   2,394,050   2,382,139 
Total  2,561,000   2,662,496   2,521,412   2,508,868 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (1,529,003)  (1,322,894)  (1,673,749)  (1,581,650)
Net book value $1,031,997  $1,339,602  $847,663  $927,218 
 
The above buildings erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, are collectively owned by local townships.  The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings as the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on the underlying parcels of land.  

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014,March 31, 2016, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $86,970 and $88,352, respectively,$83,320, which was recorded as cost of net revenue. During the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30,March 31, 2015, and 2014, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $264,474 and $265,601, respectively,$88,624, which was recorded as cost of net revenue.

9

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

 March 31,  December 31, 
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 2016  2015 
Accounts payable $11,062,550  $3,181,465  $11,090,959  $8,835,442 
Salary payable  273,410   234,932   275,902   271,369 
Social security insurance contribution payable  116,914   89,232   116,052   114,370 
Construction cost payable  7,666,742   - 
Other payables  644,182   499,099   517,346   708,519 
Total $19,763,798  $4,004,728  $12,000,259  $9,929,700 
 
10

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the Company borrowed $220,000 and $740,000, respectively,a sum of $255,369 from Jiaxing Lighting Appliance Company Limited (Jiaxing Lighting”), in which Mr. Ming Yang, a shareholder and the Chairman of the Company, hadhas a 100% equity interest in Jiaxing Lighting.interest. The amountsamount due to Jiaxing Lighting was unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand and was fully settled in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. There was no balance owing to Jiaxing Lighting as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

During the fiscal year 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Seed Industry Group Co., Ltd, a related party, to provide property management services for an annual amount of approximately $100,704 for five years from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. The expense associated with this agreement for the three- month periodthree months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 were $24,936 and $25,332. The expense associated with this agreement for the nine- month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $75,829 and $76,152.

was approximately $25,500.

NOTE 9 – TAXES PAYABLE
 
Taxes payable consists of the following:
 
 March 31,  December 31, 
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 2016  2015 
Income tax payable $3,304,992  $1,388,341  $2,360,054  $2,400,400 
Mineral resource compensation fee payable  339,639   292,026   302,967   255,984 
Value added tax payable  1,023,139   724,915   1,402,226   1,030,664 
Land use right tax payable  923,146   949,544 
Land use tax payable  908,876   904,354 
Other tax payables  224,993   190,603   244,443   222,601 
Total $5,815,909  $3,545,429  $5,218,566  $4,814,003 
   
NOTE 10 – CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
The components of capital lease obligations are as follows:
 
Imputed September 30, December 31,Imputed March 31, December 31,
Interest rate 2015 2014Interest rate 2016 2015
Total capital lease obligations6.7% $2,764,319  $3,031,623 6.7% $2,812,826  $2,752,692 
Less: Current portion   (155,296)  (205,128)   (244,133)  (196,778)
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion  $2,609,023  $2,826,495   $2,568,693  $2,555,914 

Interest expenses from capital lease obligations amounted to $46,348$45,891 and $48,863$50,657 for the three-month periodperiods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively, which were charged to the income statements. Interest expenses from capitalcondensed consolidated statement of income. See Note 19 for future minimum lease obligations amounted to $147,808 and $153,630 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which were charged to the income statements.payments disclosure.

10

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 11 –EQUITY

(a)Authorized shares

During the annual general meeting held on June 18, 2013, the shareholders of the Company approved the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number of the authorized shares of the Company’s commentcommon stocks to 80,000,000. The Company has completed the filing of the amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Delaware to decrease the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock and accordinglystock. Accordingly, 80,000,000 is disclosed as the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

(b)Retained Earnings - Appropriated

In accordance with the relevant PRC regulations and the PRC subsidiaries’ Articles of Association, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to allocate its profit after tax to the following reserve:
 
Statutory Common Reserve Funds
 
SCHC, SYCI and SCRC are required each year to transfer at least 10% of the profit after tax as reported under the PRC statutory financial statements to the Statutory Common Reserve Funds until the balance reaches 50% of the registered share capital.  This reserve can be used to make up any loss incurred or to increase share capital.  Except for the reduction of losses incurred, any other application should not result in this reserve balance falling below 25% of the registered capital. The Statutory Common Reserve Fund as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 for SCHC, SYCI and SCRC is 39%41%, 50% and 7%9% of its registered capital respectively.

NOTE 12 – TREASURY STOCK

In January 2015, the Company repurchased 31,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an average price of $1.22 per share for a total cost of $37,713 under the approval of the Board of Directors. The Company recorded the entire purchase price of the treasury stock as a reduction of equity.

11

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 13 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan approved in 2011(“Plan”), the total aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock reservedavailable for grant of stock options and issuance is 4,341,989 shares. On October 5, 2015, during the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, the aggregate number of shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan was increased to 10,341,989. As of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance under the Plan is 1,048,489.6,993,489.

The fair value of each option award below is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the yield-to-maturity in continuous compounding of the US Government Bonds with the time-to-maturity similar to the expected tenor of the option granted, volatility is based on the annualized historical stock price volatility of the Company, and the expected life is estimated based on historical share option exercise experiencethe estimated average of the life of options using the “simplified” method, as prescribed in FASB ASC 718.718, due to insufficient historical exercise activity during recent years as a basis from which to estimate future exercise patterns.

In early March 2015,2016, the Company granted to an independent director an option to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.66$1.78 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $7,400$7,300 fair value, with assumed 73.55%65.69% volatility, a three-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 1.491.33 years, a risk free rate of 0.42%0.71% and no dividend yield. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, $7,4002016, $7,300 was recognized as general and administrative expenses.

On April 8, 2015, the Company granted to 17 management staff options to purchase 275,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, at an exercise price of $1.428 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $146,400 fair value, respectively, with assumed 68.70% volatility, a four-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 0.94 years, a risk free rate of 0.20% and no dividend yield.

On April 8, 2015, the Company granted to 3 director options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, at an exercise price of $1.428 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $181,400 fair value, respectively, with assumed 65.71% volatility, a four-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 1.30 years, a risk free rate of 0.31% and no dividend yield.

On May 7, 2015, the Company granted to an independent director an option to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.550 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $8,600 fair value, with assumed 69.32% volatility, a three-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 0.97 years, a risk free rate of 0.23% and no dividend yield.

On July 1, 2015, the Company granted to an independent director an option to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.07 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $9,500 fair value, with assumed 67.05% volatility, a three-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 1.33 years, a risk free rate of 0.41% and no dividend yield.


The following table summarizes all Company stock option transactions between January 1, 20152016 and September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

  
Number of Option
and Warrants
Outstanding and exercisable
 
Weighted- Average
Exercise price of
Option
and Warrants
 
Range of
Exercise Price per Common Share
 
Balance, January 1, 2015  2,744,000 $2.38 $0.95 - $12.60 
Granted and vested during the period
Ended September 30, 2015
  612,500 $1.47 $1.43-2.55 
Exercised during the period ended
September 30, 2015
  (182,500)$1.12 $0.95-1.66 
Expired during the period ended
September 30, 2015
  (817,500)$4.86 $2.06-4.97 
Balance, September 30, 2015  2,356,500 $1.38 $0.95 - $12.60 
  
Number of Option
and Warrants
Outstanding and exercisable
  
Weighted- Average Exercise price of Option
and Warrants
  
Range of
Exercise Price per Common Share
 
Balance, January 1, 2016  2,399,000   $1.39   $0.95 - $12.60 
Granted and vested during the period
ended March 31, 2016
  12,500   $1.78   $1.78 
Expired during the
period ended March 31, 2016
  (50,000   $12.60   $12.60 
Balance, March 31, 2016  2,361,500   $1.15   $0.95 - $4.80 
  Stock and Warrants Options Exercisable and Outstanding
      Weighted Average 
      Remaining 
  Outstanding at March 31, 2016 
Range of
Exercise Prices
 
Contractual Life
 (Years)
 
 
Exercisable and outstanding
 2,361,500 $0.95 - $4.80 1.92 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2016 was $1,169,892.
 
 
1211

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016
 (Expressed(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE 13 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – Continued

  Stock and Warrants Options Exercisable and Outstanding
      Weighted Average 
      Remaining 
  Outstanding at September 30, 2015 
Range of
Exercise Prices
 
Contractual Life
 (Years)
 
 
Exercisable and outstanding
 2,356,500 $0.95 - $12.60 2.36 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2015 was $736,442.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $236,535 and $400,954 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying award and the closing market price of the stock of the Company as of September 30, 2014 for options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2015, and the closing market price of the stock of the Company as of the date of exercise for options exercised.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 97,244 shares of common stock were issued upon cashless exercise of 182,500 options.

NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10.

(a)           United States

Gulf Resources, Inc. ismay be subject to the United States of America Tax law at a tax rate of 35%. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no US taxable income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, and management believes that its earnings are permanently invested in the PRC.

(b)           BVI

Upper Class Group Limited, a subsidiary of Gulf Resources, Inc., was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, it is not subject to tax on income or capital gain in the BVI. Upper Class Group Limited did not generate assessable profit for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 2014.2015.

(c)           Hong Kong

Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a subsidiary of Upper Class Group Limited, was incorporated in Hong Kong and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax. The Company is subject to Hong Kong taxation on its activities conducted in Hong Kong and income arising in or derived from Hong Kong.  No provision for profits tax has been made as the Company has no assessable income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 2014.2015.  The applicable statutory tax rates for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 are 16.5%. There is no dividend withholding tax in Hong Kong.

(d)           PRC

Enterprise income tax (“EIT”) for SCHC, SYCI and SCRC in the PRC is charged at 25% of the assessable profits.

The operating subsidiaries SCHC, SYCI and SCRC are wholly foreign-owned enterprises (“FIE”) incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC Foreign Enterprise Income Tax Law.

On February 22, 2008, the Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) jointly issued Cai Shui [2008] Circular 1 (“Circular 1”). According to Article 4 of Circular 1, distributions of accumulated profits earned by a FIE prior to January 1, 2008 to foreign investor(s) in 2008 will be exempted from withholding tax (“WHT”) while distribution of the profit earned by an FIE after January 1, 2008 to its foreign investor(s) shall be subject to WHT at 5% effective tax rate.

As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the accumulated distributable earnings under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP”) of PRC are $259,398,916$268,145,107 and $242,440,917,$260,471,507, respectively. Since the Company intends to reinvest its earnings to further expand its businesses in mainland China, its foreign invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the Company has not recorded any WHT on the cumulative amount of distributable retained earnings of its foreign invested enterprises in China. As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the unrecognized WHT are $11,899,270$12,353,130 and $11,008,938,$11,974,695, respectively.
13

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES – Continued

The Company’s tax returns are subject to the various tax authorities’ examination. The federal, state and local authorities of the United States may examine the Company’s tax returns filed in the United States for three years from the date of filing. The Company’s US tax returns since 20112012 are currently subject to examination. Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong may examine the Company’s tax returns filed in Hong Kong for seven years from date of filing. The Company’s Hong Kong tax returns since incorporation in year 2008 are currently subject to examination. The tax authorities of the PRC may examine the Company’s PRC tax returns for three years from the date of filing.

The components of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations are:

Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
  Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014   2016   2015 
Current taxes – PRC $3,290,372  $1,732,861  $9,086,618  $5,035,433  $2,267,671  $1,952,947 
Deferred taxes – PRC  -   -   (81,460  -   -   (81,459
 $3,290,372  $1,732,861  $9,005,158  $5,035,433  $2,267,671  $1,871,488 
 
12

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES – Continued

The effective income tax expenses differ from the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% from continuing operations in the PRC as follows:

Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Reconciliations2015 2014 2015 2014 2016 2015
Statutory income tax rate
25%
  25%  25%  25%  25%  25%
Non-taxable item(1%)  0%  (0.7%)  0%
Change in valuation allowance - US federal net operating loss0%  1%  0.7%  0%
US federal net operating loss  1%  1%
Effective tax rate24%  26%  25%  25%  26%  26%

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 30, 20142015 are as follows:

 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
Deferred tax liabilities $-  $- 
         
Deferred tax assets:        
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories $831  $864 
Impairment on property, plant and equipment  459,228   477,427 
Exploration costs  1,957,141   1,952,990 
Compensation costs of unexercised stock options  621,707   1,427,296 
US federal net operating loss  10,013,893   9,692,379 
Total deferred tax assets  13,052,800   13,550,956 
Valuation allowance  (10,635,600)  (11,119,675)
Net deferred tax asset $2,417,200  $2,431,281 
         
Current deferred tax asset $831  $864 
Long-term deferred tax asset $2,416,369  $2,430,417 
14

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES – Continued

The increase in valuation allowance for each of the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is $70,320 and $57,219, respectively.
  March 31,  December 31, 
 2016  2015 
Deferred tax liabilities $-  $- 
         
Deferred tax assets:        
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories $3,189  $3,173 
Impairment on property, plant and equipment  452,129   449,879 
Exploration costs  1,926,886   1,917,301 
Compensation costs of unexercised stock options  473,517   629,162 
US federal net operating loss  10,889,000   10,835,000 
Total deferred tax assets  13,744,721   13,834,515 
Valuation allowance  (11,362,517)  (11,464,162)
Net deferred tax asset $2,382,204  $2,370,353 
         
Current deferred tax asset $3,189  $3,173 
Long-term deferred tax asset $2,379,015  $2,367,180 

The decrease in valuation allowance for the nine-month periodthree-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 is $484,075.$101,645.

The increasedecrease in valuation allowance for the nine-month periodthree-month periods ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 is $276,646.$763,402.

There were no unrecognized tax benefits and accrual for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has three reportable segments:  bromine, crude salt and chemical products. The reportable segments are consistent with how management views the markets served by the Company and the financial information that is reviewed by its chief operating decision maker.
13

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

An operating segment’s performance is primarily evaluated based on segment operating income, which excludes share-based compensation expense, certain corporate costs and other income not associated with the operations of the segment. These corporate costs (income) are separately stated below and also include costs that are related to functional areas such as accounting, treasury, information technology, legal, human resources, and internal audit. The Company believes that segment operating income, as defined above, is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of its segments. All the customers are located in PRC.

Three-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2015
 Bromine*  
Crude
 Salt*
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2016 Bromine *  
Crude
 Salt *
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Net revenue
(external customers)
 $14,940,666  $3,032,201  $24,628,731  $42,601,598  $-  $42,601,598  $13,169,528  $1,766,608  $19,559,314  $34,495,450  $-  $34,495,450 
Net revenue
(intersegment)
  2,330,808   -   -   2,330,808   -   2,330,808   1,822,202   -   -   1,822,202   -   1,822,202 
Income from
operations before taxes
  4,307,709   351,251   8,393,184   13,052,144   851,014   13,903,158 
Income (loss) from operations before taxes  3,005,518   227,613   5,723,731   8,956,862   (290,544)  8,666,318 
Income taxes  932,211   231,354   2,126,807   3,290,372   -   3,290,372   743,370   63,504   1,460,797   2,267,671   -   2,267,671 
Income from operations after taxes  3,375,498   119,897   6,266,377   9,761,772   851,014   10,612,786 
Income (loss) from operations after taxes  2,262,148   164,109   4,262,934   6,689,191   (290,544)  6,398,647 
Total assets  142,874,828   42,858,017   181,468,875   367,201,720   38,165   367,239,885   150,811,432   30,335,316   185,961,792   367,108,540   36,152   367,144,692 
Depreciation and amortization  3,961,290   1,680,827   1,405,726   7,047,843   -   7,047,843   4,367,792   1,192,666   1,309,263   6,869,721   -   6,869,721 
Capital expenditures  2,365,417   427,283   -   2,792,700   -   2,792,700 
Goodwill  -   -   29,706,970   29,706,970   -   29,706,970 

Three-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2014
 Bromine*  
Crude
 Salt*
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Net revenue
(external customers)
 $15,973,528  $2,655,028  $12,478,408  $31,106,964  $-  $31,106,964 
Net revenue
(intersegment)
  832,946   -   -   832,946   -   832,946 
Income (loss) from
operations before taxes
  3,131,684   (431,901   4,161,811   6,861,594   (167,005   6,694,589 
Income taxes  793,882   (109,510)  1,048,489   1,732,861   -   1,732,861 
Income (loss) from operations after taxes  2,337,802   (322,391   3,113,322   5,128,733   (167,005   4,961,728 
Total assets  190,832,648   54,799,590   75,322,416   320,954,654   43,825   320,998,479 
Depreciation and amortization  4,266,547   1,638,806   887,710   6,793,063   -   6,793,063 
Capital expenditures  5,342,659   1,116,591   -   6,459,250   -   6,459,250 
15

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

Nine-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2015
 Bromine*  
Crude
 Salt*
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Net revenue
(external customers)
 $41,066,776  $7,905,274  $77,890,447  $126,862,497  $-  $126,862,497 
Net revenue
(intersegment)
  6,355,047   -   -   6,355,047   -   6,355,047 
Income (loss) from
operations before taxes
  8,950,595   534,760   26,205,578   35,690,933   (115,735)  35,575,198 
Income taxes  1,959,513   412,092   6,633,553   9,005,158   -   9,005,158 
Income (loss) from operations after taxes  6,991,082   122,668   19,572,025   26,685,775   (115,735)  26,570,040 
Total assets  142,874,828   42,858,017   181,468,875   367,201,720   38,165   367,239,885 
Depreciation and amortization  13,198,194   4,671,613   4,084,705   21,954,512   -   21,954,512 
Capital expenditures  2,365,417   427,283   -   2,792,700   -   2,792,700 

Nine-Month
Period Ended September 30, 2014
 Bromine*  
Crude
 Salt*
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2015 Bromine *  
Crude
 Salt *
  
Chemical
 Products
  
Segment
 Total
  Corporate  Total 
Net revenue
(external customers)
 $43,950,056  $8,012,368  $36,489,530  $88,451,954  $-  $88,451,954  $11,033,249  $1,963,731  $21,913,849  $34,910,829  $-  $34,910,829 
Net revenue
(intersegment)
  2,453,779   -   -   2,453,779   -   2,453,779   1,505,677   -   -   1,505,677   -   1,505,677 
Income (loss) from
operations before taxes
  7,748,981   94,609   12,123,116   19,966,706   (138,901)  19,827,805   136,959   187,535   7,046,740   7,371,234   (260,583)  7,110,651 
Income taxes  1,964,367   17,483   3,053,583   5,035,433   -   5,035,433   75,406   9,057   1,787,025   1,871,488   -   1,871,488 
Income (loss) from operations after taxes  5,784,614   77,126   9,069,533   14,931,273   (138,901)  14,792,372   61,553   178,478   5,259,715   5,499,746   (260,583)  5,239,163 
Total assets  190,832,648   54,799,590   75,322,416   320,954,654   43,825   320,998,479   140,192,979   37,708,081   176,388,517   354,289,577   35,354   354,324,931 
Depreciation and amortization  13,194,940   4,738,524   2,668,597   20,602,061   -   20,602,061   4,735,301   1,401,296   1,242,391   7,378,988   -   7,378,988 
Capital expenditures  5,342,659   1,116,591   -   6,459,250   -   6,459,250 
Goodwill  -   -   31,452,271   31,452,271   -   31,452,271 

* Certain common production overheads, operating and administrative expenses and asset items (mainly cash and certain office equipment) of bromine and crude salt segments in SCHC were split by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment.

  
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
  
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Reconciliations 2015  2014  2015  2014 
Total segment operating income $13,052,144  $6,861,594  $35,690,933  $19,966,706 
Corporate costs  (210,707)  (165,386)  (1,153,164)  (375,929)
Unrealized translation difference  1,061,721   (1,619)  1,037,429   237,028 
Income from operations  13,903,158   6,694,589   35,575,198   19,827,805 
Other income, net of expense  66,636   76,675   199,913   197,181 
Income before taxes $13,969,794  $6,771,264  $35,775,111  $20,024,986 
 
 
16

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
(000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total Revenue (%)
 
1 
Shandong Morui
Chemical Company
Limited
 $2,059  $852  $2,085  $4,996   11.7% 
TOTAL   $2,059  $852  $2,085  $4,996   11.7% 

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
(000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total Revenue (%)
 
1 
Shandong Morui
Chemical Company
Limited
 $6,130  $2,047  $5,769  $13,946   11.0% 
TOTAL   $6,130  $2,047  $5,769  $13,946   11.0% 

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014.

Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
(000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total Revenue (%)
 
1 
Shandong Morui
Chemical Company
Limited
 $2,212  $673  $1,916  $4,801   15.4% 
TOTAL   $2,212  $673  $1,916  $4,801   15.4% 

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014.

Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
(000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total Revenue (%)
 
1 
Shandong Morui
Chemical Company
Limited
 $6,300  $1,936  $5,237  $13,473   15.2% 
TOTAL   $6,300  $1,936  $5,237  $13,473   15.2% 

NOTE 16 – MAJOR SUPPLIERS

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased 58.5% and 57.2% of its raw materials from its top five suppliers, respectively.  As of September 30, 2015, amounts due to those suppliers included in accounts payable were $4,320,350. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased 89.0% and 89.6% of its raw materials from its top five suppliers, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014, amounts due to those suppliers included in accounts payable were $3,710,837.This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.
1714

  
GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016
 (Expressed(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued
  Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 
Reconciliations 2016  2015 
Total segment operating income $8,956,862  $7,371,234 
Corporate costs  (160,082)  (361,942
Unrealized (loss)/gain on translation of intercompany balance  (130,462)  101,359 
Income from operations  8,666,318   7,110,651 
Other income  68,317   76,108 
Income before taxes $8,734,635  $7,186,759 

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.

Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
 (000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total
Revenue (%)
 
 1 
Shandong Morui Chemical
Company Limited
 $2,422  $487  $1,301  $4,210   12.2%

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.
Number Customer 
Bromine
(000’s)
  
Crude Salt
(000’s)
  
Chemical Products
(000’s)
  
Total
Revenue
 (000’s)
  
Percentage of
Total
Revenue (%)
 
 1 
Shandong Morui Chemical
Company Limited
 $1,690  $464  $1,710  $3,864   11.1%

NOTE 17 –16– CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

The Company sells a substantial portion of its products to a limited number of customers. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company sold 32.7%34.4% and 31.6%31.2% of its products to its top five customers, respectively. As of September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, amounts due from these customers were $27,417,737. During the three-month$22,632,476 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the Company sold 42.4% of its products to its top five customers,$19,719,116, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, amounts due from these customers were $24,632,838. This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.
NOTE 17 – MAJOR SUPPLIERS

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company purchased 55.2% and 57.0% of its raw materials from its top five suppliers, respectively.  As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, amounts due to those suppliers included in accounts payable were $5,328,377 and $5,698,079, respectively. This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.
15

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2016
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 18 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and other payables, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  There were no material unrecognized financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

NOTE 19 – CAPITAL COMMITMENT AND OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

As of September 30, 2014,March 31, 2016, the Company has leased a real property adjacent to Factory No. 1, with the related production facility, channels and ducts, other production equipment and the buildings located on the property, under capital lease. The future minimum lease payments required under the capital lease, together with the present value of such payments, are included in the table show below.
 
The Company has leased ten piecesparcels of land under non-cancelable operating leases, which are fixed in rentals and expiredexpire through December 2021, December 2022, December 2023, December 2030, December 2031, December 2032, December 2040, February 2059, August 2059 and June 2060, respectively.

The Company accounts for the leaseshas no purchase commitments as operating leases.of March 31, 2016.

The following table sets forth the Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015:March 31, 2016:

  Capital Lease Obligations  Operating Lease Obligations  
Property
Management
Fees
 
Payable within:          
the next 12 months $295,064  $973,452  $98,071 
the next 13 to 24 months  295,064   995,561   98,071 
the next 25 to 36 months  295,064   1,015,738   24,518 
the next 37 to 48 months  295,064   1,039,879   - 
the next 49 to 60 months  295,064   1,062,035   - 
thereafter  2,950,646   19,059,308   - 
Total $4,425,966  $24,145,973  $220,660 
Less: Amount representing interest  (1,661,647)        
Present value of net minimum lease payments $2,764,319         
18

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 (Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 19 – CAPITAL COMMITMENT AND OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS – Continued
  Capital Lease Obligations  Operating Lease Obligations  
Property
Management Fees
 
Payable within:          
the next 12 months$290,503  $974,566  $96,555 
  the next 13 to 24 months  290,503   995,610   96,555 
  the next 25 to 36 months  290,503   1,017,781   - 
the next 37 to 48 months  290,503   1,040,823   - 
the next 49 to 60 months  290,503   1,065,098   - 
  thereafter  2,905,034   18,348,909   - 
Total $4,357,549  $23,442,787  $193,110 
Less: Amount representing interest  (1,544,723)        
Present value of net minimum lease payments $2,812,826         

Rental expenses related to operating leases of the Company amounted to $267,281$260,383 and $244,097,$265,297, which were charged to the condensed consolidated statements of income statements for the three-monththree months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively. Rental expenses related to operating leases of the Company amounted to $810,983 and $733,138, which were charged to the income statements for the nine-month ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

During the annual general meeting on October 5, 2015, the following were approved:

a)amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of Shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan by 6,000,000 shares; and

b)reincorporation of the Company from Delaware to Nevada which will be effected through the merger of the Company into a newly formed Nevada Corporation that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The reincorporation will eliminate the Company’s obligation to pay the annual Delaware franchise tax resulting in significant savings to the Company in the long term. There will be no change in the Company’s business, management, employees, headquarters, benefit plans, assets, liabilities or net worth (other than as a result of the costs incidental to the reincorporation which is expected to be immaterial).
 
1916

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
The discussion below contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  We have used words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, those matters discussed in Item 1A of Part I of our 20142015 Form 10-K.  Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances, or for any other reason.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in our 20142015 Form 10-K and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015.

Overview
 
Gulf Resources conducts operations through its three wholly-owned China subsidiaries, SCHC, SYCI and SCRC. Our business is also reported in these three segments, Bromine, Crude Salt, and Chemical Products.
 
Through SCHC, we produce and sell bromine and crude salt. We are one of the largest producers of bromine in China, as measured by production output. Elemental bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of brominated compounds used in industry and agriculture. Bromine is commonly used in brominated flame retardants, fumigants, water purification compounds, dyes, medicines, and disinfectants.
 
Through SYCI, we manufacture and sell chemical products that are used in oil and gas field exploration, oil and gas distribution, oil field drilling, wastewater processing, papermaking chemical agents and inorganic chemicals.

Through SCRC, we manufacture and sell chemical products that are used for human and animal antibiotics.

Our Corporate History
     
We wereare incorporated in Delaware on February 28, 1989.Nevada. From November 1993 through August 2006, we were engaged in the business of owning, leasing and operating coin and debit card pay-per copy photocopy machines, fax machines, microfilm reader-printers and accessory equipment under the name “Diversifax, Inc.”. Due to the increased use of internet services, demand for our services declined sharply, and in August 2006, our Board of Directors decided to discontinue our operations.
 
Upper Class Group Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in July 2006, acquired all the outstanding stock of SCHC, a company incorporated in Shouguang City, Shandong Province, PRC, in May 2005. At the time of the acquisition, members of the family of Mr. Ming Yang, our president and former chief executive officer, owned approximately 63.20% of the outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited. Since the ownership of Upper Class Group Limited and SCHC was then substantially the same, the acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, whereby Upper Class Group Limited recognized the assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts.

On December 12, 2006, our company,we, then known as Diversifax, Inc., a public “shell” company, acquired Upper Class Group Limited and SCHC. Under the terms of the agreement, the stockholders of Upper Class Group Limited received 13,250,000 (restated for the 2-for-1 stock split in 2007 and the 1-for-4 stock split in 2009) shares of voting common stock of Gulf Resources, Inc. in exchange for all outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited. Members of the Yang family received approximately 62% of our common stock as a result of the acquisition.  Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the share exchange is considered to be a capital transaction rather than a business combination. That is, the share exchange is equivalent to the issuance of stock by Upper Class Group Limited for the net assets of Gulf Resources, Inc., accompanied by a recapitalization, and is accounted for as a change in capital structure. Accordingly, the accounting for the share exchange is identical to that resulting from a reverse acquisition, except no goodwill is recorded. Under reverse takeover accounting, the post reverse acquisition comparative historical financial statements of the legal acquirer, Gulf Resources, Inc., are those of the legal acquiree, Upper Class Group Limited. Share and per share amounts stated have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the share exchange. On February 20, 2007, we changed our corporate name to Gulf Resources, Inc.
 
 
2017

On February 5, 2007, we acquired SYCI, a company incorporated in PRC, in October 2000. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the stockholders of SYCI received a total of 8,094,059 (restated for the 2-for-1 stock split in 2007 and the 1-for-4 stock split in 2009) shares of common stock of Gulf Resources, Inc. in exchange for all outstanding shares of SYCI's common stock. Simultaneously with the completion of the acquisition, a dividend of $2,550,000 was paid to the former stockholders of SYCI. At the time of the acquisition, approximately 49.1% of the outstanding shares of SYCI were owned by Ms. Yu, Mr. Yang’s wife, and the remaining 50.9% of the outstanding shares of SYCI were owned by SCHC, all of whose outstanding shares were owned by Mr. Yang and his wife. Since the ownership of Gulf Resources, Inc. and SYCI are substantially the same, the acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, whereby Gulf Resources, Inc. recognized the assets and liabilities of SYCI at their carrying amounts. Share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the acquisition.

To satisfy certain ministerial requirements necessary to confirm certain government approvals required in connection with the acquisition of SCHC by Upper Class Group Limited, all of the equity interest of SCHC were transferred to a newly formed Hong Kong corporation named Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited (“Hong Kong Jiaxing”) all of the outstanding shares of which are owned by Upper Class Group Limited. The transfer of all of the equity interest of SCHC to Hong Kong Jiaxing received approval from the local State Administration of Industry and Commerce on December 10, 2007.

As a result of the transactions described above, our corporate structure is linear. That is Gulf Resources owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Hong Kong Jiaxing, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of SCHC, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of SYCI.

On October 12, 2009 we completed a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of our common stock, such that for each four shares outstanding prior to the stock split there was one share outstanding after the reverse stock split. All shares of common stock referenced in this report have been adjusted to reflect the stock split figures. On October 27, 2009 our shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “GFRE” and on June 30, 2011 we changed our ticker symbol to “GURE” to better reflectreflection of our corporate name.

On January 12, 2015, Gulf Resources, Inc. (the “Company” or “Gulf”) and Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“SCHC”),and SCHC entered into an Equity Interest Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”with Shouguang City Rongyuan Chemical Co., Ltd (“SCRC”) with SCRC.pursuant to which SCHC agreed to acquire SCRC and all rights, title and interest in and to all assets owned by SCRC, a leading manufacturer of materials for human and animal antibiotics in China and other parts of Asia.

On February 4, 2015 the Company closed the transactions contemplated by the Agreementagreement between the Company, SCHC and SCRC.

On the Closing Date, the Company issued 7,268,011shares of its common stock, par value $0.0005 per share (the “Shares”), at the closing market price of $1.84 per Share on the Closing Dateclosing date to the four former equity owners of SCRC .The issuance of the Shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a lock-up agreement with the four former equity owners of SCRC. In accordance with the terms of the lock-up agreement, the shareholders have agreed not to sell or transfer the Shares for five years from the date the stock certificates evidencing the Shares are issued.

The sellers of SCRC agreed as part of the purchase price to accept 7,268,011 shares of Gulf Resources stock,the Shares, based on a valuation of $2.00, which was a 73% premium to the price on the day the agreement was reached. For accounting purposes, these sharesthe Shares are now being valued at $1.84, which was the closing price of Gulf Resources'our stock on the day of the closing date of the agreement. The price difference between the original $2.00 and the current $1.84 is solely for accounting purposes. There has been no change in the number of shares issued.

On November 24, 2015, Gulf Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation consummated a merger with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gulf Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation. As a result of the reincorporation, the Company is now a Nevada corporation.

On December 15, 2015, the Company registered a new subsidiary in the Sichuan Province of the PRC named Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“DCHC”) with registered Capital of RMB50,000,000, and there has been no capital contributed yet. DCHC was established to further explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in China. The business has not yet commenced operations.

Our current corporate structure chart is set forth in the following diagram:

As a result of our acquisitions of SCHC, SYCI and SCRC, our historical financial statements and the information presented below reflects the accounts of SCHC, SYCI and SCRC. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
 
2118

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following table presents certain information derived from the consolidated statements of operations,income, cash flows and stockholdersstockholders’ equity for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 2014.2015. 

Comparison of the Three-Month PeriodPeriods Ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014

 
Three-Month
Period Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Three-Month
Period Ended
September 30, 2014
  % Change
Three-Month Period
Ended March 31, 2016
 
Three-Month Period
Ended March 31, 2015
  % Change
Net revenue $42,601,598  $31,106,964   37%$34,495,450  $34,910,829   (1%)
Cost of net revenue $(27,000,576 $(21,901,056  23%$(23,881,646 $(25,480,858  (6%)
Gross profit $15,601,022  $9,205,908   69%$10,613,804  $9,429,971   13%
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses $(91,919 $(29,064)  216%$(81,901 $(81,430)  1%
Research and development costs $(69,403 $(30,985    124%$(59,837 $(48,235  24%
Write-off/Impairment on property, plant and equipment $(819,701 $(673,705)  22%
Exploration cost$-  $(325,840)  (100%)
General and administrative expenses $(831,955 $(1,894,507)  (56%)$(1,916,030 $(1,981,117)  (3%) 
Other operating income $115,114  $116,942   (2%)$110,282  $117,302   (6%)
Income from operations $13,903,158  $6,694,589   108%$8,666,318  $7,110,651   22%
Other income, net $66,636  $76,675   (13%)$68,317  $76,108   (10%)
Income before taxes $13,969,794  $6,771,264   106%$8,734,635  $7,186,759   22%
Income taxes $(3,290,372 $(1,732,861  90%$(2,267,671 $(1,871,488  21%
Net income $10,679,422  $5,038,403   112%$6,466,964  $5,315,271   22%

Net revenue.revenue  NetThe table below shows the changes in net revenue was $42,601,598in the respective segment of the Company for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of approximately 11.5 million (or 37%) asMarch 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $11,829,929 to our net revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.2015:

Revenue from the bromine products segment decreased from $15,973,528 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $14,940,666 for the same period in 2015, a decrease of approximately 6.5%. Revenue from the crude salt segment increased from $2,655,028 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $3,032,201 for the same period in 2015, an increase of approximately 14.2%.

Revenue from the chemical segment increased from $12,478,408 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $24,628,731 for the same period in 2015, an increase of approximately 97.4%.
  Net Revenue by Segment  
  Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended Percent Increase/(Decrease)
  March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 of Net Revenue
Segment    % of total    % of total   
Bromine $13,169,528   38% $11,033,249   31%  19%
Crude Salt $1,766,608   5% $1,963,731   6%  (10%)
Chemical Products $19,559,314   57% $21,913,849   63%  (11%)
Total sales $34,495,450   100% $34,910,829   100%  (1
 
%)
 
  Net Revenue by Segment  
  Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended 
Percent change
Increase/
(Decrease)
  September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 of Net Revenue
Segment    % of total    % of total   
Bromine $14,940,666   35% $15,973,528   51%  (6.5%)
Crude Salt $3,032,201   7% $2,655,028   9%  14.2%
Chemical Products $24,628,731   58% $12,478,408   40%  97.4%
Total sales $42,601,598   100% $31,106,964   51%  37.0%

Bromine and crude salt segments  Three-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change
product sold in tonnes September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Decrease
Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI and SCRC after acquisition in January 2015)  4,726   5,596   (16%)
Crude Salt  91,165   95,234   (4%)
  Three-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change
Bromine and crude salt segments product sold in tonnes March 31, 2016  March 31, 2015  decrease
Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI and SCRC)  3,428   3,671   (7%)
Crude Salt  59,200   62,727   (6%)
 
 Three-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change Three-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change
Chemical products segment sold in tonnes September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Increase/(Decrease) March 31, 2016  March 31, 2015  Increase/(Decrease)
Oil and gas exploration additives  3,748   3,836   (2%)  2,434   3,481   (30%)
Paper manufacturing additives  1,127   1,115   1%  703   991   (29%)
Pesticides manufacturing additives  824   852   (3%)  508   770   (34%)
Pharmaceutical intermediates  379   -   -   375   312    20%
By products  3,368   -   - 
By product  2795   2341    19%
Overall  9,446   5,803   63%  6,815   7,895   (14%)
 
 
2219

 
Bromine segment

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of bromine for three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014.

  
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue of bromine as a result of: 2015 vs. 2014
Increase in average selling price $ 1,584,283 
Decrease in sales volume $(2,617,145)
Total effect on net revenue of bromine $(1,032,862

The decreaseincrease in net revenue from our bromine segment was mainly due to the decreaseincrease in the sales volume. selling price of bromine. The selling price of bromine increased from $3,006 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 to $3,841 per tonne for the same period in 2016, an increase of 28%.

The sales volume of bromine decreased from 5,5963,671 tonnes for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 to 4,7263,428 tonnes for the same period in 2015,2016, a decrease of 16%7%. The reasonsmajor reason for the decrease in the sales volume of bromine werewas mainly due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries and the sale of bromine to SCRC in three-month period ended September 30, 2015 excluded from the net revenue in the bromine segment as SCRC was acquired by us in January 2015.industries.

The selling price of bromine increased from $2,855 per tonne for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $3,162 per tonne for the same period in 2015, an increase of 11%. We expect the average selling price of bromine to remain at current levels through the end of 2015 should the PRC government’s macro-economic tightening policy remain in place.

Crude salt segment

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of crude salt for three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014.

  
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue of crude salt as a result of: 2015 vs. 2014
Increase in average selling price $501,555 
Decrease in sales volume $(124,382)
Total effect on net revenue of crude salt $377,173 

The increase in net revenue from our crude salt segment was mainly due to the increase in the selling price of crude salt. The selling price of crude salt increased by 19% from $27.88 per tonne for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $33.26 per tonne for the same period in 2015. The increase in the average selling price was mainly due to the crude salt is a basic and elementary material for chemical industry.

We noted a upward trend in the average selling price of crude salt since the third quarter of 2014. We expect the average selling price of crude salt to remain at current levels through the end of 2015.
23

Chemical products segment
  Product Mix of Chemical Products Segment Percent
  Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended Change of
  September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Net Revenue
Chemical Products    % of total    % of total   
Oil and gas exploration additives $7,271,644   30% $7,129,171   57%  2.0%
Paper manufacturing additives $1,381,212   6% $1,272,376   10%  8.6%
Pesticides manufacturing additives $4,145,946   17% $4,076,861   33%  1.7%
Pharmaceutical intermediates $7,764,120   31% $-   -   - 
By products $4,065,809   16% $-   -   - 
Total sales $24,628,731   100% $12,478,408   100%  97.4%

Net revenue from our chemical products segment increased from $12,478,408 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $24,628,731 for the same period in 2015, an increase of 97.4%. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $11,829,929 to our revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015. Net revenue from our oil and gas exploration chemicals contributed $7,271,644 and $7,129,171 of our chemical segment revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, with an increase of $142,473, or 2.0%. Net revenue from our paper manufacturing additives increased from $1,272,376 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $1,381,212 for the same period in 2015, an increase of approximately 8.6%. Net revenue from our pesticides manufacturing additives increased from $4,076,861 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $4,145,946 for the same period in 2015, an increase of approximately 1.7%.

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of major chemical products for three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014 (excluding SCRC).
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue,
for the three-month period ended September 30,
2015 vs. 2014, as a result of:
 Oil and gas exploration additives Paper manufacturing additives Pesticides manufacturing additives Total
Increase in average selling price $309,613  $94,636  $206,517  $610,766 
Increase /(Decrease) in sales volume $(167,140) $14,200  $(137,432 $(290,372)
Total effect on net revenue of chemical products $142,473  $108,836  $69,085  $320,394 
24

Cost of Net Revenue.
  Cost of Net Revenue by Segment % Change
  Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Cost of
  September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Net Revenue
Segment    % of total    % of total   
Bromine $9,088,078   34% $11,181,746   51%  (18.7%)
Crude Salt $2,268,976   8% $2,714,874   12%  (16.4%)
Chemical Products $15,643,522   58% $8,004,436   37%  95.4%
Total $27,000,576   100% $21,901,056   100%  23.3%
Cost of net revenue reflects mainly the raw materials consumed and the direct salaries and benefits of staff engaged in the production process, electricity, depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery and other manufacturing costs. Our cost of net revenue was $27,000,576 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $5,099,520 (or 23.3%) as compared to the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $7,548,242 to our cost of net revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Bromine production capacity and utilization of our factories

The table below represents the annual capacity and utilization ratios for all of our bromine producing properties:

  Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes) 
Utilization
Ratio (i)
Three-month period ended September 30, 2014  47,347   54% 
Three-month period ended September 30, 2015  47,347   49% 
Variance of the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014  -   (5%)

(i) Utilization ratio is calculated based on the annualized actual production volume in tonnes for the period divided by the annual production capacity in tonnes.

Our utilization ratio decreased by 5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014.
25

Bromine segment

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $9,088,078, a decrease of $2,093,668 or 18.7% over the same period in 2014. The most significant components of the costs of net revenue for the bromine segment were the cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $3,437,804 (or 38%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $3,850,984 (or 42%) and electricity of $804,731 (or 9%) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, the major components of the cost of net revenue were the cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $4,967,567 (or 44%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $3,987,538 (or 36%) and electricity of $901,481 (or 7%). The cost structure changed as compared with the same period in 2014 where the contribution from the cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed decreased by 6% and depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery increased by 6%. The decrease in net cost of net revenue was mainly attributable to the decreased volume of products sold and an inter-company elimination adjustment related to the sale of bromine to SCRC in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 allocated to the bromine segment whereas there is no such adjustment in the same period in 2014 as SCRC was acquired by us in January 2015.

The table below represents the major production cost component of bromine per tonne for respective periods:

Per tonne production cost Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended  
component of bromine segment September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 % Change
    % of total   % of total   
Raw materials $1,055   51% $985   48%  7%
Depreciation and amortization $704   34% $677   33%  4%
Electricity $147   7% $153   8%  (4%)
Others $183   8% $225   11%  19%
Production cost of bromine per tonne $2,089   100% $2,040   100%  2%
Our production cost of bromine per tonne was $2,089 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 2% (or $49) as compared to the same period in 2014, which was attributable mainly to the component of the cost of raw materials consumed. The cost of raw materials consumed per tonne increased by 7% as compared to the last comparison period, which was mainly attributable to the increase in the purchase price of raw materials.

Crude salt segment
The cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was $2,268,976, representing a decrease of $445,898, or 16.4%, compared to $2,714,874 for the same period in 2014. The decrease in cost was mainly due to the decrease in volume of crude salt sold and unit production cost. The significant cost components for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 were depreciation and amortization of $1,555,701 (or 69%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $291,510 (or 13%) and electricity of $187,909 (or 8%). The significant cost components for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 were depreciation and amortization of $1,836,322 (or 68%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $309,359 (or 11%) and electricity of $219,306 (or 8%). The table below represents the major production cost component of crude salt per ton for respective periods:
Per tonne production cost Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended  
component of crude salt segment September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 % Change
    % of total   % of total   
Depreciation and amortization $17.1   67% $19.3   67%  (12%)
Resource tax $3.2   12% $3.2   12%  - 
Electricity $2.0   9% $2.3   9%  (13%)
Others $2.6   12% $3.7   12%  (30%)
Production cost of crude salt per tonne $24.9   100% $28.5   100%  (13%)
26

Chemical products segment
Cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, was $15,643,522, representing an increase of $7,639,086 or 95.4% over the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $7,548,242 to our cost of net revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Gross Profit. Gross profit was $15,601,022, or 37%, of net revenue for three-month period ended September 30, 2015 compared to $9,205,908, or 30%, of net revenue for the same period in 2014.
  Gross Profit by Segment % Point Change
  Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Gross
  September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Profit Margin
Segment    Gross Profit Margin    Gross Profit Margin   
Bromine $5,852,588   39% $4,791,782   30%  9%
Crude Salt $763,225   25% $(59,846  (2%)  27%
Chemical Products $8,985,209   36% $4,473,972   36%  - 
Total Gross Profit $15,601,022   37% $9,205,908   30%  7%

Bromine segment
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the gross profit margin for our bromine segment was 39% compared to 30% for the same period in 2014. This 9% increase is mainly due to the selling price of bromine increased from $2,855 per tonne for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $3,162 per tonnes for the same period in 2015, an increase of 11%. We expect that the average selling price and gross profit margin of bromine will remain at current level towards the end of 2015 should the PRC government’s macro-economic tightening policy remain in place.

Crude salt segment
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 25% compared to -2% for the same period in 2014. This 27% increase in our gross profit margin is mainly attributable to the selling price increased from $27.88 per tonne for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $33.26 per tonne for the same period in 2015, an increase of 19%.
27

Chemical products segment
The gross profit margin for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was 36% compared to 36% for the same period in 2014.

Research and Development Costs. The total research and development costs incurred for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $69,403 and $30,985, respectively, an increase of 124%. Research and development costs for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 represented raw materials used by SYCI and SCRC for testing the manufacturing routine. Research and development costs for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 represented raw materials used by SYCI for testing the manufacturing routine.

Write-off/Impairment on property, plant and equipment. Write-off on property, plant and equipment for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $819,701 and $673,705, respectively, an increase of 22%. Write-off on property, plant and equipment of $673,705 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 represented the write-off of certain protective shells to transmission pipelines and ducts replaced during the third phase enhancement project that started in August 2014 and completed in September 2014. Write-off on property, plant and equipment of $819,701 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 represented the write-off of (i) certain protective shells to transmission pipelines and ducts replaced of $753,025 during the fourth phase enhancement project that started in August 2015 and completed in September 2015; and (ii) certain machinery and equipment replaced during the enhancement work to our bromine production facilities in Factory No. 11 of $66,676.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were $831,955 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of $1,062,552 (or 56%) as compared to $1,894,507 for the same period in 2014. This decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the unrealized exchange gain of $1,061,721 in relation to the translation of current portion of inter-company balance owing in RMB for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the unrealized exchange loss for the same period in 2014 in the amount of $1,619.

Other Operating Income. Other operating income was $115,114 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of $1,828(or 2%) as compared to $116,942 for the same period in 2014 for sales of wastewater. Wastewater is generated from the production of bromine and eventually becomes crude salt when it evaporates. Not all of our bromine production plants have sufficient area on the property to allow for evaporation of wastewater to produce crude salt. Certain of our customers who have facilities located adjacent to our bromine production plants have agreed to allow us to channel our wastewater into brine pans on their properties for evaporation. These customers then are able to sell the resulting crude salt themselves. We signed agreements with four of our customers to sell them our wastewater at market prices.

Income from Operations. Income from operations was $13,903,158 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 (or 33% of net revenue), an increase of $7,208,569, or approximately 108%, over the income from operations for the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $4,006,865 to our income from operation for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

  Income from Operations by Segment 
  
Three-Month Period Ended
September 30, 2015
  
Three-Month Period Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Segment:    % of total    % of total
Bromine $4,307,709   33% $3,131,684   45%
Crude Salt  351,251   3%  (431,901)  (6%)
Chemical Products  8,393,184   64%  4,161,811   61%
Income from operations before corporate costs  13,052,144   100%  6,861,594   100%
Corporate costs  (210,707)      (165,386)    
Unrealized translation difference  1,061,721       (1,619)    
Income from operations $13,903,158      $6,694,589     
28

Bromine segment
Income from operations from our bromine segment was $4,307,709 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $1,176,025 (or approximately 38%) compared to the same period in 2014. This increase resulted primarily from the higher selling price of bromine in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Crude salt segment

Income from operations from our crude salt segment was $351,251 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $783,152 compared to the same period in 2014. Loss from operations from our crude salt segment was $431,901 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014. This increase resulted primarily from the increase in selling price of crude salt.

Chemical products segment
Income from operations from our chemical products segment was $8,393,184 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $4,231,373 (or approximately 102%) compared to the same period in 2014. This significant increase was primarily due to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which contributed $4,006,865 to our income from operation for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Other Income. Net Other income, net of $66,636 represented bank interest income, net of capital lease interest expense for the three -month period ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of $10,039 (or approximately 13%) as compared to the same period in 2014.

Net Income. Net income was $10,679,422 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $5,641,019 (or approximately 112%) compared to the same period in 2014. This significant increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which contributed $3,003,994 to our net income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Effective Tax Rate. Our effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 24% and 26%, respectively. The effective tax rate of 24% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 differs from the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% mainly due to non-taxable item in connection with the unrealized exchange gain for the Company (contributed 1% gap). The effective tax rate of 26% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 differs from the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% due to the change in valuation allowance set up against US federal net operating loss incurred by the Company.

Comparison of the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

  
Nine-Month
Period Ended
September 30, 2015
  
Nine-Month
Period Ended
September 30, 2014
  % Change
Net revenue $126,862,497  $88,451,954   43%
Cost of net revenue $(84,761,554) $(63,202,383)  34%
Gross profit $42,100,943  $25,249,571   67%
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses $(294,095) $(78,793)  273%
Research and development costs $(181,108) $(94,323)  92%
Exploration cost $(325,840)  -   - 
Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment $-   (9,866)  (100%)
Write-off/Impairment on property, plant and equipment $(819,701) $(673,705)  22%
General and administrative expenses $(5,247,318) $(4,916,626)  7%
Other operating income $342,317  $351,547   (3%)
Income from operations $35,575,198  $19,827,805   79%
Other income, net $199,913  $197,181   1%
Income before taxes $35,775,111  $20,024,986   79%
Income taxes $(9,005,158) $(5,035,433)  79%
Net income $26,769,953  $14,989,553   79%
29

Net revenue.  Net revenue for nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was $126,862,497, representing an increase of approximately $38.4 million (or 43%) over the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $40,418,261 to our net revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Revenue from the bromine products segment decreased from $43,950,056 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $41,066,776 for the same period in 2015, a decrease of approximately 7%. Revenue from the crude salt segment decreased from $$8,012,368 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $7,905,274 for the same period in 2015, a decrease of approximately 1%.


  Net Revenue by Segment  
  Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended 
Percent
Increase/(Decrease)
  September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 of Net Revenue
Segment    % of total    % of total   
Bromine $41,066,776   32% $43,950,056   50%  (7%)
Crude Salt $7,905,274   6% $8,012,368   9%  (1%)
Chemical Products $77,890,447   62% $36,489,530   41%  113%
Total sales $126,862,497   100% $88,451,954   100%  43%

Bromine and crude salt segments  Nine-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change
product sold in tonnes September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Decrease
Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI and
SCRC after acquisition in January 2015)
  13,148   15,199   (13%)
Crude Salt  244,367   248,134   (2%)
  Nine-Month Period Ended  Percentage Change
Chemical products segment sold in tonnes September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Increase/(Decrease)
Oil and gas exploration additives  11,122   11,062   0.5%
Paper manufacturing additives  3,217   3,173   1.4%
Pesticides manufacturing additives  2,438   2,503   (2.6%)
Pharmaceutical intermediates  1,231   -    -
By products  9,514   -    -
Overall  27,522   16,738   64%

Bromine segment
The decrease in net revenue from our bromine segment was mainly due to the decrease in the sales volume of bromine. The sales volume of bromine decreased from 15,199 tonnes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 to 13,148 tonnes for the same period in 2015, a decrease of 13%. The reasons for the decrease in the sales volume of bromine were mainly due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries and the sale of bromine to SCRC in nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 excluded from the net revenue in the bromine segment as SCRC was acquired by us in January 2015.

The selling price of bromine increased from $2,892 per tonne for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 to $3,124 per tonnes for the same period in 2015, an increase of 8%. We expect the average selling price of bromine to remain at current levels through the end of 20152016 should the PRC government’s macro-economic tightening policy remain in place. The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of bromine for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015 fromMarch 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2014.2015.

  
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue of bromine as a result of: 2015 vs. 2014
Increase in average selling price $3,287,044 
Decrease in sales volume $(6,170,324)
Total effect on net revenue of bromine $(2,883,280)
 
  
Three-Month Period
Ended March 31,
Increase / (Decrease) in net revenue of bromine as a result of: 2016 vs. 2015
Increase in average selling price $2,965,404 
Decrease in sales volume $(829,125
Total effect on net revenue of bromine $ 2,136,279 
30


Crude salt segment

The decrease in net revenue from our crude salt segment was mainly due to the decrease in both the sales volume.volume and selling price of crude salt. The sales volume of brominecrude salt decreased by 6% from 248,13462,727 tonnes for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 to 244,36759,200 tonnes for the same period in 2016. The average selling price of crude salt decreased from $31.31 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 to $29.84 per tonne for the same period in 2016, a decrease of 2%5%. The major reason for the decrease in the sales volume was mainly due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries. The major reason for the decrease in the selling price was mainly due to foreign exchange fluctuation of the reporting currency against the local currency.

We expect the average selling price of crude salt to remain at current levels through the end of 2016.

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of crude salt for nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 from the same period in 2014.2015.

 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Three-Month Period
Ended March 31,
Increase /(Decrease) in net revenue of crude salt as a result of: 2015 vs. 2014
Increase in average selling price $14,660 
Decrease in net revenue of crude salt as a result of: 2016 vs. 2015
Decrease in average selling price $(89,294)
Decrease in sales volume $(121,754 $(107,829
Total effect on net revenue of crude salt $(107,094) $(197,123)
20

 
Chemical products segment

 Product Mix of Chemical Products Segment Percent Product Mix of Chemical Products Segment Percent
 Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended Change of Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended Change of
 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Net Revenue March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Net Revenue
Chemical Products    % of total    % of total       % of total    % of total   
Oil and gas exploration additives $21,484,864   27% $20,848,777   57%  3% $4,676,078   24% $6,568,497   30%  (29%)
Paper manufacturing additives $3,839,123   5% $3,643,637   10%  5% $812,536   4% $1,139,805   5%  (29%)
Pesticides manufacturing additives $12,148,198   16% $11,997,116   33%  1% $2,630,261   13% $3,702,178   17%  (29%)
Pharmaceutical intermediates $28,882,132    37% $-   -   -  $8,005,314   41% $7,699,140   35%  4%
By products $11,536,130   15% $-   -   -  $3,435,125   18% $2,804,229   13%  22%
Total sales $77,890,447   100% $36,489,530   100%  113% $19,559,314   100% $21,913,849   100%  (11%)

Net revenue from our chemical products segment increaseddecreased from $36,489,530$21,913,849 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 to $77,890,447$19,559,314 for the same period in 2015, an increase2016, a decrease of approximately 113%11%. This increasedecrease was primarily attributable to the consolidationdecrease in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $40,418,261 todemand for our revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.oil and gas exploration additives, paper manufacturing additives and pesticides manufacturing additives chemical products. Net revenue from our oil and gas exploration chemicals contributed $21,484,864$4,676,078 (or 27%24%) and $20,848,777$6,568,497 (or 57%30%) of our chemical segment revenue for the nine-monththree-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with a decrease of $1,892,419, or 29%. Net revenue from our pesticides manufacturing additives decreased from $3,702,178 for the three-month period ended September 30,March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, with an increaseto $2,630,261 for the same period in 2016, a decrease of $636,087, or 3%approximately 29%. Net revenue from our paper manufacturing additives increaseddecreased from $3,643,637$1,139,805 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 to $3,839,123$812,536 for the same period in 2015, an increase2016, a decrease of approximately 5%29%. Net revenue from our pesticides manufacturing additivespharmaceutical intermediates increased from $11,997,116$7,699,140 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 to $12,148,198$8,005,314 for the same period in 2015,2016, an increase of approximately 1%4%. Net revenue from our by products increased from $2,804,229 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 to $3,435,125 for the same period in 2016, an increase of approximately 22%. The increase in the net revenue of pharmaceutical intermediaries and its by products are caused by the timing of the acquisition of SCRC as SCRC was acquired by the Company in January 2015 and only two months of net revenue was included for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.
31


The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of major chemical products of SYCI for nine-monththe three-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 from the same period in 2014 (excluding SCRC).2015.

Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue,
for the three-month period ended March 31,
2016 vs. 2015, as a result of:
 Oil and gas exploration additives Paper manufacturing additives Pesticides manufacturing additives Total
Increase in average selling price $101,124  $4,791  $236,210  $342,125 
Decrease in sales volume $(1,993,544) $(332,059) $(1,308,127 $(3,633,730)
Total effect on net revenue of
chemical products
 $(1,892,420) $(327,268) $(1,071,917) 
 
$
(3,291,605)

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of major chemical products of SCRC for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 from the same period in 2015 ( only two months were included since we acquired SCRC in January 2015 ).
 
Increase / (Decrease) in net revenue,
for the nine-month period ended September 30,
2015 vs. 2014, as a result of:
 Oil and gas exploration additives Paper manufacturing additives Pesticides manufacturing additives Total
Increase in average selling price $521,593  $143,968  $468,800  $1,134,361 
Increase/(Decrease) in sales volume $114,494  $51,518  $(317,719) $(151,707)
Total effect on net revenue of chemical products $636,087  $195,486  $151,081  $982,654 
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue,
for the three-month period ended March 31,
2016 vs. 2015, as a result of:
 Pharmaceutical intermediates By products Total
Increase /(Decrease)in average selling price $(1,143,590 $78,959  $(1,064,631)
Increase in sales volume $1,449,763  $551,937  $2,001,700 
Total effect on net revenue of chemical products $306,173  $630,896  $937,069 

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of major chemical products of SCRC for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 from the same period in 2015 ( three months were included ).
 
Increase/(Decrease) in net revenue,
for the three-month period ended March 31,
2016 vs. 2015, as a result of:
 Pharmaceutical intermediates By products Total
Increase /(Decrease)in average selling price $(1,256,164 $101,405  $(1,154,759)
Decrease in sales volume $(3,028,425) $(923,924 $(3,952,349)
Total effect on net revenue of chemical products $(4,284,589) $(822,519) $(5,107,108)

Cost of Net Revenue.Revenue
 
 Cost of Net Revenue by Segment % Change Cost of Net Revenue by Segment % Change
 Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended of Cost of Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Cost of
 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Net Revenue March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Net Revenue
Segment    % of total    % of total      % of total    % of total   
Bromine $28,257,737   33% $32,606,253   52%  (13%) $9,158,013   38% $9,555,976   38%  (4%)
Crude Salt $6,586,716   8% $7,172,556   11%  (8%) $1,443,634   6% $1,601,121   6%  (10%)
Chemical Products $49,917,101   59% $23,423,574   37%  113% $13,279,999   56% $14,323,761   56%  (7%)
Total $84,761,554   100% $63,202,383   100%  34% $23,881,646   100% $25,480,858   100%  (6%)

Cost of net revenue reflects mainly the raw materials consumed and the direct salaries and benefits of staff engaged in the production process, electricity, depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery and other manufacturing costs. Our cost of net revenue was $84,761,554$23,881,646 for nine-monththe three-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increaseMarch 31, 2016, a decrease of $21,559,171$1,599,212 (or 34%6%) overas compared to the same period in 2014.2015. This increasedecrease was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015decrease volume of SCRC,products sold due to the macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government, which collectively contributed $25,994,506 tohas affected our costcustomers’ industries.
.
21

 
Bromine production capacity and utilization of our factories

The table below represents the annual capacity and utilization ratios for all of our bromine producing properties:

  Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes) 
Utilization
Ratio (i)
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2014  47,347   45% 
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2015  47,347   43% 
Variance of the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014  -   (2%)
  Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes)  
Utilization
Ratio (i)
Three-month period ended March 31, 2015  47,347   35%
Three-month period ended March 31, 2016  47,347   33%
Variance of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015  -   (2% )

(i) Utilization ratio is calculated based on the annualized actual production volume in tonnes for the periodperiods divided by the annual production capacity in tonnes.

Our utilization ratio decreased by 2% for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 as compared with the same period in 2014.2015.

In view of the trend of a decrease in the bromine concentration of the brine water being extracted at our production facilities as explained in 2015 Form 10-K, and in order to reduce the leakage rate and attempt to recover the annual production capacity of bromine and crude salt to a higher level in the future, we plan to carry out enhancement projects for the transmission channels and ducts and our existing bromine extraction in 2016. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, no such enhancement work was carried out due to unexpected weather conditions. We expect to resume the enhancement work in the second and third quarters of 2016 when weather conditions permit.
32


Bromine segment
For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $28,257,737,$9,158,013, a decrease of  $4,348,516$397,963 or 13%4% over the same period in 2014.2015. The most significantmajor components of the costs of net revenue for the bromine segment were the cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $9,768,303$3,140,593 (or 35%34%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $12,841,167$4,247,501 (or 45%46%) and electricity of $2,387,390$610,092 (or 8%7%) for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014,March 31, 2015, the major components of the cost of net revenue were the cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $13,623,872$3,181,857 (or 42%34%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $12,674,236$4,608,887 (or 39%48%) and electricity of $2,528,684$686,596 (or 8%7%). The cost structure changed as compared with the same period in 20142015 where the contribution from cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed decreased by 7% and depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery increaseddecreased by 6%2%. The decrease in net cost of net revenue was attributable mainly to the decrease in volume of products sold and an inter-company elimination adjustment relateddue to the salemacro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government, which has affected our customers’ industries.
.
The table below represents the major production cost component of bromine to SCRC inper tonne sold for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 allocated to the bromine segment whereas there is no such adjustment in the same period in 2014 as SCRC was acquired by us in January 2015.respective periods:

Per tonne production cost Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended  
component of bromine segment September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 % Change
Per tonne production cost
component of bromine segment
 Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended  
 March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 % Change
   % of total   % of total      % of total   % of total   
Raw materials $1,061   47% $1,002   46%  6% $1,271   45% $1,123   42%  13%
Depreciation and amortization $845   37% $790   36%  7% $1,088   39% $1,104   42%  (1%)
Electricity $157   7% $158   7%  (1%) $156   5% $164   6%  (5%)
Others $215   9% $235   11%  (9%) $297   11% $259   10%  15%
Production cost of bromine per tonne $2,278   100% $2,185   100%  4%
Production cost of bromine per tonne sold $2,812   100% $2,650   100%  6%

22

Our production cost of bromine per tonne sold was $2,278$2,812 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, an increase of 4%6% (or $93) over$162) as compared to the same period in 2014.2015, which was attributable mainly to the decrease in volume of products sold and the increase in purchase price of raw material.

Crude salt segment
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, theThe cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 was $6,586,716,$1,443,634, representing a decrease of $585,840,$157,487, or 8%10%, compared to $7,172,556$1,601,121 for the same period in 2014.2015. The decrease in cost was mainly due to the decrease in volume of crude salt sold and unit production cost.due to the macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government, which has affected our customers’ industries. The significant cost components for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 were depreciation and amortization of $4,650,209$1,073,134 (or 71%74%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $791,553$181,353 (or 12%13%) and electricity of $456,026$47,303 (or 7%3%). The significant cost components for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 were depreciation and amortization of $4,953,782$1,167,130 (or 69%73%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $807,291$204,389 (or 11%13%) and electricity of $524,401$69,439 (or 7%4%)... The table below represents the major production cost component of crude salt per ton sold for respective periods:
 
Per tonne production cost
component of crude salt segment
 Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended  
  March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 % Change
    % of total   % of total   
Depreciation and amortization $18.1   73% $18.6   73%  (3%)
Resource tax $3.1   13% $3.3   13%  (6%)
Electricity $0.8   4% $1.1   4%  (28%)
Others $2.4   10% $2.5   10%  (6%)
Production cost of crude salt per tonne sold $24.4   100% $25.5   100%  (4%)

Per tonne production cost Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended  
component of crude salt segment September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 % Change
    % of total   % of total   
Depreciation and amortization $19.0   70% $20.0   69%  (5%)
Resource tax $3.2   12% $3.2   11%  - 
Electricity $1.9   7% $2.1   7%  (10%)
Others $2.9   11% $3.6   13%  (19%)
Production cost of crude salt per tonne $27.0   100% $28.9   100%  (7%)
Chemical products segment

Cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 was $13,279,999, representing a decrease of $1,043,762 or 7% over the same period in 2015. This decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in volume of oil and gas exploration additives, paper manufacturing additives and pesticides manufacturing additives sold, offset by the increase in cost of net revenue for SCRC for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, which is higher than the same period of 2015, as SCRC was acquired by the Company in January 2015 and only two months cost of net revenue was included for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.

Gross Profit Gross profit was $10,613,804, or 31%, of net revenue for three-month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to $9,429,971, or 27%, of net revenue for the same period in 2015.
 
 
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Our production cost of crude salt per tonne was $27.0 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 7% (or $1.9) as compared to the same period in 2014.

Chemical products segment
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment was $49,917,101, representing an increase of $26,493,527 or 113% over the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $25,994,506 to our cost of net revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Gross Profit. Gross profit was $42,100,943, or 33%, of net revenue for nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 compared to $25,249,571, or 29%, of net revenue for the same period in 2014. The increase in gross profit percentage was primarily attributable to an increase in the margin percentage of bromine.
.
 Gross Profit by Segment % Point Change Gross Profit by Segment % Point Change
 Nine-Month Period Ended Nine-Month Period Ended of Gross Three-Month Period Ended Three-Month Period Ended of Gross
 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Profit Margin March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Profit Margin
Segment    Gross Profit Margin    Gross Profit Margin       Gross Profit Margin    Gross Profit Margin   
Bromine $12,809,039   31% $11,343,803   26%  5% $4,011,515   30% $1,477,273   13%  17%
Crude Salt $1,318,558   17% $839,812   10%  7% $322,974   18% $362,610   18%  - 
Chemical Products $27,973,346   36% $13,065,956   36%  -  $6,279,315   32% $7,590,088   35%  (3%)
Total Gross Profit $42,100,943   33% $25,249,571   29%  4% $10,613,804   31% $9,429,971   27%  4%

Bromine segment
TheFor the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, the gross profit margin for our bromine segment for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was 31%30%, as compared to 26%13% for the same period in 2015. This 5%17% increase is mainly due to the selling price of bromine, which increased from $3,006 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 to $3,841 per tonne for the same period in 2016, an increase of 28%. We expect that the average selling price and gross profit margin of bromine will remain at current levels through the end of 2016 should the PRC government’s macro-economic tightening policy remain in bromine price.place.

Crude salt segmentsegment
For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016 the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 17%18%, compared to 10%of 18% for the same period in 2014. This 7% increase in our gross profit margin is mainly attributable to the decreased cost of revenue for the for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 compare for the same period in 2014 as mentioned in the cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment.2015.
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Chemical products segment

The gross profit margin for our chemical products segment for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was 36%32%, as compared to 36%35% for the same period in 2014.2015. This 3% decrease in our gross profit margin was a result of the decrease in the selling price of our Pharmaceutical intermediates products.

Research and Development Costs.Costs For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, theThe total research and development costs incurred for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $181,108$59,837 and $94,323,$48,235, respectively, an increase of 92%24%. Research and development costs for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 represented raw materials used by SYCI and SCRC for testing the manufacturing routine. Research and development costs for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 represented raw materials used by SYCI for testing the manufacturing routine.

Exploration Costs The total exploration costs incurred for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $0 and 2014 were $325,840 and $0.$325,840. As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 the Company incurred a total of $7,848,873 in exploration cost for the drilling of natural gas resources. On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that it found natural gas resources under its bromine well in the Sichuan area and received a testing report in early May 2015 which confirmed the economics of the natural gas under this well. The Company is in discussion with the government about the natural gas trial production.

24


General and Administrative Expenses.Expenses General and administrative expenses were $5,247,318$1,916,030 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increaseMarch 31, 2016, a decrease of $330,692$65,087 (or 7%3%) as compared to $4,916,626$1,981,117 for the same period in 2014. This increase in general and administrative expenses2015. The decrease of $65,087 was primarily due to (i) a non-cash expense relatedthe unrealized exchange loss in relation to stock options granted to employees increased from $30,000the translation difference of inter-company balances in USD and RMB for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30,2014March 31, 2016 was in the amount of $130,462, as compared to $353,300the unrealized exchange gain for the same period in 2015 in the amount of 2015; and (ii)$101,359, which offset by (i) audit fee incurred in the amount of $115,000 related to the audit of SCRC acquired for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015; and (ii) incurred franchise tax fee in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015; and (iii) consolidation in 2015amount of SCRC, which accounted for $515,674 of our general and administrative expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, which offset by the unrealized exchange gain in relation$121,000 due to the translation difference of inter-company balance in RMB for the nine-month period ended September 30,2015 amounted to $1,037,429,increased gross assets as compared to the unrealized exchange gainyear 2014 for the samethree-month period ended March 31, 2015, with no such expense in 2014 amounted2016 due to $237,028.the Company changed its registration address from Delaware to Neveda.  

Other Operating Income.Income Other operating income, which represented the sales of wastewater to some of our customers, was $342,317$110,282 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, representing a decrease of $9,230(or 3%$7,020 (or 6%) as compared to $351,547from $117,302 for the same period in 2014 for sales of wastewater.2015. Wastewater is generated from the production of bromine and eventually becomes crude salt when it evaporates. Not all of our bromine production plants have sufficient area on the property to allow for evaporation of wastewater to produce crude salt. Certain of our customers who have facilities located adjacent to our bromine production plants have agreed to allow us to channel our wastewater into brine pans on their properties for evaporation. These customers then are able to sell the resulting crude salt themselves. We signed agreements with four of our customers to sell them our wastewater at market prices.

Income from Operations Income from operations was $8,666,318 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 (or 25% of net revenue), an increase of $1,555,667, or approximately 22%, over income from operations for the same period in 2015.

  Income from Operations by Segment
  
Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2016
 
Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2015
Segment:   % of total  % of total
Bromine $3,005,518   34% $136,959   2%
Crude Salt  227,613   2%  187,535   2%
Chemical Products  5,723,731   64%  7,046,740   96%
Income from operations before corporate costs  8,956,862 100%  7,371,234 100%
Corporate costs  (160,082)   (361,942) 
Unrealized (loss)/gain on
translation of intercompany balance
  (130,462)   101,359  
Income from operations $8,666,318   $7,110,651  

Bromine segment
Income from operations from our bromine segment was $3,005,518 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $2,868,559 (or approximately 2094%) compared to the same period in 2015. This increase is mainly due to the selling price of bromine increased from $3,006 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 to $3,841 per tonne for the same period in 2016, an increase of 28%.

Crude salt segment
Income from operations from our crude salt segment was $227,613 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $40,078 (or approximately 21%) compared to the same period in 2015. This increase was mainly due to exploration cost incurred for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and no such cost incurred for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.

Chemical products segment
Income from operations from our chemical products segment was $5,723,731 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, a decrease of $1,323,009 (or approximately 19%) compared to the same period in 2015.This decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in volume of oil and gas exploration additives, paper manufacturing additives and pesticides manufacturing additives products.
 
 
3525

 
Income from Operations. Income from operations was $35,575,198 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 (or 28% of net revenue), an increase of $15,747,393, or approximately 79%, over income from operations for the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which collectively contributed $13,606,012 to our income from operation for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.
  Income from Operations by Segment 
  
Nine-Month Period Ended
September 30, 2015
  
Nine-Month Period Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Segment:    % of total    % of total
Bromine $8,950,595   25.1% $7,748,981   38.8%
Crude Salt  534,760   1.5%  94,609   0.5%
Chemical Products  26,205,578   73.4%  12,123,116   60.7%
Income from operations before corporate costs  35,690,933   100%  19,966,706   100%
Corporate costs  (1,153,164)      (375,929)    
Unrealized exchange difference  1,037,429       237,028     
Income from operations $35,575,198      $19,827,805     
Bromine segment
Income from operations from our bromine segment was $8,950,595 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $1,201,614 (or approximately 16%) compared to the same period in 2014. This increase resulted primarily from the higher selling price of bromine in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Crude salt segment
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, income from operations from our crude salt segment was $534,760, an increase of $440,151 (or approximately 465%) compared to the same period in 2014. This increase is mainly attributable to the decreased cost of revenue for the for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 compare for the same period in 2014 as mentioned in the cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment.

Chemical products segment
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, income from operations from our chemical products segment was $26,205,578, an increase of $14,082,462 (or approximately 116%) over same period in 2014. This significant increase was primarily due to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which contributed $13,606,012 to our income from operation for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Other Income Net.Net Other income, net of $199,913$68,317 represented bank interest income, net of capital lease interest expense for the ninethree -month period ended September 30, 2015, an increaseMarch 31, 2016, a decrease of $2,732$7,791 (or approximately 1%10%) as compared to the same period in 2014.2015.

Net Income.Income Net income was $26,769,953$6,466,964 for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, an increase of $11,780,400$1,151,693 (or approximately 79%22%) compared to the same period in 2014.2015. This significant increase was primarily attributable to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which contributed $10,202,563 to our net incomeincreased bromine price and no exploration cost incurred for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015, offset by the decrease in revenue from bromine and crude salt asMarch 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2014.2015, which offset by the decreased volume of product sold for oil and gas exploration additives, paper manufacturing additives and pesticides manufacturing additives.

Effective Tax Rate.Rate Our effective tax rate for the nine-month periodthree-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 were 26% and 2014 was 25% and 25%,26% respectively. The effective tax rate of 25% for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015 consistent withMarch 31, 2016 was 1% higher than the PRC statutory income tax rate.rate of 25%, due to non-deductible expense and US federal net operating loss incurred by the Company. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was 1% higher than the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25%, due to non-deductible expense and US federal net operating loss incurred by the Company.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
As of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents were $120,892,138$148,411,800 as compared to $146,585,601$133,606,392 as of December 31, 2014.2015. The components of this decreaseincrease of $25,693,463$14,805,408 are reflected below.

Statement of Cash Flows
  
 Nine-Month Period Ended September 30,  Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 
 2015  2014  2016  2015 
Net cash provided by operating activities $34,915,819  $32,476,141  $14,372,314  $17,780,080 
Net cash used in investing activities $(55,706,715) $(7,101,842) $(383,812) $(52,556,419)
Net cash used in financing activities $(344,396) $(304,806) $-  $(37,713)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents $(4,558,171) $(1,031,745) $816,906  $(358,960)
Net (Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents $(25,693,463) $24,037,748 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $14,805,408  $(35,173,012

For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, we met our working capital and capital investment requirements mainly by using cash flow from operations and cash on hand.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
During the nine-month periodthree-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, we had positive cash flow from operating activities of $34.9approximately $14.4 million and $32.5$17.8 million, respectively, primarily attributable to net income.respectively.

During the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, cash flow from operating activities of $34.9approximately $14.4 million exceeded our net income of $26.8approximately $6.5 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges of $22.7approximately $7.2 million, primarilymainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, and write-off/impairment loss on property, plant and equipment; partially offset by (ii) cash used ingenerated from working capital of $14.5approximately $0.72 million, which mainly consistedconsisting of anthe increase in accounts receivablepayable and accrued expenses, taxes payable and decrease in inventories partially offset by the increase in taxes payable.accounts receivable.

During the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2014,March 31, 2015, cash flow from operating activities of $32.5approximately $17.8 million exceeded our net income of $15.0approximately $5.3 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges of $21.7approximately $7.3 million, primarilymainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, and write-off/impairment loss on property, plant and equipment; partially offset by (ii) cash used ingenerated from working capital of $4.2approximately $5.1 million, which mainly consistedconsisting of an increase in accounts receivable and decrease in tax payable, partially offset by the increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.expenses, taxes payable and decrease in accounts receivable.

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Accounts receivable
 
Cash collections on our accounts receivable had a major impact on our overall liquidity. The following table presents the aging analysis of our accounts receivable as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
    % of total     % of total     % of total     % of total 
Aged 1-30 days $13,279,701   17% $9,323,910   22% $16,997,026   33% $12,711,454   26%
Aged 31-60 days $16,395,061   22% $9,974,381   24% $9,808,802   19% $12,436,059   25%
Aged 61-90 days $17,673,585   24% $8,631,203   20% $11,273,430   22% $11,470,333   23%
Aged 91-120 days $15,711,637   22% $9,188,133   22% $8,610,709   16% $8,208,711   16%
Aged 121-150 days $10,111,489   14% $4,880,235   12% $4,606,200   9% $5,153,801   10%
Aged 151-180 days $1,108,414   1% $       $329,482   1% $-   - 
Total $74,279,887   100% $41,997,862   100% $51,625,649   100% $49,980,358   100%

The overall accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 increased by $32,282,025$1,645,291 (or 77%3%), as compared to those as of December 31, 2014. Such increase was mainly due to the consolidation in 2015 of SCRC, which contributed $23,601,224 to our accounts receivable for September 30, 2015. Approximately 69%58% of the balances of accounts receivable as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 aged more than 90 days waswere settled in October 2015.April 2016. We have policies in place to ensure that sales are made to customers with an appropriate credit history and wehistory. We perform ongoing credit evaluation on the financial condition of our customers. No allowance for doubtful debts for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 is required.
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Inventory
 
Our inventory consists of the following:
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
    % of total    % of total    % of total    % of total
Raw materials $1,022,750   13.88% $625,160   11.7% $1,000,919   14.4% $1,014,917   14.2%
Finished goods $5,247,548   71.20% $4,746,163   88.4%  5,180,114   74.4%  5,486,970   76.4%
Work-in-process  1,103,076   14.97%  -   - 
Work-in-progress  789,991   11.4%  691,604   9.6%
 $7,373,374   100.05% $5,371,323   100.1% $6,971,024   100.2% $7,193,491   100.2%
Allowance for obsolete and slowing-moving inventory $(3,323)  (0.05%) $(3,455)  (0.1%)  (12,755)  (0.2%)  (12,691)  (0.2%)
Total $7,370,051   100.0% $5,367,868   100.0% $6,958,269   100.0% $7,180,800   100.0%
 
The net inventory level as of September 30, 2015 increasedMarch 31, 2016 decreased by $2,002,183$222,531 (or 37%3%), as compared to the net inventory level as of December 31, 2014.2015.
 
Raw materials increasedecreased by 64%1% as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2014.2015. All of the raw materials are basic chemical industry materials, few of which have a possibility of loss over time, or major fluctuations in their prices. WeSo, we concluded that all of our raw materials as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 are fully realizable for production of finished goods without any impairment.

Our finished goods consist of bromine, crude salt and chemical products. Our chemical products are similar to raw materials, withas there is no loss over time and a stable market price andwith a positive gross profit margin of 36%32% for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015 as compared to 36%March 31, 2016 (36% for the same period in fiscal year 2014.2015). Therefore, we believe that the realization of the chemical products is 100%. Similarly, as there is no depletion of bromine, we believe that the realization of it is also 100%. The gross profit margin for bromine for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015 increased to 31%March 31, 2016 was 30%, as compared with 25% for the same period30% in fiscal year 2014,2015, we anticipated that the price for the rest of 2015through 2016 will not fluctuate significantly to impair the cost of bromine.

The annual loss of crude salt due to evaporation is approximatelyaround 3%. The average sellingmarket price of crude salt remained relatively stable at around $30 per tonne increased from $27.88 in the thirdfirst quarter of 20142015 to $33.26 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2015. In the same period, gross profit also increased from 10% for the nine –month period ended September 30, 2014 to 17% for the same period in 2015. We2016, we believe that there will be no realization problem for crude salt as we do not expect selling price to be lower than its cost.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30,March 31, 2016, we used approximately $0.3 million cash for the prepayment of land leases. We also used approximately $0.05 million to acquire property, plant and equipment in the first quarter of 2016.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, we used approximately $0.7$0.3 million cash for the prepayment of land leases. We also used approximately $66.3 million to acquire SCRC. In the same period, we also used approximately $2.8 million cash in the fourth phase enhancement project related to the protective shells to transmission channels and ducts in Factory No. 10 and 11 and the enhancement work to bromine production facilities in Factory No.11.

We also received approximately $14.1 million from the acquisition of SCRC.

In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, we used approximately $0.66 million cash for the prepayment
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The investing activities described above were financed by opening cash balances as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, and cash generated from operation during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

We repaid approximately $0.3 million cash for our capital lease obligationhave no major financing activities for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.March 31, 2016.

For the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30,March 31, 2015, we used $0.04 million to repurchase 31,000 shares of common stock of the Company with the approval of the Board of Directors.

We believe that our available funds and cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated ongoing operating needs for the next twelve (12) months.
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Working capital was approximately $176.6$189.3 million at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 as compared to approximately $186.0$174.7 million at December 31, 2014.2015. The decreaseincrease was mainly attributable to the cash paid for business acquisition of SCRC, which offset by the cash provided by operating activities during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.
 
We had available cash of approximately $120.9$148.4 million at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, most of which is in highly liquid current deposits which earn no or little interest. We intend to retain the cash for future expansion of our bromine and crude salt businesses through acquisition, enhancements to our existing bromine and crude salt business, and further development of the new resources in Sichuan Province. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

In the future we intend to focus our efforts on the activities of SCHC, SYCI and SCRC as these segments continue to expand within the Chinese market.

We may not be able to identify, successfully integrate or profitably manage any businesses or business segment we may acquire, or any expansion of our business. An expansion may involve a number of risks, including possible adverse effects on our operating results, diversion of managementmanagement’s attention, inability to retain key personnel, risks associated with unanticipated events and the financial statement effect of potential impairment of acquired intangible assets, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our condition and results of operations. In addition, if competition for acquisition candidates or operations were to increase, the cost of acquiring businesses could increase materially. We may effect an acquisition with a target business which may be financially unstable, under-managed, or in its early stages of development or growth. In addition, if competition for acquisition candidates or operations were to increase, the cost of acquiring businesses could increase materially. Our inability to implement and manage our expansion strategy successfully may have a material adverse effect on our business and future prospects.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We have no significant contractual obligations not fully recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets or fully disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Additional information regarding our contractual obligations and commitments at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 is provided in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 19 – Capital Commitment and Operating Lease Commitments”.

Material Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have any off balance-balance sheet arrangements falling within the definition of Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and this requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base theseits estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies and estimates used by us in the preparation of our financial statements: accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts, assets retirement obligation, property, plant and equipment, recoverability of long lived assets, mineral rights, revenue recognition, income taxes, and stock-based compensation. These policies and estimates are described in the Company’s 20142015 Form 10-K.
 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules, regulations and related forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q.
 
(b) Changes in internal controls
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter, which is the subject of this report, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no changes with respect to risk factors as previously disclosed in our 20142015 Form 10-K.  Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before you invest you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and in our 20142015 Form 10-K, under the caption “Risk Factors”, our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in Item 2 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the other information in our 20142015 Form 10-K. Readers should carefully review those risks, as well as additional risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.
 
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Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
Description
 
31.1                         Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2                         Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32.1                         Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
101.1                         The following financial statements from Gulf Resources, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and, (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 GULF RESOURCES, INC.
   
Dated: November 10, 2015May 11, 2016By:/s/ Xiaobin Liu
  Xiaobin Liu
  Chief Executive Officer
  (principal executive officer)
   
Dated: November 10, 2015May 11, 2016By:/s/ Min Li
  Min Li
  Chief Financial Officer
  (principal financial and accounting officer)