NDP has been investing at an incredible pace – best demonstrated by comparing the company’s cash flows from operating activities in 2007 and 2008 with the cash flows from investing activities. The short-fall in operating cash flow must then be made up by financing activities – which has been both raising equity and debt – but mostly debt
NDP has clearly been profitable in recent years, and demonstrates a high rate of profitability one would not ordinarily see in this type of semi-commodity based business
NDP’s rate of profitability, however, has been sliding, reflecting rising input prices and greater competitive markets for its products
The company’s growing debt burden is large and getting larger; most analysts and investors clearly wish Mrs. Cheung would slow her capital expenditure plan – at least a bit – to take growing cash flow and debt-service pressure off the company during the global recession and credit crisis