omniture

China Finance Online Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Unaudited Financial Results (Amended)

2017-04-29 05:00 4237

BEIJING, April 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China Finance Online Co. Limited ("China Finance Online", or the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") (NASDAQ GS: JRJC), a leading web-based financial services company that provides Chinese retail investors with online access to securities and commodities trading services, wealth management products, investment advisory services, as well as financial database and analytics services to institutional customers, today announced its amended unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. The amendments are to reflect additional income taxes payable in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and additional income tax expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

The impact on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016 is set forth in the tables attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

  • Net revenues were $19.2 million, down 42.8% year-over-year, but up 12.7% quarter-over-quarter
  • Equity brokerage business grew 508.8% year-over-year and 57.9% quarter-over-quarter
  • Commodities brokerage business declined by 54.7% year-over-year but increased by 2.1% quarter-over-quarter
  • Yinglibao's users purchased wealth management products with a total value of RMB 4.0 billion in the fourth quarter, up 57.5% quarter-over-quarter
  • Gross margin was 62.5%
  • Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were $85.1 million as of December 31, 2016

Full Year 2016 Highlights

  • Net revenues were $83.1 million, down 22.7% year-over-year
  • Equity brokerage business grew 184.7% year-over-year
  • Commodities brokerage business declined by 25.0% year-over-year
  • Yinglibao's users purchased wealth management products with a total value of RMB 8.1 billion
  • Net loss attributable to China Finance Online was $1.7 million

Mr. Zhiwei Zhao, Chairman and CEO of China Finance Online, commented, "In response to the global geo-political uncertainties and fluctuations, we continue to provide diversified investment and wealth management products and services to achieve more balanced revenue mix.  In addition, we are adding gold trading into our offerings to attract more investors with an appetite for less volatile investments. All these efforts bode with our pursuit of becoming one-stop investment gateway for Chinese retail investors."

"Yinglibao's operations ended the year on a high note as the purchase of various wealth management products rose to RMB4.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, representing a significant growth from RMB2.5 billion in the third quarter, RMB 1.2 billion in the second quarter and RMB 352 million in the first quarter, respectively. iTougu continued to engage millions of active users during the fourth quarter of 2016 as, in a market of many uncertainties, investors were proactively seeking advice from thousands of financial advisors registered on our platform. We also introduced more tools on our proprietary Robo-Advisory program to assist financial advisors to better research market data, analyze corporate financials, identify undervalued opportunities and test-drive their investment strategies. While the synergy of human advisors and machine advisory is still in its infancy, we can see its great potential in the Chinese market. With the large user base and diversified product and service offerings, we are well positioned to become a one-stop investment gateway in a large addressable market," Mr. Zhao concluded.   

Mr. Jeff Wang, Chief Financial Officer of China Finance Online, added, "Our balance sheet remains strong with cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaling $85.1 million, significantly higher than our market cap. While we successfully implemented and executed various cost control measures, we continued to invest in R&D. In the era of FinTech, we are committed to developing technologies to help investors to make better investments in one of the world's largest equity capital markets."

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Net revenues were $19.2 million, a decrease of 42.8% from $33.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, but an increase of 12.7% from $17.1 million during the third quarter of 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2016, revenues from financial services, the financial information and advisory business, and advertising services contributed 83%, 12% and 4% of the net revenues, respectively, compared with 77%, 18% and 5%, respectively, for the corresponding period in 2015.

Revenues from financial services were $16.0 million, a decrease of 38.4% from $25.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, but an increase of 13.7% from $14.0 million during the third quarter of 2016. Revenues from financial services represent equity and commodities brokerage services. The equity brokerage business grew 508.8% year-over-year and 57.9% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease of revenues from financial services was mainly due to a decline in revenues from the Company's commodities brokerage services. Revenue from commodities brokerage declined by 54.7% year-over-year, but increased by 2.1% quarter-over-quarter. Due to a variety of global geo-political uncertainties, the crude oil market experienced unusually unfavorable volatility during the fourth quarter, which adversely affected investors' confidence.

Revenues from the financial information and advisory business were $2.4 million, a decrease of 60.4% from $6.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, but an increase of 9.4% from $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2016. Revenues from the financial information and advisory business were comprised of subscription services from individual and institutional customers. The revenue decline from the financial information and advisory business was mainly due to the sale of a less profitable division in the financial information segment. 

Revenues from advertising were $0.74 million, a decrease of 57.9% from $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 but an increase of 3.1% from $0.71 million in the third quarter of 2016. The decline in advertising revenue was mainly due to an increased campaign of the Company's own service offerings during the fourth quarter.

Gross profit was $12.0 million, compared with $27.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $12.6 million in the third quarter of 2016. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 62.5%, compared with 81.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 73.9% in the third quarter of 2016. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter decreases in gross margin were mainly due to a decrease in revenues from the Company's commodities brokerage services, which typically carry higher gross margins.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A") were $4.5 million, a decrease of 21.1% from $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and a decrease of 5.5% from $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2016. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter decreases were mainly attributable to more stringent expense control measures.

Sales and marketing expenses were $14.4 million, a decrease of 11.8% from $16.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, but an increase of 11.6% from $12.9 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Research and development expenses were $5.0 million, an increase of 84.4% from $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 37.2% from $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2016. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases were mainly attributable to an increase in recruitment of senior software engineers and capital market professionals to support further development in all lines of business.

Total operating expenses were $24.0 million, a decrease of 4.3% from $25.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, but an increase of 12.2% from $21.3 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Loss from operations was $11.9 million, compared with an income from operations of $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and a loss from operations of $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Net loss attributable to China Finance Online was $12.8 million, compared with a net income of $10.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and a net loss of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Fully diluted loss per American Depository Shares ("ADS") attributable to China Finance Online was $0.57 for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with fully diluted earnings per ADS of $0.40 for the fourth quarter of 2015 and fully diluted loss per ADS of $0.16 for the third quarter of 2016. Basic and diluted weighted average numbers of ADSs for the fourth quarter of 2016 were 22.7 million, compared with basic and diluted weighted average number of ADSs of 22.2 million and 25.2 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Each ADS represents five ordinary shares of the Company.

As of December 31, 2016, total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were $85.1 million.

Total shareholders' equity of China Finance Online was $86.2 million as of December 31, 2016.

Full Year 2016 Financial Results

Net revenues for full year 2016 were $83.1 million, a decrease of 22.7% compared with $107.4 million for 2015.

Revenues from financial services for the full year 2016 were $69.0 million, a decrease of 16.9% compared with $83.0 million for 2015.

Revenues from financial information and advisory business for the full year 2016 were $10.7 million, a decrease of 37.8% compared with $17.2 million for 2015.

Revenues from advertising for the full year 2016 were $2.9 million, a decrease of 58.8% compared with $7.0 million for 2015.

Gross profit for the full year 2016 was $62.7 million, a decrease of 28.5% compared with $87.7 million in the full year 2015. Gross margin was 75.5% compared with 81.6% in 2015.

Net loss attributable to China Finance Online for the full year 2016 was $1.7 million, compared with net income attributable to China Finance Online of $22.5 million in 2015.

Fully diluted loss per ADS attributable to China Finance Online was $0.07 for the full year 2016, compared with fully diluted earnings per ADS $0.90 in 2015.

Recent Developments

  • Robo-advisory Service

In early November 2016, the Company launched a trial of its proprietary robo-advisory service. The robo-advisory service not only provides China's vast retail investors in different financial standings and risk profiles with access to high-quality financial products, more personalized services, superior customer service and good user experience, but also enables customers to better focus on risk control through more diversified asset allocations, as well as solidifies the long-term stability of the company's business lines.

  • 2016 Leading China Fintech Companies Award

Recently Yinglibao won the "2016 Annual Leading FinTech Companies" award. China Times recently hosted its 2016 annual award ceremony to recognize the leading financial institutions and companies in commercial banking, insurance, brokerage, asset management, trust, financial leasing, private equity, and FinTech. The winners were mostly Fortune Global 500 companies, financial conglomerates, technology juggernauts or household names in China. Yinglibao joined 13 other leading names as the winners of the "2016 Leading FinTech Companies" award. The other winners in the FinTech category included Lufax and JD Finance.

About China Finance Online

China Finance Online Co. Limited is a leading web-based financial services company that provides Chinese retail investors with online access to securities and commodities trading services, wealth management products, securities investment advisory services, as well as financial database and analytics services to institutional customers. The Company's prominent flagship portal site, www.jrj.com, is ranked among the top financial websites in China. In addition to the web-based securities trading platform, the Company offers basic financial software, information services and securities investment advisory services to retail investors in China. Through its subsidiary, Shenzhen Genius Information Technology Co. Ltd., the Company provides financial database and analytics to institutional customers including domestic financial, research, academic and regulatory institutions. China Finance Online also provides brokerage services in Hong Kong.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained herein reflect management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, this release contains the following forward-looking statements regarding:

  • our prospect and our ability to attract new users;
  • our prospect on building a comprehensive wealth management ecosystem through providing a fully-integrated online communication and securities-trading platform;
  • our prospect on stabilization in cash attrition and improvement of our financial position;
  • our initiatives to address customers' demand for intuitive online investment platforms and alternative investment opportunities; and
  • the market prospect of the business of securities-trading, securities investment advisory and wealth management.

Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, which risk factors and uncertainties include, amongst others, changing customer needs, regulatory environment and market conditions that we are subject to; the uneven condition of the world and Chinese economies that could lead to volatility in the equity markets and affect our operating results in the coming quarters; the impact of the changing conditions of the mainland Chinese stock market, Hong Kong stock market and global financial markets on our future performance; the unpredictability of our strategic transformation and growth of new businesses including our commodities brokerage services; the prospect of our margin-related business and the degree to which our implementation of margin account screening and ongoing monitoring will yield successful outcomes; the degree to which our strategic collaborations with partners will yield successful outcomes; the prospects for China's high-net-worth and middle-class households; the prospects of equipping our customer specialists with new technology, tools and financial knowledge; wavering investor confidence that could impact our business; and possible non-cash goodwill, intangible assets and investment impairments may adversely affect our net income. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F under "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors". The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

China Finance Online
+86-10-8336-3100
ir@jrj.com

-- Tables Follow --


China Finance Online Co. Limited

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)


Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Assets



Current assets:



Cash and cash equivalents

66,152

85,734

Restricted cash

2,484

-

Trust bank balances held on behalf of customers

33,174

14,168

Accounts receivable, net - others

14,411

12,008

Accounts receivable, net - Margin clients

7,557

4,367

Short-term investments

16,444

-

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

8,241

3,489

Deferred tax assets, current

1,370

969

Total current assets

149,833

120,735

Long-term investments, net

2,561

1,782

Property and equipment, net

7,398

5,790

Acquired intangible assets, net

396

1,539

Rental deposits

1,292

1,423

Goodwill

109

6,700

Deferred tax assets, non-current

33

20

Other deposits

6,002

6,076

Total assets

167,624

144,065




Liabilities and equity



Current liabilities:



Deferred revenue, current (including deferred revenue, current of the
consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance
Online Co. Limited $5,286 and $5,058 as of December 31, 2016 and
December 31,2015, respectively)

6,526

6,659

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued
expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated variable interest
entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited $26,352
and $13,036 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

29,621

15,655

Contingent liability  (including contingent liability of the consolidated
variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co.
Limited nil and nil  as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

3,000

-

Amount due to customers for trust bank balances held on behalf of
customers(including amount due to customers for trust bank balances
held on behalf of customers of the consolidated variable interest entities
without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited $3,071 and $566 as
of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

33,174

14,168

Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated
variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co.
Limited $2,151 and $3,387 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31,
2015, respectively)

8,746

5,494

Deferred tax liabilities, current (including deferred tax liabilities, current
of the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China
Finance Online Co. Limited $234 and $13 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31,
2015, respectively)

236

15

Income taxes payable (including income taxes payable of the
consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance
Online Co. Limited $3,819 and $1,753 as of December 31, 2016 and
December 31,2015, respectively)

3,828

1,768

Total current liabilities

85,131

43,759

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current (including deferred tax liabilities,
non-current of the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse
to China Finance Online Co. Limited $72 and $385 as of December 31,
2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

90

385

Deferred revenue, non-current (including deferred revenue, non-current
of the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China
Finance Online Co. Limited $78 and $187 as of December 31, 2016 and
December 31,2015, respectively)

609

692

Total liabilities

85,830

44,836

Noncontrolling interests

(4,370)

11,191

Total China Finance Online Co. Limited Shareholders' equity

86,164

88,038

Total liabilities and equity

167,624

144,065

 

China Finance Online Co. Limited

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and ADS related data)


Three months ended

The year ended


Dec. 31,
2016

Dec. 31,
2015

Sep. 30,
2016

Dec. 31,
2016

Dec. 31,
2015

Net revenues

19,237

33,634

17,062

83,058

107,405

Cost of revenues

(7,215)

(6,119)

(4,454)

(20,380)

(19,739)

Gross profit

12,022

27,515

12,608

62,678

87,666

Operating expenses






General and administrative (includes
share-based compensation expenses of
$999, $3,258, $1,214, $5,241 and $6,396,
respectively)

(4,505)

(5,712)

(4,766)

(19,837)

(17,993)

Sales and marketing (includes
share-based compensation expenses of
$233, $(66), $(45), $130 and $(121),
respectively)

(14,426)

(16,362)

(12,927)

(50,083)

(46,475)

Product development (includes
share-based compensation expenses of
$731, $(160), $(211), $205 and $(218),
respectively)

(5,009)

(2,716)

(3,652)

(14,485)

(10,739)

Loss from impairment of intangible
assets

-

(250)

-

(1,111)

(250)

Loss from impairment of goodwill

(18)

-

-

(6,660)

-







Total operating expenses

(23,958)

(25,040)

(21,345)

(92,176)

(75,457)

Government subsidies

-

-

650

1,195

252

Income (loss) from operations

(11,936)

2,475

(8,087)

(28,303)

12,461

Interest income

217

1,336

212

1,051

2,648

Interest expense

(2)

-

-

(2)

(1)

Short-term investment income, net

510

79

(389)

379

216

Gain on the interest sold and retained
noncontrolling investment

-

10,000

2,246

20,568

10,000

Gain from sale of cost method investment

-

-

-

-

4,648

Loss from equity method investment

(7)

(47)

(21)

(138)

(67)

Other income (loss), net

(408)

15

47

(305)

(937)

Exchange gain (loss), net

26

(161)

4

(55)

(766)







Income (loss) before income tax expenses

(11,600)

13,697

(5,988)

(6,805)

28,202

Income tax benefits (expenses)

(3,309)

(752)

2,265

(4,161)

(1,384)







Net income (loss)

(14,909)

12,945

(3,723)

(10,966)

26,818

Less: Net income (loss) attributable
to the noncontrolling interest

(2,071)

2,933

(96)

(9,287)

4,335

Net income (loss) attributable to China
Finance Online Co. Limited

(12,838)

10,012

(3,627)

(1,679)

22,483







Net income (loss)

(14,909)

12,945

(3,723)

(10,966)

26,818

Changes in foreign currency
translation adjustment

(2,437)

(1,424)

(524)

(4,343)

(3,467)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(2,437)

(1,424)

(524)

(4,343)

(3,467)

Comprehensive income (loss)

(17,346)

11,521

(4,247)

(15,309)

23,351

Less: comprehensive income (loss)
attributable to noncontrolling interest

(2,071)

2,933

(96)

(9,287)

4,335

Comprehensive income (loss)
attributable to China Finance Online Co. Limited

(15,275)

8,588

(4,151)

(6,022)

19,016







Net income (loss) per share attributable
to China Finance Online Co. Limited






Basic

(0.11)

0.09

(0.03)

(0.01)

0.20

Diluted

(0.11)

0.08

(0.03)

(0.01)

0.18

Net income (loss) per ADS attributable
to China Finance Online Co. Limited






Basic

(0.57)

0.45

(0.16)

(0.07)

1.01

Diluted

(0.57)

0.40

(0.16)

(0.07)

0.90

Weighted average ordinary shares






Basic

113,465,823

111,152,526

113,225,597

113,213,912

110,997,871

Diluted

113,465,823

125,948,776

113,225,597

113,213,912

125,129,763

Weighted average ADSs






Basic

22,693,165

22,230,505

22,655,489

22,642,782

22,199,574

Diluted

22,693,165

25,189,755

22,655,489

22,642,782

25,025,953

 

Exhibit A

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In thousands of U.S. dollars)



As of December 31, 2016


As previously
furnished

Adjustment

As Restated

Income taxes payable (including income
taxes payable of the consolidated
variable interest entities without
recourse to China Finance Online Co.
Limited $3,819*   as of December 31,
2016)

330

3,498

3,828

Total current liabilities

81,633

3,498

85,131

Total liabilities

82,332

3,498

85,830

Noncontrolling interests

(3,455)

(915)

(4,370)

Total China Finance Online Co. Limited
Shareholders' equity

88,747

(2,583)

86,164

__________________________________

*Income taxes payable of the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited as previously furnished is $321. With an adjustment of $3,498, the current restated figure is $3,819.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Data (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and ADS related data)



Three months ended December 31, 2016

The year ended December 31, 2016


As
previously
furnished

Adjustment

As Restated

As
previously
furnished

Adjustment

As Restated

Loss before income tax
benefits (expenses)

(11,600)

-

(11,600)

(6,805)

-

(6,805)

Income tax benefits (expenses)

238

(3,547)

(3,309)

(614)

(3,547)

(4,161)








Net loss

(11,362)

(3,547)

(14,909)

(7,419)

(3,547)

(10,966)

Less: Net loss
attributable to the
noncontrolling interest

(1,157)

(914)

(2,071)

(8,373)

(914)

(9,287)

Net income (loss)
attributable to China
Finance Online Co.
Limited

(10,205)

(2,633)

(12,838)

954

(2,633)

(1,679)








Net loss

(11,362)

(3,547)

(14,909)

(7,419)

(3,547)

(10,966)

Changes in foreign
currency translation
adjustment

(2,486)

49

(2,437)

(4,392)

49

(4,343)

Other comprehensive
income (loss), net of tax

(2,486)

49

(2,437)

(4,392)

49

(4,343)

Comprehensive loss

(13,848)

(3,498)

(17,346)

(11,811)

(3,498)

(15,309)

 Less: comprehensive
loss attributable to
noncontrolling interest

(1,157)

(914)

(2,071)

(8,373)

(914)

(9,287)

Comprehensive loss
attributable to China
Finance Online Co.
Limited

(12,691)

(2,584)

(15,275)

(3,438)

(2,584)

(6,022)








Net income (loss) per
share attributable to
China Finance Online Co.
Limited







 Basic

(0.09)

(0.02)

(0.11)

0.01

(0.02)

(0.01)

 Diluted

(0.09)

(0.02)

(0.11)

0.01

(0.02)

(0.01)

Net income (loss) per
ADS attributable to
China Finance Online Co.
Limited







Basic

(0.45)

(0.12)

(0.57)

0.04

(0.11)

(0.07)

Diluted

(0.45)

(0.12)

(0.57)

0.04

(0.11)

(0.07)

Weighted average
ordinary shares







 Basic

113,465,823

-

113,465,823

113,213,912

-

113,213,912

 Diluted

113,465,823

-

113,465,823

127,348,028

(14,134,116)

113,213,912

Weighted average ADSs







 Basic

22,693,165

-

22,693,165

22,642,782

-

22,642,782

 Diluted

22,693,165

-

22,693,165

25,469,606

(2,826,824)

22,642,782

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-finance-online-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2016-unaudited-financial-results-amended-300447979.html

Source: China Finance Online Co., Ltd.
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