Noah Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2017

SHANGHAI, May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited ("Noah" or the "Company") (NYSE: NOAH), a leading wealth and asset management service provider in China with a focus on global investment and asset allocation services for high net worth individuals and enterprises, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2017.

FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues in the first quarter of 2017 were RMB713.2 million (US$103.6 million), a 17.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.

• Income from operations in the first quarter of 2017 was RMB256.8 million (US$37.3 million), a 13.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.

• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the first quarter of 2017 was RMB217.0 million (US$31.5 million), a 9.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.
• Non-GAAP^[1] net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the first quarter of 2017 was RMB237.2 million (US$34.5 million), a 10.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.

FIRST QUARTER 2017 OPERATIONAL UPDATES

Wealth Management Business

The Company's wealth management business offers wealth management products and provides comprehensive financial services to high net worth individuals, enterprise and institutional clients in China. Through our wealth management business, we primarily distribute onshore and offshore fixed income products, private equity products, secondary market products and insurance products.

• The total number of registered clients as of March 31, 2017 was 148,505, a 40.7% increase from March 31, 2016.                          
• The total number of active clients^[2] during the first quarter of 2017 was 4,362, an 11.8% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016.
• The aggregate value of wealth management products distributed by the Company during the first quarter of 2017 was RMB32.7 billion (US$4.8 billion), a 31.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.

• The average transaction value per client^[3]  in the first quarter of 2017 was RMB7.5 million (US$1.1 million), a 49.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.
• The coverage network included 199 branches and sub-branches covering 74 cities as of March 31, 2017, up from 185 branches and sub-branches covering 71 cities as of December 31, 2016, and 166 branches and sub-branches covering 68 cities as of March 31, 2016.
• The number of relationship managers was 1,251 as of March 31, 2017, up from 1,169 and 1,137 as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

Asset Management Business

Gopher Asset Management ("Gopher"), the Company's subsidiary, is a leading alternative asset manager in China. Gopher develops and manages private equity, real estate, secondary market and other investments denominated in both Renminbi and foreign currencies.

• The total assets under management as of March 31, 2017 were RMB129.6 billion (US$18.8 billion), a 7.1% increase from December 31, 2016 and a 36.9% increase from March 31, 2016.

Internet Financial Service Business

The Company's internet financial service business provides financial products and services through a proprietary internet financial service platform mainly targeting mass affluent individuals in China.

• The aggregate value of financial products distributed by the Company through its internet financial service platform in the first quarter of 2017 was RMB7.1 billion (US$1.1 billion), a 273.4% increase from the first quarter of 2016.
• The total number of clients through the Company's internet financial service platform as of March 31, 2017 was 425,708, up from 402,815 and 294,796 as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

Mr. Kenny Lam, Group President of Noah, commented, "We started 2017 with a strong first quarter and continued momentum.  Our wealth management business continues to grow rapidly with a broader range of high quality services and products, which led to higher client loyalty.  Our asset management business is in the midst of building new capabilities and our new businesses are beginning to deliver impactful results.  We are quite confident of a successful 2017 and will continue to deliver on our long-term strategic objectives."

FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB713.2 million (US$103.6 million), a 17.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to increases in one-time commission and recurring service fee revenues.

• Wealth Management Business
• Net revenues from one-time commissions for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB342.3 million (US$49.7 million), a 24.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the aggregate value of the wealth management products distributed by the Company.
• Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB199.8 million (US$29.0 million), an 18.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the cumulative effect of wealth management products with recurring service fees previously distributed by the Company.Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB11.8 million (US$1.7 million), a 74.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to a year-over-year increase in performance-based income from private equity products distributed in previous periods by the Company. Net revenues from other service fees for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB8.1 million (US$1.2 million), a 39.9% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016,primarily due to the reclassification of some of the other service fee income starting from the second quarter of 2016.
•  Asset Management Business
• Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB125.5 million (US$18.2 million), a 1.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to lower average management fee rates of fund-of-funds products managed in the first quarter of 2017 than those of the direct real estate investment products which had matured since a year ago. Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million), compared to RMB9.1 million in the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in performance-based income from secondary market products.
Internet Financial Service Business
• Net revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB24.8 million (US$3.6 million), a 326.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to increased volumes of financial products distributed by the internet financial service platform compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

Operating costs and expenses

Operating costs and expenses include compensation and benefits, selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, other operating expenses and government subsidies. Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB456.3 million (US$66.3 million), a 20.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased compensation costs and decreased government subsidies.

• Wealth Management Business
  Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB352.8 million (US$51.3 million), a 6.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2016.
• Compensation and benefits includes compensation for relationship managers and back-office employees. Compensation and benefits for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB265.9 million (US$38.6 million), a 12.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, relationship manager compensation increased by 9.9% from the corresponding period in 2016, as a result of a larger number of relationship managers. Other compensation for the first quarter of 2017 increased by 16.4% from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in the number of back-office employees. Selling expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB54.6 million (US$7.9 million), a 7.1% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to lower expenses for general marketing. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB35.3 million (US$5.1 million), an 43.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to higher expenses related to promotion conferences held during the first quarter. Other operating expenses, which include other costs incurred directly in relation to the wealth management business' revenues, were RMB12.4 million (US$1.8 million) for the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 11.9% from the corresponding period in 2016. Government subsidies represent cash subsidies received from local governments for general corporate purposes. Our wealth management business received RMB15.4 million (US$2.2 million) in government subsidies in the first quarter of 2017, compared to RMB0.1 million in the corresponding period of 2016
• Asset Management Business
  Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB47.6 million (US$6.9million), excluding government subsidies, compared to RMB60.0 million in the corresponding period of 2016, an increase of 10.4%.
• Compensation and benefits include compensation of investment professionals, fund operation staff, institutional sales, and other back-office employees. Compensation and benefits for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB39.8 million (US$5.8 million), an 8.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to less performance-based compensation paid to fund managers as lower performance-based income was recognized in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the corresponding period in 2016. Selling expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), compared with RMB1.9 million in the corresponding period of 2016, an increase of 9.0%, primarily due to an increase in expenses related to external consulting services. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB15.3 million (US$2.2 million), a 23.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in expenses related to conferencing services incurred for during the quarter. Government subsidies represent cash subsidies received from local governments for general corporate purposes. The asset management business received RMB18.5 million (US$2.7 million) in government subsidies in the first quarter of 2017, compared to RMB68.9 million in the corresponding period in 2016
• Internet Financial Service Business
  Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB55.9 million (US$8.1 million), a 4.1% decrease from the corresponding period in 2016. Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2017 primarily consisted of compensation and benefits of RMB35.0 million (US$5.1 million), selling expenses of RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million), general and administrative expenses of RMB9.1 million (US$1.3 million) and other operating expenses of RMB7.9 million (US$1.2 million).

Operating Margin

Operating margin for the first quarter of 2017 was 36.0%, relatively stable compared with 37.4% for the corresponding period in 2016.

• Operating margin for the wealth management business for the first quarter of 2017 increased to 36.7% from 28.7% for the corresponding period in 2016.
• Operating margin for the asset management business for the first quarter of 2017 was 62.3%, compared to 106.5% for the corresponding period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the RMB18.5 million (US$2.7 million) in government subsidies received in the first quarter of 2017, down from RMB68.9 million in the first quarter of 2016.
• Operating loss for internet financial service business for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB31.1 million (US$4.5 million), down from RMB52.5 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. 

Income Tax Expenses

Income tax expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were RMB61.9 million (US$9.0 million), a 16.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the combined impact of higher taxable income and a higher effective tax rate. 

Net Income

• Net Income
• Net income for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB215.7 million (US$31.3 million), a 12.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. Net margin for the first quarter of 2017 was 30.2%, compared to 31.7% for the corresponding period in 2016. Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB217.0 million (US$31.5 million), a 9.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. Net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2017 was 30.4%, compared to 32.8% for the corresponding period in 2016. Net income attributable to Noah shareholders per basic and diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB3.85 (US$0.56) and RMB3.69 (US$0.54), respectively, compared to RMB3.54 and RMB3.38, respectively, for the corresponding period in 2016
• Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to Noah Shareholders
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB237.2 million (US$34.5 million), a 10.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2016. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2017 was 33.3%, compared to 35.2% for the corresponding period in 2016. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders per diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2017 was RMB4.03 (US$0.59), as compared to RMB3.63 for the corresponding period in 2016.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had RMB2,609.2 million (US$379.1 million) in cash and cash equivalents, compared to RMB2,982.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and RMB2,480.3 million as of March 31, 2016.

Cash inflow from the Company's operating activities during the first quarter of 2017 was RMB24.6 million (US$3.6 million), compared to income from operations of RMB227.3 million, mainly due to the payout of the annual bonus and a temporary increase in other current assets.

Cash outflow from the Company's investing activities during the first quarter of 2017 was RMB363.9 million (US$52.9 million), primarily due to increases in short-term and long-term investments to improve cash usage and capital management.

Cash outflow from the Company's financing activities was RMB25.7 million (US$3.7 million) in the first quarter of 2017, during which the Company's shares were bought back under an authorized share repurchase plan.

On July 8, 2016, the Company's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to US$50 million worth of its issued and outstanding ADSs over the course of one year. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had repurchased 223,250 ADSs for approximately US$5.1 million under this program, inclusive of transaction charges, at an average effective price of US$22.74.

2017 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the full year 2017 will be in the range of RMB825 million to RMB860 million, an increase of 14.1% to 18.9% compared to the full year 2016. This estimate reflects management's current business outlook and is subject to change.

CONFERENCE CALL

Senior management will host a combined English and Chinese language conference call to discuss the Company's first quarter 2017 unaudited financial results and recent business activities.

The conference call may be accessed with the following details:

A telephone replay will be available starting one hour after the end of the conference call until May 22, 2017 at +1-877-344-7529 (US Toll Free) or +1-412-317-0088 (International Toll). The replay access code is 10106560.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at Noah's investor relations website under the News & Events section at http://ir.noahwm.com.

DISCUSSION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the effects of all forms of share-based compensation. The reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP measures is set forth in the table captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results" below.

The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results should be carefully evaluated. The non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company may be prepared differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

When evaluating the Company's operating performance in the periods presented, management reviewed non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders results reflecting adjustments to exclude the impact of share-based compensation to supplement U.S. GAAP financial data. As such, the Company believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders, non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders per diluted ADS and non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders provides important supplemental information to investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the Company's financial condition and results of operations in a manner consistent with that used by management. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, the Company recognized significant amounts of expenses for the restricted shares and share options in the periods presented. The Company utilized the non-GAAP financial results to make financial results comparable period to period and to better understand its historical business operations.

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Founded in 2005, Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH) is a leading wealth and asset management service provider in China with a focus on global investment and asset allocation services for high net worth individuals and enterprises. In the first quarter of 2017, Noah distributed RMB32.7 billion (US$4.8 billion) of wealth management products. Through our subsidiary, Gopher Asset Management, we had assets under management of RMB129.6 billion (US$18.8 billion) as of March 31, 2017.

Our wealth management business primarily distributes onshore and offshore fixed income products, private equity products, secondary market products and insurance products. Noah delivers customized financial solutions to clients through a network of 1,251 relationship managers across 199 branches and sub-branches in 74 cities in China, and serves the international investment needs of its clients through wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and the United States. The Company's wealth management business had 148,505 registered clients as of March 31, 2017. Gopher Asset Management is a leading alternative asset manager in China, and manages private equity, real estate, secondary market and other investments denominated in both Renminbi and foreign currencies. We also provide internet financial services through a proprietary internet financial service platform targeting mass affluent individuals in China.

For more information, please visit Noah at ir.noahwm.com .

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 are stated in RMB. This announcement contains currency conversions of certain RMB amounts into US$ at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB6.8832 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 31, 2017 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for 2017 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Noah's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause Noah's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the wealth management market in China and internationally; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products it distributes; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to its industry; its ability to attract and retain qualified employees; its ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; its plans to invest in research and development to enhance its product choices and service offerings; competition in its industry in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions in China; and its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property rights and not to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 20-F. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Noah does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, including forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under the applicable law.

Contacts:

Noah Holdings Limited
Steve Zeng
Noah Holdings Limited
Tel: +86-21-8035-9221
ir@noahwm.com

-- FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL TABLES FOLLOW --

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