SHENZHEN, China, May 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Noah Education Holdings Ltd. ("Noah") (NYSE: NED), a leading provider of interactive education content in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008, which is the third quarter for Noah’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.(1)
(1) This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into
U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the
reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S.
dollars are made at a rate of RMB7.012 to US$1.00, the noon buying
rate as of March 31, 2008 in The City of New York for cable
transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York.
Highlights for the Third Fiscal Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
-- Total net revenues were RMB184.1 million (US$26.3 million), an
increase of 8.5% over the corresponding period last year.
-- Gross margin was 55.3% compared to 50.8% during the corresponding
period a year ago, and operating margin for the quarter was 14.3% as
compared to 13.4% for the third quarter of 2007.
-- Net income was RMB55.4 million (US$7.9 million), an increase of
113.8% over the corresponding period last year.
-- Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB1.45 (US$0.21) and
RMB1.40 (US$0.20), compared to RMB0.40 (US$0.05) and RMB0.38 (US$0.05)
of the second quarter of 2008, respectively. Basic and diluted
earnings per share excluding share-based compensation expenses and
the change in the fair value of warrants (non-GAAP) were RMB1.49
(US$0.21) and RMB1.46 (US$0.21), compared to RMB0.79 (US$0.11) and
RMB0.77 (US$0.11) of the second quarter of 2008, respectively.
-- Total sales volume of handheld digital learning devices (DLDs) for
the third quarter increased 6.3% year-over-year to approximately
174,742.
-- As of March 31, 2008, the total number of schools signed up for the
“Access Noah” program increased 50% to over 600, covering more than
1.4 million students, up from approximately 400 schools and 900,000
students at the end of December 2007.
"I am very pleased to report strong results this quarter,” said Mr. Dong Xu, Noah’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Even with severe winter storms across southern China during the quarter, we were able to post robust numbers and get back on track with our growth plan.” Mr. Xu continued, “We remain the market leader in DLD sales in China and continued to gain market share during the past quarter. We have proven our ability to deliver strong growth in our core business and have begun to leverage our strengths to transform Noah into the leading brand in supplemental education services in China, providing a wide range of products, services and content.”
Mr. Rick Chen, Noah’s executive vice president added, “The cornerstone of our efforts to become a full-spectrum supplement education service company is our in-school initiative, ‘The Access Noah Program.’ Access Noah is now active in more than 600 schools and reaches over 1.4 million students. With Access Noah we aim to help students and teachers improve classroom-learning efficacy, stimulate interest in academic study among students, and produce visible improvements in test scores.” Mr. Chen continued, “Reaching students and teachers in schools has also had significant positive effects on our business. Through Access Noah we have extended the reach of our marketing dollars and been able to deepen our understanding of the learning habits and teaching behaviors of students and teachers. With this experience we are improving our existing products and services and building out the community of on-line and off-line users of Noah products and services. These loyal users will be key to Noah’s future and the foundation of a community of knowledge-sharing centered around the Noah brand.”
Financial Results for the Fiscal Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
For the third fiscal quarter of 2008, Noah reported net revenues of RMB184.1 million (US$26.3 million), an 8.5% increase over net revenues of RMB169.6 million in the third quarter of the previous year.
Total sales volume of DLDs for the quarter was 174,742, a 6.3% increase from approximately 164,417 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. E-dictionary sales volume decreased to approximately 135,302, a 25.3% decrease over 181,037 sold in the corresponding period last year.
Total courseware available increased to approximately 35,000 from 32,000 in the previous quarter and approximately 27,000 in the third quarter of the previous year. The Company’s new proprietary graphic calculator technology embedded in a number of higher-end DLD products accounted for approximately 65% of all DLDs sold in the quarter.
During the quarter, the Company opened one new after-school tutoring center, bringing the total number of such centers to ten.
Gross margin was 55.3% compared to 50.8% in the corresponding period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to the Company’s increased focus on selling higher-margin DLDs in the overall product mix and to a decrease in the cost of raw materials.
Sales and marketing expenses were RMB56.2 million (US$8.0 million), or 30.5% of revenues, compared to RMB55.2 million, or 32.6% of revenues in the corresponding period last year.
Operating margin for the quarter was 14.3% compared to 13.4% in the corresponding period last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating margin for the quarter was 15.6 %, compared to 14.3% in the corresponding period last year.
Total share-based compensation expenses, which were allocated to related operating costs and expenses, increased 70.9% to RMB2.46 million (US$0.35 million) up from RMB1.44 million in the corresponding period last year.
Net income for the quarter was RMB55.4 million (US$7.9 million), a 113.8% increase over RMB25.9 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2007. Net income excluding share-based compensation expenses and the change in the fair value of warrants (non-GAAP) was RMB57.1 million (US$8.1 million), an increase of 108.5% year-over-year.
Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to RMB1.45 (US$0.21) and RMB1.40 (US$0.20), compared to RMB0.40 (US$0.05) and RMB0.38 (US$0.05) in the previous quarter, respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per share excluding share-based compensation expenses and the change in the fair value of warrants were RMB1.49 (US$0.21) and RMB1.46 (US$0.21), respectively. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. The weighted averaged ordinary shares outstanding in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share were 38,198,045 and 39,136,046 respectively.
As of March 31, 2008, Noah had cash and cash equivalents of RMB1,027.9 million (US$146.6 million).
Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008
For the nine months ended March 31, 2008, Noah reported net revenues of RMB554.0 million (US$79.0 million), a 17.3% increase over net revenues of RMB472.1 million in the corresponding period last year.
Operating margin for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was 15.1% compared to 13.5% in the nine months ended March 31, 2007.
Net income for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was RMB113.7 million (US$16.2 million), an 82.2% increase over RMB62.4 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2007. Net income excluding share-based compensation expenses and the change in the fair value of warrants (non-GAAP) for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was RMB136.9 million (US$19.5 million), representing a 82.4% increase year-over-year.
Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to RMB3.61 (US$0.52) and RMB3.49 (US$0.50), respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per share excluding share-based compensation expenses and the change in the fair value of warrants were RMB4.35 (US$0.62) and RMB4.13 (US$0.59), respectively.
Outlook for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008
Noah expects its total net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 (April 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008) to grow in the range of 16% to 18%, compared to the corresponding period last year. Noah expects net income growth in the fourth fiscal quarter 2008 in the range of 350% to 400%, as compared to the corresponding period last year.
In addition, The Company has raised it forecast for total net profit for full fiscal year 2008 to be in the range of RMB128 million to RMB130 million. This forecast reflects Noah’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.
Conference Call Information
Noah’s management will host an earnings conference call at 8 p.m. on May 15, 2008 U.S. Eastern Standard Time (8 a.m. on May 16, 2008 Beijing/Hong Kong time).
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
US Toll Free: +1-866-700-0133
Hong Kong: +852-3002-1672
International: +1-617-213-8831
Please dial-in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "Noah earnings call".
A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until June 14, 2008
International: +1-617-801-6888
Passcode: 72140556
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.noahtech.com.cn .
About Noah
Noah Education Holdings Limited (“Noah”) (NYSE: NED) is a leading provider of interactive supplemental education content and services in China. Noah develops and markets interactive multimedia learning materials mainly to complement prescribed textbooks used in China’s primary and secondary school curricula. Noah delivers content primarily through handheld digital learning devices, or DLDs. Noah content is also available through the Company’s on-line website and Noah distribution centers nationwide. Noah runs after-school tutoring centers in Chengdu, Chongqing and Beijing. Additionally, Access Noah, an in-school initiative, is bringing Noah products and services into China’s public schools.
For more information about Noah, please visit http://www.noahtech.com.cn .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Noah’s current expectations and views of future events that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Noah has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. You should understand that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what Noah expects. Information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in Noah’s filings with the SEC.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
Wendy Li
Noah Education Holdings Limited
Tel: +86(755)8204-3194
Email: lixin@noah21cn.com
Helen Plummer
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Beijing)
Tel: +86(10)8520-3090
Email: helen.plummer@ogilvy.com
In the United States:
Jessica Cohen
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (New York)
Tel: +1(646)460-9989
Email: jessica.cohen@ogilvy.com
Noah Education Holdings Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three months ended Nine months ended
31 March 31 March
2007 2008 2007 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
RMB RMB RMB RMB
Net revenue 169,645,527 184,094,696 472,144,600 553,991,798
Cost of revenue (83,444,075) (82,381,971) (221,126,857) (270,886,343)
Gross profit 86,201,452 101,712,725 251,017,743 283,105,455
Total operating
expenses (75,243,746) (86,546,047) (222,215,715) (236,669,883)
Other operating
income 11,786,873 11,110,671 34,987,387 37,008,519
Operating income 22,744,579 26,277,348 63,789,415 83,444,090
Derivative gain
(loss) 0 823,661 0 (5,238,686)
Interest income 580,945 6,172,075 1,731,153 14,719,199
Other Non-Operating
income 0 22,578,606 0 22,578,606
Income before income
taxes 23,325,524 55,851,690 65,520,568 115,503,208
Income taxes 2,601,798 (417,200) (3,070,499) (1,756,048)
Net income 25,927,322 55,434,490 62,450,069 113,747,160
Deemed dividend (354,296) 0 (1,112,482) (379,092)
Preference stock
dividends 0 0 (17,705,374) 0
Net income
attributable to
ordinary
shareholders 25,573,026 55,434,490 61,337,587 113,368,068
Net income per share
Basic 0.94 1.45 2.02 3.61
Diluted 0.92 1.40 1.96 3.49
Income attributable
to shareholders
Basic 20,158,909 55,434,490 47,048,056 113,747,160
Diluted 25,927,322 54,610,829 42,495,513 113,747,160
Weighted average
ordinary shares
outstanding
Basic 21,473,442 38,198,045 21,473,442 31,483,788
Diluted 28,262,748 39,136,046 21,656,358 32,571,634
Noah Education Holdings Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, March 31,
2007 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
RMB RMB
Assets:
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,052,686,157 1,027,945,912
Accounts receivables, net of
allowance 138,828,764 200,202,353
Related party receivables 3,113,771 2,417,793
Inventories 95,475,567 80,127,971
Prepaid expenses, deferred tax
assets and other current assets 50,753,154 44,737,650
Total current assets 1,340,857,413 1,355,431,678
Property, plant and equipment, net 17,715,849 17,585,084
Intangible assets, net 8,045,998 6,868,224
Total assets 1,366,619,260 1,379,884,986
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable 51,616,818 49,110,695
Other payables, accruals, advances
from customers and deferred
revenues 40,573,588 41,458,455
Income taxes payable 902,058 1,271,907
Total current liabilities 93,092,464 91,841,057
Warrants 10,605,494 9,376,959
Total liabilities 103,697,958 101,218,015
Mezzanine Equity
Convertible Series A Preference
Shares 0 0
Shareholders' Equity
Ordinary shares 15,395 15,395
Additional paid-in capital 1,171,639,152 1,172,850,038
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (28,095,758) (68,995,467)
Retained earnings 119,362,513 174,797,004
Total shareholders' equity 1,262,921,302 1,278,666,971
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity 1,366,619,260 1,379,884,986
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement its financial information presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), Noah uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP measures by the SEC: adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating income and adjusted net income, each excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in the fair value of warrants issued to Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited to purchase additional ordinary shares. Noah believes that gross profit, operating income and net income measures on non-GAAP basis indicate Noah’s baseline performance before subtracting those charges. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for its planning and forecasting of future periods. By disclosing the non-GAAP amounts, management intends to provide investors with additional information to analyze Noah’s performance and underlying trends. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as for financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. See the table below for a reconciliation of non-GAAP amounts to amounts reported under GAAP.
Noah Education Holdings Ltd.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP
Three months ended
31 March
2007 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
RMB % of Rev RMB % of Rev
GAAP net revenue 169,645,527 100.0% 184,094,696 100.0%
GAAP gross profit 86,201,452 50.8% 101,712,725 55.3%
Share-based compensation 73,447 0.0% 63,643 0.0%
Non-GAAP gross profit 86,274,899 50.9% 101,776,368 55.3%
GAAP operating income 22,744,579 13.4% 26,277,348 14.3%
Share-based compensation 1,439,481 0.8% 2,460,749 1.3%
Non-GAAP operating income 24,184,060 14.3% 28,738,097 15.6%
GAAP net income 25,927,322 15.3% 55,434,490 30.1%
Share-based compensation 1,439,481 0.8% 2,460,749 1.3%
Change in the fair value of
warrants 0 0.0% (823,661) -0.4%
Non-GAAP net income 27,366,803 16.1% 57,071,578 31.0%
GAAP net income per share
Basic 0.94 1.45
Diluted 0.92 1.40
Non-GAAP net income per share
Basic 0.99 1.49
Diluted 0.96 1.46
Noah Education Holdings Ltd.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP
Nine months ended
31 March
2007 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
% of
RMB % of Rev RMB Rev
GAAP net revenue 472,144,600 100.0% 553,991,798 100.0%
GAAP gross profit 251,017,743 53.2% 283,105,455 51.1%
Share-based compensation 302,379 0.1% 315,800 0.1%
Non-GAAP gross profit 251,320,122 53.2% 283,421,255 51.2%
GAAP operating income 63,789,415 13.5% 83,444,090 15.1%
Share-based compensation 12,596,300 2.7% 17,878,026 3.2%
Non-GAAP operating income 76,385,715 16.2% 101,322,116 18.3%
GAAP net income 62,450,069 13.2% 113,747,160 20.5%
Share-based compensation 12,596,300 2.7% 17,878,026 3.2%
Change in the fair value of
warrants 0 0.0% 5,238,686 0.9%
Non-GAAP net income 75,046,369 15.9% 136,863,872 24.7%
GAAP net income per share
Basic 2.02 3.61
Diluted 1.96 3.49
Non-GAAP net income per share
Basic 2.99 4.35
Diluted 3.05 4.13
