Noah Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2021

SHANGHAI, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited ("Noah" or the "Company") (NYSE: NOAH), a leading and pioneer wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive one-stop advisory services on global investment and asset allocation primarily for high net worth investors, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

FIRST QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                                                      

• Net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB1,224.7 million (US$186.9 million), a 64.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, and a 28.5% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

• Income from operations for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB502.4 million (US$76.7 million), a 96.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, and a 49.8% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB454.1 million (US$69.3 million), an 86.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2020.
• Non-GAAP^[1] net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB461.9 million (US$70.5 million), a 79.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, and a 76.0% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

FIRST QUARTER 2021 OPERATIONAL UPDATES

Wealth Management Business

We offer investment products and provide value-added services to high net worth investors in China and overseas for our wealth management business. Noah primarily distributes private equity, public securities and other products denominated in RMB and other currencies.

• Total number of registered clients as of March 31, 2021 was 384,021, a 19.6% increase from March 31, 2020, and a 6.5% increase from December 31, 2020.
• Total number of active clients^[2], which excluded mutual fund-only clients during the first quarter of 2021 was 6,299, a 54.6% increase from the first quarter of 2020, and a 19.6% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020. Including mutual fund-only clients, the number of clients who transacted with us during the first quarter of 2021 was 27,846, a 65.4% increase from the first quarter of 2020, and a 42.8% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Aggregate value of investment products distributed during the first quarter of 2021 was RMB27.1 billion (US$4.1 billion), including private equity products that was distributed directly by our asset management segment, representing a 16.8% increase from the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to a 62.5% growth of private equity products and a 23.4% growth of secondary market equity products. The aggregate value increased by 27.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 due to the significant growth of public securities products offered by the Company.

• Coverage network in mainland China covered 82 cities as of March 31, 2021, compared with 78 cities as of March 31, 2020 and 80 cities as of December 31, 2020.
• Number of relationship managers was 1,246 as of March 31, 2021, a 3.1% increase from March 31, 2020, and a 1.2% increase from December 31, 2020. The turnover rate of core "elite" relationship managers was 0.3%, compared with 5.1% as of December 31, 2020.

Asset Management Business

Our asset management business is conducted through Gopher Asset Management Co., Ltd. ("Gopher Asset Management"), a leading multi-asset manager in China with overseas offices in Hong Kong, the United States and Canada. Gopher Asset Management develops and manages assets ranging from private equity, real estate, public securities, credit to multi-strategy investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies. 

• Total assets under management as of March 31, 2021 were RMB154.1 billion (US$23.5 billion), a 0.8% increase from December 31, 2020 and a 4.7% decrease from March 31, 2020, primarily due to the voluntary redemptions of certain credit products.

Other Businesses

Since the fourth quarter of 2020, our other businesses segment has been transitioning to "Noah Digital Intelligence", aiming to develop a "turnkey asset management platform" ("TAMP"), to create an additional distribution channel beyond our wealth management, as well as to provide more comprehensive services and investment products.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, co-founder and CEO of Noah, said, "In the first quarter of 2021, I am proud to report that our active clients number, including mutual funds, grew 65.4% year-on-year to record a historical high of almost 28,000, which enabled our net revenues to reach RMB1.2 billion, the highest single quarter in our history, a 64.1% increase year-on-year, consists of the strong growth in all revenue streams including one-time commissions, recurring service fees and performance-based income. As a result, non-GAAP net income was RMB461.9 million, also a historical high. Out of the total transaction value of RMB27.1 billion, public securities accounted for RMB21.5 billion, another record high since our listing, showcasing our continued success since the transformation for standardized products and services. In addition, there was only 0.3% turnover rate of our elite relationship managers during the quarter, evidencing the stability of our sales force after the transformation. We will stay client-centric while continuing to invest in human capital development and IT infrastructure to improve our client experience, as well as stay focused on major economic regions in the country where high net worth clients are concentrated."

FIRST QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB1,224.7 million (US$186.9 million), a 64.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, primarily driven by increased one-time commissions and performance-based income, partially offset by the decrease in other service fees.

• Wealth Management Business

- Net revenues from one-time commissions for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB293.2 million (US$44.8 million), a 39.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to a 23.4% increase in transaction value of secondary market equity investment products that we distributed.

- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB313.7 million (US$47.9 million), an 8.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to the cumulative effect of public securities investment products with recurring service fees previously distributed.

- Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB325.6 million (US$49.7 million), compared with RMB15.1 million in the corresponding period of 2020, representing a 20.6 times increase. The increase was primarily due to more performance-based income realized from public securities.

- Net revenues from other service fees for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB13.9 million (US$2.1 million), compared with RMB37.6 million in the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to less value-added services we offered to our high net worth clients.

• Asset Management Business

- Net revenues from one-time commissions for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB30.0 million (US$4.6 million), represents the one-time commissions earned from all private equity products that we distributed directly from our asset management segment since the fourth quarter of 2020 to comply with new regulation. We still distributed other investment products from our wealth management business segment.

- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB161.2 million (US$24.6 million), a 0.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2020.

- Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB77.5 million (US$11.8 million), compared with RMB4.6 million in the corresponding period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to more performance-based income realized from private equity products.

• Other Businesses

- Net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB8.3 million (US$1.3 million), a 70.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to continuous reducing volume of loan origination since the second half year of 2019.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB722.3 million (US$110.3 million), a 47.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2020. Operating costs and expenses primarily consisted of compensation and benefits of RMB582.1 million (US$88.9 million), selling expenses of RMB83.5 million (US$12.7 million), general and administrative expenses of RMB80.3 million (US$12.3 million), provision of credit losses of RMB3.4 million (US$0.5 million) and other operating expenses of RMB27.1 million (US$4.1 million).

• Operating costs and expenses for the wealth management business for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB528.3 million (US$80.6 million), a 36.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to less compensation and benefits as well as less expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and partially offset by a decrease in other operating expense.
• Operating costs and expenses for the asset management business for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB155.6 million (US$23.7 million), a 116.3% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to less compensation and benefits as well as less expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Operating costs and expenses for other businesses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB38.5 million (US$5.9 million), a 22.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to less compensation and benefits incurred in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating Margin

Operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 41.0%, compared with 34.3% for the corresponding period in 2020.

• Operating margin for the wealth management business for the first quarter of 2021 was 44.2%, compared with 30.1% for the corresponding period in 2020.
• Operating margin for the asset management business for the first quarter of 2021 was 42.4%, compared with 56.5% for the corresponding period in 2020.
• Loss from operation for the other businesses for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB30.2 million (US$4.6 million), compared with an operating loss of RMB3.5 million for the corresponding period in 2020, due to less revenue generated in the first quarter of 2021.

Investment Income

Investment income for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB34.4 million (US$5.2 million), compared with RMB17.6 million for the corresponding period in 2020. The increase was primarily related to the fluctuation of fair value of equity securities.

Income Tax Expenses

Income tax expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB129.8 million (US$19.8 million), a 90.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher taxable income. 

Net Income

• Net Income

- Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB452.9 million (US$69.1 million), an 85.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2020.

- Net margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 37.0%, up from 32.7% for the corresponding period in 2020.

- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB454.1 million (US$69.3 million), an 86.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2020.

- Net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was 37.1%, up from 32.6% for the corresponding period in 2020.

- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders per basic and diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB6.77 (US$1.03) and RMB6.72 (US$1.03), respectively, compared with RMB3.94 and RMB3.92 respectively, for the corresponding period in 2020.

• Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to Noah Shareholders

- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB461.9 million (US$70.5 million), a 79.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2020 and a 76.0% increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

- Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was 37.7%, up from 34.5% for the corresponding period in 2020.

- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders per diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB6.84 (US$1.04), up from RMB4.15 for the corresponding period in 2020.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had RMB4,904.3 million (US$748.5 million) in cash and cash equivalents, compared with RMB5,005.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and RMB4,045.8 million as of March 31, 2020.

Net cash inflow from the Company's operating activities during the first quarter of 2021 was RMB495.9 million (US$75.7 million), primarily due to operating cash inflow generated by net income.

Net cash outflow from the Company's investing activities during the first quarter of 2021 was RMB68.9 million (US$10.5 million), primarily due to the net loans initiated to borrowers.

Net cash outflow from the Company's financing activities was RMB533.7 million (US$81.5 million) in the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to repurchasing ordinary shares as well as acquiring additional shares from non-controlling interest shareholder in one of our subsidiaries.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On May 9, 2021, the Company, through certain of its subsidiaries, entered into definitive agreements ("Transaction Agreements") with certain subsidiaries and affiliates of Sunny World Group to purchase new office premises, with a gross floor area of approximately 72,000 square meters in Shanghai Hongqiao Central Business District for a total cash consideration of approximately RMB2.2 billion (US$340.0 million). The premises will primarily be used as our global headquarters to meet the demand arising from the continuing growth of the Company's businesses and branding image.

The Company plans to finance the transaction by cash from our balance sheet. The consideration will be made in installments according to the condition precedents set up by Transaction Agreements. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Transaction Agreements.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, co-founder and CEO of Noah, commented," After fifteen years of operations, Noah is very glad to purchase this commercial property, consisting of four high-end, well-designed office buildings located at the center of the Hongqiao comprehensive transportation hub in Shanghai, one of the nation's busiest transportation hubs, to be our new global headquarters. I believe this space will also serve as an upgraded client interface for Noah and robust activity center connecting clients in Eastern China to us, enhancing their overall client experience and improving our corporate image."

2021 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the full year 2021 will be in the range of RMB1.2 billion to RMB1.3 billion. 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 2021 unaudited financial results and recent business activities.

The conference call may be accessed with the following details:

Participants will need to dial in 10-15 minutes early and use the above Elite Entry Number in order to join the conference. A telephone replay will be available starting one hour after the end of the conference call until May 17, 2021 at +1-877-344-7529 (US Toll Free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International Toll). The replay access code is 10154694.

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

DISCUSSION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures excluding the effects of all forms of share-based compensation, non-recurring settlement expenses and net of tax impact, if any. See "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release.

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 measures 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 the foregoing non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders and per diluted ADS and non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders to supplement U.S. GAAP financial data. As such, the Company's management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides important supplemental information to investors regarding financial and business trends relating to its results of operations in a manner consistent with that used by management.  

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH) is a leading and pioneer wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive one-stop advisory services on global investment and asset allocation primarily for high net worth investors. In the first quarter of 2021, Noah distributed RMB27.1 billion (US$4.1 billion) of investment products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB154.1 billion (US$23.5 billion) as of March 31, 2021.

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes private equity, public securities and insurance products denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah delivers customized financial solutions to clients through a network of 1,246 relationship managers across 82 cities in mainland China, and serves the international investment needs of its clients through offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States, Canada and Singapore. The Company's wealth management business had 384,021 registered clients as of March 31, 2021. As a leading alternative multi-asset manager in China, Gopher Asset Management manages private equity, real estate, public securities, credit and multi-strategy investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies. The Company also provides lending and other services.

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

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2021 ended March 31, 2021 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 RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 31, 2021 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 2021 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 and asset 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 industries; 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 industries 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.

-- FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL TABLES FOLLOW --

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