BEIJING, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- KongZhong Corporation , a leading mobile Internet company in China, today announced its unaudited third quarter 2009 financial results.
Third Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights:
(Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statement amounts used in this press release are based on United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and denominated in US dollars)
-- Revenues exceeded guidance - Total revenues for the Third Quarter of 2009 ("3Q09") increased 40% year-over-year and increased 9% quarter-over-quarter to $35.1 million ("mn"), exceeding the Company's 3Q09 revenue guidance of $34 mn to $35 mn. -- Gross margin stable - Total gross margin was 51% in the 3Q09, stable compared with 51% in 2Q09. -- Net income increased - Net income in 3Q09 was $4.50 mn, a 27% increase compared with 2Q09 net income of $3.55 mn and a net loss in 3Q08. Basic net income per ADS was $0.13 based on 34.08 mn ADS while diluted net income per ADS was $0.11 based on 39.24 mn ADS outstanding as of September 30, 2009. -- Non-GAAP net income increased - Non-GAAP net income was $6.28 mn, a 33% increase compared to 2Q09, while Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was $0.16 (Non-GAAP Financial Measures are described and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures.") -- Cash and cash equivalents - As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $134 mn in cash and cash equivalents.
Commenting on the results, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Leilei Wang, said, "We continued to execute upon our strategy of delivering solid financial performance while continuing to the make long-term investments in KONG.net.
"Overall, our mobile games business continued to lead the China market with 20% sequential growth and over 200% year-over-year growth. We believe we are still in the early development phase of the Chinese mobile game market and through our strong game development capabilities, have become a preferred partner for all the Chinese mobile operators who are seeking to grow the mobile games market in the coming 3G era.
"Against the backdrop of stable 3Q financial performance at KONG.net (or WIS), the team has undertaken a number of initiatives, which position us well for strong user growth over the coming year. For example during the quarter, we announced a strategic alliance with CCTV that will leverage their audience of over 1.0 billion viewers to jointly develop mobile Internet services in China. Moreover, we also launched the new Ko.cn platform, which we plan to develop into the leading social mobile game platform in China.
"Lastly, our WVAS division continued to deliver stable cashflow growth helping to improve the overall profitability of KONG and providing us additional resources as we seek to extend our leadership in mobile games and invest in KONG.net"
Subsequent Events: -- In October 2009, we acquired 100% of an online Chinese-language novel Company ("Zhulang") and its related party ("Success Blueprint"), for an aggregate price of $2.34 mn in cash and 1,000,000 ordinary shares (equivalent to 25,000 ADS). Zhulang is engaged in the management, aggregation and distribution of user-generated and professionally written Chinese novels, mainly focused on the contemporary and martial arts genres (URL: http://www.zhulang.com/ ). Success Blueprint, a BVI company, is engaged in the management of overseas Chinese novel copyright. The acquisition of Zhulang will support the development of KONG.net's mobile novel channel, already one of the leading mobile novel sites in China, to further develop its access to original content and the author community to develop new and more innovative publishing business models based on mobile platforms. Also, we expect Zhulang to support the development of our mobile games business as we leverage content and other copyrights on the Zhulang platform for future mobile game titles. Financial Results: For the Three For the Three For the Three Months Ended Months Ended Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, 2008 2009 2009 (US$ thousands) (US$ thousands) (US$ thousands) Revenues $25,050 $32,287 $35,091 WVAS 22,070 23,925 25,387 Mobile Games 2,368 6,802 8,202 Wireless Internet Service 612 1,560 1,502 Cost of Revenue $13,395 $15,733 $17,167 WVAS 12,135 12,173 13,074 Mobile Games 955 2,791 3,341 Wireless Internet Service 305 769 752 Gross profit $11,655 $16,554 $17,924 WVAS 9,935 11,752 12,313 Mobile Games 1,413 4,011 4,861 Wireless Internet Service 307 791 750 Gross profit ratio 47% 51% 51% WVAS 45% 49% 49% Mobile Games 60% 59% 59% Wireless Internet Service 50% 51% 50% Revenues
WVAS revenues in 3Q09 increased 15% from 3Q08 and 6% from 2Q09 to $25.39 mn. Revenues from 2.5G services accounted for approximately 20% of total WVAS revenues while revenues from 2G services represented the remaining 80% in 3Q09.
Total mobile game revenues in 3Q09 were $8.2 mn, a 246% increase from the same period last year and a 21% increase from 2Q09.
Revenues from downloadable games were $7.09 mn or 86% of total mobile game revenues, representing a 274% increase from the same period last year and a 41% sequential increase. Revenues from downloadable games continued to perform well due to the overall growth of the mobile game market in China and closer partnership with Chinese mobile operators.
Revenues from mobile multi-player online games ("MMO") were $1.12 mn, an increase of 134% from the same period last year but a decrease of 37% from 2Q09. The sequential decline was due to a number of factors, including seasonal factors and promotional activities associated with the transition from our older, more established mobile online game, "Tian Jie", to our more recently launched mobile online game, "Feng Shen". Revenues from "Tian Jie" accounted for 97% mobile online game revenues, compared to "Feng Shen" which accounted for the remaining 3%.
In 3Q09, revenues from Mobile MMO made up 14% of total mobile game revenues compared to 26% in 2Q09.
Wireless Internet service ("WIS") revenues were $1.50 mn in 3Q09, representing an increase of 146% from the same period last year but a slight decrease of 4% from 2Q09. In 3Q09, 44% of WIS revenues were from wireless advertising with the remaining 56% from premium services on the Kong.net wireless Internet site, including virtual item sales and cross-selling of our mobile game and WVAS services.
Gross Profit
Total gross profit was $17.92 mn in 3Q09, an 8% increase compared to 2Q09 and a 54% increase compared to the same period last year. Total gross margin was stable in 3Q09 at 51% compared with 51% in 2Q09, and 4% higher compared with 47% in the same period last year.
WVAS gross profit in 3Q09 was $12.31 mn compared to $11.75 mn in 2Q09, a 24% increase compared to the same period last year and a 5% increase from 2Q09. 3Q09 WVAS gross margin was stable at 49% compared to 49% in 2Q09 but higher compared to 45% in the same quarter last year.
Mobile games gross profit for 3Q09 was $4.86 mn compared to $4.01 mn in 2Q09 and $1.41 mn in the same period last year, or an increase of 21% and 244% respectively. Mobile games gross margin was also stable at 59% compared with 59% in 2Q09 and 60% in 3Q08.
Wireless Internet service gross profit for 3Q09 was $0.75 mn compared to $0.79 mn in 2Q09 and $0.31 mn in the same period last year. Wireless Internet gross margins were also relatively stable at 50% in 3Q09 compared to 51% in 2Q09.
Operating Expenses For the Three For the Three For the Three Months Ended Months Ended Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, 2008 2009 2009 Product development $4,078 $4,373 $4,829 Sales and marketing 5,018 4,453 4,338 General and administrative 3,551 3,127 3,430 Goodwill impairment loss 21,624 -- -- Total Operating Expenses $34,271 $11,953 $12,597
Total operating expenses increased 5% sequential to $12.60 mn in 3Q09 compared to $11.95 mn in 2Q09. We would expect total operating expenses to increase in the coming quarters as we continue to invest in product development and more actively promote KONG.net and other mobile Internet initiatives towards the end of the year.
Product development expenses in 3Q09 were $4.83 mn compared to $4.37 mn in 2Q09 or a 10% sequential increase as we continued to hire additional product development and technology staff for both our KONG.net and mobile game development teams.
Sales and marketing expenses in 3Q09 were $4.34 mn compared to $4.45 mn in 2Q09 and $5.02 mn in the same period last year. Sales and marketing expenses were lower due to a greater focus on more efficient marketing channels for Kong.net and our other businesses.
General and administrative expenses in 3Q09 were $3.43 mn compared to $3.13 mn in 2Q09, or an increase of 10% quarter-over-quarter.
The Company's total headcount increased to 922 as of September 30, 2009 compared to 841 as of June 30, 2009 with product development team increases making up the majority of overall headcount growth.
Earnings
Net income and Non-GAAP net income in 3Q09 were $4.50 mn and $6.28 mn, respectively. Diluted earnings per ADS and diluted Non-GAAP earnings per ADS were $0.11 and $0.16 for 3Q09, respectively.
Total diluted ADS outstanding as of September 30, 2009 was 39.24 mn, compared to 38.53 mn as of June 30, 2009.
(In weighted average, mn) Basic ADS Diluted ADS Balance as of June 30, 2009 34.71 38.53 Less: Share repurchase (0.73) (0.73) Add: Vested shares and exercised options 0.10 0.10 Warrant -- 0.48 Outstanding options and nonvested shares -- 0.86 Balance as of September 30, 2009 34.08 39.24 Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $134 mn in cash and cash equivalents.
Stock Repurchase Program:
As of September 30, 2009, a total of 1,868,994 ADS of the Company (representing 74,759,760 ordinary shares), were repurchased at an average price of $6.3501 per ADS as part of the Company's share repurchase program, which began on November 18, 2008.
Business Outlook (For the 3-month period ending December 31, 2009):
Based on information available on November 11, 2009, the Company expects total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 to be between $37 mn and $38 mn.
Conference Call:
The Company's management team will conduct a conference call at 8:00 am Beijing time on November 12 (7:00 pm Eastern time and 4:00 pm Pacific time on November 11, 2009). A webcast of this conference call will be accessible on the Company's web site at http://ir.kongzhong.com/ .
KongZhong Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (US$ thousands, except per share data, and share count) (Unaudited) For the Three For the Three For the Three Months Ended Months Ended Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, 2008 2009 2009 Revenues $25,050 $32,287 $35,091 Cost of revenues 13,395 15,733 17,167 Gross profit 11,655 16,554 17,924 Operating expenses Product development 4,078 4,373 4,829 Sales & marketing 5,018 4,453 4,338 General & administrative 3,551 3,127 3,430 Goodwill impairment loss 21,624 -- -- Total operating expenses 34,271 11,953 12,597 Operating profit (loss) (22,616) 4,601 5,327 Interest income 1,134 765 717 Investment income -- -- 117 Interest expense on convertible notes -- 223 234 Income before tax expense (21,482) 5,143 5,927 Income tax expense 89 1,594 1,431 Net income (loss) ($21,571) $3,549 $4,496 Basic earnings (loss) per ADS ($0.61) $0.10 $0.13 Diluted earnings (loss) per ADS ($0.61) $0.09 $0.11 Weighted average ADS outstanding (mn) 35.63 34.71 34.08 Weighted average ADS used in diluted 35.63 38.53 39.24 EPS calculation (mn) KongZhong Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (US$ thousands) (Unaudited) For the Nine For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2008 2009 Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Income (Loss) ($21,183) $10,567 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Share-based compensation 1,862 2,963 Depreciation and amortization 2,204 2,058 Disposal of property and equipment -- (4) Goodwill impairment loss 21,624 -- Amortization of the debt discount -- 202 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 5,236 (8,429) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 9,743 7,357 Cash Flows From Investing Activities Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash US$330 acquired -- (4,433) Purchase of property and equipment (1,277) (1,167) Proceeds from disposal of property -- 4 Purchase of long-term investment (2,964) -- Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (4,241) (5,596) Cash Flows From Financing Activities Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Note -- 6,620 Proceeds from exercise of share options -- 603 Stock Repurchase -- (11,107) Net Cash Used in Financing Activities -- (3,884) Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 7,043 75 Net increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents $12,545 ($2,048) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period $122,343 $136,054 Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $134,888 $134,006 KongZhong Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (US$ thousands) (Unaudited) September 30, June 30, September 30, 2008 2009 2009 Cash and cash equivalents $134,888 $132,004 $134,006 Accounts receivable (net) 16,457 21,386 23,463 Other current assets 2,742 6,121 6,745 Total current assets 154,087 159,511 164,214 Rental deposits 525 568 582 Intangible assets (net) 831 2,165 1,849 Property and equipment (net) 3,286 3,307 3,107 Long-term investments 2,964 2,964 2,964 Goodwill 15,776 21,244 21,262 Total assets $177,469 $189,759 $193,978 Accounts payable $10,529 $11,622 $11,161 Other current liabilities 5,806 11,753 10,479 Total current liabilities 16,335 23,375 21,640 Convertible notes -- 2,687 2,767 Non-current deferred tax liability 112 451 400 Total liabilities $16,447 $26,513 $24,807 Shareholders' equity 161,022 163,246 169,171 Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $177,469 $189,759 $193,978 Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the unaudited condensed statements of income presented in accordance with US GAAP, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures (Non-GAAP Financial Measures) of net income and net income per diluted ADS, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude certain infrequent or unusual or non-cash based expenses, gains and losses. The Non-GAAP Financial Measures are provided as additional information to help both management and investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent and more meaningful basis and enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future.
The Non-GAAP Financial Measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the Non-GAAP Financial Measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.
For the periods presented, the Company's non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS exclude, as applicable, the amortization of intangibles, share-based compensation expense and interest expense on convertible notes.
Reconciliation of the Company's Non-GAAP financial measures to the GAAP financial measures is set forth below.
For the Three For the Three For the Three Months Ended Months Ended Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, 2008 2009 2009 (US$ thousands) (US$ thousands) (US$ thousands) GAAP Net Income (Loss) ($21,571) $3,549 $4,496 Share-based compensation 604 721 1,229 Financial expense on convertible notes -- 223 234 Goodwill impairment loss 21,624 -- -- Amortization of intangibles 152 215 319 Non-GAAP Net Income $809 $4,708 $6,278 Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (Note 1) $0.02 $0.12 $0.16 Note 1: The non-GAAP adjusted net income per ADS is computed using non-GAAP net income and number of ADS used in GAAP diluted EPS calculation, where the number of ADS is adjusted for dilution due to employee share based compensation and warrant. About KongZhong:
KongZhong Corporation is a leading mobile Internet company in China. The Company delivers wireless value-added services to consumers in China through multiple technology platforms including WAP, multimedia messaging service (MMS), JAVA(TM), short messaging service (SMS), interactive voice response (IVR), and color ring-back tone (CRBT). The Company operates three wireless Internet sites, Kong.net, Ko.cn and cn.NBA.com, which enable users to access media, entertainment and community content directly from their mobile phones. The Company also designs and operates mobile games, including mobile online games, JAVA games and WAP games.
Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding trends in the wireless value-added services, wireless media and mobile games industries and our future results of operations, financial condition and business prospects. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends and our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued competitive pressure in China's wireless value-added services, wireless media and mobile games industries and the effect of such pressure on prices; unpredictable changes in technology, consumer demand and usage preferences in the market; the state of and any change in our relationship with China's telecommunications operators; our dependence on the billing systems of telecommunications operators for our performance; the outcome of our investment of operating income generated from the WVAS segment into the development of our wireless Internet segment and mobile games segment; changes in the regulations or policies of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other relevant government authorities; and changes in political, economic, legal and social conditions in China, including the Chinese government's policies with respect to economic growth, foreign exchange, foreign investment and entry by foreign companies into China's telecommunications market. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release.
KongZhong Corporation
CONTACT: KongZhong Contacts: Investor Contact: Jay Chang, Chief Financial
Officer, +86-10-8857-6000, or fax, +86-10-8857-5891, or ir@kongzhong.com; or
Media Contact: Xiaohu Wang, Manager, +86-10-8857-6000, or fax,
+86-10-8857-5900, or xiaohu@kongzhong.com
Web site: http://www.kongzhong.com/
http://ir.kongzhong.com/
