BEIJING, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. ("ChinaNet," OTC Bulletin Board: CHNT), a leading full-service media development, advertising and communications company for small and medium-sized enterprises in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), today announced higher revenues, net income and cash flow for the third quarter 2009.

    -- Revenues increased 21.7 percent to $8.1 million in the third
       quarter 2009
    -- Third quarter 2009 adjusted net income increased 19.9 percent to
       $1.9 million with adjusted earnings per share of $0.12
    -- First nine months 2009 revenues increased 105.1 percent to
       $27.3 million
    -- First nine months adjusted net income increased 120.1 percent to
       $4.5 million
    -- First nine months 2009 adjusted earnings per share increased
       106.7 percent to $0.31
    -- Gross margins improved 581 basis points to 50.4 percent for the third
       quarter of 2009
    -- Cash flow from operations was $4.7 million for the first nine months
       of 2009
    -- Management to host earnings conference call November 16th at
       11:30 a.m. ET

    SUMMARY FINANCIALS


    Third Quarter 2009 Results

                             Q3 2009(*)       Q3 2008            CHANGE
    Sales                  $8.1 million     $6.7 million         +21.7%
    Gross Profit           $4.1 million     $3.0 million         +37.5%
    Adjusted Net Income    $1.9 million     $1.6 million         +19.9%
    GAAP Net Income        $0.6 million     $1.6 million         -59.9%
    Adjusted EPS (Basic)          $0.12          $0.12              --
    GAAP EPS (Basic)             ($0.33)         $0.12              --


    (*) Net income of Q3 2009 included a $1.3 million non-cash charge related
        to the changes in the value of warrants, and a $5.9 million non-cash
        charge related to the beneficial conversion feature of Series A
        preferred stock.


    The First Nine Months of 2009 Results
                                  2009(*)           2008         CHANGE
    Sales                 $27.3 million    $13.3 million        +105.1%
    Gross Profit          $11.4 million     $4.6 million        +144.8%
    Adjusted Net Income    $4.5 million     $2.1 million        +120.1%
    GAAP Net Income        $3.2 million     $2.1 million         +57.3%
    Adjusted EPS (Basic)          $0.31            $0.15        +106.7%
    GAAP EPS (Bacic)             ($0.18)           $0.15            --


    (*) Net income for the first nine months of 2009 included a $1.3 million
        non-cash charge related to the changes in the value of warrants and a
        $5.9 million non-cash charge related to the beneficial conversion
        feature of Series A preferred stock.

Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 increased 21.7 percent to approximately $8.1 million compared to $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2008. The increase resulted from a significant increases in Internet advertising and TV advertising. For the third quarter of 2009 Internet advertising comprised approximately 58.2 percent of total revenues, an increase of 59.6 percent year-over-year to $4.7 million. Growth was the result our successful brand building efforts for the http://www.28.com website which offers customers a comprehensive suite of client service technologies, assisted by the efforts of a more experienced sales team. During the third quarter of 2009 revenues generated by TV advertising increased 40.1 percent year-over-year to approximately $3.1 million or 38.3 percent of total revenues. As of September 30, 2009, the number of active customers for the Company's Internet advertising business was 779 and the number of customers being serviced by its TV advertising business was 344. Approximately 44% of customers were being serviced by both platforms.

Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was approximately $4.0 million or 49.6 percent of revenues as compared to $3.7 million or 55.4 percent of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The costs associated with the Company's advertising services include costs for purchasing resources from other well-known portal websites in the PRC for Internet advertising and purchasing TV advertisement time from approximately ten different provincial TV stations.

For the third quarter of 2009 the gross profit was $4.1 million, representing gross margins of 50.4 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2008 with $3.0 million in gross profit and a gross margin of 44.6 percent. Gross profit grew by 37.5 percent on a year-over-year basis. The increase in gross profit was a result of increased revenues and leverage in the business model.

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were approximately $1.4 million, up 74.4% percent from $0.8 million in the same period of 2008. Selling expenses for the period increased to approximately $0.6 million from $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of brand development expenses for http://www.28.com , increased payrolls for staff incentives, an expanded sales force, and increased marketing expenses. General and administrative expenses were $0.6 million and $0.2 million in the third quarter 2009 and 2008, respectively, with the increase primarily due to non-recurring expenses associated with the US public company listing and non-cash equity compensation for services.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 totaled approximately $2.7 million, a 24.3 percent increase from the $2.2 million reported for the third quarter of 2008. Operating margins were 33.5 percent and 32.8 percent for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

GAAP net income for the third quarter was $0.6 million, representing a decrease of 59.9% as compared to $1.6 million reported in the same period in the prior year. Earnings per basic share were a negative $0.33 for the third quarter in 2009 as compared to $0.12 for the third quarter in 2008, which was based on 15.8 million and 13.8 million shares outstanding, respectively. The Company had an effective tax rate of 26.4 percent and 26.5 percent for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, excluding the effect of a $1.3 million non-cash charge related to the changes in fair value of warrants recorded in the third quarter of 2009.

During the third quarter of 2009 the Company incurred a non-cash charge of $1.3 million for the change in the value of warrants and a $5.9 million non-cash charge related to the beneficial conversion feature of Series A preferred stock which was recorded as deemed dividend, a deduction of retained earnings and a deduction of net income attributable to common shareholders. Adjusting for non-cash charges, net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $1.9 million, with $0.12 in earnings per basic share.

"The third quarter continued our momentum as we executed on our growth plan while expanding both gross and operating margins," stated Mr. Handong Cheng, Chairman and CEO of the Company. "We continue to see strong growth in both our Internet and TV advertising business, which was driven by both existing and new customers. With over 20% annual growth projected for the Chinese internet advertising market through 2010, we believe ChinaNet's "one-stop shop" advertising platform is well positioned to capitalize on this large growth opportunity and further increase market share."

2009 Nine Month Financial Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenues increased approximately 105.1 percent to $27.3 million compared to the same period in 2008. Gross profit was $11.4 million for the first nine months of 2009, representing an increase of 144.8 percent from the first nine months of 2008. Gross margins were 41.7 percent for the first nine months of 2009 compared to 34.9 percent for the same year ago period.

Income from operations was $6.3 million for the first nine months of 2009, representing an increase of 118.2 percent over the first nine months of 2008. Operating margins were 22.9 percent for the first nine months of 2009 compared to 21.5 percent for the first nine months of 2008. The Company incurred cash expenses, in addition to non-cash equity compensation expenses, related to going public.

GAAP Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of approximately 57.3 percent from $2.1 million with corresponding basic earnings per share of negative $0.18 compared to $0.15 based on 14.5 million and 13.8 million shares, respectively. During the first nine months of 2009 the Company incurred a non-cash charge of $1.3 million for the change in the value of warrants and a $5.9 million non-cash charge related to the beneficial conversion feature of Series A preferred stock which was recorded as deemed dividend, a deduction of retained earnings and a deduction of net income attributable to common shareholders, with no associated charge in 2008. Adjusting for non-cash charges during each respective period, net income was $4.5 million and $2.1 million, yielding $0.31 and $0.15 in earnings per basic share.

"The management team has been focused on enhancing our 28.com advertising platform by adding new modules into the network," Mr. Chen continued. "In August 2009, we launched a new product entitled "Internet Information Management" (IIM), intelligence software that is based on our proprietary search engine optimization technology which helps our clients gain an early warning in order to identify, and respond to potential negative exposure on the internet. There are approximately 32 customers since the platform launched 3 months ago, all coming from the Company's existing customers. We expect that growth from our IIM product, in addition to our multi-platform advertising network, will drive further growth during 2010."

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company had a current ratio of 4 to 1 and $13.9 million in cash and equivalents on September 30, 2009, which includes $9.2 million in net proceeds from the August 2009 financing. Accounts receivables were $2.4 million on September 30, 2009, compared to $1.0 million on December 31, 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, the Company generated $4.7 million in cash from operations versus $1.3 million for the same period in 2008, with the variance principally coming from the increase in net income and prudent asset management.

Financial Outlook for 2009 and 2010

Management reaffirms 2009 guidance and expects to report calendar 2009 sales of $42.7 million and net income of $8.3 million, representing an increase of 98.6% and 196.4% compared to 2008 sales and adjusted net income, respectively. Management reaffirms 2010 guidance and expects to report calendar 2010 sales of $72.3 million and net income of $14.1 million.

Conference Call

The conference call will take place at 11:30 a.m. EST on Monday, November 16, 2009. Interested participants should call 1-877-941-8418 when calling within the United States or 1-480-629-9809 when calling internationally.

A playback will be available through November 23, 2009. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or 1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 4180080 for the replay.

This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00006C94 , or visiting ViaVid's website at http://www.viavid.net , where the webcast can be accessed through November 23, 2009.

About ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.

The Company, a parent company of ChinaNet Online Media Group Ltd., incorporated in the BVI ("ChinaNet" or "Zhong Wang Zai Xian"), is a leading full-service media development, advertising and communications company for small medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") in the PRC. The Company, through its certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the PRC, provides internet advertising and other services for Chinese SMEs via its portal website http://www.28.com , TV commercials and program production via China-Net TV, and in-house LCD advertising on banking kiosks targeting Chinese banking patrons. Website: http://www.chinanet-online.com

Safe Harbor

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ChinaNet's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ChinaNet will be those anticipated by ChinaNet. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ChinaNet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

    For further information, contact:

    TriPoint Capital Advisors
     Mark Elenowitz
     Tel: +1-917-512-0822

    HC International, Inc.
     Ted Haberfield
     Tel:   +1-760-755-2716
     Email: thaberfield@hcinternational.net
     Web:   http://www.hcinternational.net




                          CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
          (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

                                               September 30,      December 31,
                                                     2009               2008
                                                    (US $)             (US $)
                                                 (Unaudited)         (Audited)
    Assets
    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                      $13,900            $2,679
     Accounts receivable                              2,426               978
     Other receivables                                  896                --
     Prepayment and deposit to suppliers              4,073             4,072
     Due from related parties                           263               109
     Due from directors                                   3                --
     Due from Control Group                              13               243
     Inventories                                          3                 1
     Other current assets                                11                46
    Total current assets                             21,588             8,128
    Property and equipment, net                         838               678
    Other long-term assets                               45                 7
    Total Assets                                    $22,471            $8,813
    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                                  $154               $37
     Advances from customers                            972               608
     Other payables                                      41             1,333
     Accrued payroll and other accruals                 200                66
     Due to related parties                              20               346
     Due to Control Group                               954             1,149
    Due to director                                      --                10
    Taxes payable                                     3,026             1,746
    Total current liabilities                         5,367             5,295
    Long-term liabilities:
    Long-term borrowing from director                   128               128
    Warrant liabilities                               6,428                --
    Stockholders' equity:
     Series A convertible preferred stock
      (US$0.001 par value; authorized-
      8,000,000 shares; issued and
      outstanding-4,121,600 and nil
      shares at September 30, 2009 and
      December 31, 2008 respectively)                     4                --
    Common stock (US$0.001 par value;
     authorized-50,000,000 shares; issued
     and outstanding-15,774,300 shares
     and 13,790,800 shares at September
     30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
     respectively)                                       16                14
     Additional paid-in capital                      10,404               599
     Appropriated retained earnings                     304               304
     (Cumulative deficits)/unappropriated
      retained earnings                                (296)            2,370
     Accumulated other comprehensive
      income                                            116               103
    Total stockholders' equity                       10,548             3,390
    Total liabilities and shareholders'
     equity                                         $22,471            $8,813





                          CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
       UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
          (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

                                 For the nine months     For the three months
                                  ended September 30,     ended September 30,
                                   2009        2008        2009        2008
                                  (US $)      (US $)      (US $)      (US $)
                               (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)

    Sales                         $27,305     $13,314      $8,126      $6,679
    Cost of sales                  15,918       8,663       4,029       3,700
    Gross margin                   11,387       4,651       4,097       2,979
    Operating expenses
     Selling expenses               3,253       1,103         624         525
    General and administrative
     expenses                       1,530         588         614         233
     Research and development
      expenses                        347          92         133          28
                                    5,130       1,783       1,371         786
     Income from operations         6,257       2,868       2,726       2,193
    Other income (expenses):
     Changes in fair value of
      warrants                     (1,289)         --      (1,289)         --
     Interest income                    9           5           4           3
     Other income                       8          --           2          --
     Other expenses                  (100)        (15)        (99)         --
                                   (1,372)        (10)     (1,382)          3
    Income before income tax
     expense                        4,885       2,858       1,344       2,196
     Income tax expense             1,653         804         696         581
    Net income                      3,232       2,054         648       1,615
    Other comprehensive income
     Foreign currency
      translation gain                 13          71           8           2
    Comprehensive income            3,245       2,125         656       1,617
    Beneficial conversion
     feature of Series A
     convertible preferred
     stock                         (5,898)         --      (5,898)         --
    Net income (loss)
     attributable to common
     shareholders                  (2,666)      2,054      (5,250)      1,615
    Earnings /(loss) per share
    Earnings per common stock
    Basic and diluted              $(0.18)      $0.15      $(0.33)      $0.12
    Weighted average number of
     common shares
     outstanding:
     Basic and diluted shares  14,495,560  13,790,800  15,774,300  13,790,800




                          CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
                 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (In thousands)

                                                    For the nine months ended
                                                          September 30,
                                                    2009               2008
                                                   (US $)             (US $)
                                                 (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)
    Cash flows from operating activities
    Net income                                       $3,232            $2,054
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     to net cash provided by operating
     activities
     Depreciation and Amortization                      134                36
     Disposal of fixed assets                            19                --
     Share-based compensation expenses
                                                        190                --
     Changes in fair value of warrants
                                                      1,289                --
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities
     Accounts receivable                             (1,445)             (550)
     Other receivables                                 (166)              (88)
     Prepayment and deposit to suppliers                  9            (1,718)
     Due from related parties                          (154)              (88)
     Due from/to Control Group                           33               737
    Other current assets                                 33               (47)
     Accounts payable                                   117              (182)
     Advances from customers                            361               273
     Accrued payroll and other accruals                 134                 8
     Due to related parties                            (327)              200
     Taxes payable                                    1,275               706
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                       4,734             1,341
    Cash flows from investing activities
    Purchases of vehicles and office
     equipment                                         (310)             (136)
    Purchases of Intangible and other
     long-term assets                                   (38)               (6)
    Net cash used in investing activities              (348)             (142)
    Cash flows from financing activities
    Increase of long-term borrowing from
     director                                            --               125
    Increase of short-term loan to third
     parties                                           (730)               --
    Increase/(decrease) in due to
     director                                           (13)              536
     Increase/(decrease) in other
      payables                                       (1,294)              836
     Cancellation and retirement of
      common stock                                     (300)               --
     Proceeds from issuance of Series A
      convertible preferred stock and
      warrants (net of issuance cost of
      US$ 1,142)                                      9,162                --
    Net cash provided by financing
     activities                                       6,825             1,497
    Effect of exchange rate fluctuation
     on cash and cash equivalents                        10                78
    Net increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                     11,221             2,774
     Cash and cash equivalents at
      beginning of year                               2,679               317
     Cash and cash equivalents at end of
      year                                          $13,900            $3,091
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information
     Interest paid                                      $--               $--
     Income taxes paid                                 $900              $161




    Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to unaudited
     condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income
     for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2009 are as followed:

                                           For the nine     For the three
                                           months ended     months ended
                                           September 30,    September 30,
                                           2009     2009    2009     2009
                                          (US $)   (US $)  (US $)   (US $)
                                          (Unaud- (Unaud-  (Unaud- (Unaud-
                                            ited)   ited)    ited)   ited)
                                            GAAP   NON GAAP  GAAP   NON GAAP

    Income from operations                  6,257   6,257    2,726   2,726
    Other income (expenses):
     Changes in fair value of warrants     (1,289)     --   (1,289)     --
     Interest income                            9       9        4       4
     Other income                               8       8        2       2
     Other expenses                          (100)   (100)     (99)    (99)
                                           (1,372)    (83)  (1,382)    (93)
    Income before income tax expense        4,885   6,174    1,344   2,633
     Income tax expense                     1,653   1,653      696     696
    Net income                              3,232   4,521      648   1,937
    Other comprehensive income
     Foreign currency translation gain         13      13        8       8
    Comprehensive income                    3,245   4,534      656   1,945

SOURCE ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.

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