Phoenix New Media Reports Third Quarter 2012 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG), a leading new media company in China ("Phoenix New Media", "ifeng" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Third Quarter 2012 Highlights

• Total revenues increased by 5.8% year-over-year to RMB286.4 million (US$45.6 million), driven by an 11.4% increase in net advertising revenues.
• Net income attributable to Phoenix New Media was RMB11.5 million (US$1.8 million), as compared to RMB56.8 million in the third quarter of 2011.
• Adjusted net income attributable to Phoenix New Media(1) was RMB14.1 million (US$2.2 million), as compared to RMB61.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Mr. Shuang Liu, CEO of Phoenix New Media, stated, "Even though our advertising business continued to experience softness due to the uncertainty of the macro-economic situation, advertisers continued to demonstrate confidence in our media platform by increasing their average spending on our platform by nearly 36% year-over-year. This increase was a direct result of our premium content which generated over 110% year-over-year growth to 38 million in ifeng's daily unique visitors in September, the growth of which continued to significantly outpace our peers, according to iResearch.  Looking forward, we remain confident that once the macro-economic situation stabilizes, we can expect stabilization in the overall advertising business, providing us improved visibility in the coming quarters."

Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results

REVENUES

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 5.8% to RMB286.4 million (US$45.6 million) from RMB270.8 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Net advertising revenues, calculated net of advertising agency service fees, for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 11.4% to RMB140.5 million (US$22.4 million) from RMB126.2 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to an increase in average revenue per advertiser ("ARPA") of 35.5% to RMB585,500 (US$93,100) for 240 total advertisers.

Paid service revenues for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 0.9% to RMB145.8 million (US$23.2 million) from RMB144.6 million in the third quarter of 2011. Mobile Internet and value-added services ("MIVAS")(2) revenues decreased by 7.0% to RMB125.5 million (US$20.0 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB134.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 due to the expected decrease in sales from 2G text message based pay-per-view services. Video value-added services ("video VAS") revenues increased by 109.9% to RMB20.4 million (US$3.2 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB9.7 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to an expansion in video VAS user base across the three major telecom operators in China. 

COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT

Cost of revenues for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 14.5% to RMB173.9 million (US$27.7 million) from RMB151.9 million in the third quarter of 2011.  Revenue sharing fees to telecom operators and channel partners decreased to RMB79.4 million (US$12.6 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB89.1 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to the decrease in MIVAS revenues.  Content and operational costs increased to RMB60.1 million (US$9.6 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB37.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 due to the increase in staff-related costs, office rental fees, as well as the increase in content production and acquisition costs.  Bandwidth costs increased to RMB20.2 million (US$3.2 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB9.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 primarily due to the significant growth in user traffic.  Sales tax and surcharges decreased to RMB14.2 million (US$2.3 million) in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB15.4 million in the third quarter of 2011.  Share-based compensation expenses included in cost of revenues was RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million) in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to RMB1.2 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2012 decreased by 5.4% to RMB112.5 million (US$17.9 million) from RMB118.9 million in the third quarter of 2011. Gross margin was 39.3% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to 43.9% in the third quarter of 2011, mainly due to the increase in staff-related costs, bandwidth costs and office rental fees. Adjusted gross margin, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, was 39.5% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to 44.3% in the third quarter of 2011.

OPERATING EXPENSES AND INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 46.3% to RMB108.8 million (US$17.3 million) from RMB74.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to increased staff-related costs, marketing and promotion events and office rental fees.Share-based compensation expenses included in operating expenses was RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million) in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to RMB3.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Income from operations for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB3.7 million (US$0.6 million) as compared to RMB44.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. Operating margin was 1.3% for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to 16.4% in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in operating margin was primarily due to increased headcount, marketing and promotion events and office rental fees.

Adjusted income from operations, which excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses, for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB6.3 million (US$1.0 million) as compared to RMB49.2 million in the third quarter of 2011.Adjusted operating margin was 2.2% for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to 18.2% in the third quarter of 2011.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE GAIN/LOSS AND INTEREST INCOME

Foreign currency exchange loss for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million), as compared to an exchange gain of RMB13.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. Interest income for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB8.2 million (US$1.3 million), as compared to RMB4.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. The increase in interest income was primarily due to higher deposit levels resulting from the Company's IPO net proceeds.

NET INCOME

Net income attributable to Phoenix New Media for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB11.5 million (US$1.8 million) as compared to RMB56.8 million in the third quarter of 2011. Net margin for the third quarter of 2012 was 4.0% as compared to 21.0% in third quarter of 2011.Net income per diluted ADS(3) in the third quarter of 2012 was RMB0.14 (US$0.02) as compared to RMB0.70 in the third quarter of 2011.

Adjusted net income attributable to Phoenix New Media for the third quarter of 2012, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, was RMB14.1 million (US$2.2 million) as compared to RMB61.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. Adjusted net margin for the third quarter of 2012 was 4.9% as compared to 22.7% in the third quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.17 (US$0.03) in the third quarter of 2012, as compared to RMB0.76 in the third quarter of 2011.

For the third quarter of 2012, the Company's weighted average number of ADS used in computing diluted net income per ADS was 80,672,024.

Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB266 million and RMB276 million.  Net advertising revenues are expected to be between RMB166 million and RMB171 million.  Paid service revenues are expected to be between RMB100 million and RMB105 million.  These forecasts reflect the Company's current and preliminary view on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

Share Repurchase Program

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 1,228,724 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") at an aggregate cost of approximately US$4.5 million on the open market. Under its ADS repurchase program, the Company has been authorized to repurchase up to US$20 million of its outstanding ADSs for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months since August 2012.  The Company expects to continue to implement its share repurchase program in a manner consistent with market conditions and the interest of its shareholders, subject to the restrictions relating to volume, price and timing under applicable law.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call at 8:00p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 20, 2012 (November 21, 2012 at 9:00a.m. Beijing / Hong Kong time) to discuss its third quarter 2012 financial results and operating performance.

To participate in the call, please dial the following numbers:

A replay of the call will be available through November 26, 2012 by dialing the following numbers:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.ifeng.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Phoenix New Media uses adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, adjusted income from operations, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income attributable to Phoenix New Media, adjusted net margin, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted net income per diluted ADS, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted gross profit is gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. Adjusted gross margin is adjusted gross profit divided by total revenues. Adjusted income from operations is income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses. Adjusted operating margin is adjusted income from operations divided by total revenues.  Adjusted net income attributable to Phoenix New Media is net income attributable to Phoenix New Media excluding share-based compensation expenses. Adjusted net margin is adjusted net income attributable to Phoenix New Media divided by total revenues. Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders is net income attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. Adjusted net income per diluted ADS is adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADS. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of share-based compensation adds clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews adjusted net income together with net income to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses this non-GAAP financial measure for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that using multiple measures to evaluate its business allows both management and investors to assess the company's performance against its competitors and ultimately monitor its capacity to generate returns for its investors. The Company also believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of non-cash share-based compensation expenses, which have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similar titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.2848 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on September 30, 2012 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.

About Phoenix New Media Limited

Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) is the leading new media company providing premium content on an integrated platform across Internet, mobile and TV channels in China.  Having originated from a leading global Chinese language TV network based in Hong Kong, Phoenix TV, the Company enables consumers to access professional news and other quality information and share user-generated content on the Internet and through their mobile devices. Phoenix New Media's platform includes its ifeng.com channel, consisting of its ifeng.com website, its video channel, comprised of its dedicated video vertical and video services and applications, and its mobile channel, including its mobile Internet website and mobile Internet and value-added services ("MIVAS").

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" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Phoenix New Media's strategic and operational plans, contain forward−looking statements. Phoenix New Media may also make written or oral forward−looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20−F and 6−K 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 Phoenix New Media's beliefs and expectations, are forward−looking statements. Forward−looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward−looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the online and mobile advertising, online video and mobile paid service markets in China; the Company's reliance on online advertising and MIVAS for the majority of its total revenues; the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its services; the Company's expectations regarding the retention and strengthening of its relationships with advertisers, partners and customers; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's plans to enhance its user experience, infrastructure and service offerings; the Company's reliance on mobile operators in China to provide most of its MIVAS; changes by mobile operators in China to their policies for MIVAS; competition in its industry in China; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form F−1, as amended, and its annual report 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 Phoenix New Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forward−looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Phoenix New Media Limited
Matthew Zhao
Tel: +86 (10) 6067-6868
Email: [email protected]  

ICR, Inc.
Jeremy Peruski
Tel: +1 (646) 405-4883
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited