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Acorn International Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results


News provided by

Acorn International, Inc.

Mar 12, 2010, 06:03 ET

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SHANGHAI, March 12 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), a leading integrated multi-platform marketing company in China engaged in developing, promoting and selling consumer products and services through an extensive distribution network, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090811/CNTU028LOGO )

    Highlights for the Fourth Quarter 2009:
    -- Net revenues were $59.7 million, an increase of 2.6% compared to
       $58.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.
    -- Gross profit was $28.9 million, an increase of 20.7% compared to
       $23.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.
    -- Gross margin was 48.3%, compared to 41.1% in the same period of 2008.
    -- Operating loss was $14.7 million, compared to an operating loss of
       $12.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding share-based
       compensation expenses and impairment of intangible assets (non-GAAP),
       income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $0.6 million
       compared to an operating loss of $12.6 million for the same period last
       year.
    -- Impairment losses of $15.2 million was recognized for the intangibles
       assets from the acquisition of Yiyang Yukang, which was primarily
       caused by (i) overall under-performance in the mobile handsets business
       and (ii) a change in business strategy to launching proprietary "Uking"
       brand and changes incurred in the acquired distribution network.
    -- Net loss from continuing operations was $10.0 million compared to a net
       loss of $10.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. After eliminating
       the effects of share-based compensation expenses, a non-cash charge for
       the impairment of intangible assets and a reversal of deferred tax
       liability of $3.3 million due to the Yiyang Yukang intangible assets
       impairment charge (non-GAAP), net income from continuing operations was
       $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to a non-GAAP net
       loss of $10.7 million in the same period last year.
    -- Net loss attributable to Acorn was $10.1 million compared to a
       $9.4 million net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008.
    -- Share-based compensation expenses were $7,873 for the fourth quarter of
       2009, compared to a net negative $0.3 million for the same period last
       year.
    -- Diluted loss per American Depositary Shares ("ADS") from continuing
       operations was $0.34. Excluding share-based compensation and non-cash
       impairment expenses and related deferred tax benefits (non-GAAP),
       diluted income per ADS from continuing operations was $0.06.

    Highlights for Full Year 2009:
    -- Net revenues were $287.6 million, an increase of 22.8% compared to
       $234.1 million for full year 2008.
    -- Gross profit was $137.0 million, an increase of 20.7% compared to
       $113.5 million for full year 2008.
    -- Gross margin was 47.6%, compared to 48.5% in for full year 2008.
    -- Operating loss was $7.5 million (including an impairment of
       $15.2 million for intangible assets recognized from the acquisition of
       Yiyang Yukang), compared to an operating loss of $29.6 million for full
       year 2008 (including an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of
       $8.7 million). After eliminating share-based compensation expenses and
       impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets (non-GAAP),
       operating income for 2009 was $9.6 million, compared to an operating
       loss of $17.6 million for 2008.
    -- Net loss from continuing operations was $2.7 million compared to a
       $30.2 million net loss for full year 2008. After eliminating the
       effects of share-based compensation expenses, a non-cash charge for the
       impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and a reversal of deferred
       tax liability due to the Yiyang Yukang intangible assets impairment
       charge (non-GAAP), net income from continuing operations was
       $11.1 million in 2009 compared to an $18.3 million net loss in 2008.
    -- Net income attributable to Acorn was $12.4 million compared to a
       $25.6 million net loss for full year 2008.
    -- Share-based compensation expenses were $1.8 million for full year 2009,
       compared to $3.3 million for full year 2008.
    -- Diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations was $0.08. Excluding
       share-based compensation, non-cash impairment expenses and related
       deferred tax benefits (non-GAAP), diluted income per ADS from
       continuing operations was $0.38.

"2009 marked a significant turnaround for our business as we grew top line sales by 22.8% to reach $287.6 million and achieved $11.1 million in non-GAAP net income from continuing operations. The healthy turnaround was largely attributed to the successful implementation of our renewed focus to grow our proprietary branded products and expand the proportion of our non-TV direct sales business such as outbound calls, e-commerce, catalog and third party bank channel sales. While our mobile phone sales tracked slower than expected, we reported strong performance across our other major product lines. Ozing and Meijin both reported double digit growth in 2009 while sales of cosmetics products as a featured product category grew quarter over quarter and contributed favorably towards our profit. Finally, we made a positive breakthrough in autocare products as we began cooperation with two internationally acclaimed products in China in the fourth quarter 2009," said Mr. James Hu, Chairman and CEO of Acorn. "Our financial achievements in 2009 testify as to our resilience in an intensely competitive industry and our prospects for continued growth in 2010."

    Business Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2009:
    -- Cosmetics sales accounted for a larger percentage of our total sales
       for the fourth quarter 2009 compared with same period last year.
       Cosmetics sales reached $14.5 million, accounting for 24.2% of our
       total sales, compared to $4.7 million, or 7.6% of total sales in the
       same period in 2008. The growth was mainly due to the strong
       performance of the Company's Softto branded hair treatment shampoo
       product, launched in the third quarter 2009.
    -- Autocare products were also a major revenue contributor in the fourth
       quarter 2009. Sales from autocare products reached $5.6 million, or
       9.4% of total sales, compared to $1.1 million, or 1.8% of total sales
       in the same period in 2008. The growth primarily driven by the launch
       of Austin and Quixx branded products, both of which are used for paint
       protection and scratch removal. We introduced our Austin product,
       licensed from the United Kingdom, in November 2009 and our Quixx
       product, developed in and licensed from Germany, in December 2009.
    -- Non-TV direct sales accounted for 46% of total direct sales for the
       fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 29% for the same period last year.
       The Company's third-party bank channel sales as part of non-TV direct
       sales revenues continued to expand from the third quarter of 2009. With
       a total of 26 bank partners as of December 31, 2009 (compared to 12 as
       of December 31, 2008), revenue generated from third-party bank channel
       sales was $10.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of
       71.0% from $6.2 million in the same period last year. The Company will
       continue to expand its non-TV direct sales revenues, including its
       third party bank channel sales, e-commerce, outbound calls and catalog
       business.

Financial Results Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2009:

For the fourth quarter of 2009, total net revenues grew 2.6% to $59.7 million from $58.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Direct sales contributed 71.4% to total net revenue, or $42.6 million, and decreased 8.3% from $46.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Gains from increased cosmetic sales and recently introduced autocare products were offset by decreased mobile phone and posture correction product sales.

Distribution sales net revenue increased 45.6% year-over-year to $17.1 million from $11.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting strong sales of the Company's Ozing electronic learning products and consolidation of Yiyang Yukang's mobile handset sales into the Company's financial results.

The table below summarizes the gross revenues from the three best selling product categories for the direct sales platform, distribution network and total direct and distribution sales, respectively:

                                       Three Months Ended December 31, 2009
                                                 (in US dollars)
    Direct sales
     Cosmetics                                                     14,141,076
     Mobile handsets                                                7,395,785
     Autocare product (Energy)                                      5,292,673
    Distribution sales
     Electronic learning product (Ozing)                            7,837,456
     Electronic dictionary (Meijin)                                 2,824,120
     Mobile handsets (Yiyang Yukang)                                2,485,533
    Total direct and distribution sales
     Cosmetics                                                     14,452,761
     Mobile handsets                                                9,881,318
     Electronic learning product (Ozing)                            9,264,986

Cost of sales for the fourth quarter 2009 was $30.8 million, a 10.0% decrease from $34.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily due to the change of the composition of the products sold in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $28.9 million, up 20.7% compared to $23.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Gross margin was 48.3% in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 41.1% in the same period in 2008.

Gross profit from direct sales for the fourth quarter 2009 increased 18.1% to $23.9 million from $20.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Gross margin for direct sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 was 56.2%, up from 43.6% in the same period last year. The increase in gross margin was largely due to greater contribution from sales of higher margin cosmetics and autocare products in the fourth quarter 2009.

Gross profit from distribution sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $4.9 million, an increase of 35.3% from $3.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Gross margin for distribution sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 was 28.9%, down from 31.0% for the same period last year. The decrease in gross margin was due to the addition of lower margin mobile handset sales from the consolidation of Yiyang Yukang into the Company's financial statements.

Advertising expenses were $14.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $19.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 due to continued reduction in the fixed portion of advertising spending in 2009. Gross profit over advertising expenses, a benchmark Acorn uses to measure return on multiple sales platforms, was 2.07 in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 1.26 in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Other selling and marketing expenses decreased 0.2% to $10.5 million from $10.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

General and administrative expenses were $5.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, a 28.5% decrease from $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decrease was largely due to the decline in bad debts in the fourth quarter of 2009.

During the fourth quarter 2009, impairment loss of $15.2 million was recognized for the intangible assets from the acquisition of Yiyang Yukang. No such impairment charges occurred in the fourth quarter 2008. In addition, as result of the Yiyang Yukang intangible assets impairment charge, the Company reversed a $3.3 million deferred tax liability in the fourth quarter 2009.

Other operating income, net, was $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, up from $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

As a result, operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $14.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $12.3 million for the corresponding period last year.

Share-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter 2009 were $7,873, compared to a net negative $0.3 million share-based compensation expenses as a result of the adjustments for the forfeited share options and share appreciation rights for the fourth quarter of 2008.

After eliminating share-based compensation expenses and impairment of intangible assets (non-GAAP), income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $0.6 million compared to an operating loss of $12.6 million for the same period last year.

Net loss from continuing operations was $10.0 million compared to a $10.4 million net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations, after eliminating the effects of share-based compensation expenses, a non-cash charge for the impairment of intangible assets and a reversal of deferred tax liability due to impairment of intangible assets for Yiyang Yukang, was $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to a $10.7 million net loss for the same period last year.

Diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations was $0.34, compared to a diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations of $0.35 in the same period last year. Non-GAAP diluted income per ADS from continuing operations was $0.06, compared to a diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations of $0.36 in the same period last year.

As of December 31, 2009, Acorn's cash and cash equivalents totaled $143.0 million, a decrease of $7.4 million from September 30, 2009.

Other Updates:

In December 2009, the Company's board of directors approved and declared a one-time special cash dividend of $0.33 per ordinary share on its outstanding shares to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on December 31, 2009 directly from the share premium account of the Company. Holders of ADS, each representing three ordinary shares of Acorn, are accordingly entitled to the one-time special cash dividend of $0.99 per ADS. Citibank, depositary for Acorn's ADR program, paid out dividends to ADS holders on January 20, 2010.

In November 2009, Acorn reached an exclusive distribution agreement with Guthy-Renker to market Sheer Cover(R) cosmetics in China. Under the distribution agreement, Acorn is Guthy-Renker's exclusive agent to market and distribute Sheer Cover branded cosmetics products in China. Acorn is authorized to distribute the Sheer Cover branded cosmetics products through all its available distribution channels including both TV and non-TV direct sales. The distribution agreement initially lasts one year and, subject to first-year sales performance, may be extended.

Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Results:

Total net revenues for 2009 were $287.6 million, up 22.8% from $234.1 million in 2008.

Direct sales net revenues in 2009 were $160.4 million, down 3.9% from $166.9 million in 2008. The decrease reflects a decline in TV direct sales following a reduction in advertising expenditures across products partially offset by growth in non-TV direct sales.

Distribution net revenues in 2009 reached $127.2 million, up 89.4% from $67.2 million in 2008, primarily because of the strong sales performance of the Company's Ozing electronic learning products and consolidation of Yiyang Yukang's mobile handset sales into the Company's financial results.

The table below summarizes the gross revenues from the three best selling product categories for the direct sales platform, distribution network and total direct and distribution sales, respectively:

                                             Year Ended December 31, 2009
                                                    (in US dollars)
    Direct sales
     Cosmetics                                                      44,182,210
     Mobile handsets                                                33,178,583
     Electronic learning product (Ozing)                            21,861,689
    Distribution sales
     Electronic learning product (Ozing)                            65,102,545
     Mobile handsets (Yiyang Yukang)                                28,097,927
     Electronic dictionary (Meijin)                                 18,223,486
    Total direct and distribution sales
     Electronic learning product (Ozing)                            86,964,234
     Mobile handsets                                                61,276,510
     Cosmetics                                                      45,149,282

Cost of sales for 2009 was $150.6 million, an increase of 24.9% from $120.6 million for 2008. The increase in cost of sales was primarily driven by increased costs for distribution sales, reflecting a larger percentage of mobile phone sales which generally have higher products costs.

Gross profit for 2009 was $137.0 million, an increase of 20.7% compared to $113.5 million for 2008. Gross margin was 47.6% for 2009, down from 48.5% for 2008.

Gross profit from direct sales for 2009 increased 11.0% to $92.8 million from $83.6 million for 2008. Gross margin for direct sales for 2009 was 57.9%, an increase from 50.1% for 2008. The increase in gross margin was largely due to increased sales of higher margin cosmetics products in 2009.

Gross profit from distribution sales for 2009 was $44.1 million, up 47.8% from $29.9 million for 2008. Gross margin for distribution sales for 2009 was 34.7%, down from 44.4% for 2008. The decrease in gross margin primarily reflects (i) margin compression of Ozing and Meijin products due to increased discounts to Acorn's distributors in 2009 and increased flash memory costs beginning in the third quarter of 2009 (flash is a key Ozing component) and (ii) lower margin mobile handset sales from the consolidation of Yiyang Yukang into the Company's financial statements.

Advertising expenses were $61.0 million for 2009 compared to $73.4 million for 2008. The lower advertising expenses reflect the Company's strategy in 2009 to grow proprietary branded products and improve media efficiency by reducing the fixed portion of advertising spending. Gross profit over advertising expenses was 2.24 for 2009, up from 1.55 in 2008.

Other selling and marketing expenses increased 12.1% to $43.0 million for 2009 from $38.3 million for 2008. The increase was mainly due to increased amortization of acquired intangibles assets following the Yiyang Yukang acquisition.

General and administrative expenses were $31.2 million for 2009, a 12.4% increase from $27.7 million for 2008, primarily reflecting an increase in employee payroll and R&D expenses in 2009.

Goodwill and intangible assets impairment loss totaled $15.2 million for 2009 compared to $8.7 million in 2008. In 2009, the Company also reversed $3.3 million deferred tax liability due to the impairment charge of goodwill and intangible assets.

Other operating income, net, was $6.0 million for 2009, up 19.2% from $5.0 million for 2008.

Operating loss for 2009 was $7.5 million (including the $15.2 million Yiyang Yukang intangible assets impairment charge), compared to an operating loss of $29.6 million for 2008 (including $8.7 million impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets).

Share-based compensation expenses for 2009 were $1.8 million, compared to $3.3 million for 2008.

After eliminating share-based compensation expenses and impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets (non-GAAP), income from operations for 2009 was $9.6 million, compared to an operating loss of $17.6 million for 2008.

Net loss from continuing operations was $2.7 million compared to a $30.2 million net loss for 2008.

Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations, after eliminating the effects of share-based compensation expenses, a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and a reversal of deferred tax liability due to impairment of intangible assets for Yiyang Yukang, was $11.1 million for 2009 compared to a $18.3 million net loss for 2008.

Diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations was $0.08, compared to a diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations of $1.03 in 2008. Non-GAAP diluted income per ADS from continuing operations was $0.38, compared to a diluted loss per ADS from continuing operations of $0.62 in 2008.

Full Year 2010 Business Outlook:

"Our financial achievements in 2009 demonstrated we took the right direction in growing our business. Despite the shortfall in our mobile phone business, which we expect to slowly improve in 2010, we are pleased with our financial performance in 2009. Taking advantage of continued recovery from the economic crisis and strong retails sales in China, we expect to continue to focus on growing our proprietary branded products such as Ozing and Meijin, developing our continuity business led by cosmetics, expanding non-TV direct sales to lessen reliance on advertising expenditures and, lastly, improving sales in the autocare product segment," said Mr. James Hu, Chairman and CEO of Acorn International. "While there will be challenges ahead, we are well positioned to deliver consistent growth in 2010 and to remain a market leader in the marketing and distribution of branded products in China."

For fiscal year 2010, the Company expects to reach revenue between $290 million and $310 million and net income from continuing operations (excluding share-based compensation expenses) to be between $12 million and $14 million.

These estimates are subject to change. Also, Acorn reminds investors that its operating results in each period are impacted significantly by the mix of products and services sold in the period and the platforms through which they are sold. Consequently, in evaluating the overall performance of Acorn's multiple sales platforms in any period, management also considers metrics such as operating margin and gross profit return on advertising expenses.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on March 12, 2010 (9:00 p.m. Beijing Time) to review the Company's financial results and answer questions. You may access the live interactive call via:

    -- +1 800 230 3019 (U.S. Toll Free)
    -- +1 617 597 5413 (International)
    -- Passcode: 989 153 47

Please dial-in approximately 10 minutes in advance to facilitate an on-time start.

A replay will be available for 14 days after the call and may be accessed via:

     -- +1 888 286 8010 (U.S. Toll Free)
     -- +1 617 801 6888 (International)
     -- Passcode: 327 870 02

A live and archived webcast of the call will be available on the Company's website at http://www.ir-site.com/acorn/index.asp . To listen to the live webcast, please go to the Company's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn is a leading integrated multi-platform marketing company in China, operating one of China's largest TV direct sales businesses in terms of revenues and TV air time and a nationwide off-TV distribution network. Acorn's TV direct sales platform consists of airtime purchased from both national and local channels. In addition to marketing and selling through its TV direct sales programs and its off-TV nationwide distribution network, Acorn also offers consumer products and services through catalogs, third-party bank channels, outbound telemarketing center and an e-commerce website. Leveraging its integrated multiple sales and marketing platforms, Acorn has built a proven track record of developing and selling proprietary-branded consumer products, as well as products and services from established third parties. For more information, please visit http://www.chinadrtv.com .

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Acorn has reported the fourth quarter and full year 2009 and 2008 income from operations, operating margin, net income from continuing operations and income per ADS from continuing operations on a non-GAAP basis, excluding share-based compensation expenses and non-cash charges for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and a related reversal of a deferred tax liability. Acorn believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Acorn's financial performance and liquidity and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP operating measures are useful for understanding and assessing Acorn's underlying business performance and operating trends and Acorn expects to report income from operations, operating margin, net income from continuing operations and income per ADS from continuing operations on a non-GAAP basis using a consistent method on a quarterly basis going forward.

Readers are cautioned not to view non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies, and should refer to the following reconciliation of GAAP results with non-GAAP results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The table below sets forth the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures for the indicated periods:

                            ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                        RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP
                                 (in US dollars)

                           Three Months Ended            Years Ended
                               December 31,              December 31,
                            2008           2009         2008        2009
     GAAP net revenues  58,193,549     59,700,692  234,137,421 287,585,620
     GAAP loss from
      operations       (12,306,501)   (14,653,833) (29,563,602) (7,486,057)
     GAAP operating
      margin                (21.1)%        (24.5)%      (12.6)%      (2.6)%
     Impairment of
      goodwill and
      intangible assets         --     15,247,873    8,667,961  15,247,873
     Reversal of
      deferred tax
      liability due to
      impairment of
      intangible assets         --      3,268,472           --   3,268,472
     Share-based
      compensation
      expenses            (273,173)         7,873    3,289,232   1,845,885
     Non-GAAP income
      (loss) from
      operations       (12,579,674)       601,913  (17,606,409)  9,607,701
     Non-GAAP
      operating
      margin               (21.6)%           1.0%       (7.5)%        3.3%

     GAAP net loss
      from continuing
      operations
      attributable to
      Acorn             (9,995,894)   (10,098,351) (29,810,919) (2,435,224)
     GAAP loss per ADS
      from continuing
      operations -
      basic                  (0.35)         (0.34)       (1.03)      (0.08)
     GAAP loss per ADS
      from continuing
      operations -
      diluted                (0.35)         (0.34)       (1.03)      (0.08)
     Non-GAAP net
      income (loss)
      from continuing
      operations
      attributable to
      Acorn            (10,269,067)     1,888,923  (17,853,726) 11,390,062
     Non-GAAP income
      (loss) per ADS
      from continuing
      operations -
      basic                  (0.36)          0.06        (0.62)       0.39
     Non-GAAP income
      (loss) per ADS
      from continuing
      operations -
      diluted                (0.36)          0.06        (0.62)       0.38

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including, among other things, Acorn's anticipated operating results for 2010; benefits of continuing focus on Acorn's proprietary branded products, ability of Acorn's profits to continue to recover from previous quarters; continued success of Acorn's Ozing electronic learning products and Meijin electronic dictionary; expectations regarding development and increasing cosmetics revenues and developing a continuity business, the anticipated benefits of the Gunthy-Renker distribution and Softto distribution arrangements, increasing non-TV direct sales revenues; and expectation regarding improved sales in the newly launched autocare products. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, our operating results for any period are impacted significantly by the mix of products and services sold by us in the period and the platforms through which they are sold, causing our operating results to fluctuate and making them difficult to predict.

Other factors that could cause forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual future events or results include risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to effectively consolidate our distribution channels, our ability to successfully introduce new products and services, including to offset declines in sales of existing products and services; our ability to stay abreast of consumer market trends and maintain our reputation and consumer confidence; continued access to and effective usage of TV advertising time and pricing related risks; relevant government policies and regulations relating to TV media time and TV direct sales programs, including the new SARFT regulations and actions that may make TV media time unavailable to us or require we suspend or terminate a particular TV direct sales program; rising costs in key components of our products, such as flash memory, potential unauthorized use of our intellectual property; potential disruption of our manufacturing process; increasing competition in China's consumer market; our U.S. tax status as a passive foreign investment company; and general economic and business conditions in China. The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2008 annual report on Form 20-F filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2009. For a discussion of other important factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Our actual results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future periods. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to us, which is subject to change. Although such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, we will not necessarily update the information. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

    For further information, please contact:

    Acorn International, Inc.
     Ms. Chen Fu, IR Director
     Phone: +86-21-51518888 Ext. 2228
     Email: [email protected]
     Web:   http://www.chinadrtv.com

    CCG Investor Relations
     Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
     Phone: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
     Email: [email protected]
     Web:   http:// www.ccgirasia.com



                            ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                       (In US dollars, except share data)

                           Three Months Ended            Years Ended
                               December 31,              December 31,
                            2008          2009         2008         2009
     Revenues:
      Direct sales,
       net               46,452,107    42,608,865  166,947,475  160,357,948
      Distribution
       sales, net        11,741,442    17,091,827   67,189,946  127,227,672
     Total revenues,
      net                58,193,549    59,700,692  234,137,421  287,585,620
     Cost of revenues:
      Direct sales       26,181,263    18,678,392   83,300,736   67,530,966
      Distribution
       sales              8,096,196    12,160,099   37,326,214   83,096,932
     Total cost of
      revenues           34,277,459    30,838,491  120,626,950  150,627,898
     Gross profit        23,916,090    28,862,201  113,510,471  136,957,722
     Operating income
      (expenses):
      Advertising
       expenses         (18,950,708)  (13,959,426) (73,381,193) (61,048,515)
      Other selling
       and marketing
       expenses         (10,565,714)  (10,546,160) (38,317,161) (42,955,923)
      General and
       administrative
       expenses          (8,126,052)   (5,812,510) (27,746,833) (31,195,949)
      Impairment of
       goodwill and
       intangible                --   (15,247,873)  (8,667,961) (15,247,873)
       assets
      Other operating
       income, net        1,419,883     2,049,935    5,039,075    6,004,481
     Total operating
      income
      (expenses)        (36,222,591)  (43,516,034)(143,074,073)(144,443,779)
     Loss from
      operations        (12,306,501)  (14,653,833) (29,563,602)  (7,486,057)
     Other income
     (expenses), net        617,075     1,038,070     (667,297)   2,216,006
     Loss before
      income taxes      (11,689,426)  (13,615,763) (30,230,899)  (5,270,051)
     Income tax
      (expenses)
      benefits            1,297,271     3,626,202       (4,968)   2,539,265
     Net loss from
      continuing
      operations        (10,392,155)   (9,989,561) (30,235,867)  (2,730,786)
     Net income from
      discontinued
      operations          1,151,980            --    8,273,629   15,362,689
     Net income
      (loss)             (9,240,175)   (9,989,561) (21,962,238)  12,631,903
     Net (income)
      loss attributable
      to non-
      controlling
      interests            (168,209)     (108,790)  (3,629,131)    (184,019)
     Net income (loss)
      attributable to
      Acorn
      International,
      Inc.               (9,408,384)  (10,098,351) (25,591,369)  12,447,884
     Income (loss)
      per ADS
      - Continuing
        operations            (0.35)        (0.34)       (1.03)       (0.08)
      - Discontinued
        operations             0.02            --         0.15         0.50
      Basic                   (0.33)        (0.34)       (0.88)        0.42
      - Continuing
        operations            (0.35)        (0.34)       (1.03)       (0.08)
      - Discontinued
        operations             0.02            --         0.15         0.50
      Diluted                 (0.33)        (0.34)       (0.88)        0.42
     Weighted average
      number of shares
      used in calculating
      income (loss) per
      ADS
      - Basic            86,211,991    88,855,795   86,856,467   88,174,675
      - Diluted          86,211,991    88,855,795   86,856,467   89,466,957



                            ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In US dollars)

                                        December 31, 2008    December 31, 2009
    Assets
     Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents              147,648,774          142,952,944
      Restricted cash                          1,425,102            2,394,213
      Short-term investments                  19,745,444           18,572,790
      Accounts receivable, net                27,708,460           17,030,857
      Notes receivable                           150,607            2,242,641
      Inventory                               29,521,680           26,180,629
      Prepaid advertising expenses            16,756,954            9,968,493
      Other prepaid expenses and
       current assets, net                    13,362,528            7,789,921
      Deferred tax assets, net                 3,355,151            2,960,194
      Total current assets                   259,674,700          230,092,682
     Land use rights, net                             --            7,349,957
     Property and equipment, net              15,641,434           14,818,404
     Acquired intangible assets, net          21,313,949            3,181,596
     Long-term investments                     5,275,000            8,020,069
     Investment in affiliates                  1,159,134            8,881,830
     Other long-term assets                    1,121,100            1,673,755
    Total assets                             304,185,317          274,018,293

    Liabilities and equity
     Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                        20,734,493           15,528,580
      Accrued expenses and other
       current liabilities                    19,652,820           14,838,142
      Notes payable                            3,657,859            3,253,005
      Income taxes payable                     3,327,869            4,057,304
      Deferred revenue                        12,797,716                   --
      Dividend payable                                --           29,322,782
     Total current liabilities                60,170,757           66,999,813
     Deferred tax liabilities                  3,581,569              889,625
     Business combination liability           11,107,375            1,103,015
    Total liabilities                         74,859,701           68,992,453

    Acorn International Inc.
     shareholders' equity:
     Ordinary shares                             935,435              935,447
     Additional paid-in capital              205,651,072          178,176,225
     Retained earnings                         9,737,468           19,137,916
     Accumulated other comprehensive
      income                                  15,113,507           16,997,941
     Treasury stock, at cost                 (15,676,206)         (11,612,546)
    Total Acorn International Inc.
     shareholders' equity                    215,761,276          203,634,983
    Non-controlling interest                  13,564,340            1,390,857
    Total equity                             229,325,616          205,025,840
    Total liabilities and equity             304,185,317          274,018,293

SOURCE Acorn International, Inc.

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