E-House Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results and Declares Cash Dividend

SHANGHAI, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- E-House (China) Holdings Limited ("E-House" or the "Company") (NYSE: EJ), a leading real estate services company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fiscal quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012, and declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per ordinary share.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Total gross floor area ("GFA") of new properties sold was 6.5 million square meters, an increase of 53% from the same quarter of 2011. Total value of new properties sold increased by 52% year-on-year to RMB51.8 billion ($8.3 billion)[1].
• Total revenues increased by 30% year-on-year to $152.6 million.
• Non-GAAP[2] income from operations was $9.5 million.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $9.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted American depositary share ("ADS").

Full Year 2012 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Total GFA of new properties sold was 17.0 million square meters for the full year 2012, an increase of 27% from 2011. Total value of new properties sold was RMB139.1 billion ($22.1 billion) for the full year 2012, an increase of 20% from 2011.
• Total revenues were $462.4 million for the full year 2012, an increase of 15% from 2011.
• Non-GAAP loss from operations was $12.5 million for the full year 2012.
• Non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders was $8.4 million, or $0.08 loss per diluted ADS, for the full year 2012.

Mr. Xin Zhou, E-House's co-chairman and CEO commented, "We delivered strong revenue growth during the fourth quarter, driven primarily by our primary agency business. For our online advertising business, our e-commerce revenues continued to increase rapidly and make key contributions to overall online revenue growth. In addition, we continued to be innovative with respect to our product and service offerings. During the fourth quarter, we launched a trial version of a Web-based property valuation tool and completed the development of our commercial real estate and construction material databases, which we believe should contribute to the growth of our real estate information revenues in the coming years."

Mr. Zhou continued, "We expect that our first quarter performance will be far better than the same period of last year, judging from transaction and advertising volumes year to date. Although the government recently issued new tightening policies in an effort to cool down the real estate market, we believe the main purposes of those policies are to suppress investment activities and keep housing prices from rising too fast. We have learned from previous cycles how best to tailor our operations to take advantage of a fluctuating real estate market and will timely adjust our operations, if necessary, after local governments issue detailed implementation rules."

Bin Laurence, E-House's CFO, added, "We achieved much better operating income in the fourth quarter with a 30% increase in revenues and relatively flat SG&A compared to the same quarter of last year. As a result, operating margin improved significantly year-on-year. In 2013, we will continue with our cost-control measures and further align employee compensation with our overall net profit. We are confident we will further improve our profitability in 2013."

Fourth Quarter 2012 Results

Total revenues were $152.6 million, an increase of 30% from $117.4 million for the same quarter of 2011, primarily driven by E-House's real estate brokerage services and real estate online services.

Revenues from real estate brokerage services were $74.9 million, an increase of 53% from $48.9 million for the same quarter of 2011. Real estate brokerage services include primary real estate agency services and secondary real estate brokerage services. Revenues from primary real estate agency services were $70.4 million, an increase of 55% from $45.5 million for the same quarter of 2011, driven by a 53% increase in the total GFA of new properties sold and a 52% increase in the total transaction value of new properties sold. (See "Selected Operating Data" below for more details on the total GFA and transaction value of new properties sold.) Revenues from secondary real estate brokerage services were $4.5 million, an increase of 32% from $3.4 million for the same quarter of 2011, mainly due to the increase in real estate sales transaction volume in the fourth quarter.

Revenues from real estate online services were $56.0 million, an increase of 22% from $45.8 million for the same quarter of 2011, primarily due to growth in e-commerce revenues.

Revenues from real estate information and consulting services were $13.4 million, a decrease of 11% compared to $15.1 million for the same quarter of 2011. The decrease was due to a decline in consulting services revenue from new property developments due to the relatively weak real estate market in the first half of the year, partially offset by an increase in revenues from information services.

Revenues from other services were $8.3 million, compared to $7.6 million for the same quarter of 2011. Other services include offline real estate advertising services, promotional events services and real estate fund management services.

Cost of revenues was $60.3 million, an increase of 11% from $54.4 million for the same quarter of 2011, primarily due to higher salary expenses for additional sales staff and higher commissions associated with increased revenue from primary real estate agency services.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $95.3 million, relatively flat compared to $96.0 million in the same quarter of 2011.

Loss from operations was $2.6 million, compared to loss of $32.5 million for the same quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP income from operations was $9.5 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of $18.1 million for the same quarter of 2011.

Net loss was $5.4 million, compared to net loss of $32.0 million for the same quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP net income was $5.8 million, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $18.5 million for the same quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to E-House shareholders was $1.7 million, or $0.01 loss per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $27.9 million, or $0.36 loss per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $9.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $18.4 million, or $0.23 loss per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2011.

Full Year 2012 Results

E-House reported total revenues of $462.4 million for the full year 2012, an increase of 15% from $401.6 million for 2011, driven mostly by primary real estate agency services and real estate online services.

Revenues from real estate brokerage services were $208.3 million, an increase of 18% from $176.4 million for the same period of 2011. Real estate brokerage services include primary real estate agency services and secondary real estate brokerage services. Revenues from primary real estate agency services were $192.7 million, an increase of 22% from $158.2 million for 2011, mainly due to a 27% increase in the total GFA of new properties sold and a 20% increase in the total transaction value of new properties sold. Revenues from secondary real estate brokerage services were $15.6 million, a decrease of 14% from $18.2 million for 2011, mainly due to the closure of a number of stores in 2011 and 2012 in order to optimize the Company's store network by enhancing its presence in certain districts and closing unprofitable stores elsewhere. As of December 31, 2012, E-House had a total of 61 secondary real estate brokerage stores in four cities in China, compared to 92 stores as of December 31, 2011 and 68 stores as of September 30, 2012.

Revenues from real estate online services were $169.7 million, an increase of 24% from $136.5 million for the same period of 2011, mainly due to revenue growth in both existing and new cities that the Company expanded into since 2010, as well as growth in e-commerce revenues.

Revenues from real estate information and consulting services were $54.5 million, a decrease of 12% from $61.8 million for the same period of 2011. The year-on-year decrease was primarily due to a reduction in land transaction-related consulting fees, as well as a reduction in other consulting revenues from property developments due to the relatively weak real estate market in the first half of the year, partially offset by an increase in revenues from information services.

Revenues from other services were $29.9 million, an increase of 11% from $26.9 million for the same period of 2011, mainly due to the expansion of promotional event services in 2012.

Cost of revenues was $203.2 million, an increase of 25% from $163.0 million for 2011, primarily due to higher salary expenses for additional sales staff and higher commissions associated with increased revenue of primary real estate agency services, as well as additional expenses associated with the amortization of capitalized fees paid for Baidu's Brand Link product, which the Company started to offer in August 2011.

SG&A expenses were $336.9 million, an increase of 18% from $286.7 million for 2011, due to increased staff-related expenses, higher online marketing expenses and higher bad debt provision compared to 2011.

Loss from operations was $71.1 million, compared to loss from operations of $459.7 million, which included a $417.8 million goodwill impairment charge, for 2011. Non-GAAP loss from operations was $12.5 million, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $12.3 million for 2011.

Net loss was $71.1 million, compared to net loss of $465.0 million, which included a $417.8 million goodwill impairment charge, for 2011. Non-GAAP net loss for the full year 2012 was $15.7 million, compared to non-GAAP net income of $5.1 million in 2011.

Net loss attributable to E-House shareholders was $57.0 million, or $0.54 loss per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $270.4 million, or $3.39 loss per diluted ADS, for 2011. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders for the full year 2012 was $8.4 million, or $0.08 loss per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $9.1 million, or $0.11 loss per diluted ADS, for 2011.

Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2012, the Company's cash and cash equivalents balance was $210.8 million.

Fourth quarter 2012 net cash generated from operating activities was $52.0 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $7.7 million, mainly comprised of $5.5 million for purchase of property and equipment and $2.4 million for investment in affiliates. Net cash proceeds from financing activities were $1.4 million.

Business Outlook

The Company estimates that its revenues for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013 will be approximately $550 million, an increase of approximately 19% from $462.4 million in 2012. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Declaration of Cash Dividend

E-House also announced today that its board of directors has authorized and approved the Company's payment of a cash dividend of $0.15 per ordinary share ($0.15 per ADS). The cash dividend will be payable on or about May 30, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 10, 2013. Dividends to be paid to the Company's ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder.

Conference Call Information

E-House's management will host an earnings conference call on March 12, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

U.S./International: +1-718-354-1231
Hong Kong:          +852-2475-0994
Mainland China:    +86-10-800-819-0121

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "E-House earnings call."

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until March 19, 2013:

International:         +1-646-254-3697
Passcode:             14070281

Additionally, a live and archived webcast will be available at http://ir.ehousechina.com.

About E-House

E-House (China) Holdings Limited ("E-House") (NYSE: EJ) is China's leading real estate services company with a nationwide network covering more than 240 cities. E-House offers a wide range of services to the real estate industry, including online advertising, primary sales agency, secondary brokerage, information and consulting, offline advertising and promotion and real estate investment management services. E-House has received numerous awards for its innovative and high-quality services, including "China's Best Company" from the National Association of Real Estate Brokerage and Appraisal Companies and "China Enterprises with the Best Potential" from Forbes. For more information about E-House, please visit http://www.ehousechina.com.

Safe Harbor: Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "may," "intend," "confident," "is currently reviewing," "it is possible," "subject to" and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook section and quotations from management in this press release, as well as E-House's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. E-House may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including 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 E-House's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to change. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements in this press release. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, a severe or prolonged downturn in the global economy, E-House's susceptibility to fluctuations in the real estate market of China, government measures aimed at China's real estate industry, failure of the real estate services industry in China to develop or mature as quickly as expected, diminution of the value of E-House's brand or image, E-House's inability to successfully execute its strategy of expanding into new geographical markets in China, E-House's failure to manage its growth effectively and efficiently, E-House's failure to successfully execute the business plans for its strategic alliances and other new business initiatives, E-House's loss of its competitive advantage if it fails to maintain and improve its proprietary CRIC system or to prevent disruptions or failure in the system's performance, E-House's failure to compete successfully, fluctuations in E-House's results of operations and cash flows, E-House's reliance on a concentrated number of real estate developers, natural disasters or outbreaks of health epidemics and other risks outlined in E-House's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of this press release, and E-House does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement E-House's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), E-House uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to E-House shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to E-House shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to E-House shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, goodwill impairment charge and gain/(loss) from the disposal of subsidiaries. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

E-House believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information to investors regarding its operating performance by excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, goodwill impairment charge and gain/(loss) from the disposal of subsidiaries, which may not be indicative of E-House's operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to E-House's historical performance and assist its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, goodwill impairment charge and gain/(loss) from the disposal of subsidiaries are recurring expenses that may continue to exist in E-House's business for the foreseeable future. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

In China:

Michelle Yuan
Director of Investor Relations
E-House (China) Holdings Limited
Phone: +86 (21) 6133-0754
E-mail: [email protected]

Derek Mitchell
Ogilvy Financial, Beijing
Phone: +86 (10) 8520-3073
E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

Jessica Barist Cohen
Ogilvy Financial, New York
Phone: +1 (646) 460-9989
E-mail: [email protected] 
 

 

SOURCE E-House (China) Holdings Limited