E-House Reports Third Quarter 2013 Results

SHANGHAI, Nov. 13, 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 ended September 30, 2013.

Third Quarter 2013 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Total revenues increased 43% year-on-year to $195.7 million.
  • Revenues from real estate online services increased 85% year-on-year to $97.4 million (including $51.4 million revenues from real estate e-commerce services, a year-on-year increase of 386%).
  • Revenues from primary real estate agency services increased 10% year-on-year to $61.4 million.
  • Revenues from real estate information and consulting services increased 47% year-on-year to $24.3 million.
• Non-GAAP¹ income from operations was $36.9 million, a 79% increase from $20.6 million in the third quarter of last year.
• Non-GAAP¹ net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $27.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted American depositary share ("ADS") compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $7.8 million, or $0.07 loss per diluted ADS, in the third quarter of last year.

First Nine Months 2013 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Total revenues increased 54% year-on-year to $475.7 million.
  • Revenues from real estate online services increased 84% year-on-year to $209.1 million (including $91.3 million revenues from real estate e-commerce services, a year-on-year increase of 523%).
  • Revenues from primary real estate agency services increased 48% year-on-year to $180.4 million.
  • Revenues from real estate information and consulting services increased 27% year-on-year to $52.3 million.
• Non-GAAP income from operations was $54.5 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of $22.0 million in the first nine months of last year.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $47.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted ADS, compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $17.8 million, or $0.17 loss per diluted ADS, in the first nine months of last year.

Xin Zhou, co-chairman and CEO of E-House said, "The highlight from the third quarter was the tremendous growth we achieved in our real estate e-commerce business. We initiated the concept of real estate e-commerce in 2011 by making several real estate properties available online for auction in an effort to combine traditional real estate marketing tools with the Internet, and started marketing this e-commerce version 1.0 to our developer clients. We followed up by introducing real estate e-commerce 2.0 in the first half of last year through our "e-coupon" revenue model, which is now widely accepted within the industry. We then launched our e-commerce 3.0 open transaction platform in June of this year, which was quickly met with very positive client feedback. Our focus and efforts in developing our real estate e-commerce business have started to bear fruit."

Mr. Zhou continued, "Product and technological innovation has always been an integral part of our company's development. Just yesterday, we held the signing ceremony of our strategic cooperation with CITIC Bank Corporation Limited ("CITIC Bank"), through which CITIC Bank will dedicate a RMB50 billion aggregate credit line to homebuyers who use E-House's e-commerce service. This e-commerce 4.0 platform, which integrates real estate e-commerce with financial services featuring the "Leju Loan" through CITIC Bank, will help to improve the overall purchasing power of homebuyers, increase sales conversion rates and achieve better sales for developers. We believe "Leju Loan" will become another core product after "e-coupon", and together will enhance our e-commerce competitive strengths."

Mr. Zhou added, "We recently saw positive trends in China's economy and the real estate sector. We do realize, however, that there are always uncertainties related to the overall real estate market. As always, we will do our best to adapt to the changing environment and strive to create greater value for our shareholders."

Bin Laurence, CFO of E-House said, "Thanks to the excellent performance of all of our major business lines, especially the significant growth of our e-commerce business, we were able to deliver strong improvement in our profit margin. We believe there is room for further margin improvement as we maintain our effective cost control and further grow our revenues."

Third Quarter 2013 Results

Total revenues were $195.7 million, an increase of 43% from $136.6 million for the same quarter of 2012, driven by E-House's real estate online services, real estate information and consulting services and real estate brokerage services.

Revenues from real estate online services were $97.4 million, an increase of 85% from $52.6 million for the same quarter of 2012, contributed mainly by growth in e-commerce revenues, which reached $51.4 million, an increase of 386% from $10.6 million for the same quarter of 2012.

Revenues from real estate brokerage services were $63.8 million, an increase of 6% from $60.2 million for the same quarter of 2012. Real estate brokerage services include primary real estate agency services and secondary real estate brokerage services. Revenues from primary real estate agency services were $61.4 million, an increase of 10% from $56.0 million for the same quarter of 2012, driven mainly by an 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 $2.4 million, compared to $4.2 million for the same quarter of 2012. The decrease was mainly due to the reduction in the number of physical brokerage stores compared to the same period last year as the Company has shifted its secondary real estate focus from offline to online.

Revenues from real estate information and consulting services were $24.3 million, an increase of 47% compared to $16.5 million for the same quarter of 2012, due mostly to a revenue increase in land transaction related consulting fees.

Revenues from other services were $10.2 million, an increase of 41%, from $7.3 million for the same quarter of 2012, due to the revenue increases from both promotional events services and real estate fund management services. Other services include offline real estate advertising services, promotional events services and real estate fund management services.

Cost of revenues was $69.1 million, an increase of 25% from $55.3 million for the same quarter of 2012, primarily due to 1) higher salary expenses for additional sales staff and higher commissions associated with increased revenue from primary real estate agency services, 2) higher salary expenses for additional editorial staff, and 3) higher costs associated with the increased revenues in offline advertising and promotional event services.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $101.1 million, an increase of 30% from $77.7 million in the same quarter of 2012, primarily due to 1) higher marketing and promotion expenses of real estate online services, 2) higher commissions associated with increased revenue from real estate online services, and 3) higher bonus expenses of both primary real estate agency services and real estate online services associated with increased profit.

Income from operations was $27.0 million, an increase of 357% from $5.9 million for the same quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP income from operations was $36.9 million, an increase of 79% from $20.6 million for the same quarter of 2012.

Net income was $20.6 million, compared to net loss of $20.1 million for the same quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP net income was $29.1 million, compared to net loss of $6.1 million for the same quarter of 2012.

Net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $19.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $21.6 million, or $0.18 loss per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $27.6 million or $0.20 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $7.8 million, or $0.07 loss per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2012.

First Nine Months 2013 Results

Total revenues were $475.7 million, an increase of 54% from $309.9 million for the same period of 2012, driven by growth in all of E-House's major business lines, namely, real estate online services, real estate brokerage services and real estate information and consulting services.

Revenues from real estate online services were $209.1 million, an increase of 84% from $113.8 million for the same period of 2012, mainly driven by growth in e-commerce revenues, which reached $91.3 million, an increase of 523% from $14.7 million for the same period of 2012.

Revenues from real estate brokerage services were $188.7 million, an increase of 41% from $133.4 million for the same period of 2012. Real estate brokerage services include primary real estate agency services and secondary real estate brokerage services. Revenues from primary real estate agency services were $180.4 million, an increase of 48% from $122.3 million for the same period of 2012, driven increases in the total GFA and 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 $8.3 million, a decrease from $11.1 million for the same period of 2012 due to the reduction in the number of physical brokerage stores compared to the same period last year as the Company has shifted its secondary real estate focus from offline to online.

Revenues from real estate information and consulting services were $52.3 million, an increase of 27% compared to $41.1 million for the same period of 2012, due primarily to revenue increases from information services and land transaction related consulting fees.

Revenues from other services were $25.6 million, an increase of 19% from $21.6 million for the same period of 2012.

Cost of revenues was $190.8 million, an increase of 34% from $142.8 million for the same period of 2012, primarily due to 1) higher salary expenses for additional sales staff and higher commissions associated with increased revenue from primary real estate agency services, and 2) higher editorial staff salaries and fees paid for content and services associated with our real estate online services.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $264.6 million, an increase of 10% from $241.6 million for the same period of 2012, reflecting the Company's effective cost controls amid a significant increase in total revenues.

Income from operations was $23.0 million, compared to loss from operations of $68.5 million for the same period of 2012. Non-GAAP income from operations was $54.5 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of $22.0 million for the same period of 2012.

Net income was $21.2 million, compared to net loss of $65.6 million for the same period of 2012. Non-GAAP net income was $48.4 million, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $21.5 million for the same period of 2012.

Net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $20.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $55.3 million, or $0.54 loss per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2012. Non-GAAP net income attributable to E-House shareholders was $47.2 million or $0.36 per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to E-House shareholders of $17.8 million, or $0.17 loss per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2012.

Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $216.0 million. Third quarter 2013 net cash generated in operating activities was $43.6 million, mainly attributable to non-GAAP net income of $29.1 million, an increase in income tax payable and other tax payable of $10.9 million, an increase in other current liabilities of $10.7 million, and an increase in accounts payable of $4.7 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $16.5 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $23.3 million, mainly comprised of $9.7 million paid for investment in affiliates, $5.3 million paid for acquisition of new subsidiaries, $4.8 million paid for improvements to a newly leased office building, and $4.0 million paid for the exclusive rights related to the Company's Baidu agreements. Net cash generated in financing activities was $6.9 million, mainly comprised of $7.4 million proceeds from the exercise of options.

Business Outlook

The Company again raised its fiscal 2013 total revenue guidance to approximately $700 million from the guided amount of approximately $630 million announced last quarter, which would represent an increase of approximately 51% from $462.4 million in 2012. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

E-House's management will host an earnings conference call on November 13, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time).

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

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 November 20, 2013:

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 approximately 255 cities. E-House offers a wide range of services to the real estate industry, including online advertising and e-commerce, 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 and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. 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:

Mr. Justin Knapp
Ogilvy Financial, U.S.
Phone: +1-616-551-9714
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE E-House (China) Holdings Limited