Noah Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2020

SHANGHAI, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited ("Noah" or the "Company") (NYSE: NOAH), a leading wealth and asset management service provider in China with a focus on global investment and asset allocation services for high net worth individuals and enterprises, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2020.

FIRST QUARTER 2020 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB746.1 million (US$105.4 million), compared with RMB889.9 million for the corresponding period in 2019, and RMB788.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019.

• Income/ (loss) from operations for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB256.3 million (US$36.2 million), a 15.3% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, and a 102.9% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.

• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB243.0 million (US$34.3 million), a 14.6% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, but a 136.4% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Non-GAAP^[1] net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB255.9 million (US$36.1 million), a 16.0% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, but a 119.6% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.

FIRST QUARTER 2020 OPERATIONAL UPDATES

Wealth Management Business

The Company offers financial products and provides value-added services to high net worth clients in China and overseas for its wealth management business. Noah primarily distributes private equity, public securities, credit and other products denominated in RMB and other currencies.

• Total number of registered clients as of March 31, 2020 was 321,148, a 16.8% increase from March 31, 2019, and a 9.3% increase from December 31, 2019.
• Total number of active clients^[2] during the first quarter of 2020 was 4,075, a 49.8% decrease from the first quarter of 2019, and a 9.7% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2019, as we are in the transition of offering more online mutual fund products to our clients. However, counting in mutual funds clients, the number of clients who transacted with us during the first quarter of 2020 were 16,831, a 107.4% increase from the first quarter of 2019, and a 4.0% increase from the fourth quarter.
• Aggregate value of financial products distributed during the first quarter of 2020 was RMB23.2 billion (US$3.3 billion), a 17.3% decrease from the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to the fact that the Company is adjusting its product strategy and thus no longer offers single-counterparty private debt products to clients since the third quarter of 2019. The aggregate value increased by 76.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019 due to the significant growth of public securities products offered by the Company.

• Coverage network in mainland China included 292 service centers covering 78 cities as of March 31, 2020, compared with 313 service centers covering 83 cities as of March 31, 2019 and 292 service centers covering 82 cities as of December 31, 2019. The decrease in the number of service centers and cities is primarily a result of consolidation of duplicate service centers in order to optimize costs and expenses.
• Number of relationship managers was 1,209 as of March 31, 2020, a 19.2% decrease from March 31, 2019, and a 6.1% decrease from December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of the Company's efforts to streamline operational human resources. The turnover rate of core "elite" relationship managers was 1.0%, compared with 4.1% as of December 31, 2019.

Asset Management Business

The Company's asset management business is conducted through Gopher Asset Management Co., Ltd. ("Gopher Asset Management"), a leading alternative multi-asset manager in China with overseas offices in Hong Kong, the United States and Canada. Gopher Asset Management develops and manages assets ranging from private equity, real estate, public securities, credit to multi-strategy investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies. 

• Total assets under management as of March 31, 2020 were RMB161.7 billion (US$22.8 billion), a 5.0% decrease from December 31, 2019 and a 5.5% decrease from March 31, 2019, primarily due to the voluntary accelerated repayments of certain credit products.

Lending and Other Businesses

The Company's lending business utilizes an advanced risk-management system to assess and facilitate short-term loans to high quality borrowers, often secured with collateral. The total amount of loans originated during the first quarter of 2020 was RMB0.1 billion, compared with RMB2.5 billion for the corresponding period of 2019, due to the slowed down notarization process during the outbreak of COVID-19, and our voluntary reduction of loan origination. Other businesses include an online financial advisory platform.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, co-founder and CEO of Noah, said, "In the first quarter of 2020, our transformation to distributing more standardized products showed initial success. Driven by the continuous and strong momentum of public securities products that we offer, our transaction volume grew 76.1% from the fourth quarter of 2019. It is worth noting that standardized products accounted for 82.4% of the total volume, whereas credit products were 78.8% of the total volume in the same period last year. I want to attribute this success to our clients who continue to stand by us and our employees who have been showing great resilience during this difficult time facing an unprecedented global epidemic. As encouraged as we are by the strong start of the year, we remain cautious about the fact that some of Noah's overseas businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and the travel restrictions caused by it. We have been actively preparing for the upcoming quarters of this year while increasing the investment and development of our IT infrastructure to further improve our online service experience and product offering. "

FIRST QUARTER 2020 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB746.1 million (US$105.4 million), a 16.2% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, primarily driven by the decreased one-time commissions and other service fees, partially offset by the increase in recurring service fees and performance-based income.

• Wealth Management Business

- Net revenues from one-time commissions for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB210.7 million (US$29.8 million), a 34.7% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, primarily due to the decrease in transaction value as well as change in product mix resulting lower commission rate of financial products that we distributed. However, it increased 33.1% from the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily due to the increased transaction volume in public securities products.
- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB289.2 million (US$40.8 million), a 12.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to the cumulative effect of financial products with recurring service fees previously distributed.
- Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB15.1 million (US$2.1 million), compared with RMB1.2 million in the corresponding period of 2019. The increase was primarily due to more performance-based income realized from public securities.
- Net revenues from other service fees for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB37.6 million (US$5.3 million), compared with RMB43.3 million in the corresponding period in 2019, primarily due to less value-added services Noah offers to its high net worth clients during the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Asset Management Business

- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB160.4 million (US$22.7 million), a 1.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in assets under management.
- Net revenues from performance-based income for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB4.6 million (US$0.6 million), compared with RMB3.6 million in the corresponding period of 2019. The increase was primarily due to more performance-based income realized from public securities.

• Lending and Other Businesses

- Net revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB28.1 million (US$4.0 million), a 71.5% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to reduced loan origination since the second half year of 2019.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB489.9 million (US$69.2 million), a 16.6% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019. Operating costs and expenses primarily consisted of compensation and benefits of RMB364.8 million (US$51.5 million), selling expenses of RMB44.5 million (US$6.3 million), general and administrative expenses of RMB63.7 million (US$9.0 million), provision of credit losses of RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) and other operating expenses of RMB32.6 million (US$4.6 million).

• Operating costs and expenses for the wealth management business for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB386.4 million (US$54.6 million), a 10.9% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, primarily due to various cost control measurements that we took in the first quarter of 2020, including a decrease in compensation and benefits and selling expenses partially offset by an increase in general administrative expenses.
• Operating costs and expenses for the asset management business for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB71.9 million (US$10.2 million), a 28.1% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits, selling expenses and general administrative expenses.
• Operating costs and expenses for lending and other businesses for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB31.5 million (US$4.5 million), a 40.9% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits and selling expenses.

Operating Margin

Operating margin for the first quarter of 2020 was 34.3%, compared with 34.0% for the corresponding period in 2019.

• Operating margin for the wealth management business for the first quarter of 2020 was 30.1%, compared with 30.4% for the corresponding period in 2019.
• Operating margin for the asset management business for the first quarter of 2020 was 56.5%, compared with 40.4% for the corresponding period in 2019.
• Loss from operation for the lending and other businesses for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB3.5 million (US$0.5 million), compared with an operating income of RMB45.2 million for the corresponding period in 2019.

Investment Income

Investment income for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB17.6 million (US$2.5 million), compared with RMB25.7 million for the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease was primarily related to the fluctuation of fair value of equity securities.

Income Tax Expenses

Income tax expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were RMB68.3 million (US$9.6 million), a 14.1% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower taxable income. 

Net Income

• Net Income

- Net income for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB243.7 million (US$34.4 million), a 15.3% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019.
- Net margin for the first quarter of 2020 was 32.7%, up from 32.3% for the corresponding period in 2019.
- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB243.0 million (US$34.3 million), a 14.6% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, but a 136.4% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.
- Net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was 32.6%, up from 32.0% for the corresponding period in 2019.
- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders per basic and diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB3.94 (US$0.56) and RMB3.92 (US$0.55), respectively, compared with RMB4.70 and RMB4.57 respectively, for the corresponding period in 2019.

• Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to Noah Shareholders

- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB255.9 million (US$36.1 million), a 16.0% decrease from the corresponding period in 2019, but a 119.6% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019.
- Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the first quarter of 2020 was 34.3%, up from 34.2% for the corresponding period in 2019.
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders per diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2020 was RMB4.13 (US$0.58), down from RMB4.90 for the corresponding period in 2019.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had RMB4,045.8 million (US$571.4 million) in cash and cash equivalents, compared with RMB4,387.3 million as of December 31, 2019 and RMB2,869.6 million as of March 31, 2019.

Net cash outflow from the Company's operating activities during the first quarter of 2020 was RMB123.1 million (US$17.4 million), primarily due to the payment of other current liabilities in relation to our trust service and partially offset by cash inflow generated from operating profit.

Net cash outflow from the Company's investing activities during the first quarter of 2020 was RMB133.4 million (US$18.8 million), primarily due to the purchase of held-to-maturity investments.

Net cash outflow from the Company's financing activities was RMB95.4 million (US$13.5 million) in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to the capital divestment of non-controlling interest of one consolidated fund.

2020 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the full year 2020 will be in the range of RMB800 million to RMB900 million. This estimate reflects management's current business outlook and is subject to change.

CONFERENCE CALL

Senior management will host a combined English and Chinese language conference call to discuss the Company's first quarter 2020 unaudited financial results and recent business activities.

The conference call may be accessed with the following details:

Participants will need to dial in 10-15 minutes early and use the above Elite Entry Number in order to join the conference. A telephone replay will be available starting one hour after the end of the conference call until May 25, 2020 at +1-877-344-7529 (US Toll Free) or +1-412-317-0088 (International Toll). The replay access code is 10143551.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at Noah's investor relations website under the News & Events section at ir.noahgroup.com.

DISCUSSION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES        

In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures excluding the effects of all forms of share-based compensation, fair value changes of equity investments (unrealized), adjustment for sale of equity securities and net of tax impact, if any. See "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release.

The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results should be carefully evaluated. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be prepared differently from and, therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

When evaluating the Company's operating performance in the periods presented, management reviewed the foregoing non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders and per diluted ADS and non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders to supplement U.S. GAAP financial data. As such, the Company's management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides important supplemental information to investors regarding financial and business trends relating to its results of operations in a manner consistent with that used by management.  

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH) is a leading wealth and asset management service provider in China with a focus on high net worth individuals. In the first quarter of 2020, Noah distributed RMB23.2 billion (US$3.3 billion) of financial products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB161.7 billion (US$22.8 billion) as of March 31, 2020.

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes credit, private equity, public securities and insurance products denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah delivers customized financial solutions to clients through a network of 1,209 relationship managers across 292 service centers in 78 cities in mainland China, and serves the international investment needs of its clients through offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States, Canada, Australia and Singapore. The Company's wealth management business had 321,148 registered clients as of March 31, 2020. As a leading alternative multi-asset manager in China, Gopher Asset Management manages private equity, real estate, public securities, credit and multi-strategy investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies. The Company also provides lending services and other businesses.

For more information, please visit Noah at ir.noahgroup.com.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2020 ended March 31, 2020 are stated in RMB. This announcement contains currency conversions of certain RMB amounts into US$ at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB7.0808 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 31, 2020 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

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," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for 2020 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Noah's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause Noah's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the wealth management and asset management market in China and internationally; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products it distributes; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to its industries; its ability to attract and retain qualified employees; its ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; its plans to invest in research and development to enhance its product choices and service offerings; competition in its industries in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions in China; and its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property rights and not to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports 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 Noah does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, including forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under the applicable law.

-- FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL TABLES FOLLOW --

SOURCE Noah Holdings Limited