Noah Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2018

SHANGHAI, Nov. 19, 2018 /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 third quarter of 2018.

THIRD QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB839.0 million (US$122.2 million), a 22.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

• Income from operations for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB271.1 million (US$39.5 million), a 69.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB207.7 million (US$30.2 million), a 15.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.
• Non-GAAP^[1] net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB293.9 million (US$42.8 million), a 40.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

THIRD QUARTER 2018 OPERATIONAL UPDATES

Wealth Management Business

The Company's wealth management business offers financial products and provides comprehensive financial services to high net worth clients. Noah primarily distributes onshore and offshore fixed income, private equity, secondary market equity and insurance products.

• Total number of registered clients as of September 30, 2018 was 236,906, a 34.6% increase from September 30, 2017.
• Total number of active clients^[2] during the third quarter of 2018 was 4,108, a 7.8% decrease from September 30, 2017.
• Aggregate value of financial products distributed during the third quarter of 2018 was RMB28.0 billion (US$4.1 billion), an 18.9% increase from the third quarter of 2017.

• Average transaction value per active client^[3] for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB6.8 million (US$1.0 million), a 29.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.
• Coverage network included 287 branches and sub-branches covering 83 cities as of September 30, 2018, up from 222 branches and sub-branches covering 78 cities as of September 30, 2017.
• Number of relationship managers was 1,559 as of September 30, 2018, a 21.2% increase from September 30, 2017.

Asset Management Business

The Company's asset management business, Gopher Asset Management Co., Ltd. ("Gopher Asset Management" or "Gopher"), is a leading alternative asset manager in China. Gopher Asset Management develops and manages private equity, real estate, secondary market equity, credit and other investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies.

• Total assets under management as of September 30, 2018 were RMB164.1 billion (US$23.9 billion), a 1.6% increase from June 30, 2018 and a 14.9% increase from September 30, 2017.

Other Financial Services Business

The Company's other financial services business includes its lending services, online wealth management and payment technology services.

Mr. Kenny Lam, Group President of Noah, said, "Despite the volatile macro environment, we have delivered solid operational results for this quarter. A lot of this quarter's results come from efforts from many years prior. We are also very glad to see a much more diversified revenue base. We will continue to invest our resources in building a sustainable growth platform for Noah."

THIRD QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB839.0 million (US$122.2 million), a 22.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2017, primarily driven by increased recurring service fee revenues and other service fees.

• Wealth Management Business

- Net revenues from one-time commissions for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB229.0 million (US$33.3 million), an 8.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB304.7 million (US$44.4 million), a 45.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. 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 third quarter of 2018 were RMB12.2 million (US$1.8 million), compared with RMB48.0 million in the corresponding period of 2017, primarily due to a decrease in performance-based income from fixed income products.

- Net revenues from other service fees for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB31.0 million (US$4.5 million), an increase from RMB19.9 million in the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to the growth of the Company's investor education business.

• Asset Management Business

- Net revenues from recurring service fees for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB172.0 million (US$25.0 million), a 29.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the increase in assets under management as well as higher fee rates earned on assets under management.

- Net revenues from performance-based income for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB21.3 million (US$3.1 million), compared with RMB26.3 million in the corresponding period of 2017, primarily due to a decrease in performance-based income from secondary market equity funds.

• Other Financial Services Business

- Net revenues for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB63.6 million (US$9.3 million), a 105.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the growth of the Company's lending services business.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB567.9 million (US$82.7 million), an 8.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2017. Operating costs and expenses primarily consisted of compensation and benefits of RMB385.1 million (US$56.1 million), selling expenses of RMB81.2 million (US$11.8 million), general and administrative expenses of RMB60.0 million (US$8.7 million) and other operating expenses of RMB51.1 million (US$7.4 million).

• Operating costs and expenses for the wealth management business for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB407.7 million (US$59.4 million), a 6.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits.
• Operating costs and expenses for the asset management business for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB96.8 million (US$14.1 million), an 11.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits.
• Operating costs and expenses for the other financial services business for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB63.4 million (US$9.2 million), a 15.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2017 due to the expansion of the operation of the Company's lending services business.

Operating Margin

Operating margin for the third quarter of 2018 was 32.3%, an increase from 23.4% for the corresponding period in 2017.

• Operating margin for the wealth management business for the third quarter of 2018 was 29.3%, compared with 21.9% for the corresponding period in 2017.
• Operating margin for the asset management business for the third quarter of 2018 was 51.2%, compared with 47.1% for the corresponding period in 2017.
• Income from operations for the other financial services business for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million), improving from a loss of RMB24.0 million for the corresponding period in 2017.

Investment Income

Investment loss for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB16.8 million (US$2.4 million), compared with investment income of RMB11.3 million for the corresponding period in 2017. The loss was primarily due to changes in fair value of equity securities. See "Discussion of Recently Adopted Accounting Standard and Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for more details.

Income Tax Expenses

Income tax expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were RMB61.8 million (US$9.0 million), a 47.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to higher taxable income. 

Net Income

• Net Income

- Net income for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB205.2 million (US$29.9 million), an 11.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

- Net margin for the third quarter of 2018 was 24.5%, down from 26.8% for the corresponding period in 2017.

- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB207.7 million (US$30.2 million), a 15.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

- Net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was 24.8%, down from 26.3% for the corresponding period in 2017.

- Net income attributable to Noah shareholders per basic and diluted ADS for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB3.51 (US$0.51) and RMB3.41 (US$0.50), respectively, up from RMB3.17 and RMB3.03 respectively, for the corresponding period in 2017.

• Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to Noah Shareholders

- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB293.9 million (US$42.8 million), a 40.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2017.

- Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Noah shareholders for the third quarter of 2018 was 35.0%, up from 30.6% for the corresponding period in 2017.

- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders per diluted ADS for the third quarter of 2018 was RMB4.81 (US$0.70), up from RMB3.52 for the corresponding period in 2017.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had RMB2,360.1 million (US$343.6 million) in cash and cash equivalents, compared with RMB1,987.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and RMB2,094.8 million as of June 30, 2018.

Net cash inflow from the Company's operating activities during the third quarter of 2018 was RMB449.8 million (US$65.5 million), compared to net cash inflow of RMB363.6 million in the corresponding period in 2017. The increase was mainly due to an increase in net income and the collection of loans receivable from factoring business.

Net cash outflow from the Company's investing activities during the third quarter of 2018 was RMB203.6 million (US$29.6 million), compared to net cash inflow of RMB247.9 million in the corresponding period in 2017. The cash outflow was primarily due to an increase in investments and in the number of loans originated by the Company's lending services business.

Net cash outflow from the Company's financing activities was RMB16.2 million (US$2.4 million) in the third quarter of 2018, compared to net cash outflow of RMB609.8 million in the corresponding period in 2017. The significant cash outflow for the third quarter of 2017 was mainly related to the mezzanine equity decrease associated with redemption of Sequoia's investment in Gopher.

2018 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the full year 2018 will be in the range of RMB1 billion to RMB1.05 billion, an increase of 16.7% to 22.6% compared with the full year 2017. 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 third quarter 2018 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 this 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 November 26, 2018 at +1-877-344-7529 (US Toll Free) or +1-412-317-0088 (International Toll). The replay access code is 10126174.

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

DISCUSSION OF RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARD AND NON-GAAP MEASURES

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires that equity investments, except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee, be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income.

The accounting standard also includes a transition requirement on presentation that requires the amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income for equity securities that exist as of the date of adoption previously classified as available-for-sale to be reclassified to retained earnings.

As a result, upon adoption of this new standard, Noah recorded a cumulative effect adjustment from other comprehensive income to retained earnings of RMB251.6 million (US$38.7 million), net of tax, for the unrealized gains related to equity securities previously classified as available-for-sale securities. This adjustment had no overall impact on shareholders' equity; however, since these net unrealized gains are now included within retained earnings, they will not appear as realized gains on Noah's consolidated income statement when sold.

The future impact to Noah's consolidated income statement from period to period will vary depending upon the level of volatility in the performance of the securities held in Noah's equity portfolio and the overall market. ASU 2016-01 does not affect the treatment of equity investments accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee.

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 and fair value changes of equity investments (unrealized) and adjusting for sale of equity securities. 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 global investment and asset allocation services for high net worth individuals and enterprises. In the first nine months of 2018, Noah distributed RMB84.9 billion (US$12.4 billion) of financial products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB164.1 billion (US$23.9 billion) as of September 30, 2018.

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes onshore and offshore fixed income, private equity, secondary market equity and insurance products. Noah delivers customized financial solutions to clients through a network of 1,559 relationship managers across 287 branches and sub-branches in 83 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 236,906 registered clients as of September 30, 2018. As a leading alternative asset manager in China, Gopher Asset Management manages private equity, real estate, secondary market equity, credit and other investments denominated in Renminbi and other currencies. The Company also provides other financial services, including lending services, online wealth management and payment technology services.

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

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2018 ended September 30, 2018 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 RMB6.868 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for September 28, 2018 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 2018 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 fourth 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 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 industry; 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 industry 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.

Contacts:

Noah Holdings Limited
Eva Ma
Tel: +86-21-8035-9221
[email protected]

-- FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL TABLES FOLLOW --

SOURCE Noah Holdings Limited