Renren Announces Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Results

BEIJING, March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) ("Renren" or the "Company"), a leading real-name social networking internet platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Highlights

• Total net revenues were US$48.8 million, a 48.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.
• Online game revenues were US$25.9 million, a 116.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.
• Gross profit was US$31.0 million, a 34.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.
• Operating loss was US$28.3 million, compared to an operating loss of US$19.7 million in the corresponding period in 2011.
• Net loss attributable to Renren was US$21.1 million, compared to a net income of US$44.3 million in the corresponding period in 2011.
• Adjusted net loss (1) (non-GAAP) was US$16.7 million, compared to an adjusted net income of US$48.2 million in the corresponding period in 2011.

Fiscal Year 2012 Highlights

• Total net revenues were US$176.1 million, a 49.3% increase from 2011.
• Online game revenues were US$90.2 million, a 113.2% increase from 2011.
• Gross profit was US$109.5 million, a 19.3% increase from 2011.
• Operating loss was US$91.7 million, compared to an operating loss of US$30.2 million in 2011.
• Net loss attributable to Renren was US$75.0 million, compared to a net income of US$41.3 million in 2011.
• Adjusted net loss (1) (non-GAAP) was US$61.9 million, compared to an adjusted net income of US$49.7 million in 2011.

"2012 was a year of investment and transition for Renren. We navigated through the opportunities and disruptions of mobile internet and came out a stronger mobile-centric company. We made progress in our mobile initiatives by rapidly growing our mobile traffic on Renren, driving significant revenues from mobile related games and opening up a whole new dimension for mobile commerce on Nuomi. We are encouraged by these advances and will continue to push forward in expanding existing and new mobile opportunities," commented Joseph Chen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"Heading into 2013, our priorities are clear. Renren social networking services remain our core foundation and we are devoted to continuously improving user experience, particularly in mobile. As we further expand and deepen our offerings, our diversified services built around our SNS platform will also provide us a broad base to continue exploring new opportunities of growth," said Mr. Chen.

"Our net revenues in the fourth quarter came in above the top-end of our guidance. Among our business lines, games and Nuomi continue to show encouraging trends while brand advertising still faces challenges. Our investments in 2012 helped us go through the transition needed to capture the mobile opportunities in front of us. Going into the new year with a healthy balance sheet and more clarity in strategy and focus, we will continue to further transform Renren into a true mobile company," added Hui Huang, Renren's Chief Financial Officer.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Results

Total net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 were US$48.8 million, representing a 48.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.

Internet Value-Added Services (IVAS) revenues were US$36.3 million, representing a 103.8% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. Within IVAS revenues, online game revenues were US$25.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, a 116.5% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. The increase in online game revenues during this quarter was due to the growing popularity of several new in-house developed games. Other IVAS revenues were US$10.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, a 77.8% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. Within other IVAS revenues, Renren's social commerce service, Nuomi, recorded US$5.4 million of net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Online advertising revenues were US$12.5 million, representing a decrease of 16.7% from the corresponding period of 2011. The decrease was due to lower advertising spending by brand advertisers in a softer macro-environment, coupled by intensifying competition and continued migration of Renren's traffic from PC to mobile.  The number of activated users on Renren.com, however, continued to increase from approximately 147 million as of December 31, 2011 to approximately 178 million as of December 31, 2012. Monthly unique log-in users increased from approximately 38 million in December 2011 to approximately 56 million in December 2012.

Cost of revenues was US$17.8 million, an 83.7% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 included US$0.3 million for Nuomi.  The increase in cost of revenues for the fourth quarter was largely due to increased bandwidth and content investments for 56.com and the increased direct operating costs for launched games.

Operating expenses were US$59.3 million, a 38.4% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2012 included US$10.8 million expenses incurred on Nuomi. Excluding Nuomi, the operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2012 would be US$48.5 million, a 56.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.

Selling and marketing expenses were US$22.4 million, an 11.1% increase from the corresponding period of 2011. The increase was primarily due to the increased personnel related expenses and promotions for our launched games.

Research and development expenses were US$25.5 million, an 84.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2011. The increase was primarily due to headcount and personnel related expense increases, particularly for mobile-related investments.

General and administrative expenses were US$11.4 million, a 76.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to the growth of the company size and business operations.

Share-based compensation expense, which were all included in the operating expenses, were US$4.0 million, compared to US$1.3 million in the corresponding period in 2011. 

Operating loss was US$28.3 million, compared to an operating loss of US$19.7 million in the corresponding period in 2011.

Net loss attributable to Renren Inc. was US$21.1 million, compared to a net income of US$44.3 million in the corresponding period in 2011, the latter of which was largely due to a one-time US$51 million gain from disposing of our investment in eLong. Excluding results of operations attributable to Nuomi in both quarters, net loss in the fourth quarter of 2012 would be US$15.5 million, compared to a net income of US$53.4 million in the corresponding period of 2011.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was US$16.7 million, compared to an adjusted net income of US$48.2 million in the corresponding period in 2011 which was largely due to a one-time US$51 million gain from disposing of our investment in eLong. Excluding results of operations attributable to Nuomi in both quarters, adjusted net loss in the fourth quarter of 2012 would be US$11.1 million, compared to the adjusted net income of US$57.3 million in the corresponding period in 2011. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and impairment of intangible assets.

Fiscal Year 2012 Results

Total net revenues in 2012 were US$176.1 million, a 49.3% increase from 2011.

Internet Value-Added Services (IVAS) revenues in 2012 were US$122.3 million, representing a 109.5% increase from 2011. Within IVAS revenues, online game revenues were US$90.2 million in 2012, a 113.2% increase from 2011, driven by our in-house developed cross-platform games. Other IVAS revenues were US$32.1 million for 2012, a 99.6% increase from 2011. Within other IVAS revenues, Renren's social commerce service, Nuomi, recorded US$16.1 million of net revenues for 2012, a 149.6% increase from 2011.

Online advertising revenues in 2012 were US$53.8 million, representing a decrease of 9.7% from 2011.  The decrease in advertising revenues was an overall result from a weaker macro-environment, increased competition and the continuing shift of our traffic from PC to mobile.

Cost of revenues in 2012 was US$66.6 million, a 154.0% increase from 2011. Cost of revenues in 2012 included US$1.5 million for Nuomi. The increase was largely due to increased bandwidth investments for 56.com and Renren.com, and the increased direct operating and license costs for launched games.

Gross profit in 2012 was US$109.5 million, a 19.3% increase from US$91.7 million in 2011. Gross margin was 62.2%, compared to 77.8% in 2011.

Operating expenses in 2012 were US$201.2 million, a 65.0% increase from 2011. Operating expenses in 2012 included US$42.2 million expenses incurred on Nuomi. Excluding Nuomi, operating expenses in 2012 would be US$159.0 million, a 73.2% increase from 2011.

Selling and marketing expenses in 2012 were US$82.8 million, a 33.4% increase from 2011, primarily due to expanded sales force for Nuomi, increased promotion expenses for our games, as well as increased sales and promotion expenses for 56.com.

Research and development expenses in 2012 were US$79.5 million, a 97.3% increase from 2011, primarily due to headcount and personnel related expense increases. Our mobile-related investments contributed a significant part of our R&D expense increase for 2012.

General and administrative expenses in 2012 were US$38.9 million, a 125.7% increase from 2011, primarily due to the growth of the company size, expanded business operations, and expenses associated with becoming a publicly listed company.

Share-based compensation expenses in 2012, which were all included in the operating expenses, were US$10.9 million, compared to US$5.5 million in 2011. The increase was mainly due to additional share-based incentive awards granted to directors, executives and employees.

Operating loss in 2012 was US$91.7 million, compared to US$30.2 million operating loss in 2011.

Net loss attributable to Renren Inc. in 2012 was US$75.0 million, compared to a net income of US$41.3 million in 2011, the latter of which was largely due to a one-time US$51 million gain from disposing of our investment in eLong. Excluding results of operations attributable to Nuomi, net loss in 2012 would be US$47.7 million compared to a net income of US$65.6 million in 2011.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) in 2012 was US$61.9 million, compared to an adjusted net income of US$49.7 million in 2011 which was largely due to a one-time US$51 million gain from disposing of our investment in eLong. Excluding results of operations attributable to Nuomi, adjusted net loss in 2012 would be US$34.6 million. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and impairment of intangible assets.

Business Outlook

The Company expects to generate revenues in an amount ranging from US$44 million to US$46 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing 37% to 43% year-over-year growth. This forecast reflects Renren's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

Management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Monday, March 11, 2013 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time: 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 11, 2013).

Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing the numbers below and entering passcode 10-15 minutes prior to the initiation of the call.

Dial-in Information:
US: +1 718-354-1231
Hong Kong: +852-2475-0994 
China: +86 800-819-0121 
International: + 65-6723-9381
Passcode: Renren

A replay of the call will be available for one week and dial-in information is as follows:
International: + 61 2-8199-0299
Passcode: 14671441

This call will be webcast live and the replay will be available on Renren's corporate web site at http://ir.renren-inc.com for 12 months.

About Renren Inc.

Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) operates a leading real name social networking internet platform in China. It enables users to connect and communicate with each other, share information and user generated content, play online games, shop for deals, watch videos and enjoy a wide range of other features and services. Renren's businesses primarily include the main social networking website Renren.com, the game development and operating platform Renren Games, the social commerce website Nuomi.com, and the video-sharing website 56.com. Renren.com had approximately 178 million activated users as of December 31, 2012. Renren's American depositary shares, each of which represents three Class A ordinary shares, trade on NYSE under the symbol "RENN".

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" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook for the first quarter of 2013 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Renren's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Renren may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), 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 Renren's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: our goals and strategies; our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the social networking site market in China; our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services; our expectations regarding the retention and strengthening of our relationships with key advertisers and customers; our plans to enhance user experience, infrastructure and service offerings; competition in our industry in China; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Renren does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Renren's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Renren uses "adjusted net income (loss)" which is defined as "a non-GAAP financial measure" by the SEC, in evaluating its business. We define adjusted net income (loss) as income (loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and impairment of intangible assets. We present adjusted net income (loss) because it is used by our management to evaluate our operating performance. We also believe that this non-GAAP financial measure provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our consolidated results of operations in the same manner as our management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of our peer companies.

The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation from, 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 "Reconciliation of non-GAAP results of operations measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures" at the end of this release.

For more information, please contact:

Sam Lawn
Investor Relations Director
Renren Inc.
Tel: (86 10) 8448 1818 ext 1300
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Renren Inc.