VisionChina Media Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2011 Results

BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- VisionChina Media Inc. ("VisionChina Media" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: VISN), one of China's largest out-of-home digital television advertising networks on mass transportation systems, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Key Quarterly Financial and Operating Data for the Third Quarter of 2011

Total revenues in the third quarter of 2011 increased 11.6% quarter-over-quarter to $50.2 million, a record high for the Company.

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2011 was $17.8 million, compared to gross profit of $13.2 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Operating profit in the third quarter of 2011 was $0.8 million, compared to operating profit of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders in the third quarter of 2011 was $0.8 million, compared to net loss of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company's non-GAAP financial measure, net income attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and provision for contingent loss in connection with litigation ("non-GAAP net income"), was $3.7 million, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders in the third quarter of 2011 were $0.01 and $0.01, respectively (each ADS representing one common share), compared to basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders of $0.004 and $0.004, respectively, in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $111.3 million as of September 30, 2011. Net cash used in operating activities was $10.7 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Network capacity, as measured by total broadcasting hours in the Company's network, in the third quarter of 2011 was 43,778 hours, compared to network capacity of 44,379 hours in the second quarter of 2011.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company's advertising network covered 20 cities and included 136,777 digital displays on mass transit systems.

Average advertising revenue per broadcasting hour in the Company's network in the third quarter of 2011 was $1,122, compared to $1,003 in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company sold a record high average of 10.64 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in its network in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 8.63 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the second quarter of 2011.

Mr. Limin Li, VisionChina Media's chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "I am proud that our company broke important records in the third quarter while demonstrating continued positive growth momentum. Our average advertising minutes sold per broadcast hour in our network surpassed earlier highs, proving that our advertisers are now willing to spend more on our media and that they have a more thorough understanding of the value of our targeted and effective offering. I attribute this important record as well as our record high total revenues to the increasing maturity of our sales force, which has been able to stay ahead of our competition while developing along with the industry. We also continue to benefit from strong governmental support of new media forms and cultural development in China."

Stanley Wang, VisionChina Media's vice president of finance, added, "In addition to our record high total revenues of $50.2 million in the third quarter, our turnaround in quarterly non-GAAP net income was significant, increasing to $3.7 million. Improvement in operating profit is linked directly to cost control measures and controlled media cost increases have been a focal point for us in 2011. We will continue to control our costs to bolster the financial success of VisionChina Media."

Third Quarter 2011 Results

VisionChina Media's total revenues were $50.2 million in the third quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 32.4% from $37.9 million in the third quarter of 2010 and an increase of 11.6% from $45.0 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Total broadcasting hours in the Company's network in the third quarter of 2011 were 43,778 hours, compared to 50,019 hours in the third quarter of 2010 and 44,379 hours in the second quarter of 2011. Average advertising revenue per broadcasting hour was $1,122 in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $727 per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2010 and $1,003 per broadcasting hour in the second quarter of 2011.

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company sold a total of 465,756 advertising minutes in its network, compared to 334,864 advertising minutes sold in the third quarter of 2010 and 382,895 advertising minutes sold in the second quarter of 2011. The Company sold an average of 10.64 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 6.69 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the third quarter of 2010 and 8.63 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the second quarter of 2011. These increases reflect the continued drive of the sales force as well as the market's increased recognition of the importance of advertising on buses and subways to reach target audiences.

During the third quarter of 2011, 712 advertisers purchased advertising time on the Company's advertising network, either directly or through advertising agents, compared to 612 advertisers in the third quarter of 2010 and 997 advertisers in the second quarter of 2011.

Media cost, the most significant component of advertising service cost, was $26.4 million in the third quarter of 2011, representing 81.4% of total advertising service cost, compared to $25.1 million, or 80.8% of total advertising service cost, in the third quarter of 2010 and $25.6 million, or 80.5% of total advertising service cost, in the second quarter of 2011. In the first nine months of the year the Company successfully contained increases in media costs to the previously stated target limit of no more than 10% per year.

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2011 was $17.8 million, compared to gross profit of $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 and gross profit of $13.2 million in the second quarter of 2011. Advertising service gross margin was 35.5% in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 18.1% in the third quarter of 2010 and 29.3% in the second quarter of 2011.

Selling and marketing expenses were $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 84.4% from $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2010 and an increase of 27.1% from $9.0 million in the second quarter of 2011. Selling and marketing expenses represented 22.8% of the Company's total revenues in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 16.4% in the third quarter of 2010 and 20.0% in the second quarter of 2011.

General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 25.7% from $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 and a decrease of 13.3% from $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Income from equity method investments amounted to $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to an income of $0.02 million in the third quarter of 2010 and an income of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company recorded a contingent loss of $2.7 million in connection to pending litigation with the selling shareholders and former management of Digital Media Group Company Limited in the third quarter of 2011.  

Operating profit was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to operating loss of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 and operating profit of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company recorded a net interest expense of $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2011, a slight decrease from a net interest expense of $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 and level with a net interest expense of $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders (GAAP) was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to net loss of $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2010 and net loss of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2011. Basic and diluted net loss per share (GAAP) were $0.01 and $0.01, respectively, in the third quarter of 2011.

The Company's non-GAAP financial measure, net income attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and provision for contingent loss in connection with litigation ("non-GAAP net income"), was $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to non-GAAP net income of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2010 and non-GAAP net income of $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2011.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had 136,777 digital television displays in its network, compared to 128,139 as of September 30, 2010 and 136,522 as of June 30, 2011.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had 842 employees, compared to 867 employees as of September 30, 2010 and 860 employees as of June 30, 2011.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $111.3 million, a decrease of $12.3 million from $123.6 million as of June 30, 2011. The Company's net cash used in operating activities was $10.7 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Depreciation and amortization was $2.9 million and capital expenditures were $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Recent Development

In September 2011, VisionChina Media's board of directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $15 million by December 31, 2012. Under the share repurchase program, the Company purchased 763,250 shares in the open market during the third quarter of 2011 at an average price of $1.82 and for a total consideration of $1.4 million. The share repurchase program reflects management's strong confidence in the Company's growth prospects as well as the sustainability of its business model and the industry in which it operates.

Business Outlook

The Company estimates total revenues, which consist of advertising service revenue only, in the fourth quarter of 2011 to be between $51.0 million and $54.0 million. Fourth quarter 2011 net income attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and contingent loss in connection to litigation (non-GAAP), is estimated to be between $4.0 million and $7.0 million.

These estimates are based on an exchange rate of RMB 6.3885 per $1.00.

The Company noted that its guidance is based on its current network of 20 cities that, as of the date of this press release, have already been secured by contracts and based on management's current assessment of the possible outcome of pending litigation with the selling shareholders of Digital Media Group Company Limited. If the number of cities in the Company's network expands or contracts, or if there is any progress in the pending litigation that affects management's assessment of the possible outcome, management's forecast could be affected.

Conference Call

VisionChina Media's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on November 14, 2011 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 15, 2011).

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

U.S. Toll Free: +1-866-519-4004
Hong Kong Toll Free: +800-930-346
U.S. Toll/International Toll: +1-718-354-1231
Passcode for all regions: VisionChina Earnings Call

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until December 14, 2011.

U.S. Toll Free: +1-866-214-5335
U.S. Toll/International Toll: +1-718-354-1232
Passcode: 26230139

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of VisionChina Media's website at http://www.visionchina.cn.

About VisionChina Media Inc.

VisionChina Media Inc. (Nasdaq: VISN) operates an out-of-home advertising network on mass transportation systems, including buses and subways. As of September 30, 2011, VisionChina Media's advertising network included 136,777 digital television displays on mass transportation systems in 20 of China's economically prosperous cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. VisionChina Media has the ability to deliver real-time, location-specific broadcasting, including news, stock quotes, weather and traffic reports, and other entertainment programming. For more information, please visit http://www.visionchina.cn.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to VisionChina Media's consolidated financial results prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), the Company also provides non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP net income attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders excluding non-cash share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, provision for contingent loss in connection with a litigation and/or impairment loss and income tax credit in connection with the impairment loss. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with another method for assessing VisionChina Media's operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of its ongoing operations. Readers are cautioned not to view non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the performance of VisionChina Media's liquidity and when planning and forecasting future periods. The Company computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in 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 quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1 and its annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Mr. Colin Wang
Investor Relations Director
VisionChina Media Inc.
Tel: +86-135-1001-0107
Email: [email protected]

Mrs. Helen Plummer
Investor Relations Adviser
VisionChina Media Inc.
Tel: +86-139-1167-2124
Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

Ms. Jessica Barist Cohen
Ogilvy Financial, New York
Tel: +1-646-460-9989
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE VisionChina Media Inc.