Highlights for Fourth Quarter 2011:
Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "We are encouraged by our solid operating performance across all our core business lines as we ended 2011 on a strong note. Our strong fourth quarter performance was partially helped by some advertisers starting advertising campaigns in late 2011 due to an earlier Chinese lunar new year in 2012. Despite a weaker first quarter due to seasonality associated with an earlier Chinese new year, we remain confident over the continuous growth of advertising revenues for 2012. As we look forward to 2012, while we stay focused on improving our core businesses performance, we will continue to explore new business models for employing interactive screens."
Kit Low, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, added, "We registered very strong revenue momentum, while achieving encouraging cashflow momentum in 2011. We saw marked margin expansion across all our core business lines in 2011 as we continued to unlock the respective business line operating leverage. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company achieved aggregate net revenue year-on-year growth in our LCD display network, in-store network, poster frame network and movie theater network of 63%, and quarter-on-quarter growth of 22%. GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media and non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $75.4 million and $96.0 million, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company generated a net cash inflow from operating activities after deducting amounts paid for the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries of $112.7 million. As a result, for the year 2011, the Company achieved: 1) cumulative net cash inflow from operating activities, after deducting the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries, of $228.0 million, an increase of 81% from $126.3 million for full year 2010; and 2) a non-GAAP Return on Tangible Equity of 36% versus 24% in 2010 (note). We will continue our operating and financial discipline in growing cash flow and further improving our Return on Tangible Equity in 2012."
Business Outlook for First Quarter 2012
The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the quarter ending March 31, 2012:
Net revenues for the core business (inclusive of the LCD display network, the in-store network, the poster frame network and the movie theater network) are expected to be in the range of $177-$179 million, the mid-point of which would represent year-on-year growth of 31% and quarter on quarter decline of 25% due to seasonality as a result of Chinese lunar new year holidays during the quarter. Net revenues for the non-core business (the traditional outdoor billboard network) are expected to be in the range of $13-$15 million. The Company's non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $58-$60 million. The Company estimates the weighted average fully diluted ADS count for the quarter at 135 million, assuming no further share repurchases during the quarter.
SHANGHAI, January 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN) today announced that the Company is implementing a policy starting from 2012 to issue a recurring dividend with payments expected to equal approximately 25% of its annual non-GAAP net income of the preceding fiscal year. The dividends will be paid out on a quarterly basis in the calendar year to shareholders of record as of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 respectively. The dividend payments will commence in 2012 in respect of Focus Media's non-GAAP net income for 2011.
Starting from 2012, the Company will also reserve up to an additional 30% of its annual non-GAAP net income of the preceding fiscal year as funds that may be used, at the Company's discretion, to increase the dividend payment or the size of the Company's share repurchase program in effect at that time. The dividend and share repurchase fund policies will be reviewed by the board and management on an annual basis.
"The establishment of a policy of offering up to 55% annual non-GAAP net income payout either directly to our shareholders or through repurchases that will be accretive to shareholder value going forward reflects our confidence in the Company's business model and its ability to generate free cash flow on a sustained basis," said Jason Jiang, Chairman and CEO of Focus Media. "We are taking this action as a part of Focus Media's ongoing commitment to increase shareholders' return on equity." Jason Jiang further remarked, "We have since the inception of our share repurchase program in 2010 repurchased over $400 million of stock. It is in our deep belief that protecting shareholders' interests and maximizing shareholder value should always be our top priority and the establishment of this dividend and reserve policy reflects our continued pursuit of this agenda."
SHANGHAI, January 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited ("Focus Media" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: FMCN), today provided further information today regarding the allegations raised in a research report by Muddy Waters dated January 6, 2012 (the "MW Report"). As described in Focus Media's press release dated January 6, 2012 (the "Jan. 6 Release"), the matters discussed in the MW Report relate to Focus Media's insignificant acquisition of a regional distributor, Jilin Focus Advertising Co. Ltd. ("FMCN Jilin") in Jilin Province, and a restructuring undertaken by the sellers of FMCN Jilin to secure advantageous tax treatment. The Company is providing the following detailed disclosure to dispel the false statements, unsupported innuendo and conjecture contained in the MW Report.
Prior to its initial public offering, Focus Media had limited resources and capital and therefore directly operated its display network in key cities while, in smaller, developing cities, it licensed the Focus Media brand to regional distributors that were already operating out-of-home digital display networks in those areas. Following its initial public offering, Focus Media used its greater capital resources to gradually purchase certain of the regional distributors. Focus Media typically paid consideration for acquisitions of regional distributors based on a multiple-year earn-out structure. The Company's 2007 acquisition of its distributor in Jilin province, FMCN Jilin, was structured in this typical manner.
Full Release
SHANGHAI, January 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited ("Focus Media" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: FMCN), China's largest lifestyle targeted out-of-home digital media company, responded today to the allegations raised in a research report by Muddy Waters dated January 6, 2012 (the "Report"). Focus Media denies the allegations of impropriety in the Report entirely. The Company maintains that there were no improprieties involved in the transaction alleged in the Report. This transaction related to the insignificant acquisition of a regional distributor ("FMCN Jilin") in Jilin Province in northeast China to expand the Company's display network (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition provided for three-year earnout payments of no more than US$3,000,000 in aggregate to the shareholders of FMCN Jilin. During the earnout period, Hunchun Shengtai Ginseng Plantation Co. Ltd. ("HSGP") was acquired to gain certain tax benefits. Upon the completion of the earnout arrangement, HSGP became an indirect subsidiary of Focus Media. In addition, one of the original shareholders of FMCN Jilin became a 15% shareholder of FMCN Jilin and continued to operate the business of FMCN Jilin.
Focus Media will release additional information concerning the Transaction in the early part of the week beginning January 9, 2012. In addition, Focus Media will take all necessary legal measures to defend itself against the allegations made by Muddy Waters and to protect the interests of shareholders.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited ("Focus Media") (Nasdaq: FMCN) today announced that its audit committee received the results of the third-party, independent full-count census of the number of displays in Focus Media's LCD display network. The census was independently conducted by Ipsos Marketing Consulting Company ("Ipsos") in November and December 2011. Ipsos is the world's fifth largest market research company.(1)
(1) The ranking is assessed by ESOMAR, a world association for market, social and opinion researchers, in terms of 2010 global research revenue. See: Global Market Research 2011, an ESOMAR Industry Report in cooperation with KPMG Advisory P48-49.
The census results from Ipsos show that the total number of displays in Focus Media's LCD display network was 185,174 (excluding 103 displays in Lhasa) (see Appendix I). The table below sets forth a summary of the census results.
Number of displays as ofSep. 30, 2011 disclosed inthe 3rd quarter 2011earnings release
Number of displays as of Nov, 28, 2011(1) based on Focus Media data(excluding 103 displays in Lhasa)
Certified number of displays based on Ipsos census(excluding 103 displays in Lhasa)(Appendix I)
LCD display network
Focus Media LCD screens
116,026
121,392
121,320
Focus Media LCD 2.0 digital picture screens
32,478
33,320
33,312
Focus Media LCD 1.0 picture frame devices
29,878
30,542
Total
178,382
185,254
185,174
Note: (1) The number of displays as of Nov. 28, 2011 is larger than the number of displays as of Sep. 30, 2011 because of network expansion.
In the audit committee's opinion, the two independent surveys and this independent census demonstrate that the display count figures disclosed by Focus Media are substantially accurate
SHANGHAI , Dec. 22 , 2011/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited ("Focus Media") (Nasdaq: FMCN - News) today announced that its audit committee received the results of the second of two third-party, independent surveys on the number of displays in Focus Media's LCD display network and its poster frame network. The survey was independently conducted by Synovate in December 2011 . Synovate is the world's sixth largest market research company (1). To conduct the survey, Synovate used a Stratified Random Sampling methodology. According to Synovate, based on the Sampling Distribution Theory, the actual audited display counts can be projected to reflect the total number of Focus Media's displays with a +/- 1% sampling error at a 99% confidence level.
Questions Remain for FMCN and the Handset Six
There were two rounds of allegations and rebuttals between Muddy Waters ("MW") vs. Focus Media (FMCN), respectively, so it is should be no surprise that we have followed this story closely. The one issue we feel needs added attention is MW's allegations that the acquisitions of six handset companies ("The Handset Six") had not been consummated, a point of contention discussed in both reports.
To see the rest of our commentary, please go here
Disclosure: The GeoTeam holds no Positions in FMCN, long or short.
Muddy Waters rates Focus Media Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) shares a Strong Sell because of significant overstatement of the number of screens in its LCD network and its Olympus-style acquisition overpayments. The $1.1 billion1 in write-downs from its acquisitions exceed one-third of FMCN’s enterprise value, making FMCN’s acquisitive behavior more destructive than Olympus’s to shareholder value. FMCN insiders have sold at least $1.7 billion worth of stock (two-thirds of FMCN’s enterprise value) since FMCN’s IPO. 2 At the same time, the insiders and their business associates further enrich themselves by trading in FMCN assets, while costing FMCN shareholders substantial sums of money.
Like Olympus, FMCN is significantly and deliberately overpaying for acquisitions, writing down $1.1 billion out of $1.6 billion in acquisitions since 2005. These write-downs are equivalent to one-third of FMCN’s present enterprise value.
Our research shows that FMCN has claimed to acquire, write down, and dispose of companies that it never actually purchased. Investors should be concerned about to where cash actually moved in these transactions, and about the integrity of reported results.
FMCN has written at least 21 acquisitions down to zero and then given them away for no consideration. We show that many of these write-downs are not justified. There are several possible nefarious reasons FMCN gives acquisitions away, including doing so may put FMCN’s problems beyond the reach of auditors.
Insiders have used FMCN as their counterparty in trading in and out of FMCN subsidiary Allyes, with several individuals earning a total of at least $70.1 million, while shareholders lost $159.6 million.
Sales of FMCN shares by insiders have netted them at least $1.7 billion since FMCN went public in 2005.
Third Quarter 2011 Results
Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "We reached two important historical milestones in the third quarter of 2011. Not only did we achieve record high total revenue in our core business, but we also opened up a new chapter in the history of the Company whereby we have taken our media into an interactive age. Driven by positive secular domestic consumption trend in the PRC, we believe for the rest of the year and 2012 advertising demand for our media will continue to be healthy and robust. Over the next several years, leveraging our media interactive capability, we will strive to retain our brand advertising leadership in the industry as well as endeavor to become one of the key default promotional media platforms in the PRC."
Kit Low, the Company Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer added, "In the third quarter of 2011, the Company achieved aggregate net revenue year on year growth in our LCD display (including the movie theater network), in-store and poster frame businesses of 53%. GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media and non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media for the third quarter of 2011 was $62.2 million and $82.7 million, respectively. We achieved a positive net cash inflow from operating activities after deducting the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries of $76.1 million in the third quarter of 2011 as compared to a net cash inflow of $37.3 million in the second quarter of 2011 and a net cash inflow of $23.8 million in the third quarter of 2010. In the first three quarters of 2011, the Company cumulatively generated net cash inflow from operating activities net of capital expenditure and acquisitions of subsidiaries of $118.5 million."
Business Outlook for Fourth Quarter 2011
The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2011:
Net revenues for the core business (inclusive of the LCD display network and other, the in-store network and the poster frame network) are expected to be in the range of $212-$214 million, the mid-point of which would represent year-on-year growth of 45% and quarter-on-quarter growth of 9%. Net revenues for the non-core business (the traditional outdoor billboard network) are expected to be in the range of $14-$16 million. The Company's non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $88-$90 million. The Company estimates the weighted average ADS outstanding for the calculation of fully diluted earnings per ADS in the fourth quarter is 140 million, assuming no further share repurchases during the quarter.
SHANGHAI, October 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN), today announced its intention to increase the size of its previously announced share repurchase program from US$450 million to US$650 million while keeping the termination date of the repurchase plan at December 31, 2013. The other terms of the repurchase program will remain unchanged.
The expanded repurchase program will afford the Company to make more sizable repurchases including but not limited to accelerated repurchases from time to time in a manner consistent with market conditions and the interest of the shareholders and in compliance with the company's securities trading policy. The repurchases will be made on the open market at prevailing market prices, in block trades, other privately negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The purchases will be made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing. The timing and extent of any purchases will depend upon market conditions, the trading price of its ADSs and other factors.
To date, the Company has cumulatively spent approximately $315 million in share repurchases on its previously announced share repurchase program. Focus Media may repurchase its issued and outstanding American depositary shares ("ADSs") using the remaining portion of the program.
"Our decision to expand the repurchase program shows our confidence in our business fundamentals. Our business fundamentals remain sound and operating momentum continues to be strong. We believe repurchasing at the current price level would be highly accretive to shareholders. This is also part of our continued commitment to returning capital to our shareholders," said Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media.
The Company also reaffirms our third quarter guidance as follows:
Net revenues for the core business (inclusive of the LCD display network and other, the in-store network and the poster frame network) are expected to be in the range of $175-$177million, the mid-point of which would represent year-on-year growth of 37% and quarter-on-quarter growth of 6%. Net revenues for the non-core business (the traditional outdoor billboard network) are expected to be in the range of $11-$13 million. The Company's non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $68-$70 million. Our non-GAAP net income guidance excludes any contribution from our 15% stake in VisionChina.
Highlights for Second Quarter 2011:
Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "We are on schedule to complete installation of Focus Media's interactive screens in seven cities by October. We believe installation of these interactive screens is a vital revolutionary step that will transform our relationships with Chinese consumers by forming an intimate and interactive tie between the Focus media platform and Chinese consumers, providing advertisers with an interactive and measurable advertising media platform that can make a direct sales impact. We believe our offering of an interactive and measurable media platform will not only meaningfully expand our media resources, but it will also greatly enhance our value proposition and pricing power to advertisers."
Business Outlook for Third Quarter 2011
The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the third quarter ending September 30, 2011:
SHANGHAI, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN), China's largest out-of-home digital media group, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement with Fosun International, one of Focus Media's shareholders, pursuant to which Focus Media will repurchase from Fosun International 1,956,310 ADSs, each representing five ordinary shares of Focus Media at a price ofUS$30.67 per ADS (or US$6.134 per ordinary share), totaling $60 million through a privately negotiated transaction.
Inclusive of this block repurchase, Focus Media has to date approximately spent $300 million of its previously announced share repurchase program. ADSs and ordinary shares will be cancelled, subject to customary cancellation procedures, upon repurchase.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs including for working capital and capital expenditures, for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments. If these sources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility.
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash generated from operating activities and sales of equity in private and public transactions.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and the proceeds from our most recent private offering to JJ Media Investment Holding Limited will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including for working capital and capital expenditures, for the foreseeable future. These additional cash needs may include costs associated with the expansion of our network, such as the purchase of flat-panel displays and LED digital billboards, and increased location cost, share repurchase program, and payment of contingent considerations related to the acquisition of our poster frame business, as well as possible acquisitions of our regional distributors. We are also required under PRC law to set aside 10% of our after-tax profits into a general reserve fund. We expect that revenues from operation of our advertising network will be sufficient to cover any such obligations. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments
SHANGHAI, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN), China's largest out-of-home lifestyle community digital media group, today announced its intention to increase the size of its previously announced share repurchase program from US$300 million to US$450 million and to extend the termination date of the repurchase program to December 31, 2013 from June 30, 2011. The other terms of the repurchase program will remain unchanged and Focus Media may repurchase its issued and outstanding American depositary shares ("ADSs") using the remaining portion of the program.
The repurchases will be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in block trades, other privately negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The purchases will be made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing. The timing and extent of any purchases will depend upon market conditions, the trading price of its ADSs and other factors. Focus Media expects to continue to implement this share repurchase program in a manner consistent with market conditions and the interest of the shareholders and in compliance with the company's securities trading policy.
To date, the Company has cumulatively spent approximately $240 million in share repurchases on its previously announced share repurchase program.
First Quarter Results:
Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "We are encouraged by the strong start for the year, and are confident of reaching our business objectives for the rest of the year. Nevertheless, there remains a bit of uncertainty over the PRC macro-economic environment as a result of the continued economic tightening measures. We will continue to work diligently to navigate through the challenges ahead to execute our business plan. We plan to launch Focus Media's next generation of screens in seven cities in the second half of this year. We believe these next generation screens will equip Focus Media with capabilities to provide interactive, measurable, location based search (LBS) services to advertisers, which we believe is of great importance for Focus Media's next era of growth. We also plan to embark upon a small minority investment in a company that will work hand in hand with Focus Media to provide online and mobile services support to enhance Focus Media's LBS capability."
The Company estimates the weighted average fully diluted ADS count for the quarter at 143 million, assuming no further share repurchases during the quarter.
Highlights for Fourth Qquarter's 2010:
Highlights for Full Year 2010:
Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "2010 was a year of strong and robust growth through refocusing on our core businesses. We continue to see exciting opportunities ahead of us in 2011. The operating momentum continued to be strong as we step into 2011. Our core business's value proposition to advertisers is gaining momentum as the strength and effectiveness of our core business is becoming increasingly recognized by advertisers. Meanwhile, we believe the aggressive ad price hikes of traditional TV broadcasters have presented exciting growth opportunities to us. We have seen meaningful increases in spending on our network by existing customers as well as strong momentum in new customers additions. Our focus in 2011 will continue to be augmenting our core business and improving our value propositions to advertisers by: 1) Enabling interactivity of our core media resources; 2) Restructuring of our 1st and 2nd tier cities networks A and B to create more network capacity resources; 3) Expanding our 3rd and 4th tier cities network so as to increase our utilization rates in those cities."
Kit Low, the Company Chief Financial Officer added, "We ended 2010 on a very strong note. Not only did we register strong revenue momentum in the fourth quarter of 2010, we also achieved very strong cashflow momentum. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company achieved aggregate net revenue year-on-year growth in our LCD display (including the movie theater network), in-store and poster frame business of 45%, and quarter-on-quarter growth of 14%. GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media and Non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $47.2 million and $58.5 million, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company generated a net cash inflow from operating activities after deducting the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries (including earn-out payments) of $87.0 million. As a result, for the year 2010 the Company achieved: 1) Cumulative net cash inflow from operating activities, after deducting the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries, of $126.3 million versus $57.7 million in 2009; 2) A Non-GAAP Return on Tangible Equity of 24% versus 13% in 2009 (note); and 3) An increase of about 500 new customer accounts, bringing our total number of customer accounts to about 4,350. We will continue our operating and financial discipline in growing cash flow and improving our Return on Tangible Equity in 2011."
Business Outlook for First Quarter 2011
The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the first quarter ending March 31, 2011:
Based on the existing business outlook, the Company expects earn-out payments remaining in 2011, spilled over from the fourth quarter of 2010, to be no more than $1.6 million.
Highlights for Third Quarter 2010:
Jason Jiang, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company said, "In the third quarter of 2010, we managed to achieve record high combined LCD display network and in-store network revenue, exceeding the last best performing quarter in the history of the Company, the third quarter of 2008. If we were to exclude revenue contribution from the acquired in-store CGEN network in the third quarter of 2008, the total revenues of our core business in the third quarter of 2010 also achieved a historical high. We are thankful of the hard work and dedication of the Focus Media team, and the competitive underlying strength of our core business. We will continue striving to sustain and leverage our strategic and competitive operational strength to enhance the value of the Company."
Kit Low, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company added, "In the third quarter of 2010, the Company achieved aggregate net revenue year on year growth in our LCD display, in-store and poster frame business of 45%, and quarter on quarter growth of 14%. GAAP net income and Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2010 are $112.7 million and $51.8 million, respectively. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company generated a net cash inflow from operating activities after deducting the purchase of equipment and subsidiaries (including earn-out payments) of $23.8 million. In the first three quarters of 2010, the Company cumulatively generated a net cash inflow from operating activities and purchase of equipment and subsidiaries of $39.3 million."
The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2010:
Guidance implies EPS of $0.37 compared to an estimate of $0.30.
Page 27 of 2009 20F
On or about November 27, 2007, Eastriver Partners, Inc. filed a purported class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and the underwriters of our follow-on offering of November 2007. On or about December 21, 2007, Scott Bauer filed a purported class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us, certain of our officers and directors, and the underwriters of our follow-on offering of November 2007. Both complaints allege that our registration statement on Form F-1 on November 1, 2007, as amended, and the related prospectus contained inaccurate statements of material fact. On April 24, 2008, the court consolidated the Eastriver Partners, Inc. and Scott Bauer actions into an action captioned In re Focus Media Holding Limited Litigation and named Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund as lead plaintiff in the consolidated action. On June 23, 2008, Lead Plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint. Specifically, the complaints allege that we failed to disclose reduced gross margins in our Internet advertising business division due to acquisitions we made. The complaint filed by Scott Bauer also alleges that we issued a press release concerning our second quarter 2007 financial results that contained inaccurate statements of material fact. On September 5, 2008, we, certain of our officers and directors, and the underwriters filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. On November 5, 2008, the lead plaintiff filed its opposition to the motion to dismiss. A reply brief was filed on December 5, 2008. On March 29, 2010, the court issued an opinion granting our motion to dismiss. On March 30, 2010, the court entered a judgment dismissing the case. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on April 29, 2010 appealing the judgment granting our motion to dismiss. We intend to continue to defend against these lawsuits vigorously as we believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims alleged. However, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in the suit on appeal and any adverse outcome of these cases could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
On February 11, 2008, Ying Ping, a PRC citizen, filed an arbitration application in Beijing with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”) against us, requesting us, (i) to continue to perform a Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2008, between Ying Ping and the Company; (ii) to pay an overdue share purchase price in the amount of $15.6 million and accrued interests thereof; and (iii) to bear their legal counsel fee in the amount of $0.3 million and other relevant arbitration costs. The CIETAC accepted Ying Ping’s application for arbitration on February 24, 2009. On March 10, 2010, the arbitration was settled. As a result, we agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle all the claims under the arbitration.
Highlights for Second Quarter 2010:
Jason Jiang, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company said, "The first half of 2010 has seen a broad based recovery of the advertising market from the first half of 2009. According to Nielsen Research, the Chinese advertising market grew 15% year on year during the first half of 2010. The Company managed to grow the core business 24% year over year during the same period, indicating that we continue to gain market share in the Chinese advertising market. We are confident that as we further stabilize and strengthen our core business, we can strive to continue our market share gain in the second half of 2010."
Third quarter ending September 30, 2010:
Net revenues for the core business (inclusive of movie theater network of $5 million for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the net revenues of $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2010) are expected to be in the range of $120-$123 million, the mid-point of which would represent quarter-on-quarter growth of 8% and year-on-year growth of 37%, or quarter-on-quarter growth of 7% and year-on-year growth of 36% excluding movie theater network's assumed contribution.
Net revenues for the non-core business (contribution through to the date of disposal of Internet advertising services of approximately $10 million) are expected to be in the range of $20-$22 million.
Non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $48-$49 million or $0.33 EPS. The Company estimates the weighted average fully diluted ADS count for the quarter at 147 million, assuming no further share repurchases during the quarter.
Non-GAAP EPS Figures exclude certain non-operating gains and losses as well as certain non-cash items. Non-GAAP information should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for reported, or GAAP information . For a more complete explanation of the company's definition of non-GAAP please refer to its financial press releases. The GeoTeam® non-GAAP figures may, from time to time, differ from company supplied figures. The GeoTeam® non-GAAP figures apply a 25% and 36% tax rate for Chinese and United States companies respectively.
Jason Jiang, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company said, "As we embark upon a new year, we are encouraged by the continued recovery of our operations as we stabilize our core businesses to take advantage of the recovery of the advertising market in China. We believe our core business continues to offer attractive opportunities for us to potentially double our revenue base over the medium term through steady execution of our business model. While our near term focus remain on monetizing our existing business opportunities in first and second tier cities, we have also started laying the foundation for our medium term growth, as we expand our capacities in third tier cities and beyond."
Kit Low, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company added, "In the first quarter of 2010, the Company achieved aggregate net revenue year on year growth in our LCD display, in-store and poster frame businesses of 29%. The Company continued to focus on cash flow generation during the quarter through improving collection of account receivables. We have seen the balance of account receivables decline sequentially from $172.8 million as of December 31, 2009 to $165.8 million as of March 31, 2010 while the bad debt expenses declined substantially as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. We do however face some negative working capital cash outflows mainly related to prepayment of rental deposits in our in-store network in exchange for better rental terms, payment of accrued income tax in the fourth quarter of 2009, and settlement of liabilities related to an arbitration case on a disposed business which we accrued and disclosed since 2008. We continue to be confident that our operating cashflow will continue to improve as we progress through the year. Besides our focus on cash flow generation, we will also strive to improve our return on equity as we leverage our improving returns as well as our share repurchases."
Telecommunications/ Media
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