KongZhong Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2005 and Fiscal Year 2005 Unaudited Financial Results1 March 2006
KongZhong Corporation (Nasdaq: KONG), a leading provider of advanced second generation (2.5G) wireless value-added services in China, today announced its unaudited fourth quarter 2005 and fiscal year 2005 financial results.
Fourth Quarter 2005 Financial Highlights:
-- Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2005 grew 34% year-over-year
and 9% sequentially to a new record of $22.14 million, exceeding the
high end of our fourth quarter revenue guidance of $21 to $22 million.
Since inception, the Company has grown its revenues every quarter for
14 consecutive quarters.
-- 2.5G revenue declined slightly year-over-year and grew by 3%
sequentially to $14.75 million. Multimedia messaging service (MMS)
revenue continued its strong growth momentum and increased by 32% from
the previous quarter.
-- Java revenue grew 8% sequentially to reach a new record of $1.16
million during the fourth quarter.
-- 2G revenue grew 326% year-over-year and 25% sequentially to $7.33
million.
-- Diluted earnings per ADS in the fourth quarter were $0.17.
Fiscal Year 2005 Financial Highlights:
-- Total revenues in 2005 increased 62% from 2004 to reach a new record
of $77.75 million.
-- 2.5G revenue in 2005 grew 40% from 2004 to $56.32 million.
-- 2G revenue increased 172% year-over-year to $21.26 million
-- Net income in 2005 increased 9% to $22.18 million from $20.37 million
in 2004. The Company made a one-time provision of $3.5 million
related to the pending settlement of the class-action lawsuit during
Diluted earnings per ADS for 2005 were $0.62, compared to $0.65
for 2004. If the Company had not made a one-time provision of $3.5
million related the settlement of the class-action lawsuit, the 2005
diluted earnings per ADS would have been $0.10 greater.
Commenting on the results, Yunfan Zhou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very proud of what we achieved in 2005, and we are particularly pleased that our revenue growth momentum continued in the fourth quarter. We believe we executed well on our diversified growth strategy, gained market share in the overall wireless value added services market, and sustained our leadership position in the 2.5G market. In the coming year, with our organic growth and acquisition of Sharp Edge, we believe we will further gain market share in our core WVAS business at all four of the telecom operators in China. Our diversified operator relationships will position us well in the upcoming introduction of 3G services in China. In 2006, we will invest heavily in preparation for 3G, building up the KongZhong brand, and expanding our wireless internet business which we believe has tremendous potential in the future."
Business Highlights:
-- In 2005, the Company believes it remained the leader in China in terms
of revenue from 2.5G services, including wireless access protocol
(WAP), MMS, and Java platforms, based on the public disclosure of
industry peers and our market analysis.
-- The movie "The Promise" was launched in China during the fourth
quarter. KongZhong has the exclusive wireless right to the movie's
content. A series of WAP, MMS, and color ring back tone (CRBT)
products have been developed and launched based on this movie and also
the movie, "The Myth."
-- KongZhong signed an agreement with Nokia to provide WVAS services to
Nokia's customers in mainland China through Nokia's official WAP
portal.
-- KongZhong signed an agreement with Motorola to promote KongZhong's
WVAS products offline at mobile phone stores.
-- The Company terminated its agreement with ESPN Sports due to certain
exclusivity issues.
-- KongZhong launched its internally developed game "Kung Fu Hustle" in
November 2005. Total downloads as of December 31, 2005 were
approximately 70,000. "Kung Fu Hustle" also received the Best
Mobile Game Award at the "2005 China Annual Game Industry
Conference."
-- KongZhong signed an agreement with Baidu.com to promote KongZhong's
Java games on Baidu's mobile game channel.
-- The Company generated over $20,000 in advertising revenue during the
fourth quarter of 2005. Both Motorola and Nokia placed advertisement
with the Company.
-- During the quarter, the Company established 8 additional CRBT
connection points at provincial operators of China Mobile, China
Unicom, China Telecom, and China Netcom. CRBT connection points
totaled 58 as of December 31, 2005.
Recent Developments:
-- On January 19, 2006, KongZhong announced that it had sold its shares
in eFriendsNet Entertainment Corp. ("EFN"), a leading social
networking community in China. The transaction has closed and
KongZhong has received cash consideration of $1,740,805. KongZhong
may receive additional payments contingent upon certain conditions.
An investment gain of approximately $1.2 million is expected to be
recognized in the first quarter 2006 financial statements.
-- On January 27, 2006, KongZhong announced that it signed a definitive
agreement to acquire 100% of Sharp Edge Group Limited ("Sharp Edge"),
a Beijing-based WVAS provider. The acquisition was completed during
the first quarter of 2006, and a cash consideration of $7 million has
been paid. Additional consideration of up to $28 million may be paid
on an "earn-out" basis in the next 15 months. The acquisition of
Sharp Edge will be recorded using the purchase method of accounting,
and accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities will be recorded
at their fair market value at the date of acquisition, and the results
of Sharp Edge will be consolidated since the date of acquisition.
-- On January 20, 2006, the United States District Court Southern
District of New York preliminarily approved the class action lawsuit
settlement agreement that was entered between the Company and the lead
plaintiff counsel. The Company made a settlement payment of $3.5
million into an escrow account during the first quarter of 2006. The
settlement is subject to final court approval and a final fairness
hearing is scheduled for April 2006.
Finncial Results:
(Note: Unless otherwise stated, all financial statement amounts used in this press release are based on US GAAP and denominated in US dollars.)
Revenues
Total revenue for the quarter increased 9% from the third quarter of 2005 and 34% from the same quarter of 2004 to reach a new record of $22.14 million. Revenue from 2.5G WVAS accounted for 67% of total WVAS revenue and revenue from 2G WVAS represented the remaining 33%.
Revenue from 2.5G services, which includes services delivered using WAP, MMS, and Java technologies, declined slightly from the same period of 2004 and grew 3% from the third quarter of 2005 to $14.75 million. WAP revenue in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $8.66 million, an increase of 12% from the fourth quarter of 2004, but a decrease of 9% from the third quarter of 2005. The sequential decline in WAP revenue was mainly caused by a new policy that was introduced by China Mobile in April 2005 pursuant to which WAP subscriptions that have not been active for eight months are automatically cancelled. In addition, the Company is facing more intensive competition for top WAP menu placements on China Mobile's Monternet. In response to this increase in WAP competition, KongZhong has devoted more resources to WAP product development and launched several new WAP products.
MMS revenue in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $4.93 million, a decrease of 27% from the same period of 2004, but an increase of 32% from the third quarter of 2005. The sequential growth in MMS is because of higher customer demand during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, increased promotion through handset manufacturers, and the greater stability of Mobile Information Service Center (MISC) platform at China Mobile. Java revenue in the fourth quarter was $1.16 million, a 325% increase from the fourth quarter of 2004 and an 8% increase from the third quarter of 2005.
Revenue from 2G services, including short messaging service (SMS), interactive voice response (IVR), and CRBT, grew 326% from the same period of last year and 25% from the third quarter of 2005 to $7.33 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. SMS revenue in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $5.57 million, which was 351% higher than the same period of 2004 and 35% higher than the previous quarter. Strong growth in SMS is due to the Company's increased promotional efforts through traditional media and handset manufacturers, and stabilizing Mobile Information Service Center (MISC) platform at China Mobile.
IVR revenue in the fourth quarter 2005 was $1.32 million, a 192% growth year-over-year, but 7% decline sequentially. CRBT revenue grew by more than 1284% year-over-year, and 30% sequentially to $0.44 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. The table below sets fourth the revenue breakdown by technology platforms.
4Q04 1Q05 2Q05 3Q05 Q405
2.5G: 90 % 80 % 74 % 71 % 67 %
WAP 47 % 60 % 53 % 47 % 40 %
MMS 41 % 18 % 18 % 19 % 22 %
Java 2 % 2 % 3 % 5 % 5 %
2G: 10 % 20 % 26 % 29 % 33 %
SMS 7 % 12 % 17 % 20 % 25 %
IVR 3 % 7 % 7 % 7 % 6 %
CRBT and others 0 % 1 % 2 % 2 % 2 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
By service/product category, the Company derived 54% of its revenue from interactive entertainment, 21% from media service, and 25% from community- related services (See table below for a detailed breakdown).
4Q04 1Q05 2Q05 3Q05 4Q05
Interactive Entertainment 50 % 52 % 57 % 59 % 54 %
Media 36 % 23 % 20 % 18 % 21 %
Community 14 % 25 % 23 % 23 % 25 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
The Company continues to make progress in diversifying operator relationships. Total revenues from the customers of China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Netcom accounted for approximately 7% of the total fourth quarter revenues, compared to 6% in the third quarter
For the fiscal year 2005, total revenues increased by 62% from 2004 to reach a new record $77.75 million. 2.5G revenue in 2005 grew by 40% from 2004 to $56.32 million, and 2G revenue was $21.26 million, a 172% increase from 2004.
Expenses
The cost of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2005 totaled $10.22 million, an increase of 81% from the fourth quarter of 2004 and 26% from the third quarter of 2005. The year-over-year increase was driven by significantly higher business activities and was primarily due to higher payments to mobile operators, handset manufacturers, and content partners. The increase in the cost of revenue from the previous quarter was primarily due to higher payments to handset manufactures as the Company has increased its promotional efforts through the handset manufacturers. Payments to handset manufacturers in the fourth quarter increased by approximately 50% from the previous quarter and accounted for 12% of fourth quarter revenue. In addition, the Company continues to execute on its diversified growth strategy by expanding into the 2G services and targeting the customers of China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Netcom. The gross margin from 2G services and these operators are in general lower than from the 2.5G customers of China Mobile. The gross margin for the fourth quarter declined to 54%.
Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005 were $6.23 million, a decrease of 33% over the previous quarter. The significant decrease in operating expenses is largely due to the $3.5 million one-time non-recurring provision related to the pending settlement of the class action lawsuit that was made during the third quarter of 2005. Excluding the one-time class action lawsuit related provision, total operating expenses in the fourth quarter increased by 8% from the third quarter.
Product development expense increased by 12% quarter-over-quarter and represented 12% of revenue. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 40% quarter-over-quarter and represented 8% of revenue. The increase in product development and sales and marketing expenses was due to higher headcount, year-end discretionary bonuses determined in the fourth quarter, and increased marketing and promotional expenses related to our WVAS and wireless internet businesses. The Company continues to invest heavily in its product development and sales and marketing capabilities, distribution channels, KongZhong brand, and new products in order to further broaden product offerings and pursue a diversified growth strategy.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 11% from the third quarter of 2005 and represented 8% of revenue.
The Company's headcount increased by 13% from 754 at the end of the third quarter of 2005 to 855 as of December 31, 2005.
Earnings
Net income totaled $6.26 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 5% from the same period of last year and an increase of 83% from $3.43 million in the third quarter of 2005. The Company's fourth quarter net income declined by approximately 9.6% from the previous quarter excluding the one-time class action lawsuit related provision made during the third quarter. The net margin was approximately 28% for the fourth quarter 2005. Diluted earnings per ADS were $0.17 for the fourth quarter, up from $0.10 in the previous quarter.
Net income for fiscal year 2005 was $22.18 million, an increase of 9% from 2004 net income of $20.37 million. The Company made a one-time provision of $3.5 million related to the pending settlement of the class-action lawsuit in 2005. Diluted earnings per ADS for 2005 were $0.62, compared to $0.65 for 2004. If the Company had not made a one-time provision of $3.5 million related the settlement of the class-action lawsuit, the 2005 diluted earnings per ADS would have been $0.10 greater.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
At the end of the quarter, the Company had $117.14 million in cash and cash equivalents. Cash flow from operating activities totaled $5.95 million in the fourth quarter 2005. For the fiscal year 2005, the Company generated $29.46 million in operating cash flow.
Business Outlook
The Company expects revenue for the first quarter 2006 to be between $24 and $25 million. Absent any significant changes in the policies and regulations of the telecom operators and Ministry of Information Industries in China, the Company estimates the fiscal year 2006 revenue to be between $105 million and $110 million.
Starting in the first quarter of 2006, the Company will adopt the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123R, "Share-Based Payment," to account for share based compensation. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Company estimates expense related to employee share options be $2 million to $3 million including the expense of options to be granted in 2006.
Excluding the expense related to employee share options, the Company estimates its first quarter 2006 diluted earnings per ADS be between $0.21 and $0.22. The diluted earnings per ADS estimate includes a one-time gain from the sale of EFN shares and a part of Sharp Edge's first quarter earnings.
Conference Call:
The Company's management team will conduct a conference call at 9:00 Am Beijing time on February 28 (8:00 pm Eastern time and 5:00 pm Pacific time on February 27, 2006). A webcast of this conference call will be accessible on the Company's web site at http://ir.kongzhong.com .
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(US$ thousands, except percentages, per share data, and share count)
(unaudited)
For the Three For the Three For the Three
Months Ended Months Ended Months Ended
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Dec. 31,
2004 2005 2005
(Note 1) (Note 2)
Revenues $16,494 $20,255 $22,140
Cost of revenues 5,648 8,120 10,222
Gross profit 10,846 12,135 11.918
Operating expense
Product development 1,412 2,287 2,566
Sales & marketing 1,413 1,308 1,825
General & administrative 1,606 1,945 1,728
Class action lawsuit
settlement and legal expenses
related to the issues in the
class-action litigation
commenced in August 2004 -- 3,629 33
Amortization of deferred
stock compensation 135 80 77
Subtotal 4,566 9,249 6,229
Operating income 6,280 2,886 5,689
Non-operating expense (income)
Interest expense (income) (333) (689) (797)
Other expense (income) 14 -- (65)
Subtotal (319) (689) (862)
Income before tax expense 6,599 3,575 6,551
Income tax expense -- 149 287
Net income 6,599 3,426 6,264
Basic earnings per ADS $0.19 $0.10 $0.18
Diluted earnings per ADS $0.19 $0.10 $0.17
Margin Analysis:
Gross margin 66 % 60 % 54 %
Operating margin 38 % 14 % 26 %
Net margin 40 % 17 % 28 %
Additional Data:
2.5G revenue $14,773 $14,366 $14,749
2G revenue 1,719 5,866 7,330
ADS outstanding (million) 34.25 34.45 34.57
ADS used in diluted EPS
calculation (million) 35.51 35.64 35.85
Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) for the
third quarter 2005 is based on the weighted average rate of USD
1.00=RMB 8.1391. (The noon buying rate from July 1 to July 21,
2005 was USD1.00=RMB8.2765, and the noon buying rate from July 22
to September 30, 2005 was approximately USD1.00=RMB 8.0987 in The
City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for
customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.)
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) for the
fourth quraer 2005 is based on the weighted average rate of USD
1.00=RMB 8.0829 (The noon buying rate in The City of New York for
cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York.)
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(US$ thousands, except percentages, per share data, and share count)
(unaudited)
For the 12 For the 12
Months Ended Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2004 Dec. 31, 2005
(Note 1) (Note 2)
Revenues $47,969 $77,753
Cost of revenues 15,705 31,323
Gross profit 32,264 46,430
Operating expense
Product development 4,358 8,407
Sales & marketing 3,228 5,313
General & administrative 4,407 7,458
Class action lawsuit settlement and legal
Expenses related to the issues raised in
the class-action litigation commenced in
August 2004 -- 4,844
Amortization of deferred stock compensation 483 348
Subtotal 12,476 26,370
Operating income 19,788 20,060
Non-operating expense (income)
Interest expense (income) (602) (2,583)
Other expense (income) 21 (62)
Subtotal (581) (2645)
Income before tax expense 20,369 22,705
Income tax expense -- 530
Net income 20,369 22,175
Basic earnings per ADS $0.90 $0.64
Diluted earnings per ADS $0.65 $0.62
Margin Analysis:
Gross margin 67 % 60 %
Operating margin 41 % 26 %
Net margin 43 % 29 %
Additional Data:
2.5G revenue $40,149 $56,318
2G revenue 7,809 21,258
ADS outstanding (million) 34.25 34.43
ADS used in diluted EPS calculation (million) 31.30 35.62
Note 1: The financial information for fiscal year 2004 is derived from
the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2004 filed on Form 20-F.
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) for 2005 is
based on the weighted average rate of USD 1.00=RMB 8.1938. (The
noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of
RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York.)
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(US$ thousands)
(unaudited)
For the 12-Month For the 12-Month
Ended Ended
Dec. 31 2004 Dec. 31, 2005
(Note 1) (Note 2)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Income $20,369 $22,175
Adjustments
Amortization of deferred stock
compensation 483 348
Depreciation and amortization 794 1,825
Disposal of property and equipment 1 (2)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities (5,802) 5,112
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities 15,845 29,458
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of property and equipment (2,433) (2,148)
Proceeds from disposal of property and
equipment 2 1
Acquisition of long-term investments -- (500)
Acquisition of subsidiaries -- (1,323)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (2,431) (3,970)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Exercised employee share options -- 303
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary
shares upon initial public offering,
net of issuance costs 73,435 --
Increase (decrease) in minority interest 121 (97)
Net Cash Provided by Financing
Activities 73,556 206
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments 1 734
Net increase in Cash and Cash
Equivalents 86,971 26,428
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of
Year 3,743 90,714
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year 90,714 117,142
Note 1: The financial information for fiscal year 2004 is derived from
the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2004 filed on Form 20-F.
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) for 2005 is
based on the weighted average rate of USD 1.00=RMB 8.1938. (The
noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of
RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York.)
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(US$ thousands)
(unaudited)
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Dec. 31,
2004 2005 2005
(Note 1) (Note 2) (Note 3)
Cash and cash equivalents $90,714 $111,725 $117,142
Accounts receivable (net) 10,199 10,243 10,834
Other current assets 720 1,504 1,657
Total current assets 101,633 123,472 129,633
Rental deposits 256 392 404
Intangible assets -- 276 261
Property and equipment (net) 2,484 3,089 3,116
Long-term investment -- 500 500
Goodwill -- 646 1,169
Total assets $104,373 $128,375 $135,083
Accounts payable $2,499 $4,048 $3,995
Other current liabilities 1,899 7,248 7,290
Amount due to related party 46 -- --
Total current liabilities 4,444 11,296 11,285
Minority interest 121 24 24
Total liabilities 4,565 11,320 11,309
Shareholders' equity 99,808 117,055 123,774
Total liabilities & shareholders'
equity $104,373 $128,375 $135,083
Note 1: The financial information at December 31, 2004 is derived from
the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2004 filed on Form 20-F.
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) is based on
the exchange rate of September 30, 2005 USD1.00=RMB 8.0920.
Note 3: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollar (USD) is based on
the exchange rate of December 31, 2005 USD1.00=RMB 8.0702.
About KongZhong
KongZhong Corporation is a leading provider of advanced Second generation (2.5G) wireless interactive entertainment, media, and community services to consumers in China. The Company delivers a broad range of services, through multiple technology platforms, which users can access directly from their mobile phones by choosing an icon embedded in select models of handsets or from a mobile operator's portal or web site.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding trends in the wireless value-added services market and our future results of operations, financial condition and business prospects. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends and our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued competitive pressure in China's wireless interactive services market and the effect of such pressure on prices; unpredictable changes in technology, consumer demand and usage preferences in this market; the state of and any change in our relationship with China's telecommunications operators; our dependence on the billing systems of mobile operators for our performance; changes in the regulatory policies of the Ministry of Information Industry and other relevant government authorities; and changes in political, economic, legal and social conditions in China, including the Chinese government's policies with respect to economic growth, foreign exchange, foreign investment and entry by foreign companies into China's telecommunications market. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Contact:
JP Gan
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +86-10-8857-6000
Fax: +86-10-8857-5891
Email: ir@kongzhong.com
Media Contact:
Xiaohu Wang
Manager
Tel: +86-10-8857-6000
Fax: +86-10-8857-5900
Email: xiaohu@kongzhong.com
Source: prnewswire
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