SHANGHAI, Dec 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Noah Holdings Limited ("Noah" or the "Company") (NYSE: NOAH), the leading independent service provider focusing on distributing wealth management products to the high net worth population in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

THIRD QUARTER 2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues were US$10.2 million, representing an increase of 208.5% from US$3.3 million in the third quarter of 2009.
• Income from operations was US$4.3 million, representing an increase of 592.0% from US$0.6 million in the third quarter of 2009. Operating margin was 42.5%, as compared to 19.0% in the third quarter of 2009.
• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders was US$3.1 million, representing an increase of 521.8% from US$0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP¹ net income attributable to Noah shareholders was US$3.4 million, representing an increase of 185.5% from US$1.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. Net margin was 30.8%, as compared to 15.3% in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net margin was 33.1%, as compared to 35.8% in the third quarter of 2009.
• Net income per basic and diluted ADS was US$0.07, as compared to US$0.01 in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS was US$0.08, as compared to US$0.03 in the third quarter of 2009.

THIRD QUARTER 2010 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• As of September 30, 2010, the Company's total number of registered clients grew 62.5% year-over-year to 14,218, including 13,899 registered individual clients, 294 registered enterprise clients and 25 wholesale clients that have entered into cooperation agreements with the Company.
• The Company had 566 active clients² during the third quarter of 2010, representing a 15% increase from 492 during the third quarter of 2009.
• The aggregate value of wealth management products distributed by the Company during the third quarter of 2010 was RMB4.8 billion (approximately US$714.8 million), representing a 264.9% increase from the third quarter of 2009. Of such aggregate value, fixed income products accounted for 27.6%, private equity fund products accounted for 68.7%, and securities investment funds and investment-linked insurance products accounted for 3.7%.
• The average transaction value per client³ increased 217.2% year-over-year to RMB8.5 million (approximately US$1.3 million), as compared to RMB2.7 million (approximately US$0.4 million) for the third quarter of 2009.
• As of September 30, 2010, Noah's coverage network included 28 branches, as compared to 15 branches as of September 30, 2009. The number of relationship managers increased to 308 as of September 30, 2010 from 210 as of September 30, 2009.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, Co-founder, Chairwoman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have achieved a significant milestone in our company's history by successfully listing on the New York Stock Exchange last month. The listing is of strategic importance as it has not only provided us with financial resources for further expansions, but enhances our brand equity among our clients and our product providers. We will continue to focus on serving China's high net worth population, which we believe is experiencing rapid growth as a result of China's economic expansion."

Mr. Tom Wu, Chief Financial Officer, added, "We are pleased with our third quarter 2010 financial results, which demonstrated our ability to execute our focused strategy and business plan. Our strong revenue growth this quarter is a reflection of the strong secular growth of China's high net worth population, a still under-served market, and Noah's unique market positioning as the leading independent service provider focusing on distributing wealth management products to the high net worth population in China."

THIRD QUARTER 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the third quarter of 2010 were US$10.2 million, representing an increase of 208.5% from US$3.3 million in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year increase was attributable to an increase of US$5.0 million in one-time commissions and an increase of US$1.9 million in recurring service fees.

Net revenues from one-time commissions for the third quarter of 2010 were US$8.2 million, a year-over-year increase of 156.3% from US$3.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by increases in the number of active clients and the average transaction value per client.

Net revenues from recurring service fees for the third quarter of 2010 were US$2.0 million, a year-over-year increase of 19 times from US$0.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase in the transaction value of private equity fund products distributed.

Operating Margin

The Company's operating margin for the quarter was 42.5%, compared to 19.0% in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year improvement in operating margin was primarily due to an increase in net revenues, and the lack of certain share-based compensation expenses.

Operating cost and expenses, including cost of revenues, selling expenses, general and administrative (G&A) expenses and other operating income, were US$5.9 million, a year-over-year increase of 118.8% from US$2.7 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Cost of revenues was US$1.8 million, a year-over-year increase of 221.4% from US$0.6 million in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year rise in the cost of revenues was primarily due to an increase in compensation expenses paid to relationship managers.

Selling expenses were US$2.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 124.3% from US$1.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 23.6%, representing a decrease from 32.4% in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year rise in selling expenses was primarily due to an increase of US$0.8 million in personnel expenses related to selling efforts, an increase of US$0.3 million in rental expenses and an increase of US$0.2 million in travel expenses as a result of the Company's network expansion.

G&A expenses were US$1.7 million, a year-over-year increase of 51.8% from US$1.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. G&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 16.4%, representing a decrease from 33.4% in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year rise in G&A expenses was primarily due to an increase of US$0.5 million in employee compensation expenses contributable to G&A expenses as a result of the expansion of the Company.

Gain (Loss) on Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company did not record a loss on change in fair value of derivative liabilities as it did in the corresponding period in 2009, as the redemption provisions of series A preferred shares that had triggered the accounting treatment of derivative liabilities were modified in June 2010. In the corresponding period in 2009, such loss was recorded as US$0.4 million.

Income Tax Expenses

The Company recorded US$1.3 million of income tax expenses in the third quarter of 2010, whereas it recorded US$0.2 million of income tax benefit in the corresponding period in 2009. when uncertain tax liabilities in the amount of US$0.8 million recorded during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 was reversed.

Net Income

Net income attributable to Noah shareholders was US$3.1 million, a year-over-year increase of 521.8% from US$0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009. Net margin was 30.8%, as compared to 15.3% in the third quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP net income was US$3.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 185.5% from US$1.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net margin was 33.1%, as compared to 35.8% in the third quarter of 2009. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the reversal in the third quarter of 2009 of previously recorded US$0.8 million in uncertain tax liabilities, which boosted the Non-GAAP net margin in that period.

Income per basic and diluted ADS was US$0.07, as compared to US$0.01 in the third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP income per diluted ADS was US$0.08, as compared to US$0.03 in the third quarter of 2009.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2010, the Company had US$21.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase from US$17.1 million as of June 30, 2010. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company generated US$3.7 million from operating activities and US$1.1 million from maturity of held-to-maturity investments, and used US$0.3 million cash to acquire property and equipment.

The Company generated net proceeds of US$105.2 million as the result of its New York Stock Exchange listing completed on November 10, 2010.

FISCAL YEAR 2010 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be in the range of US$12.8 million and US$13.2 million, representing a year-over-year increase in the range of 138.7% and 146.2%. This estimate reflects management's current business outlook and is subject to change.

CONFERENCE CALL

Senior management will host a conference call at 8:00 am (Eastern) / 5:00 am (Pacific) / 9:00 pm (Beijing) on Thursday, December 16, 2010 to discuss its third quarter 2010 financial results and recent business activity. The conference call may be accessed by calling the following numbers:

A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call until December 23, 2010 at (US Toll Free) +1-888-286-8010 or (US Toll) +1-617-801-6888. Passcode: 22746453.

A live webcast of the conference call and replay is available in the investor relations section of the Company's website at: http://ir.noahwm.com.

DISCUSSION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES:

In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the effects of all forms of share-based compensation and loss or gain on change in fair value of derivative liabilities. The non-GAAP financial measures used by management and disclosed by the Company exclude the income statement effects of all forms of share-based compensation and loss or gain on change in fair value of derivative liabilities. The reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP measures to is set forth in the table captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results" below.

The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results should be carefully evaluated. The non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company may be prepared differently from and, therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

When evaluating the Company's operating performance in the periods presented, management reviewed non-GAAP net income results reflecting adjustments to exclude the impacts of share-based compensation and change in fair value of derivative liabilities to supplement U.S. GAAP financial data. As such, the Company believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income(loss), and non-GAAP income(loss) per diluted ADS provides important supplemental information to investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the Company's financial condition and results of operations in a manner consistent with that used by management. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, the Company recognized significant amounts of expenses for the restricted shares and of loss (gain) on change in fair value of derivative liabilities in the periods presented. As the Company removed the restrictions on such shares and revised the relevant provisions of the Company's series A preferred shares that triggered the accounting treatment of derivative liabilities in June 2010, the Company does not expect to incur similar expenses in the future. To make financial results comparable period by period, the Company utilized the non-GAAP financial results to better understand its historical business operations.

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited is the leading service provider focusing on distributing wealth management products to the high net worth population in China. Noah distributes over-the-counter wealth management products that are originated in China, including primarily fixed income products, private equity funds and securities investment funds. With over 300 relationship managers in 28 branch offices, Noah's total coverage network encompasses China's most economically developed regions where the high net worth population is concentrated. Through this extensive coverage network, product sophistication, and client knowledge, the Company caters to the wealth management needs of China's high net worth population. For more information please visit the Company's website at http://www.noahwm.com/.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the fiscal year2010 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Noah's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to fourth parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause 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 wealth management market in China and internationally; our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products we distribute; our expectations regarding keeping and strengthening our relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; our ability to attract and retain quality employees; our ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; our plans to invest in research and development to enhance our product choices and service offerings; competition in our industry in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions in China; and our ability to effectively protect our intellectual property rights and not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended. Noah 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. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of December 15, 2010, and Noah undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE: Noah Holdings Limited

Noah Holdings Limited
Investor Relations
+86 21 3860 2388
or
Investor Relations (HK):
Taylor Rafferty
Savoy Lee, +852 3196 3712
Director
or
Investor Relations (US):
Taylor Rafferty
Delia Cannan, +1-212-889-4350
Director