SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2012-- 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 fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

FOURTH QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$14.4 million, essentially flat compared with the corresponding period in 2010.
• Income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$2.1 million, a 65.6% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010.
• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$3.5 million, a 16.8% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. Non-GAAP¹ net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$4.3 million, a 9.0% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010.
• Net income per basic and diluted ADS in the fourth quarter of 2011 were both US$0.06. Non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS in the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$0.07.

FULL YEAR 2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenues in the full year 2011 were US$72.2 million, a 90.6% increase from 2010.
• Income from operations in the full year 2011 was US$25.1 million, a 60.0% increase from 2010.
• Net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the full year 2011 was US$24.0 million, a 107.9% increase from 2010. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders in the full year 2011 was US$26.1 million, a 95.0% increase from 2010.
• Net income per basic and diluted ADS in the full year 2011 were US$0.43 and US$0.42, respectively. Non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS in the full year 2011 was US$0.46.

FOURTH QUARTER 2011 AND FULL YEAR 2011 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Total number of registered clients as of December 31, 2011 increased by 66.6% year-over-year to 27,144; this figure includes 26,340 registered individual clients, 745 registered enterprise clients and 59 wholesale clients that have entered into cooperation agreements with the Company.
• Active clients² during the fourth quarter of 2011 were 937, a 50.9% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. The aggregate value of wealth management products distributed by the Company during the fourth quarter of 2011 was RMB4.3 billion (approximately US$0.7 billion)³, a 2.7% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. Of this aggregate value, fixed income products accounted for 65.2%, private equity fund products accounted for 34.2%, and securities investment funds and investment-linked insurance products accounted for 0.6%. The average transaction value per client⁴ in the fourth quarter of 2011 was RMB4.6 million (approximately US$0.7 million), a 35.5% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010, primarily due to changes in product mix as clients purchased more fixed income products that have lower minimum investment amount than private equity fund products.
• Coverage network as of December 31, 2011 included 59 branches, up from 39 branches as of December 31, 2010. The number of relationship managers increased to 510 as of December 31, 2011, up 49.6% year-over-year.
• Active clients for the full year 2011 were 3,095, an 89.8% increase from 2010. The aggregate value of wealth management products distributed by the Company for the full year 2011 was RMB22.6 billion (approximately US$3.5 billion), a 56.7% increase from 2010. Of this aggregate value, fixed income products accounted for 42.7%, private equity fund products accounted for 48.0%, and securities investment funds and investment-linked insurance products accounted for 9.3%. The average transaction value per client for the full year 2011 was RMB7.3 million (approximately US$1.1 million), a 17.4% decrease from 2010, primarily due to changes in product mix as clients purchased lesser private equity fund products that have higher minimum investment amount than fixed income products, securities investment funds and investment-linked insurance products.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, Co-founder, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This has been another growth and profitable year for Noah together with strong network expansion. Looking forward, Noah will continue to build upon our leading position in China’s wealth management industry by deepening our local market penetration.” Ms. Wang continued, “Recently, we have made strategic progress in several areas, including being granted a mutual fund distribution license by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, which we announced on February 22, 2012, as well as opening an office in Hong Kong, which is our first office outside the Chinese mainland and has obtained a license from the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to deal in securities, advise on securities and provide asset management services. We are also pleased to announce our first annual dividend which we believe is in the best interests of our shareholders.”

Mr. Tom Wu, Chief Financial Officer, said, “In 2011, we made significant investments in our infrastructure and talent which we expect to leverage in the upcoming years. In 2012 we will continue to focus on growth, profitability and productivity. And our first dividend since our initial public offering in November 2010 reflects our commitment to shareholders and the Company’s strong cash flow.”

FOURTH QUARTER 2011 AND FULL YEAR 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$14.4 million, essentially flat compared with the corresponding period in 2010. An increase in net revenues in recurring service fees offset a decline in net revenues in one-time commissions for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net revenues from one-time commissions for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$7.5 million, a 27.0% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by declines in both transaction value and the average transaction value per client.

Net revenues from recurring service fees for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$6.9 million, an 87.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the cumulative effect of private equity fund and securities investment fund products distributed previously.

Net revenues for the full year 2011 were US$72.2 million, a 90.6% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increase was attributable to an increase of US$20.4 million in one-time commissions and an increase of US$13.9 million in recurring service fees.

Net revenues from one-time commissions for the full year 2011 were US$49.6 million, a 69.7% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by a significant increase in aggregate value of wealth management products distributed by the Company.

Net revenues from recurring service fees for the full year 2011 were US$22.5 million, a 161.5% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the cumulative effect of private equity fund and securities investment fund products distributed previously.

Operating Margin

Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 14.5%, as compared to 43.4% for the corresponding period in 2010. Operating margin for the full year 2011 was 34.8%, as compared to 41.4% for 2010. The year-over-year operating margin decreases for the fourth quarter of 2011 and the full year 2011 were primarily due to an increase in operating cost and expenses resulting from the Company’s expansions outpacing its net revenue growth.

Operating cost and expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011, including cost of revenues, selling expenses, G&A expenses and other operating income, were US$12.4 million, a 56.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. Operating cost and expenses for the full year 2011 were US$47.1 million, a 112.2% increase from 2010.

Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled US$3.8 million, a 48.8% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. Cost of revenues for the full year 2011 totaled US$14.8 million, a 125.3% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increases for the fourth quarter 2011 and full year 2011 were primarily due to increases in compensation expenses paid to relationship managers mainly as a result of the expansion of the Company’s sales force.

Selling expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$5.4 million, a 53.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 37.5%, as compared to 25.2% for the corresponding period in 2010. Selling expenses for the full year 2011 were US$19.3 million, a 126.9% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increases for the fourth quarter of 2011 and full year 2011 were primarily due to increases in personnel expenses, rental expenses, client service fees, share-based compensation expenses and office expenses as a result of the Company’s network expansions.

G&A expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$3.1 million, a 71.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2010. G&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 21.7%, as compared to 13.1% for the corresponding period in 2010. G&A expenses for the full year 2011 were US$13.6 million, an 85.9% increase from 2010. The year-over-year increases for the fourth quarter of 2011 and full year 2011 were primarily due to increases in rental expenses, expenses related to employee activities and trainings.

Income Tax Expenses

Income tax expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were US$0.4 million, a 76.9% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to a decrease in taxable income and an increase in deferred tax income.

Income tax expenses for the full year 2011 were US$7.8 million, a 62.4% increase from US$4.8 million in 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in taxable income.

Net Income

Net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$3.5 million, a 16.8% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. Net margin for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 24.5%, as compared to 30.3% for the corresponding period in 2010. Income per basic and diluted ADS for the fourth quarter of 2011 were both US$0.06, as compared to US$0.08 for the corresponding period in 2010.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$4.3 million, a 9.0% decrease from the corresponding period in 2010. Non-GAAP net margin for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 29.4%, as compared to 33.3% for the corresponding period in 2010. Non-GAAP income per diluted ADS for the fourth quarter of 2011 was US$0.07, as compared to US$0.09 for the corresponding period in 2010.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had US$136.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of US$0.6 million from US$137.5 million as of September 30, 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company generated US$4.7 million in its operating activities, received US$3.0 million from the maturity of fixed-term deposits, invested US$8.2 million in fixed income products and used US$1.2 million to acquire property and equipment.

DECLARATION OF CASH DIVIDEND

Noah also announced today that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has authorized and approved the Company’s payment of an annual cash dividend of US$0.14 per American depositary share (“ADS”), or US$0.28 per ordinary share (two ADSs represent one ordinary share). The annual dividend is the first since Noah’s initial public offering in November 2010 and will be payable on or about April 15, 2012 to holders of ordinary shares (which includes holders of ADSs) of record as of the close of business on March 30, 2012. Dividends to be paid to the Company’s ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of the Board and may be adjusted as the Board may deem necessary or appropriate in the future.

2012 FORECAST

The Company estimates that non-GAAP net income attributable to Noah shareholders for the full year 2012 is expected to be in a range of US$30.0 million and US$35.0 million, representing a year-over-year increase in the range of 14.8% and 34.0%. This estimate reflects management’s current business outlook and is subject to change.

CONFERENCE CALL

Senior management will host a conference call on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 8:00 pm (Eastern) / 5:00 pm (Pacific) / 9:00 am (Hong Kong, Wednesday, February 29) to discuss its fourth quarter 2011 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 March 7, 2012 at +1-866-214-5335 (US Toll Free) or +61-2-8235-5000 (International).Conference ID # 48230782.

A live webcast of the conference call and replay will be 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. The reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP measures 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 to supplement U.S. GAAP financial data. As such, the Company believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP income per diluted ADS and non-GAAP net margin 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 share options in the periods presented. 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 independent 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 500 relationship managers in 59 branch offices as of December 31, 2011, 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 full year 2012 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 third 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 annual report on Form 20-F. 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 the date of this press release, and Noah undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Source: Noah Holdings Limited

Noah Holdings Limited
Shang Chuang, +86 21 3860 2388
Director of IR
ir@noahwm.com