Focus Media Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

SHANGHAI, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN), China's leading digital media group, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

Highlights for Third Quarter 2010:

• Total net revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $137.4 million, of which
• Aggregate net revenue from the LCD display network (including the movie theater network), in-store network and poster frame network was $128.4 million, which exceeded by approximately 6% the mid-point of the Company's guidance range of $120-123 million. It represented an increase of 14% from $112.2 million for the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 45% from $88.7 million for the third quarter of 2009;
• The net revenue from the traditional outdoor billboard network for the third quarter of 2010 was $8.9 million. The net revenue of the internet business from July 1, 2010 till July 31, 2010, the date of disposal, was $16.8 million. The internet business was reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented due to disposal in the early part of the third quarter of 2010 and hence, the net revenue of $16.8 million was not included in the total net revenue of $137.4 million. For detailed results of Internet business, please see note 2 to unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Aggregate net revenue from the traditional outdoor billboard network and Internet advertising services (through the date of disposal) for the third quarter of 2010 was $25.7 million, which exceeded by approximately 23% the mid-point of the guidance range of $20-22 million.
• GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media was $112.7 million, compared to $25.3 million for the second quarter of 2010, and net loss attributable to Focus Media of $127.6 million for the third quarter of 2009. The GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2010 includes a non-recurring income of $79.0 million resulting from the sale of our Internet business.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media for the third quarter of 2010 was $51.8 million, also exceeding the mid-point of Company's guidance range of $48-$49 million by 7%, compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media of $44.3 million for the second quarter of 2010 and non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media of $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. Please see below section on "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to within this announcement.
• GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media per fully diluted ADS was $0.76, compared to $0.17 per fully diluted ADS for the second quarter of 2010 and a loss of $0.99 per ADS in the third quarter of 2009.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Focus Media per fully diluted ADS was $0.35, compared to $0.30 per fully diluted ADS for the second quarter of 2010, and $0.06 per fully diluted ADS for the third quarter of 2009.

Highlights for Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Results of Third Quarter 2010:

• Cash, cash equivalents and investments in held-to-maturity debt securities was $499.4 million as of September 30, 2010, declining from $588.3 million as of June 30, 2010 primarily due to cash spending in share repurchases. The Company invested $116.1 million during the third quarter of 2010 in held-to-maturity debt securities.
• Net accounts receivable for the LCD display network (including the movie theater network), in-store network and poster frame network was $153.5 million as of September 30, 2010, an increase of 14% from $134.6 million as of June 30, 2010, mainly due to increase in revenue in the third quarter versus the second quarter. Days sales outstanding on a rolling basis was 92 days in the third quarter of 2010 versus 86 days for the second quarter of 2010.
• Net cash inflow from operation activities in the third quarter of 2010 was $34.2 million, slightly declining by 9% from $37.8 million for the second quarter of 2010 mainly due to negative working capital contributed by the internet business prior to disposition.
• Capital expenditures were $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2010.
• Purchase of subsidiaries related to historical acquisitions paid in the third quarter of 2010 was $3.8 million, primarily attributable to the poster frame network.

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."

Third Quarter 2010 financial results

Advertising net revenue from the LCD display network (including the movie theatre network) was $86.8 million for the third quarter of 2010, representing an increase of 14% from $76.1 million for the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 47% from $58.9 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Advertising net revenue from the poster frame network was $32.2 million for the third quarter of 2010, representing an increase of 28% from $25.2 million for the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 46% from $22.1 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Advertising net revenue from the in-store network was $9.4 million for the third quarter of 2010, representing a decrease of 14% from $10.9 million for the second quarter of 2010 mainly due to a beverage advertising heat in the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 24% from $7.6 million for the third quarter of 2009.

As of September 30, 2010, the total installed base of LCD displays in our LCD display network was 149,913 nationwide, including 144,392 displays through our directly owned networks, and 5,521 displays through our regional distributors, as compared to total LCD displays of 142,305 as of June 30, 2010. The total number of non-digital frames available for sale in our poster frame network was 276,504 as of September 30, 2010, as compared to 238,689 as of June 30, 2010.  In addition, as of September 30, 2010, we had 35,983 digital frames installed in our poster frame network, as compared to 35,835 as of June 30, 2010. The total number of displays installed in our in-store network was 45,613 as of September 30, 2010, as compared to 45,686 as of June 30, 2010.

Advertising net revenue from the traditional outdoor billboard network was $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2010, representing a decrease of 14% from $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2010 and a decrease of 7% from $9.6 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP gross profit from the LCD display network (including the movie theatre network) for the third quarter of 2010 was $65.6 million, representing an increase of 9% from $60.2 million for the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 89% from $34.8 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP gross profit from the poster frame network for the third quarter of 2010 was $12.2 million, representing an increase of 61% from $7.6 million for the second quarter of 2010, and an increase of 6.2 times from $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP gross profit from the in-store network for the third quarter of 2010 was $3.4 million, representing a decrease of 28% from $4.7 million for the second quarter of 2010 due to decline of the net revenue quarter over quarter and compared to non-GAAP gross loss of $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP gross profit from the traditional outdoor billboard network for the third quarter of 2010 was $2.3 million, representing a 12% decline from $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2010 and $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2009 respectively.

Non-GAAP operating expense for the third quarter of 2010 was $32.2 million, an increase of 11% from $28.9 million for the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 37% from $23.5 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the third quarter of 2010 was $34.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the third quarter was $53.1 million. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company incurred capital expenditures of $6.7 million, subsidiary acquisition payments of $3.8 million. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company also invested $116.1 million in held-to-maturity debt securities and received net proceeds of $73.3 million from the disposal of the internet business.

Net cash used in financing activities for the third quarter was $193.2 million. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company spent $200 million to repurchase the shares of the Company from Fosun International, our largest shareholder.

Business Outlook for Fourth Quarter 2010

Prior to the start of the third quarter of 2010, the core business of the Company consisted of the LCD display network, the movie theatre network, poster frame network and in-store network. The non-core business consisted of the traditional outdoor billboard network, Internet advertising services and the movie theater network. From the third quarter of 2010, the Company re-categorized the movie theater network from non-core business to core business and presented it in the category of LCD display network and other. Following the re-categorization, the core business of the Company consists of the LCD display network and other, poster frame network and In-store network, and the non-core business of the Company consists of the traditional outdoor billboard network only (the Internet advertising services have been sold in the early part of third quarter of 2010) from the third quarter of 2010.

The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2010:

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 $130 -$132 million, the mid-point of which would represent quarter-on-quarter growth of 2% and year-on-year growth of 30%. Net revenues for the non-core business (the traditional outdoor billboard network) are expected to be in the range of $10 - $11 million. The Company's non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $52-$53 million. The Company estimates the weighted average fully diluted ADS count for the quarter at 142 million, assuming no further share repurchases during the quarter.

The Company incurred cumulative earn-out payments of $25.1 million in the first three quarters of 2010. Based on the existing business outlook, the Company expects earn-out payments remaining in the fourth quarter of 2010, or partially spilled over into the first quarter of 2011, to be no more than $9.9 million and cumulatively no more than $35 million for 2010 versus our previous guidance of $38 million.

Announced Share Repurchase Program

On August 3, 2010, Focus Media announced its intention to increase the size of its previously announced share repurchase program from $200 million to $300 million and to extend the termination date of the repurchase plan to June 2011 from February 2011. As of November 22, 2010, the Company has cumulatively spent $237 million in share repurchases.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of September 30, 2010, which was $1 to RMB 6.7011. Equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the third quarter of 2010, which was $1 to RMB 6.7803. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of other comprehensive income in the statement of equity and comprehensive income (loss).

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to Focus Media's consolidated financial results under GAAP, the Company also provides non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP gross profit (cumulatively and by segment), non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating profit (loss),  non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP fully-diluted EPS, all excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of acquired intangible assets, loss from disposal of previously acquired subsidiaries and equity affiliates, impairment charges of long-lived assets and goodwill, write-off of receivables from ex-shareholders of disposed business,  Impairment and termination charges related to ceasing expansion of digital poster frame networks and boat-based advertising platform charges from expensing IPO expenditures as a result of termination of the IPO process of Allyes and the profit from the disposal of the internet business  Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to better assess operating performance of the Company. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with another method for assessing Focus Media's operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of its ongoing operations. Readers are cautioned not to view non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies, and should refer to the reconciliation of GAAP results with non-GAAP results in the attached financial information. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the performance of Focus Media and when planning and forecasting future periods. The Company computes its non-GAAP financial measures using a consistent method from quarter to quarter, mostly including Share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, profit or loss from disposal of previously acquired subsidiaries and impairment charges. The accompanying tables have more details on the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures and the related reconciliation between these financial measures.

CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter 2010 results at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 22, 2010 (5:00 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on November 22, 2010 and 9:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 23, 2010). The dial-in details for the live conference call are set forth below: U.S. Toll Free Number +1.866.783.2145, Hong Kong dial-in number +852.3002.1672, International dial-in number +1.857.350.1604; Pass code: 99191997.

A replay of the call will be available from November 22, 2010 11:00 pm until November 30, 2010 (US Eastern Time). The dial-in details for the replay are set forth below: U.S. Toll Free Number +1-888-286-8010, International dial-in number +1-617-801-6888; Pass code 82337763.  Additionally, a live and archived web cast of this call will be available on the Focus Media web site at http://ir.focusmedia.cn.

SAFE HARBOR: FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Focus Media may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on forms 20-F and 6-K., 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 Focus Media's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks outlined in Focus Media's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statements on Form F-1, F-3 and 20-F, in each case as amended. Focus Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

This release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States.  Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.  Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the issuer or selling security holder and that will contain detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements.

ABOUT FOCUS MEDIA HOLDING LIMITED

Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN) is China's leading multi- platform digital media company, operating the largest out-of-home advertising network in China using audiovisual digital displays, based on the number of locations and number of flat-panel television displays in our network. Through Focus Media's multi-platform digital advertising network, the company reaches urban consumers at strategic locations and point-of-interests over a number of media formats, including audiovisual television displays in buildings and stores, advertising poster frames and other new and innovative media, such as outdoor light-emitting diode and LED digital billboard. As of September 30, 2010, Focus Media's digital out-of-home advertising network had approximately 150,000 LCD displays in its LCD display network and approximately 312,000 advertising in-elevator poster and digital frames, installed in over 90 cities throughout China. For more information about Focus Media, please visit our website at http://ir.focusmedia.cn.