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Focus Media Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results

SHANGHAI, China, March 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Focus Media Holding Limited (Nasdaq: FMCN), China's largest digital media group, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008.

Basis of Presentation

On December 9, 2008, Focus Media (the "Company") announced the restructuring of its CGEN in-store advertising network and the termination of its remaining wireless advertising (interactive marketing) business. Subsequently, on December 22, 2008, the Company announced the sale to SINA Corporation of substantially all of the assets of its out-of-home digital networks, including LCD display networks, Poster Frame networks and In-Store networks. As a result of the above transactions, these lines of businesses have been accounted as discontinued operations in accordance with US GAAP in the financial statements that accompany this press release. Certain results for the total company, however, have been provided to assist the readers in understanding the overall results of the Company relative to the guidance for the fourth quarter of 2008 that was provided by the Company on November 10, 2008. As such, the term "Total Company" as used in this press release includes both continuing and discontinued operations of the Company.

    Highlights for Fourth Quarter 2008:
    -- Total Company net revenue was $192.1 million, declining 15% from $224.8
       million for the third quarter of 2008 and meeting the company's
       previous guidance for the fourth quarter of 2008 of between $190
       million and $200 million.
    -- Net loss was $800.3 million or -$6.22 per fully diluted ADS, compared
       to net income of $51.3 million for the third quarter of 2008 or $0.38
       per fully diluted ADS.
    -- Non-GAAP net income was $50.0 million or $0.39 per fully diluted ADS,
       declining 30% from $71.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 or $0.53
       per fully diluted ADS and below the Company's previous guidance for the
       fourth quarter of 2008 of between $60 million and $61 million.
    -- Continuing operations net revenue was $87.2 million and net loss from
       continuing operations was $422.2 million; Non-GAAP net income from
       continuing operations was $7.3 million.
    -- Discontinued operations net revenue was $104.9 million and net loss
       from discontinued operations was $378.1 million; Non-GAAP net income
       from discontinued operations was $42.7 million.

    Highlights for the Full Year 2008:
    -- Total Company net revenue was $790.2 million for the full year 2008, as
       compared to $506.6 million for the full year 2007.
    -- Continuing operations net revenue was $369.6 million.
    -- Non-GAAP net income was $221.9 million for the full year 2008, as
       compared to $190.6 million for the full year 2007.
    -- Net loss from continuing operations was $414.9 million.
    -- Net loss from discontinued operations was $353.5 million.
    -- Net loss was $768.5 million for the full year 2008, as compared to net
       income of $144.4 million for full year 2007.

Jason Jiang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Focus Media said, "The fourth quarter 2008 was particularly challenging period to Focus Media. During the quarter, we incurred significant non-cash restructuring and impairment charges due to severe adverse changes in macro and micro business environments. However, our core business has held relatively well. Though we saw revenue in fourth quarter declined 15% to $192 million from $224.8 million of third quarter 2008, we have significantly improved our account receivable collection and as a result, our account receivable balance has dropped to $278.8 million as of December 31, 2008 from $346.3 million as of September 30, 2008."

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 balance sheet results
    -- Cash and cash equivalents for Total Company were $422.9 million as of
       December 31, 2008, a 13% increase from $373.2 million as of September
       30, 2008.
    -- Cash and cash equivalents for continuing operations were $142.4 million
       as of December 31, 2008.
    -- Cash and cash equivalents for discontinued operations were $280.5
       million as of December 31, 2008.
    -- Account receivable for Total Company was $278.9 million as of December
       31, 2008, a 19% decline from $346.3 million as of September 30, 2008,
       mainly attributable to the improved accounts receivable collection and
       disposal of CGEN business.
    -- Account receivable for continuing operations was 135.3 million as of
       December 31, 2008.
    -- Account receivable for discontinued operations was 143.6 million as of
       December 31, 2008.

    To assist the readers in understanding the overall financial position of
Total Company, the summary of balance sheet results as of December 31, 2008
are listed as follows:


                                                Discontinued
                                                 operations
                              Continuing       (Asset Held for   Total Company
                               operation            Sale)          (Non-GAAP)

    Cash & Bank Balance          142,434             280,481         422,915
    Account receivables,
     net                         135,270             143,582         278,852
    Other current assets          62,821              42,982         105,803
    Total Assets                 466,099           1,066,195       1,532,294

    Account payables             (67,905)            (16,621)        (84,526)
    Total current
     liabilities                (158,125)           (158,281)       (316,406)
    Total liabilities           (169,706)           (160,240)       (329,946)

Fourth Quarter 2008 financial results

For the fourth quarter of 2008, Total Company net revenue was $192.1 million, a 15% decline compared to $224.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Advertising revenue from LCD display network was $65.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, an 18% decline from $79.6 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Advertising revenue from our in-elevator poster frame network was $39.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, an 11% decline from $44.0 million for the third quarter of 2008.

As of December 31, 2008, the total installed base of LCD displays and digital frames in our commercial location network was 128,033 nationwide, including 122,597 displays through our directly owned networks, and 5,436 displays through our regional distributors. The total number of non-digital frames available for sale on our in-elevator poster frame network was 290,169 as of December 31, 2008. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, we had 34,195 digital frames installed in our poster frame network.

Advertising revenue from the movie theater and outdoor billboard networks was $21.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, representing a 10% increase from 19.6 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Internet advertising service revenue was $62.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, a 12% decline from $70.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Total Company Non-GAAP gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $87.9 million, representing a 24% decline from $116.2 million for the third quarter of 2008, mainly attributable to 15% sequential decline in revenue.

Non-GAAP gross profit for the LCD display network for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $43.9 million, representing a 23% decline from $56.9 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP gross profit for the poster frame network for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $23.8 million, representing a 20% decline from $29.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP gross profit for the movie theater and outdoor billboard networks for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $7.3 million, representing a 3% increase from $7.1 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP gross profit from our internet advertising services for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $12.3 million, representing a 27% decline from $16.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $50.0 million, compared to $71.4 million for the third quarter of 2008.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had repurchased approximately 2.6 million Focus Media ADRs with about $48 million in the open market under our previously announced share repurchase program.

Business Outlook for First Quarter 2009

The Company provides the following guidance with respect to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009:

    -- Net revenues from continuing operations are expected to be no less than
       $55.5 million;
    -- Net revenues from discontinued operations are expected to be no less
       than $65.7 million.

Announced Merger

On December 22, 2008, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with SINA Corporation ("SINA") to sell substantially all of the assets of Focus Media's digital out-of-home advertising networks, including the LCD display network, poster frame network and certain in-store network. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and certain regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2009. Under the terms of the agreement, upon closing, SINA will issue 47 million newly issued ordinary shares to the Company as consideration for the acquired assets. The Company will then distribute the SINA shares to its shareholders shortly after the closing.

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, Non-GAAP net income and Non-GAAP earnings per fully diluted ADS, all excluding non-cash share-based compensation, acquired intangible asset amortization expense resulting from acquisitions, impairment charges of goodwill, acquired intangible assets and fixed assets, loss from restructuring of CGEN in-store networks and termination of wireless business and disposal of other subsidiaries and affiliates and write-off of consideration receivables resulting from disposal of previously acquired subsidiaries, back to their original shareholders. 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 the same consistent method from quarter to quarter. 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.



                           Focus Media Holding Ltd.
                      Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP
   (U.S. Dollar in thousands, except percentages, share and per-share data)
                                 (Unaudited)

Reconciliation of GAAP gross profit, operating income and net income to Non-GAAP gross profit, operating income and net income.

                                 Three months ended December 31, 2008
                            GAAP             (1)          (2)         (3)
    Gross profit
     -continuing
      operation             16,578             --        3,446          --
    Gross profit
     -discontinued
      operation             64,717            314        3,126          --

    Operating income
     (loss)
     -continuing
      operation           (423,440)         5,261        6,519     222,587
    Operating income
     (loss)
     -discontinued
      operation           (356,984)         7,383        4,092     394,934

    Net income (loss)
     -continuing
      operation           (422,213)         5,261        6,519     222,587
    Net income (loss)
     -discontinued
      operation           (378,056)         7,383        4,092     394,934
    Net income (loss)     (800,269)        12,644       10,611     617,521

                                Full year ended December 31, 2008
    Net income (loss)     (768,466)        42,499       40,981     617,521


                                    Three months ended December 31, 2008
                                                           Tax
                                (4)           (5)        effect     Non-GAAP
    Gross profit
     -continuing
      operation                (248)           --           --       19,776
    Gross profit
     -discontinued
      operation                  --            --           --       68,157

    Operating income (loss)
     -continuing
      operation             193,792           436           --        5,155
    Operating income (loss)
     -discontinued
      operation                  --           365           --       49,790

    Net income (loss)
     -continuing
     operation              194,297           860           --        7,311
    Net income (loss)
     -discontinued
      operation              13,941         1,340         (914)      42,720
    Net income (loss)       208,238         2,200         (914)      50,031

                                   Full year ended December 31, 2008
    Net income (loss)       288,121         2,200         (914)     221,942


    (1). Stock-based compensation
    (2). Amortization of acquired intangible assets
    (3). Impairment charges of goodwill, acquired intangible assets and fixed
         assets
    (4). Loss from restructuring of CGEN in-store networks and termination of
         wireless business and disposal of other subsidiaries and affiliates
    (5). Write-off of consideration receivables resulting from disposal of
         previously acquired subsidiaries back to their original shareholders.

TODAY'S CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2008 results at 9:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on March 23, 2009 (6:00 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on March 23, 2009 and 9:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on March 24, 2009). The dial-in details for the live conference call are set forth below: U.S. Toll Free Number +1.866.713.8310, Hong Kong dial-in number +852.3002.1672, International dial-in number +1.617.597.5308; Pass code: 21201367.

A replay of the call will be available from March 23, 2009 11:00 PM until March 30, 2009 (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 14560416. 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, F-6 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 or LED digital billboard and Internet advertising platforms. As of December 31, 2008, Focus Media's digital out-of-home advertising network had approximately 128,000 LCD display and digital frames in its commercial location network and approximately 324,000 advertising in-elevator poster and digital frames, installed in over 90 cities throughout China, and approximately 260 outdoor LED billboard displays in Shanghai and Beijing. For more information about Focus Media, please visit our website at http://ir.focusmedia.cn .



                                Focus Media Holding Limited
                     UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (U.S. Dollars in Thousands)
                                                            December 31, 2008
    Assets
    Cash & Bank Balance                                               142,434
    Account receivables, net                                          135,270
    Inventories                                                            25
    Prepaid Expenses & Other Current
     Assets                                                            15,117
    Deposit paid for acquisition of
     subsidiaries                                                      29,676
    Amount Due from Related Parties                                     7,913
    Rental Deposit - current                                           10,090
    Assets held for sale-current                                      467,046
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                              807,571
    Rental Deposit ¨C non current                                          133
    Property, Plant & Equipment, net                                    6,292
    Intangible Assets, net                                             77,713
    Goodwill                                                           30,700
    Other Long Term Assets                                             10,736
    Assets held for sales-non current                                 599,149
    TOTAL ASSETS                                                    1,532,294
    Account payables                                                   67,905
    Accrued Expenses & Other Current
     Liabilities                                                       61,911
    Income Tax Payable                                                 12,622
    Amount due to related parties                                      15,687
    Liabilities held for sale-current                                 158,281
    Current Liabilities                                               316,406
    Liabilities held for sale-non current                               1,959
    Deferred Tax Liabilities-non current                               11,581
    TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                 329,946

    Minority interest                                                   2,106

    Share capital
    Ordinary Share & Additional Paid in
     Capital                                                        1,659,865
    Retained Earnings                                                (529,879)
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive
     Income                                                            70,256
    Total Shareholder's Equity                                      1,200,242
    TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY                                      1,532,294



                                   Focus Media Holding Limited
                      UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (U.S. Dollar in thousands, except Earning per ADS and ADS data)

                                        Three months ended        Year ended
                                         December 31, 2008 December 31, 2008
    Revenues
    Movie Theater & Outdoor Billboard
     network                                        22,380            80,023
    Internet advertising                            64,622           264,927
    Others                                           3,428            40,441
    Total gross revenues                            90,430           385,391
    Business Tax                                     3,272            15,837
    Net revenue                                     87,158           369,554

    Cost of revenues
    Movie Theater & Outdoor Billboard
     network                                        14,399            53,432
    Internet advertising                            50,128           192,643
    Others                                           2,606            25,024
    Amortization of acquired intangible
     assets                                          3,447            13,947
    Total cost of revenues                          70,580           285,046

    Gross profit                                    16,578            84,508

    Operating expenses
    General and administrative                      16,750            47,661
    Selling and marketing                           10,253            34,680
    Impairment loss                                222,587           222,536
    Loss from CGEN restructuring                   190,466           190,466
    Other operating income                             (38)             (340)
    Total operating expenses                       440,018           495,003
    Operating loss                                (423,440)         (410,495)
    Non-operating expenses                           4,119             1,750
    Loss from continuing operations
     before income taxes and minority
     interest                                     (427,559)         (412,245)
    Provision from income taxes                      3,078            (2,804)
    Minority interest                                2,268               107
    Net Loss from continuing operations           (422,213)         (414,942)
    Net Loss from discontinued
     operations, net of tax                       (378,056)         (353,524)
    Net Loss                                      (800,269)         (768,466)

    Loss per ADS from continuing
     operations-basic & diluted                      (3.28)            (3.22)

    Loss per ADS from discontinued
     operation-basic & diluted                       (2.94)            (2.74)

    Loss per ADS-basic & diluted                     (6.22)            (5.96)

    Shares used in calculating basic and
     diluted loss per ADS                      128,607,842       128,880,565



                               Focus Media Holding Ltd.
                         Total Company Non-GAAP Gross Profit
                              (U.S. Dollar in thousands)
                                    (Unaudited)
                                                  Three months ended
                                         December 31, 2008 September 30, 2008

    Net Revenue - Continuing Operations
           Movie Theater & Outdoor
            Billboard network (a)                   21,646            19,609
           Internet advertising (b)                 62,406            70,767
           Others                                    3,106             9,704
    Net Revenue - Discontinued Operations
           LCD display network (c)                  65,295            79,649
           Poster Frame network (d)                 39,227            43,961
           Others                                      381             1,123

    Total Company Non-GAAP net revenues            192,061           224,813


    Adjusted Cost of Revenue - Continuing
     Operations (Non-GAAP¨CNote)
           Movie Theater & Outdoor
            Billboard network (e)                   14,399            12,554
           Internet advertising (f)                 50,128            54,015
           Others                                    2,606             4,488

    Adjusted Cost of Revenue -
     Discontinued Operations
     (Non-GAAP-Note)
           LCD display network (g)                  21,322            22,714
           Poster Frame network (h)                 15,398            14,148
           Others                                      275               697

    Total Company Non-GAAP Cost of
     Revenue                                       104,128           108,616

    Total Company Non-GAAP Gross Profit             87,933           116,197

    Non-GAAP Gross profit Movie theatre & outdoor billboard network (a-e)
    (Note)
    Non-GAAP Gross profit Internet advertising (b-f) (Note)
    Non-GAAP Gross profit LCD display network (c-g) (Note)
    Non-GAAP Gross profit Poster Frame network (d-h) (Note)

    Note: the amounts do not include amortization of acquired intangible
          assets and loss from restructuring of CGEN in-store networks of
          $3,446 and $248 for continuing operations, amortization of acquired
          intangible assets and share based compensation of $3,440 for
          discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2008,
          and amortization of acquired intangibles and share based
          compensation of $2,604 and $3,894 for continuing and discontinued
          operations for the three months September 30, 2008, respectively.


    For more information, please contact:

    Investor and Media contact:
     Jing Lu
     Tel:   +86-21-3212-4661 x6607
     Email: ir@focusmedia.cn

SOURCE  Focus Media Holding Limited

    -0-                             03/23/2009
    /CONTACT:  Jing Lu, +86-21-3212-4661 x6607, or ir@focusmedia.cn /
    /Web Site:  http://ir.focusmedia.cn /
    (FMCN)

CO:  Focus Media Holding Limited; SINA Corporation

ST:  China
IN:  TVN ADV MLM PUB
SU:  ERN ERP CCA



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0789 03/23/2009 17:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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