Hurray! Reports First Quarter 2009 Unaudited Financial Results

Hurray! Reports First Quarter 2009 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, May 21 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:HRAY), a leader in artist development, music production and wireless music distribution and other wireless value-added services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050314/CNM005LOGO )

Financial Highlights

Highlights for the First Quarter of 2009:
-- Total revenues: $11.8 million, representing a decrease of 18.5%
quarter-over-quarter and a decrease of 11.2% year-over-year; slightly
below our previous guidance of $12-13 million.
-- Wireless value-added services ("WVAS") revenues: $7.9 million,
representing a decrease of 31.4% quarter-over-quarter and a decrease of
28.6% year-over-year.
-- Recorded music revenues, which are from our record label businesses:
$3.9 million, representing an increase of 31.4% quarter-over-quarter
and an increase of 73.9% year-over-year.
-- Net loss attributable to Hurray! Holding: $2.1 million
-- Adjusted EBITDA(1): a net loss of $1.6 million
-- Diluted loss per ADS: $0.09

Commenting on the first quarter results, Dr. Xiang, CEO of Hurray! stated: "With regards to the first quarter results, we missed our guidance primarily because of the reduction in our promotional activity for certain of our WVAS services, which however, did not adversely impact gross profit.

"The Company is involved in a review of all business lines and departments in a focused effort to position the Company so that it can achieve sustainable profitability in the current environment. In light of our current initiatives, the Company, for the time being, will no longer provide quarterly revenue guidance."

(1) A non-GAAP measure, which is defined as net income attributable to
Hurray! Holding company except for income from discontinued operations
before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization, impairment for
goodwill and earnings from investment in music equity affiliate,
write-down of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, gains on
reduction of acquisition payable and foreign exchange loss.

Business Results

Total revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 were $11.8 million, representing a decrease of 18.5% from $14.4 million for the preceding quarter, and a decline of 11.2% from $13.2 million for the same quarter last year.

Total wireless value-added services revenues were $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 31.4% from $11.5 million in the previous quarter and a decrease of 28.6% from $11.0 million in the same quarter of 2008.

On January 1, 2009, we closed the acquisition of Seed Music. The initial consideration was $1.9 million. We also subscribed additional shares for $600,038. Upon the closing, our interest in the company was approximately 61%. There are further contingent payments according to the agreements based on Seed Music's operation performance. In addition, the non-controlling interests have options to sell their shares to us at a price based on a formula which includes Seed's operating performance. Therefore the non-controlling interests are presented as redeemable non-controlling interests on the balance sheet and such amount will be accreted to the redemption value if the redemption is probable.

Recorded music revenues, which represent revenues of our controlled music companies Freeland Music, Huayi Brothers Music, Hurray! Secular Bird and Seed Music, which was acquired on January 1, 2009, were $3.9 million, representing an increase of 31.4% as compared to $3.0 million in the previous quarter and an increase of 73.9% as compared to $2.2 million in the same period of 2008. The increase arose from the contribution from Seed Music of $2.2 million. Our other music companies experienced declines as the first quarter typically is a low period for this business.

Total gross margin was 16.4% for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to 5.0% for the previous quarter and 36.5% for the same period of 2008.

Gross margin for wireless value-added services was 17.5% for the first quarter of 2009, as compared to 2.9% in the previous quarter, in part because of the impact in the previous quarter of the reversal of revenue, and 35.0% for the same period of 2008.

Recorded music gross margin was 14.0% for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to 13.0% in the previous quarter and 43.8% for the same period of 2008.

Total gross profit was $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2009, representing a significant increase of 166% compared to $0.7 million for the previous quarter, and a decline of 60.2% as compared to $4.8 million for the same period of 2008.

Total operating expenses were $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2009, representing a decline of 16.4% as compared to the total operating expenses of $6.0 million for the previous quarter, which included impairment for goodwill of $ 1.0 million and a write-down for intangible assets of $ 0.4 million, and reversal of litigation costs of $0.5 million due to the resolution of the litigation, and an increase of 7.4% as compared to the total operating expenses of $4.7 million for the same period of 2008. Seed Music expenses amounted to $0.6 million.

The income tax benefit for the first quarter of 2009 was $23,000 as compared to $93,000 in the previous quarter and an income tax expense of $0.7 million in the same period of 2008.

An additional gain of $0.2 million from our discontinued systems integration business was recognized in the first quarter of 2009 due to additional cash received on the collection of the accounts receivable at the disposal date. Under the terms of our agreement, no further such amounts will be received.

Net loss attributable to Hurray! Holding was $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2009.

Adjusted EBITDA was negative $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as compared with an adjusted EBITDA of negative $2.7 million in the previous quarter. A reconciliation of the (loss) income from continuing operations under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and adjusted EBITDA is included at the end of this release.

Fully diluted loss per ADS was $0.09 based on a weighted average of 22.0 million diluted ADSs for the first quarter of 2009, as compared to the diluted loss per ADSs of $0.42 based on a weighted average of 21.9 million diluted ADSs for the previous quarter, and a fully diluted earnings per ADS of $0.22 based on a weighted average of 21.9 million diluted ADSs for the first quarter of 2008.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had $60.2 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Business Highlights

Hurray! continued executing its strategy of developing proprietary content and diversifying distribution channels, with the following highlights:

-- Hurray! launched 9 new mobile games and mobile themes on China Mobile's
portal in the first quarter of 2009, including "Dark Assassin 2",
"Tri-Eye Boy 1: The Beginning," and "Sweet Burden." In the second
quarter of 2009, we are launching another 9 new mobile games and mobile
themes.

-- In February, "Tri-Eye Boy" series 1, 2 and 3, one of our mobile game
series, was voted "Star-Rated Mobile Games" at a mobile game user
recommendation contest organized by China Mobile. The series was
selected as one of the high-rated mobile games in China Mobile's G-plus
game package.

-- Hurray! affiliated music companies, including Huayi Brothers Music,
Freeland Music, New Run Entertainment, Secular Bird and Seed Music,
released a series of new songs, including 6 albums, 2 EPs and 1 single,
and launched successful marketing programs to promote the new releases
simultaneously over Internet and wireless platforms. Subsequently,
"J@M" ("Jane Zhang @ Music") by Jane Zhang, and "Blooming"
("Sheng Fang") by Xinliang Gong, became popular hits in the first
quarter.

-- Hurray! artists, including Jane Zhang, Yu Quan, Kenji Wu and others
received awards for their outstanding performances at various
prestigious music award ceremonies in Asia, including "Best Local
Female Singer" for Jane, "Annual Golden Song" for Kenji Wu, Yu Quan,
and Wenjie Shang, and others.

-- Seed Music and New Run signed up a number of new artists, including
Jianhao Wu, Subway Boy, Huimin Zhai and others.

Review of Operating Profitability

The Company is involved in a review of all business lines and departments to ensure the Company is best positioned for sustained profitability in the current environment. In May, the Company has effected a reduction of approximately one-third of the headcount in its operations, excluding the Company's record labels, and has incurred severance costs to date of approximately $0.3 million. This review is ongoing as the Company seeks to identify further efficiencies.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2009 results at

Time: 9:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on May 21, 2009
or 9:00 am Beijing/Hong Kong Time on May 22, 2009

The dial-in number: +1-800-901-5231 (US)
+1-617-786-2961 (International)
Password: 44210556

A replay of the call will be available from May 22, 2009 until May 29, 2009 as follows:

+1-888-286-8010 (US)
+1-617-801-6888 (International)
PIN number: 81153297

Additionally, a live and archived web cast of this call will be available at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/playerlink.zhtml?c=187793&s=wm&e=2206725

About Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd.

Hurray! is a leader in artist development, music production and offline distribution in China through its record labels Huayi Brothers Music, Freeland Music, New Run Entertainment, and Secular Bird. The Company's latest acquisition, Seed Music, expands the Company's music services into Taiwan as well growing our business in China. The Company, through Fly Songs, also organizes concerts and other music events in China.

Hurray! is also a leading online distributor of music and music-related products such as ringtones, ringbacktones, and truetones to mobile users in China through the full range of wireless value-added services platforms over mobile networks and through the internet.

The Company also provides a wide range of other wireless value-added services to mobile users in China, including games, pictures and animation, community, and other media and entertainment services.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will," "expects," "believes" and similar statements. The accuracy of these statements may be impacted by a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including risks related to: continued competitive pressures in China's wireless value-added services market; changes in technology and consumer demand in this market; the risk that Hurray! may not be able to control its expenses in future periods; Hurray!'s ability to succeed in the music development, production and distribution business, with which it has only limited experience; changes in the policies of the mobile operators in China or the laws governing wireless value-added services; the state of Hurray!'s relationships with China's mobile operators and the risk that Hurray! may be subject to further sanctions and penalties from them in future periods; and other risks outlined in Hurray!'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended. Hurray! Does not undertake any obligation to update this forward-looking information, except as required under applicable law.

Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of As of
March 31, December 31,
2009(1) 2008
(As Adjusted)(1)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $60,205 $59,473
Accounts receivable, net 10,900 12,658
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 4,898 4,170
Amount due from related parties 448 745
Current deferred tax assets 533 363
Inventories, net 261 255
Receivable on disposal of subsidiary -- 47
Total current assets 77,245 77,711

Deposits and other non-current assets 1,571 720
Prepaid acquisition cost -- 2,507
Property and equipment, net 906 980
Acquired intangible assets, net 5,012 1,945
Investment in equity affiliate 744 825
Goodwill 4,867 3,157
Non-current deferred tax assets 468 479
Total assets $90,813 $88,324

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $3,889 $2,454
Acquisition payable 367 15
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities 3,381 3,018
Amount due to related parties 461 208
Income tax payable 474 124
Current deferred tax liabilities 426 497
Total current liabilities 8,998 6,316

Long term payable 22 24
Non-current deferred tax liabilities 1,094 292
Total liabilities 10,114 6,632

Redeemable non-controlling interest 1,547 --

Shareholders' equity:
Ordinary shares 110 110
Additional paid-in capital 75,115 75,013
Accumulated deficit (10,280) (8,201)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 9,996 9,987
Total Hurray! Holding shareholders'
equity 74,941 76,909
Non-controlling interest(2) 4,211 4,783
Total shareholders' equity 79,152 81,692
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $90,813 $88,324

Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three months ended
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2009(1) 2008 (As 2008 (As
Adjusted)(1) Adjusted)(1)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except
share and per share data)
Revenues:
Wireless value-added services $7,856 $11,454 $11,000
Recorded music 3,905 2,972 2,245
Total revenues 11,761 14,426 13,245

Cost of revenues:
Wireless value-added services 6,478 11,117 7,148
Recorded music 3,360 2,586 1,261
Total cost of revenues 9,838 13,703 8,409

Gross profit 1,923 723 4,836

Operating expenses:
Product development 95 154 390
Selling and marketing 1,874 2,370 2,401
General and administrative 3,056 3,077 1,887
Impairment of goodwill -- 965 --
Reversal of costs and litigation
expenses -- (557) --
Total operating expenses 5,025 6,009 4,678

(Loss) income from operations (3,102) (5,286) 158

Interest income 140 215 354
Other income 144 6 73
Interest expense (3) -- --
Foreign exchange loss -- (4,518) --
Gain on reduction of acquisition
payable -- -- 5,000
(Loss) income before provision
for income
taxes, equity in earnings (loss)
of affiliate (2,821) (9,583) 5,585

Income tax (benefit) expense (23) (93) 709
Net (loss) income before equity
in earnings (loss)
of affiliate (2,798) (9,490) 4,876

Equity in (loss) earnings of
affiliate, net of tax (91) 30 26
(Loss) income from continuing
operations (2,889) (9,460) 4,902
Discontinued operations:
Gain on sale of subsidiary, net
of tax 222 47 --
Net (loss) income $(2,667) $(9,413) $4,902
Less: Net loss attributable to
the non-controlling
interest(2) 588 235 --
Net (loss) income attributable to
Hurray! $(2,079) $(9,178) $4,902
Holding Company

For the three months ended
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2009 2008 2008
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except
share and per share data)
Net (loss) income per share-basic
(Loss) income from continuing
operations $(0.00) $(0.00) $0.00
Gain from discontinued
operations $0.00 $0.00 --
Net (loss) income $(0.00) $(0.00) $0.00

Net (loss) income per ADS-basic
(Loss) income from continuing
operations $(0.10) $(0.42) $0.23
Gain from discontinued
operations $0.01 $0.00 --
Net (loss) income $(0.09) $(0.42) $0.23

Net (loss) income per
share-diluted
Gain from discontinued operations $0.00 $0.00 --
Net income $(0.00) $(0.00) $0.00

Net (loss)income per ADS-diluted
(Loss) income from continuing
operations $(0.10) $(0.42) $0.22
Gain from discontinued
operations $0.01 $0.00 --
Net (loss) income $(0.09) $(0.42) $0.22

Weighted average shares used in
calculating basic Earnings
(loss) per share 2,195,012,769 2,189,982,906 2,178,147,264
Weighted average ADSs used in
calculating basic Earnings
(loss) per ADS 21,950,128 21,899,829 21,781,473
Weighted average shares used in
calculating diluted Earnings
(loss) per share 2,195,012,769 2,189,982,906 2,188,284,394
Weighted average ADSs used in
calculating diluted Earnings
(loss) per ADS 21,950,128 21,899,829 21,882,844

(1) Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS 160. SFAS 160,
which was retrospectively applied, requires non-controlling interests
to be separately presented as a component of stockholders' equity on
the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2) March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2008 balances were extracted from the
form 6-K for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2008
respectively, as adjusted resulting from the adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 160.

The use of non-GAAP financial measures:

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (''GAAP'') in the United States, Hurray! uses a non-GAAP measure of adjusted EBITDA, which is adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude certain expenses and non- recurring events. Hurray!'s management believes the use of this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses that are not related to the company's operations. This non-GAAP financial measure also facilitates management's internal comparisons to Hurray!'s historical performance and our competitors' operating results. Hurray! believes this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. The presentation of this additional financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Please see below financial table for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA.

Reconciliation of (loss) income from continuing operations under GAAP to adjusted EBITDA for the following periods:

For the three months ended
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2009 2008 2008
(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except share and per share data)
Net (loss) income attributable to
Hurray! Holding Company $(2,079) $(9,178) $4,902
Add (deduct):
(Income) from discontinued operations (222) (47) --
Interest expense 3 -- --
Income tax expense (benefit) (23) (93) 709
Depreciation and amortization 795 712 807
Non-cash stock compensation expense 102 244 191
Foreign exchange loss -- 4,518 --
Intangible assets write-down -- 389 --
Impairment of goodwill -- 965 --
Gain on reduction of acquisition
payable -- -- (5,000)
Interest income (140) (215) (354)
Adjusted EBITDA $(1,564) $(2,705) $1,255

For more information, please contact:

Christina Low F.S.
Investor Relations Officer
Tel: +86-10-8455-5566 x5532
Email: IR@hurray.com.cn

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050314/CNM005LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

Source: Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd.

CONTACT: Christina Low, Investor Relations Officer at +86-10-8455-5532
or IR@hurray.com.cn

Web site: http://www.hurray.com.cn/english/home.htm
http://phx.corporate-/
ir.net/playerlink.zhtml?c=187793&s=wm&e=2206725

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