Century 21 China Real Estate Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IFM Investments Limited (NYSE: CTC) ("Century 21 China Real Estate" or the "Company"), a leading comprehensive real estate services provider and the exclusive franchisor for the CENTURY 21^® brand in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

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Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Highlights[1]

• Consolidated net revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012 was a record high of RMB226.8 million (US$36.4 million), an increase of 19.0% from the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 59.4% from the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Consolidated net revenue in fiscal year 2012 was a record high of RMB748.1 million (US$120.1million), an increase of 23.7% from fiscal year 2011.
• Revenue from company-owned brokerage services in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB170.8 million (US$27.4 million), an increase of 3.8% from the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 45.2% from the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Revenue from company-owned brokerage services in fiscal year 2012 was RMB623.9 million (US$100.1 million), an increase of 21.5% from fiscal year 2011.
• Net income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), compared to a net loss of RMB7.1 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a net loss of RMB80.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Net loss in fiscal year 2012 was RMB50.1 million (US$8.0 million), compared to a net loss of RMB340.4 million in fiscal year 2011.
• Net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million), a decrease of 80.3% from the third quarter of 2012, and a decrease of 98.2% from the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in fiscal year 2012 was RMB53.5 million (US$8.6 million), a decrease of 84.1% from fiscal year 2011. Excluding store closure-related costs of approximately RMB6.5 million (US$1.0 million), net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in fiscal year 2012 would be RMB47.0 million (US$7.5million).

"We are encouraged to have posted another solid set of financial results to end the year," said Mr. Donald Zhang, chairman and chief executive officer of Century 21 China Real Estate. "Throughout 2012 we focused on strengthening the synergies between our diversified business segments, exploring revenue sources that are more insulated from regulatory risk, and maximizing operational efficiency. This strategy helped drive record full-year revenues and positive operating cash flow for three consecutive quarters through the latter part of the year. In the fourth quarter, both our secondary and primary segments performed strongly, with net revenue growing 19% sequentially and net income reaching RMB2.1 million."

Mr. Harry Lu, vice chairman and president, added, "While the recent policy enforcement announced by the government may cause market volatility in the near future, we will continue to deploy resources across our various segments to mitigate regulatory risk.

"Our primary agency segment enters 2013 with a strong pipeline, and we expect this business unit to generate solid revenue for the full year," Mr. Lu continued. "Our franchise network should play an increasingly important role in 2013 and beyond, allowing us to increase our footprint with minimal financial risk, and we expect our online capability will increasingly be a key driver of sales efficiency. We're confident Century 21 China Real Estate has the right combination of complementary businesses to generate sustainable growth in the years ahead."

Fourth Quarter 2012 Results

The Company's consolidated net revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012 reached a record high of RMB226.8 million (US$36.4 million), an increase of 19.0% from RMB190.6 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 59.4% from RMB142.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential and year-over-year increase was primarily due to increased revenue from company-owned brokerage services from higher sales and purchase transaction volumes, and the growth of primary and commercial services in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Revenue from company-owned brokerage services in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB170.8 million (US$27.4 million), representing 75.3% of total net revenue, an increase of 3.8% from RMB164.5 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 45.2% from RMB117.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential and year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase in sales and purchase transaction volumes in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of the recovery in the overall real estate market since the second quarter of 2012.

Revenue from primary and commercial services in the fourth quarter of 2012 reached a record high of RMB41.8 million (US$6.7 million), representing 18.4% of total net revenue, an increase of 171.4% from RMB15.4 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 180.5% from RMB14.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential and year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to greater gross floor area ("GFA") of new properties sold in the fourth quarter of 2012 (approximately 230,300 square meters GFA), as well as a higher average selling price per square meter.

Revenue from mortgage management services in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB7.2 million (US$1.2 million), representing 3.2% of total net revenue, a decrease of 12.2% from RMB8.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 24.1% from RMB5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential decrease was primarily due to a decrease in home equity loans brokered by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2012. The year-over-year increase resulted from an increase in traditional home mortgage loans brokered by the Company.

Revenue from franchise services in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB7.0 million (US$1.1 million), representing 3.1% of total net revenue, an increase of 180.0% from RMB2.5 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 70.7% from RMB4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential and year-over-year increase was mainly due to the initial franchisee fee received from resale of the franchise right in Urumqi.

Commissions and other agent-related costs in the fourth quarter of 2012 were RMB134.6 million (US$21.6 million), representing 59.3% of total net revenue, an increase of 15.0% from RMB117.0 million in the third quarter of 2012, and an increase of 35.3% from RMB99.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential increase was mainly due to higher commission expenses in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of higher revenues from company-owned brokerage services and primary and commercial services. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to higher commission expenses in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of higher revenue from company-owned brokerage services and primary and commercial services, partially offset by a decline in payroll sales as a result of reduction in the number of sales professionals employed.

Operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2012 were RMB43.9 million (US$7.0 million), representing 19.4% of total net revenue, an increase of 7.6% from RMB40.8 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a decrease of 35.5% from RMB68.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The sequential increase was primarily due to higher royalty expense as a result of a resale of franchise rights in the city of Urumqi in the fourth quarter of 2012. The year-over-year decrease in operating costs was mainly attributable to a reduction in the number of sales offices in operation, as well as significantly lower sales office closure-related costs as the Company's major sales office network optimization was completed by the beginning of second quarter of 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2012 were RMB44.5 million (US$7.1 million), representing 19.6% of total net revenue, a decrease of 8.1% from RMB48.4 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a decrease of 17.1% from RMB53.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. This sequential decrease was attributable to a decrease in professional fee accruals. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a reduction in marketing expense as marketing activities declined due to a decrease in the number of company-owned sales offices.  

Income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB3.7 million (US$0.6 million), compared to a loss from operations of RMB14.0 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a loss from operations of RMB84.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP[2] income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million), compared to a non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB13.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB78.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million), compared to a net loss of RMB7.1 million attributable to IFM Investments Limited in the third quarter of 2012, and a net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited of RMB78.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million), compared to a non-GAAP net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited of RMB6.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, and a non-GAAP net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited of RMB73.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary share ("ADS") in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB0.09 (US$0.01). Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB0.07 (US$0.01). Each of the Company's ADS represents 45 Class A ordinary shares.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB191.0 million (US$30.7 million). Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB13.1 million (US$2.1 million), compared to net cash provided by operating activities of RMB1.0 million in the third quarter of 2012, and net cash used in operating activities of RMB75.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Cash used in investing activities in the fourth quarter of 2012 was RMB7.1 million (US$1.1 million). This was mainly the result of the net effect of providing and receiving repayment on mortgage credit loans of RMB5.7 million (US$0.9 million) and the purchase of property, plant and equipment of RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million).

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company's CENTURY 21® China Real Estate network covered 27 major cities with an average of more than 960 sales offices, including an average of 318 company-owned sales offices in operation. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's CENTURY 21® China Real Estate network employed more than 12,100 sales professionals and maintained more than 8.0 million property listings.

Fiscal Year 2012 Results

The Company's total consolidated net revenue in fiscal year 2012 reached a record high of RMB748.1 million (US$120.1 million), representing a 23.7% increase from RMB604.6 million in fiscal year 2011. This increase was primarily due to the significantly higher sales and purchase transaction volumes from both company-owned brokerage services and primary and commercial services in 2012, as well as a continued recovery in the overall real estate market since the second quarter of 2012.

Revenue from company-owned brokerage services in fiscal year 2012 was RMB623.9 million (US$100.1 million), representing 83.4% of total net revenue, and a 21.5% increase from RMB513.4 million in fiscal year 2011. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to higher transaction volumes and improved per-sales office performance in 2012.

Revenue from primary and commercial services in fiscal year 2012 reached a record high of RMB85.1 million (US$13.7 million), representing 11.4% of total net revenue, and an increase of 90.4% from RMB44.7 million in fiscal year 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in transaction volumes from primary real estate agency services. In 2012, the Company sold a total GFA of approximately 444,350 square meters of new properties and provided consulting services on some new commercial development projects.

Revenue from mortgage management services in fiscal year 2012 was RMB25.7 million (US$4.1 million), representing 3.4% of total net revenue, and a 12.2% increase from RMB22.9 million in fiscal year 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in transaction volumes of and total revenue earned from mortgage credit loans provided by the Company.

Revenue from franchise services in fiscal year 2012 was RMB13.4 million (US$2.2 million), representing 1.8% of total net revenue, and a 43.0% decrease from RMB23.5 million in fiscal year 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher initial franchise fees received in 2011 as the Company granted licenses to two new regional sub-franchisors during the year, compared with the resale of franchise rights in one location, the city of Urumqi, a regional sub-franchise, in 2012, and a decrease in royalty revenues paid by some regional sub-franchisors in 2012 due to their performance.

Commissions and other agent-related costs in fiscal year 2012 were RMB455.3 million (US$73.1 million), representing 60.9% of total net revenue, and a 6.2% increase from RMB428.9 million in fiscal year 2011. This increase was primarily attributable to higher commission expenses in 2012 as a result of the significant increase in commission revenues from company-owned brokerage services and primary and commercial services, partially offset by a decrease in salary and benefits for sales staff as a result of a decrease in the number of sales staff employed during fiscal year 2012.

Operating costs in fiscal year 2012 were RMB175.3 million (US$28.1 million), representing 23.4% of total net revenue, and a decrease of 40.9% from RMB296.7 million in fiscal year 2011. Excluding store closure-related costs of approximately RMB6.5 million (US$1.0 million), total operating costs in fiscal year 2012 would be RMB168.8 million (US$27.1 million). This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in rental costs and store closure-related costs resulting from the lower average number of sales offices in the company-owned brokerage network in 2012 as compared to 2011. Store closure-related costs were approximately RMB34.3 million in fiscal year 2011.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2012 were RMB177.5 million (US$28.5 million), representing 23.7% of total net revenue, and a decrease of 18.6% from RMB218.1 million in fiscal year 2011. This decrease was largely due to a decrease in marketing expenses, the number of non-sales staff and other general and administrative expenses in 2012.

Goodwill impairment losses in 2012 were RMB10.8 million (US$1.7 million), as a result of the shortfall in the results of operations of our Shanggu business unit as compared with estimates made at the end of 2011. Net change in fair value in 2012 included RMB10.5 million (US$1.7 million) as a result of the fair value change of the contingent consideration payable in respect of the Company's acquisition of the Shanggu business unit in June 2011, and RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million) as a result of the decline in the fair value of a financial liability, which was related to the share options held by a former-employee. The change in the contingent consideration payable resulted primarily from the disparity between estimated and actual revenue and earnings in 2012, and the re-estimated revenue and earnings for 2013 for the Shanggu business unit.

Loss from operations in fiscal year 2012 was RMB58.7 million (US$9.4 million), compared to a loss from operations of RMB344.0 million in fiscal year 2011. Non-GAAP loss from operations in fiscal 2012 was RMB56.5 million (US$9.1 million), compared to a non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB335.9 million in fiscal year 2011.

Net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in fiscal year 2012 was RMB53.5 million (US$8.6 million), compared to a net loss of RMB336.5 million attributable to IFM Investments Limited in fiscal year 2011. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited in fiscal year 2012 was RMB51.3 million (US$8.2 million), compared to a non-GAAP net loss attributable to IFM Investments Limited of RMB328.4 million in fiscal year 2011.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS in fiscal year 2012 was RMB3.61 (US$0.58). Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS in fiscal year 2012 was RMB3.46 (US$0.55).

Net cash used in operating activities in fiscal year 2012 was RMB31.7 million (US$5.1 million), compared with net cash used in operating activities of RMB315.0 million in fiscal year 2011. This decrease was mainly due to a significant decline in operating loss incurred in fiscal year 2012. Cash used in investing activities in fiscal year 2012 was RMB5.2 million (US$0.8 million), which was the result of the net effect of mortgage credit loan repayments of RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) in 2012, and the purchase of property, plant and equipment of RMB8.1 million (US$1.3million).

Notes to Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information disclosed in this press release is preliminary. The audited financial statements and related notes to be included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 are still in progress. In addition, because the Company's assessment and the audit of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting in connection with section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have not yet been completed, the Company makes no representation as to the effectiveness of internal controls as of the end of fiscal year 2012.

Adjustments to the financial statements may be identified when the audit work is completed, which could result in significant differences between the Company's audited financial statements and this preliminary unaudited financial information.

Business Outlook

The Company currently estimates that its total net revenue for the first quarter of 2013 will be in the range of RMB 195 million to RMB 205 million. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

Century 21 China Real Estate's management will host an earnings conference call on March 7, 2013, at 8 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

U.S. Toll / International: +1-718-354-1231
United States Toll Free: 1866-519-4004
Hong Kong: +852-2475-0994

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "Century 21 China Real Estate Earnings Call."

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available until March 14, 2012 at http://ir.century21cn.com.

About Century 21 China Real Estate

IFM Investments Limited ("Century 21 China Real Estate" or "CTC") is a leading comprehensive real estate services provider and the exclusive franchisor for the CENTURY 21^® brand in China. CTC primarily focuses on China's fast-growing and highly fragmented secondary real estate market, providing company-owned brokerage services, franchise services, mortgage management services, primary services, commercial services and fund management services. CTC has experienced substantial growth since it commenced operations in 2000, and received numerous awards and recognition as franchisor and real estate services provider for its service quality and business achievements. Century 21 China Real Estate became a public company in January 2010 and its ADSs, each of which represents 45 ordinary shares of CTC, currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CTC." For more information about CTC, please visit http://www.century21cn.com/english.

Safe Harbor: Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "confident," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "future," "intend," "is currently reviewing," "it is possible," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "will" or other similar expressions or the negative of these words or expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Among other things, the Business Outlook section and quotations from management in this press release, as well as the Company's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to change, and such change may be material and may have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations for one or more periods. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements in this press release. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks outlined in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise specified, all information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss) attributable to IFM Investments Limited and adjusted earnings per ADS, each of which is adjusted to exclude share-based compensation, impairment of goodwill and net change in fair value. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand the Company's current financial performance and future prospects, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess the Company's core operating results. For a reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please see the accompanying condensed financial information included with this press release. One limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures as described above is that these expense charges have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in the Company's business for the foreseeable future. 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. Management compensates for this limitation by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amount excluded from the non-GAAP measure.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Lulu Li
Vice President
IFM Investments Limited
Phone: +86-10-6561-7188
Email: [email protected]

Josh Gartner
Brunswick Group
Phone: +86-10-5960-8600
Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

Cindy Zheng
Brunswick Group
Phone: +1-212-333-3810
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE IFM Investments Limited

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