EDU New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc

BEIJING, July 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE:EDU), the largest provider of private educational services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 31, 2007(1). Highlights for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 -- Total net revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 increased by 29.1% year-over-year to RMB190.6 million (US$24.9 million) from RMB147.6 million. -- Total net revenues for the fiscal year 2007 increased by 35.5% year-over-year to RMB1,044.0 million (US$136.4 million) from RMB770.3 million. -- Net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 decreased by 65.3% year-over-year to RMB11.9 million (US$1.6 million) from RMB34.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006, and income attributable to holders of common shares excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) increased by 88.8% year-over-year to RMB5.6 million (US$0.7 million) from RMB3.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. -- Net income for the fiscal year 2007 increased by 359.1% year-over-year to RMB226.7 million (US$29.6 million) from RMB49.4 million in the fiscal year 2006, and income attributable to holders of common shares excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) increased by 198.4% year-over-year to RMB263.5 million (US$34.4 million) from RMB88.3 million in the fiscal year 2006. -- Basic and diluted loss per ADS for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 were RMB0.31 (US$0.04) and RMB0.31 (US$0.04), respectively. Excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP), basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 were RMB0.15 (US$0.02) and RMB0.14 (US$0.02), respectively. Each ADS represents four common shares of the Company. -- Basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the fiscal year 2007 were RMB6.70 (US$0.88) and RMB6.33 (US$0.83), respectively. Excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP), basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the fiscal year 2007 were RMB7.79 (US$1.02) and RMB7.36 (US$0.96), respectively. -- Total student enrollments in language training and test preparation courses for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 increased by 31.5% year-over-year to approximately 314,000 from approximately 238,700 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. -- Total student enrollments in language training and test preparation courses for fiscal year 2007 increased by 22.4% year-over-year to approximately 1,067,000 from approximately 872,000 in fiscal year 2006. -- Opened 1 new school in the fourth quarter bringing the total number of schools and learning centers to 35 and 130 (including the 35 schools) as of May 31, 2007, respectively, up from 34 schools and 128 learning centers (including the 34 schools) as of February 28, 2007. "We are pleased to finish our first fiscal year as a public company on a strong note with strong fourth fiscal quarter revenue growth," said Mr. Michael Yu, New Oriental's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As we announced during the third quarter earnings call, in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, we initiated a large-scale, nationwide marketing campaign to encourage enrollments in our summer courses. As a result, our sales and marketing expenses for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007 increased by 47.7% year-over-year to RMB38.5 million (US$5.0 million) from RMB26.1 million in the corresponding quarter of 2006. Our marketing campaign has in part contributed to the outstanding 31.5% increase year-over-year in language training and test prep enrollments for the quarter. We also successfully executed on our strategic expansion plan establishing a new school in Nanchang and we expanded our mobile learning platform in collaboration with Nokia." New Oriental's Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Louis T. Hsieh, added, "Our solid revenue and student enrollment growth in the fourth fiscal quarter and for the full 2007 fiscal year demonstrates the market potential for New Oriental's suite of leading educational offerings. We are very pleased that we achieved over RMB one billion in net revenues and over one million student enrollments for our 2007 fiscal year, which are significant milestones for the company. In the coming quarters, we will continue to expand our school network and course offerings to grow our student enrollments and revenues." Financial Results for the Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2007 For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, New Oriental reported net revenues of RMB190.6 million (US$24.9 million), representing a 29.1% increase year- over-year. Net revenues from educational programs and services for the fourth fiscal quarter were RM168.9 million (US$22.1 million), representing a 28.8% increase year-over-year. The growth was mainly driven by the increase in the number of student enrollments in language training and test preparation courses. Total student enrollments in language training and test preparation courses in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 increased by 31.5% year-over-year to approximately 314,000 from approximately 238,700 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. Total operating costs and expenses for the quarter were RMB217.5 million (US$28.4 million), a 21.8% increase year-over-year. Cost of revenues increased by 27.0% year-over-year to RMB90.3 million (US$11.8 million), primarily due to the increased number of courses offered to a larger student base and the greater number of schools and learning centers in operation. Selling and marketing expenses increased by 47.7% year-over-year to RMB38.5 million (US$5.0 million), primarily due to the initiation of a large- scale, nationwide marketing campaign to encourage enrollments in summer courses. General and administrative expenses increased by 9.1% year-over-year to RMB88.7 million (US$11.6 million) primarily due to increased headcount as the company further expanded its business. Total share-based compensation expenses, which were allocated to related operating costs and expenses, decreased to RMB17.5 million (US$2.3 million) in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 from RMB37.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. Operating margin for the quarter was negative 14.1%, compared to negative 20.9% in the corresponding period of the previous year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP), operating margin for the quarter was negative 4.9%, compared to positive 4.3% in the corresponding period of the prior year. Operating margins were negatively affected by the increase in marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses as described earlier. Net loss for the quarter was RMB11.9 million (US$1.6 million), representing a 65.3% decrease from the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. Basic and diluted loss per share amounted to RMB0.08 (US$0.01) and RMB0.08 (US$0.01), respectively, and basic and diluted loss per ADS were RMB0.31 (US$0.04) and RMB0.31 (US$0.04), respectively. Income attributable to holders of common shares excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) was RMB5.6 million (US$0.7 million). Basic and diluted earnings per ADS excluding share based compensation expenses (non- GAAP) were RMB0.15 (US$0.02) and RMB0.14 (US$0.02), respectively. Capital expenditures for the quarter were RMB7.3 million (US$1.0 million). As of May 31, 2007, New Oriental had cash and cash equivalents of RMB1,563.8 million (US$204.4 million), as compared to RMB3,432.6 million as of February 28, 2007. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the distribution of the net proceeds during early March from the Company's follow-on offering of approximately RMB2,068 million to selling shareholders in February 2007. Net operating cash flow for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 was RMB217.4 million (US$28.4 million). Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 New Oriental reported net revenues of RMB1,044.0 million (US$136.4 million), representing a 35.5% increase year- over-year. Total student enrollments in language training and test preparation courses in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 increased by 22.4% to approximately 1,067,000 from approximately 872,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. Operating margin for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was 19.9%, compared to 8.3% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. Net income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was RMB226.7 million (US$29.6 million), representing a 359.1% increase year-over-year. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 amounted to RMB6.70 (US$0.88) and RMB6.33 (US$0.83), respectively. Common shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per ADS increased in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 due to 34.5 million common shares (equivalent to 8.625 million ADS) issued and sold by the Company in its initial public offering in September 2006, and approximately 2.4 million new common shares (equivalent to approximately 600,000 ADS) issued and sold by the Company in its follow-on offering in February 2007. As of May 31, 2007, New Oriental had cash and cash equivalents of RMB1,563.8 million (US$204.4 million), as compared to RMB261.9 million as of May 31, 2006. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to RMB946.0 million net proceeds from the Company's initial public offering in September 2006, and RMB184.7 million net proceeds from the follow-on offering in February 2007. Net operating cash flow for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was approximately RMB450 million (US$58.8 million). Outlook for First Fiscal Quarter 2008 New Oriental expects its total net revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 (June 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007) to be in the range of RMB520.0 million (US$68.0 million) to RMB550.0 million (US$71.9 million), representing year-over-year growth in the range of 21.1% to 28.1%, respectively. This forecast reflects New Oriental's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change. Conference Call Information New Oriental's management will host an earnings conference call at 8 AM on July 24, 2007 U.S. Eastern Time (8 PM on July 24, 2007 Beijing/Hong Kong time). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: US: +1-617-213-8850 Hong Kong: +852-3002-1672 Please dial-in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "New Oriental earnings call." A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until July 30, 2007: International: +1-617-801-6888 Passcode: 59542542 Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.neworiental.org/ . About New Oriental New Oriental is the largest provider of private educational services in China based on the number of program offerings, total student enrollments and geographic presence. New Oriental offers a wide range of educational programs, services and products consisting primarily of English and other foreign language training, test preparation courses for major admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries, primary and secondary school education, development and distribution of educational content, software and other technology, and online education. New Oriental's ADSs, each of which represents four common shares, currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EDU." For more information about New Oriental, please visit http://english.neworiental.org/ . 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" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as New Oriental's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. New Oriental 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 New Oriental'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 growth strategies; our future business development, results of operations and financial condition; our ability to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees; our ability to continue to hire, train and retain qualified teachers; our ability to maintain and enhance our "New Oriental" brand; our ability to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network and successfully execute our growth strategy; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the private education sector in China; changes in our revenues and certain cost or expense items as a percentage of our revenues; the expected growth of the Chinese private education market; and Chinese governmental policies relating to private educational services and providers of such services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our registration statement on Form F-1 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New Oriental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of July 24, 2007, and New Oriental undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. About Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement New Oriental's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, New Oriental uses the following measures defined as non- GAAP financial measures by the SEC: net income excluding share-based compensation expenses and basic and diluted earnings per share and per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non- GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release. New Oriental believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. New Oriental believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to New Oriental's historical performance and liquidity. New Oriental computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter. New Oriental believes these non- GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP net income excluding share-based compensation expenses, and basic and diluted earnings per share and per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charge that has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in our business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures. (1): The Company's financial statements are stated in RMB. The translation of RMB amounts at and for the year ended May 31, 2007 into United States dollar("US$") is included solely for the convenience of the readers and has been made at the rate of RMB7.6516 to US$1, the approximate free rate of exchange at May 31, 2007. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into US$ at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under US GAAP. NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) As of As of As of May 31 February 28 May 31 2007 2007 2006 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Note 1) RMB USD RMB RMB ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,563,819 204,378 3,432,623 261,854 Restricted cash 3,057 400 3,069 3,000 Term deposits 23,000 3,006 3,000 -- Accounts receivable, net 4,109 537 3,059 3,035 Inventory 49,028 6,408 39,257 36,418 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 47,149 6,162 44,615 35,655 Total current assets 1,690,162 220,891 3,525,623 339,962 Property, plant and equipment, net 693,045 90,575 702,084 706,565 Land use right, net 24,903 3,255 25,041 25,456 Deposit for acquiring property and equipment -- -- -- 1,175 Amounts due from related parties 244 32 523 8,527 Deferred tax assets 8,345 1,091 4,952 5,163 Long term prepaid rent -- -- -- 1,077 Trade mark 1,637 214 1,637 1,637 Long term investment 15 2 15 -- Total assets 2,418,351 316,060 4,259,875 1,089,562 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term borrowings -- -- -- 35,000 Accounts payable-trade 43,282 5,657 38,185 36,183 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 137,455 17,965 122,893 91,596 Dividend payable -- -- -- 772 Income tax payable 15,343 2,005 14,996 9,151 Current portion of long-term debt -- -- -- 47,603 Amount due to related parties 97 13 2,067,820 389 Deferred revenue 330,763 43,228 135,025 244,524 Total current liabilities 526,940 68,868 2,378,919 465,218 Long-term debt, less current portion -- -- -- 102,638 Total long-term liabilities -- -- -- 102,638 Total liabilities 526,940 68,868 2,378,919 567,856 Minority interest 1,818 238 1,886 200 Total shareholders' equity 1,889,593 246,954 1,879,070 521,506 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 2,418,351 316,060 4,259,875 1,089,562 Notes: Note 1: Data derived from audited financial statements. NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Three Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB USD RMB Net Revenues: Educational Programs and services 168,860 22,069 131,072 Books and others 21,729 2,840 16,570 Total net revenues 190,589 24,909 147,642 Operating costs and expenses (note 1): Cost of revenues 90,344 11,807 71,151 Selling and marketing 38,533 5,036 26,082 General and administrative 88,665 11,588 81,301 Total operating costs and expenses 217,542 28,431 178,534 Operating income (loss) (26,953) (3,522) (30,892) Other income (expenses), net 14,898 1,947 (2,653) Income tax expense (124) (16) (744) Minority interest, net of tax 286 37 -- Income (loss) from continuing operations (11,893) (1,554) (34,289) Income on discontinued operations -- -- -- Net Income (loss) (11,893) (1,554) (34,289) Dividend in kind -- -- -- Income (loss) attributable to holders of common shares (11,893) (1,554) (34,289) Net income (loss) per share-basic (0.08) (0.01) (0.34) Net income (loss) per share-diluted (0.08) (0.01) (0.34) Net income(loss) per ADS-basic (note 2) (0.31) (0.04) (1.37) Net income (loss) per ADS-diluted (note 2) (0.31) (0.04) (1.37) Notes: Note 1: Share based compensation expenses (in thousands) are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows: For the Three Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 Unaudited Unaudited RMB USD RMB Cost of revenues 1,830 239 327 Selling and marketing 509 67 617 General and administrative 15,197 1,986 36,334 Note 2: Each ADS represents four common shares NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Twelve Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 (Unaudited) (Note 1) RMB USD RMB Net Revenues: Educational Programs and services 972,991 127,162 721,497 Books and others 71,028 9,283 48,762 Total net revenues 1,044,019 136,445 770,259 Operating costs and expenses (note 2): Cost of revenues 422,664 55,239 320,895 Selling and marketing 128,008 16,730 82,121 General and administrative 285,732 37,343 303,084 Total operating costs and expenses 836,404 109,312 706,100 Operating income (loss) 207,615 27,133 64,159 Other income (expenses), net 32,627 4,265 (10,434) Income tax expense (14,512) (1,897) (13,923) Minority interest, net of tax 998 130 (12) Income (loss) from continuing operations 226,728 29,631 39,790 Income on discontinued operations -- -- 9,595 Net Income (loss) 226,728 29,631 49,385 Dividend in kind -- -- (25,526) Income (loss) attributable to holders of common shares 226,728 29,631 23,859 Net income (loss) per share-basic 1.68 0.22 0.24 Net income (loss) per share-diluted 1.58 0.21 0.21 Net income(loss) per ADS-basic (note 3) 6.70 0.88 0.95 Net income (loss) per ADS-diluted (note 3) 6.33 0.83 0.86 Notes: Note 1: Data derived from audited financial statements. Note 2: Share based compensation expenses (in thousands) are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows: For the Twelve Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 Unaudited (Note 1) RMB USD RMB Cost of revenues 2,452 320 392 Selling and marketing 828 108 1,410 General and administrative 33,527 4,382 62,655 Note 3: Each ADS represents four common shares NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES (In thousands except share and per ADS amounts) For the Three Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB USD RMB GAAP net income (loss) (11,893) (1,554) (34,289) Dividend in kind -- -- -- GAAP Income (loss) attributable to holders of common shares (11,893) (1,554) (34,289) Share-based compensation expense 17,536 2,292 37,278 Non-GAAP income attributable to holders of common shares 5,643 738 2,989 GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - basic (note 1) (0.31) (0.04) (1.37) GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - diluted (note 1) (0.31) (0.04) (1.37) Non-GAAP net income per ADS - basic (note 1) 0.15 0.02 0.12 Non-GAAP net income per ADS - diluted (note 1) 0.14 0.02 0.11 Shares used in calculated basic net income (loss) per ADS (note 1) 152,004,707 152,004,707 100,000,000 Shares used in calculated diluted net income (loss) per ADS (note 1) 152,004,707 152,004,707 100,000,000 Shares used in calculated basic non-GAAP net income per ADS (note 1) 152,004,707 152,004,707 100,000,000 Shares used in calculated diluted non-GAAP net income per ADS (note 1) 158,618,688 158,618,688 111,111,111 Note 1: Each ADS represents four common shares NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES (In thousands except share and per ADS amounts) For the Twelve Months Ended May 31 2007 2006 (Unaudited) (Note 1) RMB USD RMB GAAP net income (loss) 226,728 29,631 49,385 Dividend in kind -- -- (25,526) GAAP Income (loss) attributable to holders of common shares 226,728 29,631 23,859 Share-based compensation expense 36,807 4,810 64,457 Non-GAAP income attributable to holders of common shares 263,535 34,441 88,316 GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - basic (note 2) 6.70 0.88 0.95 GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - diluted (note 2) 6.33 0.83 0.86 Non-GAAP net income per ADS - basic (note 2) 7.79 1.02 3.53 Non-GAAP net income per ADS - diluted (note 2) 7.36 0.96 3.18 Shares used in calculated basic net income (loss) per ADS (note 2) 135,326,711 135,326,711 100,000,000 Shares used in calculated diluted net income (loss) per ADS (note 2) 143,202,314 143,202,314 111,111,111 Shares used in calculated basic non-GAAP net income per ADS (note 2) 135,326,711 135,326,711 100,000,000 Shares used in calculated diluted non-GAAP net income per ADS (note 2) 143,202,314 143,202,314 111,111,111 Notes: Note 1: Data derived from audited financial statements. Note 2: Each ADS represents four common shares. For more information, please contact: For investor and media inquiries: In China: Ms. Sisi Zhao New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. Tel: +86-10-6260-5566 x8203 Email: Mr. Rory Macpherson Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Tel: +86-10-8520-6553 Email: In the United States: Mr. Thomas Smith Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Tel: +1-212-880-5269 Email: DATASOURCE: New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. CONTACT: In China - Ms. Sisi Zhao of New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc., +86-10-6260-5566 x8203, or ; or Mr. Rory Macpherson of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, +86-10-8520-6553, or ; or in the United States - Mr. Thomas Smith of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, +1- 212-880-5269, or Web Site: http://english.neworiental.org/

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