LONG Elong ADS Representing 2 Ordinary Shares (MM)

eLong Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2004 Unaudited Financial Results BEIJING, March 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- eLong, Inc. (NASDAQ:LONG), a leading online travel service provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/ELONGLOGO ) Business Highlights Highlights for the fourth quarter 2004: * Total revenues increased 48% year-over-year and 6% sequentially to RMB40.3 million (US$4.9 million). * Gross margins were 85%. * The Company completed its initial public offering and the listing of its American Depository Shares (ADSs) on the Nasdaq National Market on November 2, 2004. * The Company completed the acquisition of Ray Time, one of China's leading operators of hotel loyalty programs on November 26, 2004. * In January 2005, IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) completed the purchase of 17,362,134 shares of high-vote ordinary stock of eLong for an aggregate cash purchase price of $107.8 million, or US$6.21 per share (the equivalent of $12.42 per ADS), giving IAC ownership of approximately 52% of the Company's outstanding capital stock (on a fully diluted basis), representing approximately 96% of the total voting power of eLong. Highlights for fiscal 2004: * Total revenues were RMB138.5 million (US$16.7 million), an 86% increase year-over-year. * Revenues from air ticketing were RMB10.1 million (US$1.2 million) increasing 170% year-over-year. * Gross margins were 87%. * As of December 31, 2004, the Company's cash balance was RMB646 million (US$78.0 million), including restricted cash of RMB35.7 million (US$4.3 million). "We enter 2005 as one of China's leading travel companies and with our strong capital base and committed employees we are well positioned. Our core focus this year is on providing travelers with the best available travel products. We aim to lead the way in online travel as we believe it is one of the most attractive long-term growth areas in the Chinese e-commerce market," remarked Justin Tang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of eLong. Business Results Total revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004, were RMB40.3 million (US$4.9 million), an increase of 48% from RMB27.2 million (US$3.3 million) reported in the same period in 2003 and an increase of 6% from RMB38.0 million (US$4.6 million) reported in the previous quarter. The Company recorded a net loss of RMB10.9 million (US$1.3 million) for the quarter. The US GAAP loss per ADS for the fourth quarter was RMB0.90 (US$0.108). Adjusted loss for the quarter (a non-GAAP measure), which excludes amortization of stock compensation and intangibles, was RMB7.8 million (US$944,000). Adjusted loss per ADS for the quarter (also a non-GAAP measure) was RMB0.62 (US$0.075). Please refer to the attached table for a reconciliation of net loss and loss per ADS under US GAAP to adjusted loss and adjusted loss per ADS. Total revenues for fiscal 2004 were RMB138.5 million (US$16.7 million), an increase of 86% from RMB74.4 million (US$9.0 million) for fiscal 2003. The Company recorded a net loss of RMB21.0 million (US$ 2.5 million) for fiscal 2004. The US GAAP loss per ADS for fiscal 2004 was RMB2.33 (US$0.282). Adjusted loss for fiscal 2004 (a non-GAAP measure), which excludes amortization of stock compensation and intangibles, was RMB11.0 million (US$1.3 million). Adjusted loss per ADS for fiscal 2004 (a non-GAAP measure) was RMB1.20 (US$0.145). Please refer to the attached table for a reconciliation of net loss and loss per ADS under US GAAP to adjusted loss and adjusted loss per ADS. Revenue from hotel reservations for the fourth quarter totaled RMB33.3 million (US$4.0 million), an increase of 52% year-over-year and 10% sequentially. The total number of hotel room nights booked through eLong in the fourth quarter was 582,000, compared with 536,000 in the previous quarter and 373,000 in the corresponding period a year ago. Growth in hotel reservation revenues was due primarily to an increase in the number of customers selecting eLong for their travel needs. Revenue from hotel reservations for fiscal 2004 totaled RMB111.4 million (US$13.5 million), an increase of 85% year-over-year. The total number of hotel room nights booked through eLong in fiscal 2004 was 1.96 million compared with 1.03 million in fiscal 2003. As of December 31, 2004, eLong's customers were able to book hotel rooms through eLong at discounted rates at more than 2,600 hotels in 220 cities across China. http://www.elong.net/, the Company's website, which is maintained in the English language, currently provides customers with the ability to book international hotels, car rentals, activities and vacation packages through a private-label service owned and operated by IAC/InterActiveCorp through IAC Travel. Customers can now take advantage of expanded options for booking a complete vacation to more than 720 worldwide destinations. Revenues from air ticketing during the fourth quarter totaled RMB2.9 million (US$347,000), a 105% increase year-over-year and a 15% decrease sequentially. The lower total air ticketing revenues were the result of lower air ticketing revenues from corporate customers in the fourth quarter as compared with the third quarter. Revenues from air ticketing during fiscal 2004 totaled RMB10.1 million (US$1.2 million), an increase of 170% year-over-year. eLong sold 250,000 air tickets in fiscal 2004 compared with 73,000 in fiscal 2003. Gross margins in the fourth quarter remained relatively unchanged from the previous quarter at 85%, and gross margins in fiscal 2004 were 87%. Operating expenses for the fourth quarter, excluding stock-based compensation and amortization of intangibles, were RMB41.4 million (US$5.0 million), an increase of 29% from the previous quarter. This increase in operating expenses was due to a number of factors, including additional operating expenses attributable to Ray Time, which the Company acquired in November 2004, additional spending in sales and marketing and service development associated with hotel and air business, and additional administrative expenses. Operating expenses for fiscal 2004, excluding stock-based compensation and amortization of intangibles, were RMB130.7 million (US$15.8 million), an increase of 112%, compared with RMB61.5 million (US$7.4 million) in fiscal 2003. The increase was due to our business expansion as well as somewhat lower than normal operating expenses in the second and third quarters of 2003 as operations were scaled back due to the outbreak of SARS. During the fourth quarter we had non operating expenses of RMB913,000 (US$110,000) as compared with non operating income of RMB455,000 (US$54,000) in the third quarter of 2004. This change was primarily due to a RMB3.0 million (US$362,000) investment provision made in the fourth quarter with no comparable provision in the third quarter. The fourth quarter investment provision was partly offset by fourth quarter interest income of Rmb2.1 million (US$253,000) earned on our cash deposits resulting in a non operating expense of Rmb913,000 (US$110,000). Adjusted loss, a non-GAAP measure that excludes amortization of stock compensation and intangibles, in the fourth quarter was RMB7.8 million (US$944,000), compared with adjusted income of RMB1.4 million (US$167,000) in the third quarter. This decrease was primarily due to higher operating expenses which exceeded the gross profit contribution from the additional revenues. Adjusted loss for fiscal year 2004 totaled RMB11.0 million (US$1.3 million) compared with an adjusted income of RMB3.0 million (US$361,000) in fiscal 2003. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's cash balance was US$78.0 million, including restricted cash of US$4.3 million. On January 7, 2005, the Company received RMB892.2 million (US$107.8 million) from IAC/InterActiveCorp in connection with the exercise of its warrant of which RMB446.1 million (US$53.9 million) was used by the Company to buy back shares from existing shareholders resulting in a net cash inflow of RMB446.1 million (US$53.9 million). "In the fourth quarter, eLong once again demonstrated healthy revenue growth. Top-line growth will remain a key focus for us as we look to take advantage of our strong position and the opportunities in China's travel market," said Derek Palaschuk, eLong's Chief Financial Officer. Business Outlook eLong estimates total revenues for the first quarter 2005 to be RMB37.3 million (US$4.5 million) an increase of 40% from the first quarter of 2004, US GAAP net loss of RMB14.5 million (US$1.8 million) and adjusted loss of RMB10.5 million (US$1.3 million). First quarter loss per ADS is expected to be RMB0.60 (US$0.07) and first quarter adjusted loss per ADS is expected to be RMB0.44 (U$0.05). Note to the Financial Statements The unaudited financial information disclosed above is preliminary. The audit of the financial statements and related notes to be included in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004 is still in progress. Adjustments to the financial statements may be identified when the audit work is completed, which could result in significant differences between our audited financial statements and this preliminary unaudited financial information. Safe Harbor Statement Statements in this press release concerning eLong's future business, operating results and financial condition are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management's current views and expectations with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Furthermore, these statements are, by their nature, subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Factors that could affect the Company's actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, eLong's historical operating losses, its limited operating history, declines or disruptions in the travel industry, the recurrence of SARS, eLong's reliance on having good relationships with hotel suppliers and airline ticket suppliers, collection risk with respect to eLong's corporate travel accounts receivable, the possibly that eLong will be unable to timely comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the risk that eLong will not be successful in competing against new and existing competitors, risks associated with IAC's investment in eLong and the integration of eLong's business with that of IAC's, changes in eLong's management team and other key personnel and other risks outlined in eLong's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC), including eLong's registration statement on Form F-1 filed with SEC in connection with eLong's IPO and eLong's Form 6-K filed with the SEC in connection with this press release. eLong undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Conference Call eLong will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2004 earnings at 7:00pm Eastern Time, March 1, 2005 (Beijing/Hong Kong time: March 2, 2005 at 8:00am). The management team will be on the call to discuss quarterly results and highlights and to answer questions. The toll- free number for U.S. participants is 1-877-697-2796 and the dial-in number for Hong Kong participants is +852-2258-4102. The passcode for all participants is 2326439 Additionally, a live and archived web cast of this call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the eLong web site at http://ir.elong.net/. About eLong, Inc. Founded in 1999, eLong is an independent travel service company headquartered in Beijing with a national presence across China. The Company uses web-based distribution technologies and a 24-hour nationwide call center to provide consumers with consolidated travel information and the ability to access hotel reservations at discounted rates at over 2,600 hotels in major cities across China. The Company also offers air ticketing and other travel related services, such as rental cars, vacation packages and corporate travel services. eLong operates the websites http://www.elong.com/ and http://www.elong.net/ eLong, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2004 2004 2004 RMB RMB RMB US$ Revenues Hotel commissions 21,825 30,155 33,254 4,018 Airticketing commissions 1,404 3,392 2,882 347 Other travel revenue 447 322 1,446 175 Total travel revenue 23,676 33,869 37,582 4,540 Non travel 3,483 4,163 2,731 330 Total revenues 27,159 38,032 40,313 4,870 Cost of services 2,832 5,023 5,887 711 Gross profit 24,327 33,009 34,426 4,159 Operating expenses Service development 740 1,633 1,808 219 Sales and marketing 16,423 22,712 26,752 3,232 General and administrative 3,845 5,648 10,717 1,295 Stock-based compensation 32 2,050 2,966 358 Amortization of intangibles 20 60 121 15 Business tax and surcharges 1,500 2,060 2,098 253 Total operating expenses 22,560 34,163 44,462 5,372 Profit/(loss) from operations 1,767 (1,154) (10,036) (1,213) Other income/(expenses) (18) 455 (913) (110) Income/(loss) before income tax expense 1,749 (699) (10,949) (1,323) Income tax expense 390 - 14 2 Minority interest - 24 (66) (8) Net income/(loss) 1,359 (723) (10,897) (1,317) Less: Amortization of options to preferred shareholder - - 414 50 Net income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 1,359 (723) (11,311) (1,367) Basic income/(loss) per share 0.08 (0.05) (0.45) (0.054) Diluted income/(loss) per share 0.05 (0.05) (0.45) (0.054) Basic income/(loss) per ADS 0.16 (0.10) (0.90) (0.108) Diluted income/(loss) per ADS 0.09 (0.10) (0.90) (0.108) Shares used in computing basic net income/(loss) per share 16,788 14,395 25,258 25,258 Shares used in computing diluted net income/(loss) per share 29,574 14,395 25,258 25,258 Year Ended Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2004 2004 RMB RMB US$ Revenues Hotel commissions 60,253 111,434 13,464 Airticketing commissions 3,744 10,091 1,219 Other travel revenue 2,234 2,470 298 Total travel revenue 66,231 123,995 14,981 Non travel 8,160 14,459 1,747 Total revenues 74,390 138,454 16,728 Cost of services 9,370 17,978 2,172 Gross profit 65,020 120,476 14,556 Operating expenses Service development 2,022 7,691 929 Sales and marketing 44,903 88,653 10,712 General and administrative 10,513 27,159 3,281 Stock-based compensation 1,353 9,669 1,168 Amortization of intangibles 20 301 36 Business tax and surcharges 4,109 7,220 872 Total operating expenses 62,920 140,693 16,998 Profit/(loss) from operations 2,100 (20,217) (2,442) Other income/(expenses) (21) (481) (58) Income/(loss) before income tax expense 2,079 (20,698) (2,500) Income tax expense 463 298 36 Minority interest - (43) (5) Net income/(loss) 1,616 (20,953) (2,531) Less: Amortization of options to preferred shareholder - 414 50 Net income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 1,616 (21,367) (2,581) Basic income/(loss) per share 0.09 (1.17) (0.141) Diluted income/(loss) per share 0.07 (1.17) (0.141) Basic income/(loss) per ADS 0.18 (2.33) (0.282) Diluted income/(loss) per ADS 0.13 (2.33) (0.282) Shares used in computing basic net income/(loss) per share 17,587 18,319 18,319 Shares used in computing diluted net income/(loss) per share 24,716 18,319 18,319 Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into United States dollars (USD) is based on the noon buying rate of USD1.00 = RMB8.2765 on December 31, 2004 in The City of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve. No representation is intended to imply that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollars at that rate on December 31, 2004. eLong, Inc. CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2004 2004 ASSETS RMB RMB US$ Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 73,132 610,047 73,708 Cash held in escrow - 35,735 4,318 Accounts receivable from non- corporate travel, net 19,296 18,222 2,202 Accounts receivable from corporate travel, net 9,202 18,490 2,234 Total Accounts receivable, net 28,498 36,712 4,436 Investment securities 447 432 52 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,539 13,302 1,607 Deferred tax assets 14 - - Total current assets 110,630 696,228 84,121 Deferred tax assets 644 586 71 Equipment and software, net 8,109 15,428 1,864 Goodwill 8,998 20,333 2,457 Intangibles 2,180 4,579 553 Other non-current assets - 1,321 160 Total assets 130,561 738,475 89,226 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable 11,041 8,183 989 Accrued expenses and other payables 18,210 49,462 5,976 Advances from customers 35 341 41 Business and other taxes payable 667 1,114 135 Total current liabilities 29,953 59,100 7,141 Total liabilities 29,953 59,100 7,141 Minority interest - 2,457 297 Shareholders' equity Series A preferred shares 113,957 - - Stock warrant - 84,906 10,259 Ordinary shares 1,390 3,298 398 Additional paid-in capital 9,656 672,684 81,276 Other equity items (427) (38,620) (4,666) Accumulated deficit and other comprehensive income (23,968) (45,350) (5,479) Total shareholders' equity 100,608 676,918 81,788 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 130,561 738,475 89,226 eLong, Inc RECONCILIATION OF US GAAP INCOME/(LOSS) AND EPS TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED INCOME/(LOSS) AND EPS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2004 2004 2004 RMB RMB RMB US$ Net income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 1,359 (723) (11,311) (1,367) Amortization of non-cash stock-based compensation 32 2,050 3,380 408 Amortization of intangibles 20 60 121 15 Adjusted income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 1,411 1,387 (7,810) (944) Basic adjusted income/(loss) per share 0.08 0.10 (0.31) (0.037) Diluted adjusted income/(loss) per share 0.05 0.04 (0.31) (0.037) Basic adjusted income/(loss) per ADS 0.17 0.19 (0.62) (0.075) Diluted adjusted income/(loss) per ADS 0.10 0.08 (0.62) (0.075) Shares used in computing adjusted basic income/loss per share 16,788 14,395 25,258 25,258 Shares used in computing adjusted diluted income/loss per share 29,574 35,182 25,258 25,258 Year Ended Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2004 2004 RMB RMB US$ Net income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 1,616 (21,367) (2,581) Amortization of non-cash stock-based compensation 1,353 10,083 1,218 Amortization of intangibles 20 301 36 Adjusted income/ (loss) available for common shareholders 2,989 (10,983) (1,327) Basic adjusted income/(loss) per share 0.17 (0.60) (0.072) Diluted adjusted income/(loss) per share 0.12 (0.60) (0.072) Basic adjusted income/(loss) per ADS 0.34 (1.20) (0.145) Diluted adjusted income/(loss) per ADS 0.24 (1.20) (0.145) Shares used in computing adjusted basic income/loss per share 17,587 18,319 18,319 Shares used in computing adjusted diluted income/loss per share 24,716 18,319 18,319 Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"), the Company also uses non-GAAP measures of adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted diluted income/(loss) per ADS, which are adjusted from results based on US GAAP to exclude the impact of non-cash charges related to certain stock based compensation, as well as the impact of charges related to intangibles. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the user's overall understanding of our current financial performance and our prospects for the future and, additionally, uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the general purpose of analyzing and managing the Company's business. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain charges that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with US GAAP. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/ELONGLOGODATASOURCE: eLong, Inc. CONTACT: Raymond Huang, Investor Relations Manager of eLong, Inc., +86-10-5860-2288 ext. 6633, Web site: http://www.elong.com/ http://www.elong.net/ http://ir.elong.net/

Copyright