China Education Alliance, Inc. Announces Strong First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009...

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Mon May 18, 2009 9:29pm EDT

China Education Alliance, Inc. Announces Strong First Quarter and Fiscal Year
2009 Results

HARBIN, China, May 18 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China Education
Alliance, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CEUA; ''China Education Alliance'' or
''the Company''), a leading distributor of educational resources, offering
high-quality programs and training both through online networks and an on-site
training center in the People's Republic of China, today reported strong
financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
    First Quarter 2009 Highlights

    -- Total Revenue increased 101.6% year over year to approximately
       $8.2 million
    -- Gross profit rose 87.5% to approximately $6.1 million or 74.2% of
       sales, compared to 79.7% of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2008
    -- Operating income totalled approximately $3.4 million, versus an
       operating income of approximately $1.5 million in the first quarter of
       fiscal 2008
    -- Net income was approximately $3.2 million, versus net income of
       approximately $1.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008
    -- Net income grew to a record $0.13 per fully diluted share, versus net
       income of $0.08 per fully diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal
       2008

    First Quarter 2009 Results China Education Alliance's on-line business
generated 58.9% of its total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2009
versus 65.1% for the same period the prior year.  Its training center business
generated 31.0% of its total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2009
versus 24.2% for the same period the prior year, and its advertising business
generated the remaining 10.1% of its total revenue for the first quarter of
fiscal 2009 versus 10.8% for the same period the prior year.
    Online education revenue was approximately $4.8 million for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 82.4% from approximately $2.6 million
for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Training center revenue for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009 was approximately $2.5 million, up 158.9% from $1.0
million in the first quarter last year. Advertising revenue was approximately
$0.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 88.6% from
approximately $0.4 million for the first quarter the prior year. During 2008
and 2009, we added several new programs for vocational studies and
certification programs, which provided new sources of income for our online
education business.
    Overall cost of sales increased 157.0% to approximately $2.1 million in
the first quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to approximately $0.8 million for
the same period in fiscal 2008. Gross profit increased to approximately $6.1
million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 87.5% from
approximately $3.2 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2008. Gross margin
for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was 74.2%, as compared to a record 79.7%
for the same quarter a year ago. The online education gross margin decreased
to 75.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 from 85.4% for the same period in
fiscal 2008. The training center gross margin increased to 66.1% for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009 from 59.4% for the same period last year.  Advertising
gross margin increased to 93.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 from 91.3%
for the same period in 2008.
    Selling expenses increased 84.6% to approximately $2.2 million for the
first quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to approximately $1.2 million in the
first quarter of 2008, due to increased expenses in building our marketing
team and higher debit card agency expenses. General and administrative ("G&A")
expenses were approximately $0.25 million for the first quarter of fiscal
2009, a decrease from approximately $0.31 million in the first quarter of
fiscal 2008, primarily due to a decline salaries, travel and telephone
expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the prior year. As a
percentage of revenue, G&A expenses decreased to 3.1% in the first quarter of
fiscal 2009, down from 7.6% in the same period of last year.
    Operating income in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased to
approximately $3.4 million, from approximately $1.5 million in the same period
a year ago. Operating margin was 41.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
    Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was approximately $3.2
million, as a result of strong development in our three business segments,
compared to a net income of approximately $1.9 million for the first quarter
of fiscal 2008.  The first quarter of fiscal 2009 net income was $0.13 per
fully diluted share, compared with $0.08 in the same period last year.
    Financial Condition
    As of March 31, 2009, China Education Alliance had approximately $27.6
million in cash and cash equivalents, $29.3 million in working capital, and no
long-term debt. Shareholders' equity was approximately $36.9 million, an
increase from approximately $33.7 million on December 31, 2008. We generated
$3.9 million in cash flow from operating activities in the first quarter of
fiscal 2009.
    Business Outlook
    China Education Alliance has three main business components:
    1. The Company provides downloadable teaching resources to primary and
secondary school students. At the same time, to carry out on-site trainings.
At present, the Company's well-developed Internet business is conducted
primarily in the province of Heilongjiang and is expanding to the provinces
Jilin, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. The business is gaining more and more
recognition of students and parents. Regarding on-site training, the company
is stepping up efforts to carry out the designation in more geographical
areas. In addition, Scientific Discovery is enjoying a growing distribution,
and the Company plans to achieve a circulation of 100,000 sets by the end of
2009. Through Scientific Discovery, the Company's brand awareness has been
spread and strengthens and established close relationship with the students
and parents. In addition, the Company plans to cooperate with third-party
companies in the future to create an exclusive access personal self-learning
platform for students to to set up learning groups online. The group will be
comprised of three modules: instructors, on-line Q & A teachers, and students
self-helping groups. Online real-time Q & A teachers, 24-hour help students
overcome their learning difficulties, can provide students with a full range
of outstanding educational resources and services. The establishment of the
platform will help us develop our business to other cities nationwide.
    2. In the field of vocational education, our vocational education program,
"the employment of millions of college students overpass project," developed
in cooperation with the Chinese Vocational Education Society (NAVEC) and aimed
at addressing the high unemployment rate among college students, is developing
well and has begun to receive governmental and societal  recognition. On the
one hand, the program has increased corporate visibility; on the other hand,
it has enhanced our influence in universities nationwide to set up a solid
base for future multi-party cooperation in the future. In addition, the
Millions of Managers Training Program has been recognized and supported by the
community and government. This program is operating well in the Beijing area
and year-round training contracts have been signed with many well-known
companies. The Company is planning to develop the program to 10 cities across
the country. Its target is to become a leader in the field of management in
China within two years.
    NAVEC has entered a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with one
of the world's largest professional certification, the City of London
Association of the United Kingdom -- (City & Guilds). NAVEC has authorized the
Company to operate several programs: International Training Program,
International Automotive Engineers, International English Teacher
Qualifications, Foreign-Related Secretary and Administrative Qualifications,
and International Management Manager Qualifications as a discretionary
exclusive operator in China. The Company plans to set up examination and
training centers by the end of 2009 in 20 cities nationwide.
    3. In the field of foreign language training, the company maintains the
normal development of the Company's business and actively carries out high-end
foreign language services. At present, the Company has entered foreign
language training contracts with a number of large enterprises and enterprise
groups. In addition, the company has entered into an exclusive agreement with
the world's largest professional certification, the City of London Association
of the United Kingdom -- (City & Guilds) to begin in China to develop
International and Spoken English Test program.
    "In the first quarter of 2009, the Company has enjoyed a comprehensive
business growth, mainly due to our strategic decision-making and a solid
infrastructure platform. We will continue to adhere to our goals for
development. We are confident in the future development of the Company," said
China Education Alliance's CEO, Mr. Xiqun Yu.
    Investor Conference Call / Webcast Details
    The Company will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2009
results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. 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 +1-877-407-
0789. International participants can dial +1-201-689-8562.   Please ask for
the Chinese Education Alliance Earnings Results Conference Call, confirmation
code 323319.
    The playback will be available beginning two hours after the conclusion of
the conference call and will be accessible by dialling + 1-201-612-7415
(international) and  +1-877-660-6853 (U.S. domestic). The conference ID to
access the replay is 323319.  The account number is 3055.
    About China Education Alliance, Inc.
    China Education Alliance, Inc. is a fast growing, leading China-based
company offering high-quality education resources and services to students
ages 6 to 18 and adults ages 18+ (University students and professionals). For
students ages 6 to 18, China Education Alliance, Inc. offers supplemental
online exam-oriented training materials and on-site exam-oriented training and
tutoring services. The company is providing on-line downloadable famous
teachers resources and on-site face to face instructions.   All resources and
tutoring services are provided by famous teachers within mainland China. The
purpose of online exam orientated resources and on-site tutoring is to help
Chinese students ages 6 to 18 to pass the two most important, and highly
competitive exams in their educational career: senior high school entrance
exam and college entrance exam. For graduates and professionals age 18+, China
Education Alliance provides vocational training including IT and several
professional training programs. In addition, the Company is providing
comprehensive English programs that are taught by the North American
instructors and to assist graduates and professionals in learning the English
language, both written and conversational in order to better able them to work
for a foreign corporation or work-study abroad. At present, five English
schools are operating nationwide in China.  For more information about CEUA,
please visit http://www.chinaeducationalliance.com .
    Safe Harbor Statement
    Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Certain statements in this press release, constitute forward-looking
statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without
limitation, statements regarding our ability to prepare the company for
growth, the Company's planned expansion in 2008 and predictions and guidance
relating to the Company's future financial performance. We have based these
forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections
about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our
financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial
needs and are not a guarantee of future performance but they involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to,
such factors as unanticipated changes in product demand especially in the
education industry, pricing and demand trends for the Company's products,
changes to government regulations, risk associated with operation of the
Company's new facilities, risk associated with large scale implementation of
the company's business plan, the ability to attract new customers, ability to
increase its product's applications, cost of raw materials, downturns in the
Chinese economy, the adoption by consumers of its new game business, the
unproven advertising model that is dependent on attracting a large game user
base, and other information detailed from time to time in the Company's
filings and future filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. Investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in
evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified
in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements
made herein speak only as of the date of this press release, readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of them and the Company
undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the
statement to actual results or changes in the company's expectations.
                         -- Financial tables below --



                 China Education Alliance, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                             Three months ended March 31
                                                2009                 2008
                                           Unaudited
    Revenues
    Online education revenues      $       4,829,488    $       2,648,114
    Training center revenues               2,547,099              983,632
    Advertising revenues                     827,492              438,671
    Total revenue                          8,204,079            4,070,417

    Cost of Goods Sold
    Online education costs                 1,199,107              386,872
    Training center costs                    864,650              399,590
    Advertising costs                         55,139               38,170
    Total cost of goods sold               2,118,896              824,632

    Gross Profit
    Online education gross profit          3,630,381            2,261,242
    Training center gross profit           1,682,449              584,042
    Advertising gross profit                 772,353              400,501
    Total gross profit                     6,085,183            3,245,785

    Operating Expenses
    Selling expenses                       2,210,688            1,197,335
    Administrative                           254,751              307,362
    Depreciation and amortization            245,453              197,658
    Total operating expenses               2,710,892            1,702,355

    Other Income (Expense)
    Other Income                                  --              521,829
    Interest income                           22,756               24,908
    Investment loss                             (411)                  --
    Total other income (expense)              22,345              546,737

    Net Income Before Provision for
     Income Tax                            3,396,636            2,090,167

    Provision For Income Taxes               167,155              176,244

    Net Income                     $       3,229,481    $       1,913,923

    Basic Earnings Per Share       $            0.15    $            0.09

    Basic Weighted Average
     Shares Outstanding                   21,892,631           20,898,901

    Diluted Earnings Per Share     $            0.13    $            0.08

    Diluted Weighted Average
     Shares Outstanding                   24,425,179           24,861,752

    The Components of Other Comprehensive Income

    Net Income                     $       3,229,481    $       1,913,923
    Foreign currency
     translation adjustment                  (38,084)             839,971

    Comprehensive Income           $       3,191,397    $       2,753,894



                 China Education Alliance, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                   March 31,     December 31,
                                                      2008             2008
    ASSETS                                        Unaudited
    Current Assets
       Cash and cash equivalents                 $27,634,917     $23,418,098
       Advances to related parties                        --         142,006
       Accounts receivables                        1,333,146         469,607
       Prepaid expenses                            2,354,536       3,437,506

           Total current assets                   31,322,599      27,467,217

     Property and equipment, net                   5,913,268       6,136,252
     Intangibles and capitalized software, net       728,740         864,089
     Goodwill                                        431,825              --
     Advance on acquisition                          233,000         932,000
     Long term investment                            341,946         342,357
                                                 $38,971,378     $35,741,915

     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Current Liabilities
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses        $922,431        $800,692
       Deferred revenues                           1,142,615       1,227,806
           Total current liabilities               2,065,046       2,028,498

     Stockholders' Equity
     Preferred stock ($0.001 par value,
      20,000,000 shares authorized, of
      7,597,645 and 9,397,645 issued
      and outstanding, respectively,
      aggregate liquidation preference
      of $2,811,129 and $3,383,152,
      respectively)                                3,010,144       3,010,144
     Common stock ($0.001 par value,
      150,000,000 shares authorized,
      21,892,631 and 21,892,631, issued
      and outstanding, respectively)                  21,893          21,893

     Additional paid-in capital                   10,753,250      10,751,732
     Statutory reserve                             1,990,238       1,990,238
     Accumulated other comprehensive income        2,649,996       2,688,080
     Retained earnings                            18,480,811      15,251,330
     Total stockholders' equity                   36,906,332      33,713,417
                                                 $38,971,378     $35,741,915



                 China Education Alliance, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                               Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                       2009             2008
    Cash flows from operating activities

    Net Income                                $   3,229,481    $   1,913,923
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities
      Depreciation and amortization                 287,338          304,081
      Stock based compensation                        1,518               --
      Loss on equity investment                         411               --
    Net change in assets and liabilities
      Account receivables                          (862,796)              --
      Prepaid expenses and other                  1,088,961          508,985
      Advances to related parties                   162,894          108,536
      Accounts payable and accrued
       liabilities                                  121,739          (16,239)

      Deferred revenue                              (85,191)        (122,168)
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                   3,944,355        2,697,118

    Cash flows from investing activities
      Purchases of fixed assets                      82,584         (249,653)
      Cash of WEI on date of acquisition            227,964               --
    Net Cash provided by investing
     activities                                     310,548         (249,653)

    Cash flows from financing activities
      Warrants exercised                                 --        2,667,559
    Net Cash Provided by Financing Activity              --        2,667,559

    Effect of exchange rate on cash                 (38,084)         839,971

    Net increase in cash                          4,216,819        5,954,995

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
     Of period                                   23,418,098       11,778,954

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                   $  27,634,917    $  17,733,949

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information:
      Value of equity granted and issued      $          --    $      94,737

    Non-cash investing and financing
     activities
      Conversion of preferred stock to
      common                                  $          --    $     667,800



    For more information, please contact:

    Company Contact:
     Ms. Susan Liu
     CFO
     China Education Alliance, Inc.
     Tel:   +1-778-388-8513
     Email: susan@edu-chn.com

SOURCE  China Education Alliance, Inc.

Ms. Susan Liu, CFO, of China Education Alliance, Inc., +1-778-388-8513, or
susan@edu-chn.com
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