Form 6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of March 2014

Commission File Number: 001-34238

 

 

THE9 LIMITED

 

 

Building No. 3, 690 Bibo Road

Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, Pudong New Area

Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x            Form 40-F  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

 

 

 


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE9 LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Jun Zhu

Name:   Jun Zhu
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 26, 2014


Exhibit Index

Exhibit 99.1 — Press Release


Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

The9 Limited Reports Third and Fourth Quarter 2013 Unaudited Financial Results

Shanghai, China –March 25, 2014. The9 Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY) (“The9”), an online game developer and operator, announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013 and the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013 today.

Financial Highlights:

 

  Net revenues in the third quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB33.9 million (US$5.6 million), representing a 29.5% increase from RMB26.2 million (US$4.3 million) in the second quarter of 2013. Net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB24.8 million (US$4.1 million), representing a 26.8% decrease from RMB33.9 million (US$5.6 million) in the third quarter of 2013

 

  In the third quarter of 2013, net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was RMB121.5 million (US$20.1 million), representing a 27.6% decrease from a net loss of RMB167.8 million (US$27.7 million) in the second quarter of 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was RMB122.9 million (US$20.3 million), representing a 1.1% increase from RMB121.5 million (US$20.1 million) in the third quarter of 2013.

Management Comments:

Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The9 said, “We are very excited to introduce Fun Box to the China market. Fun Box is the home entertainment set top box developed by our joint venture ZTE9. Unlike the typical online video and music, Fun Box also enables video conferencing on TV. More importantly, with the gamepad and high-end built-in hardware, Fun Box provides excellent video game experience on TV. We are considering different plans to share the maximum business opportunities of Fun Box to The9 shareholders. For our existing online game business, with the signing of a $23 million investment deal from Shanghai Oriental Pearl (Group) Co., Ltd., Firefall has entered into the last stage of beta testing. We are planning a large-scale commercial launch of Firefall in 2014.”

Discussion of The9’s Unaudited Third and Fourth Quarter 2013 Results

Net Revenues

Our net revenues in the third quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB33.9 million (US$5.6 million), representing a 29.5% increase from RMB26.2 million (US$4.3 million) in the second quarter of 2013 and a 4.5% increase from RMB32.4 million (US$5.4 million) in the third quarter of 2012. The increase from the previous quarter was primarily due to an increase in net revenues from Planetside 2 and Firefall, which is in limited beta testing.

Our net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB24.8 million (US$4.1 million), representing an 26.8% decrease from RMB33.9 million (US$5.6 million) in the third quarter of 2013 and a 33.5% increase from RMB18.6 million (US$3.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease from the previous quarter was primarily due to a decrease in net revenues from several web games. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to an increase in net revenues from Planetside 2 and Firefall, which is in limited beta testing.

Gross Profit (Loss)

Our gross loss in the third quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB8.2 million (US$1.4 million), compared with a RMB3.0 million (US$0.5 million) gross profit in the second quarter of 2013 and a gross profit of RMB14.8 million (US$2.4 million) in the third quarter of 2012. The gross loss in the third quarter of 2013 was primarily due to the impairment of prepaid royalties and deferred cost of Planetside 2 as lower-than-expected revenues were generated.

 

Page 1


Our gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB3.0 million (US$0.5 million), compared to gross loss of RMB8.2 million (US$1.4 million) in the third quarter of 2013, and a gross loss of RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012. The gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2013 was primarily due to an increase in net revenues from Planetside 2 and Firefall which were sufficient to cover the cost of services.

Operating Expenses

In the third quarter of 2013, our operating expenses were RMB126.1 million (US$20.8 million), representing a 15.6% decrease from RMB149.4 million (US$24.7 million) in the second quarter of 2013 and a 38.5% decrease from RMB205.0 million (US$33.9 million) in the third quarter of 2012. The decrease from the second quarter of 2013 was primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expense as a result of the decrease in share-based compensation. The decrease from the third quarter of 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in product development expenses as a result of our restructuring of investments in and termination of certain contractual arrangements with certain game development variable interest entities in the third quarter of 2012, a decrease in marketing expenses related to Firefall, as well as a decrease in general and administrative expense as a result of our cost cutting efforts. In the third quarter of 2013, our share-based compensation was RMB4.6 million (US$0.8 million), compared to RMB11.8 million (US$2.0 million) in the second quarter of 2013 and RMB11.4 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter of 2012.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, our operating expenses were RMB126.5 million (US$20.9 million), representing a 0.3% increase from RMB126.1 million (US$20.8 million) in the third quarter of 2013 and a 15.0% decrease from RMB148.9 million (US$24.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase from the third quarter of 2013 was primarily due to the increase in impairment loss on certain equipment, intangible assets and other long-lived assets and the increase in general and administration expenses, offset by the decrease in marketing expenses and product development expenses. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to decrease in marketing expenses, product development expenses and general and administrative expenses, offset by the increase in impairment loss on certain equipment, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. In the fourth quarter of 2013, our share-based compensation was RMB4.9 million (US$0.8 million), compared to RMB4.6 million (US$0.8 million) in the third quarter of 2013 and RMB8.2 million (US$1.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Impairment Loss on Investments

In the fourth quarter of 2013, we recognized an impairment loss of RMB15.2 million (US$2.5 million) in relation to our investment in an app development company based in Beijing.

Net Loss Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares

As a result of the foregoing, in the third quarter of 2013, our net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was RMB121.5 million (US$20.1 million), representing a 27.6% decrease from RMB167.8 million (US$27.7 million) in the second quarter of 2013 and a 28.0% decrease from RMB168.7 million (US$27.9 million) in the third quarter of 2012. Our fully diluted loss per share and per ADS in the third quarter of 2013 was RMB5.31 (US$0.88), compared to RMB7.34 (US$1.21) in the second quarter of 2013 and RMB6.88 (US$1.14) in the third quarter of 2012.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, our net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was RMB122.9 million (US$20.3 million), representing a 1.1% increase from RMB121.5 million (US$20.1 million) in the third quarter of 2013 and a 6.0% increase from RMB115.9 million (US$19.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012. Our fully diluted loss per share and per ADS in the fourth quarter of 2013 was RMB5.33 (US$0.88), compared to RMB5.31 (US$0.88) in the third quarter of 2013 and RMB4.73 (US$0.78) in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Convenience Currency Translation

The translation of Renminbi (RMB) into US dollars (US$) in this press release is presented solely for the convenience of readers. The translation was made based on the noon buying rate for U.S. dollars in the City of New York for cable transfers in Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board as of December 31, 2013, which was RMB 6.0537 to US$1.00. Such translations should not be construed as any representation that the related RMB amounts represent, have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that or any other exchange rate. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

 

Page 2


Conference Call / Webcast Information

The9’s management team will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 9:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Time, corresponding to Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 9:00 AM, Beijing Time, to present an overview of The9’s financial performance and business operations.

Investors, analysts and other interested parties will be able to access the live conference by calling:

US Toll Free: +1-866-519-4004

Mainland China (mobile users): 400-620-8038

Mainland China (fixed line users): 800-819-0121

Hong Kong Toll: +852-2475-0994

International Toll: +65-6723-9381

Passcode: 11482832

A digital recording of the conference will be available for replay from 12:00am ET on March 26, 2014 for 7 days.

The dial-in details for the replay are:

U.S. Toll Free: +1-855-452-5696

International Toll: +1-646-254-3697

Passcode: 11482832

The9 will also provide a live webcast of the earnings call. Participants in the webcast may log onto the Company’s Investor Relations website http://www.corp.the9.com 15 minutes prior to the call, then click on the icon for “The9 Limited 3Q & 4Q 2013 Earnings Conference Call” and follow the instructions.

About The9

The9 Limited is an online game developer and operator. The9 develops and operates, directly or through its affiliates, its proprietary MMO, web and mobile games including Firefall, QijiGuiLai, ReXue NBA and TianTianWenXiYou. In 2010, The9 established its Wireless Business Unit to focus on mobile internet business including mobile advertising platform Juzi and mobile reading platform KingReader. In 2013, The9 formed a joint venture with Shanghai ZTE to develop and operate home entertainment set top box business.

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 business outlook and quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. The9 may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, etc., 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 The9’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the laws and regulations governing the online game industry, information disseminated over the Internet and Internet content providers in China, intensified government regulation of Internet cafes, The9’s ability to retain existing players and attract new players, license, develop or acquire additional online games that are appealing to users, anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and respond to competitive market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties outlined in The9’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 20-F. The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

Page 3


For further information, please contact:

Ms. Phyllis Sai

Manager, Investor Relations

The9 Limited

Tel: +86 (21) 5172-9990

Email: IR@corp.the9.com

Website: http://www.corp.the9.com/

– Tables follow –

 

Page 4


THE9 LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS INFORMATION

(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$, except share data)

 

     Quarter ended  
     September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2012
    June 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2013
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2013
 
     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$     US$  

Revenues:

              

Online game services

     32,895,665        15,480,802        23,862,119        30,889,002        21,526,964        5,102,500        3,556,001   

Other revenues

     1,132,709        3,813,959        2,895,626        3,472,485        3,596,691        573,614        594,131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     34,028,374        19,294,761        26,757,745        34,361,487        25,123,655        5,676,114        4,150,132   

Sales Taxes

     (1,586,589     (706,456     (583,489     (463,164     (311,552     (76,509     (51,465
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Revenues

     32,441,785        18,588,305        26,174,256        33,898,323        24,812,103        5,599,605        4,098,667   

Cost of Services

     (17,631,179     (19,921,262     (23,169,282     (42,098,229     (21,815,416     (6,954,132     (3,603,650
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Profit (loss)

     14,810,606        (1,332,957     3,004,974        (8,199,906     2,996,687        (1,354,527     495,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

              

Product development

     (85,253,568     (68,702,039     (59,174,437     (58,405,705     (42,152,619     (9,647,935     (6,963,117

Sales and marketing

     (52,428,230     (41,084,956     (37,689,001     (33,076,093     (16,587,324     (5,463,781     (2,740,031

General and administrative

     (49,204,837     (39,068,639     (52,504,655     (32,737,711     (34,185,598     (5,407,885     (5,647,058

Impairment of equipment, intangible assets and other long-lived assets

     —          —          —          (1,899,803     (33,566,319     (313,825     (5,544,761

Loss on termination of R&D VIE arrangements

     (18,093,999     —            —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (204,980,634     (148,855,634     (149,368,093     (126,119,312     (126,491,860     (20,833,426     (20,894,967

Other operating Income

     30,000        30,000        34,628        25,372        30,000        4,191        4,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (190,140,028     (150,158,591     (146,328,491     (134,293,846     (123,465,173     (22,183,762     (20,394,994

Impairment on available-for-sale investment

     —          —          (6,268,900     —          —          —          —     

Interest income, net

     4,948,853        3,548,297        2,209,606        1,417,694        1,187,698        234,186        196,194   

Other (expenses) income, net

     (112,671     2,258,930        2,171,902        2,882,008        4,103,088        476,074        677,782   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before gain on investment disposal, impairment loss on investments and share of (loss) gain in equity investments

     (185,303,846     (144,351,364     (148,215,883     (129,994,144     (118,174,387     (21,473,502     (19,521,018

Gain on investment disposal

     —          15,725,792        —          —          —          —          —     

Impairment loss on investments

     (3,243,744     —          (26,520,419     —          (15,181,566     —          (2,507,816

Share of (loss) gain in equity investments

     (1,938,020     (31,544     (1,043,738     (738,523     326,976        (121,995     54,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (190,485,610     (128,657,116     (175,780,040     (130,732,667     (133,028,977     (21,595,497     (21,974,822

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (21,746,468     (12,766,951     (7,973,642     (9,227,196     (10,173,850     (1,524,224     (1,680,600
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares

     (168,739,142     (115,890,165     (167,806,398     (121,505,471     (122,855,127     (20,071,273     (20,294,222
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (190,485,610     (128,657,116     (175,780,040     (130,732,667     (133,028,977     (21,595,497     (21,974,822

Other Comprehensive loss:

              

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments

     —          (56,600     —          —          —          —          —     

Currency translation adjustments

     1,003,992        (1,830,684     (1,727,211     (1,066,811     1,984,049        (176,225     327,742   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

     (189,481,618     (130,544,400     (177,507,251     (131,799,478     (131,044,928     (21,771,722     (21,647,080

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (22,168,887     (12,621,017     (7,356,438     (8,915,850     (9,616,090     (1,472,793     (1,588,465
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares

     (167,312,731     (117,923,383     (170,150,813     (122,883,628     (121,428,838     (20,298,929     (20,058,615
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares per share

              

- Basic and diluted

     (6.88     (4.73     (7.34     (5.31     (5.33     (0.88     (0.88
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

              

- Basic and diluted

     24,525,126        24,518,298        22,850,083        22,868,108        23,070,802        22,868,108        23,070,802   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Page 5


THE9 LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS INFORMATION

(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$)

 

     As at  
     December 31,
2012
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2013
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2013
 
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$     US$  

Assets

          

Current Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     554,278,809        232,559,793        156,987,201        38,416,141        25,932,438   

Short term investment

     877,350        —          —          —          —     

Accounts receivable

     15,621,678        21,047,544        19,138,096        3,476,807        3,161,388   

Due from related parties

     —          1,295,652        —          214,026        —     

Advances to suppliers

     2,094,525        3,141,358        4,525,549        518,915        747,567   

Prepayments and other current assets

     76,022,204        47,701,618        32,464,598        7,879,746        5,362,770   

Prepaid royalties

     14,820,331        —          4,878,579        —          805,884   

Deferred costs

     900,961        82,910        68,217        13,696        11,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     664,615,858        305,828,875        218,062,240        50,519,331        36,021,316   

Restricted cash

     737,959        700,000        700,000        115,632        115,632   

Investments in equity investees

     76,017,792        51,936,241        50,848,141        8,579,256        8,399,515   

Available-for-sale investments

     6,285,500        —          —          —          —     

Property, equipment and software

     64,575,315        55,129,955        50,439,400        9,106,820        8,331,995   

Goodwill

     10,011,247        9,792,243        9,710,854        1,617,563        1,604,119   

Intangible assets

     155,049,811        137,514,269        128,643,824        22,715,739        21,250,446   

Land use right

     74,115,115        72,674,433        72,194,206        12,004,961        11,925,633   

Other long-term assets

     60,936,775        49,281,561        16,080,483        8,140,734        2,656,307   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

     1,112,345,372        682,857,577        546,679,148        112,800,036        90,304,963   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

          

Current Liabilities

          

Accounts payable

     54,947,197        57,380,947        69,376,348        9,478,657        11,460,156   

Other taxes payable

     4,148,647        4,411,293        1,238,852        728,694        204,644   

Advances from customers

     17,878,053        17,903,380        18,896,049        2,957,428        3,121,405   

Amounts due to related parties

     —          —          4,799,753        —          792,863   

Deferred revenue

     20,255,327        29,656,153        20,113,256        4,898,847        3,322,473   

Refund of game points

     169,998,682        169,998,682        169,998,682        28,081,782        28,081,782   

Other payables and accruals

     50,484,656        46,950,013        45,669,488        7,755,590        7,544,062   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     317,712,562        326,300,468        330,092,428        53,900,998        54,527,385   

Long-term accounts payable

     39,912,925        39,039,800        21,110,517        6,448,916        3,487,209   

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

     5,508,341        5,387,842        5,343,060        890,008        882,611   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     363,133,828        370,728,110        356,546,005        61,239,922        58,897,205   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

          

Common shares (US$0.01 par value; 24,484,634 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 22,868,945 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013, 23,146,859 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013)

     1,997,390        1,864,713        1,881,784        308,029        310,849   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,148,416,134        2,144,997,970        2,152,320,786        354,328,422        355,538,065   

Statutory reserves

     28,071,982        28,071,982        28,071,982        4,637,161        4,637,161   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (6,710,971     (10,413,330     (8,987,041     (1,720,160     (1,484,553

Accumulated deficit

     (1,386,308,302     (1,789,714,747     (1,912,569,874     (295,639,815     (315,934,036
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The9 Limited shareholders’ equity

     785,466,233        374,806,588        260,717,637        61,913,637        43,067,486   

Noncontrolling interests

     (36,254,689     (62,677,121     (70,584,494     (10,353,523     (11,659,728
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     749,211,544        312,129,467        190,133,143        51,560,114        31,407,758   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     1,112,345,372        682,857,577        546,679,148        112,800,036        90,304,963   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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