CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA), a leading China-based value-added
operator of, and growth investor in, hybrid (SaaS/On-Premise) enterprise
software, IT Services, and New Media assets, today announced that its
subsidiary, China.com, Inc.’s investment in a Beijing-based private
equity fund (the “PE Fund”) has been producing significant returns.
This PE Fund invests in leading China-based enterprises, and
approximately 50 percent of the investments are in the sectors of
manufacturing, data technology, communication and energy sectors. As of
December 31, 2010, the latest audit report of the PE Fund indicates that
it has achieved a return multiple of approximately 4 times, and a gross
internal rate of return in excess of 70 percent(1).
China.com has committed approximately (USD) $14.0 million in the PE
Fund, and has received approximately (USD) $3.0 million in distributions
since 2009.
“We are very pleased with the impressive return on our investment,” said
Sammy Cheng, CFO and executive director of China.com Inc. “China.com
plans to collaborate with certain of the portfolio companies to help
optimize their operational efficiencies through our China portal,
on-line gaming and webgame business operations in China. We are seeking
either to invest in, or co-manage, more China-focused funds. We are also
planning to launch similar funds in China. We believe that our
investments will help shareholder value through our participation in the
robust returns of China’s rapid economical growth, particularly in the
high tech and new media sectors.”
More distributions are expected in the coming year given almost 50
percent of the companies in the fund’s portfolio have recently been
successfully listed on the China and Hong Kong stock exchanges and other
portfolio companies are considering listing as well. With an expected
distribution in 2011, CDC Corporation expects additional cash flow
contribution to the group; moreover, the company is planning on pursuing
several strategic partnerships with some of the fund’s portfolio
companies to further unlock their values.
“The recently issued audited financial statements of the PE Fund
indicate that it is been doing very well, achieving an almost four times
return on investment since inception in 2007,” added John Stone, Chief
Financial Officer of CDC Corporation. “China.com carries the value of
this investment at its historical cost basis of $10.0 million. This
particular fund has achieved significant returns in the year ended
December 31, 2010 since almost half the businesses the fund invested in
have been listed in relevant stock exchanges. While past results are not
a guarantee of future performance of this or any other PE Fund, we
believe that China.com has a reasonable expectation of realizing
significant income from this important investment. Since the PE Fund has
a maturity date in 2014, we cannot currently determine the final return
China.com may receive on this investment.”
About CDC Corporation
CDC Corporation is a China-based value-added operator of, and growth
investor in, hybrid (on premise and SaaS) enterprise software, IT, and
new media businesses. The company pursues two value-added investment
strategies. The first strategy includes actively managing majority
interests in its core portfolio of hybrid enterprise software, IT
services and New Media businesses, adding value by driving operational
excellence, top-line growth and overall profitability. The second
strategy includes identifying and executing on opportunities to
co-invest with leading venture capital and private equity funds
through minority interests in fast growth companies in emerging markets
related to CDC Corporation’s core assets. This second strategy, which
complements the first, helps to mitigate risk and enhance deal flow for
the company. CDC Corporation expects to deliver superior returns and
additional value for its shareholders through these strategies, as well
as through its plans to declare and pay regular dividends in the form of
registered shares of its publicly listed subsidiaries and other assets.
For more information about CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA), please visit www.cdccorporation.net.
(1) The management, operation, policy and conduct of the PE Fund is
vested exclusively in its general partners. China.com is a limited
partner in the PE Fund and has accounted for it’s investment in the PE
Fund at cost less any impairments, because the range of reasonable fair
value estimates is so significant that the directors of China.com are of
the opinion that their fair value cannot be measured reliably.
China.com’s remaining commitment in the PE Fund is approximately
(USD)$2.0 million. The timing of any capital contributions is generally
on an “as needed” basis. The term of the PE Fund is seven years ending
in 2014 unless terminated earlier pursuant to the partnership agreement.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements include statements
regarding our expectations for any returns or distributions on this
private equity investment, expectations regarding the range of
reasonable fair value estimates, our expectations with respect to future
performance or distributions from the PE Fund, our beliefs and
expectations for the future public listing on any portfolio companies in
the PE Fund, our expectations or future cash flow from the PE Fund and
the amount thereof, if any, our plans to collaborate with PE Fund
portfolio companies and the scope and success of any such
collaborations, our plans and expectations with respect to future
investments, as an investor or manager, in China-based funds, our plans
with respect to launching similar funds in China, our expectations
regarding our investments and the impact thereof on shareholder value,
our expectations that CDC Corporation will receive any distributions or
cash from the PE Fund, our expectations regarding the continuation of
receiving any future or additional distributions or returns from our
majority and minority direct and indirect investments and any amounts
thereof, if at all, our beliefs regarding our strategies for providing
value, our goals and expectations regarding any potential yields to our
shareholders, and other statements that are not historical fact, the
achievement of which involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These
statements are based on management's current expectations and are
subject to risks and uncertainties and changes in circumstances. There
are important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements. If
any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions
proves incorrect, our results could differ materially from the results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. Further
information on risks or other factors that could cause results to differ
is detailed in filings or submissions with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission made by CDC Corporation in its Annual Report for
the year ended December 31, 2009 on Form 20-F filed on June 30, 2010.No assurances can be given that CDC Corporation, or any of its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or minority or majority investments or
business units, will receive any proceeds, distributions or cash from
the PE Fund or any other investment. Future dividends or other
distributions, if any, may be paid at reduced rates and amounts than
those that may have been previously-provided, or any such dividends or
distributions may even be eliminated. All forward-looking statements
included in this press release are based upon information available to
management as of the date of the press release, and you are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statements which
speak only as of the date of this press release. The company assumes no
obligation to update or alter the forward looking statements whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Historical
results are not indicative of future performance. For these and other
reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any
forward-looking statement in this press release.
