ChinaCast Education Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results

• Full Year 2009 Revenues Increased 23% to $51.0 Million
• Full Year 2009 Net Income Increased 116% to $13.5 Million
• Full Year 2009 Diluted EPS Increased 78% to $0.36
• Full Year 2009 Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased 51% to $29.2 million

BEIJING, March 29, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChinaCast Education Corporation (the "Company" or "ChinaCast") (Nasdaq:CAST), a leading for-profit, post-secondary education and e-Learning services provider in China, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

• Fourth Quarter 2009 Highlights(1):

• Total revenues increased 42% to $16.5 million
• Gross profit increased 29% to $8.0 million; Gross profit margin was 48%
• Operating income increased 35% to $4.1 million; Operating income margin was 25%
• Net income increased 275% to $2.8 million; Net income margin was 17%
• Diluted EPS increased 234% to $0.07
• Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) increased 91% to $5.3 million; Adjusted net income margin (non-GAAP) was 32%
• Adjusted Diluted EPS (non-GAAP) increased 30% to $0.13
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased 57% to $7.8 million; Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 47% 

• Full Year 2009 Highlights:

• Total revenues increased 23% to $51.0 million
• Gross profit increased 28% to $29.3 million; Gross profit margin was 57%
• Operating income increased 48% to $19.1 million; Operating income margin was 38%
• Net income increased 116% to $13.5 million; Net income margin was 27%
• Diluted EPS increased 78% to $0.36
• Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) increased 31% to $18.9 million; Adjusted net income margin (non-GAAP) was 37%
• Adjusted Diluted EPS (non-GAAP) increased 8% to $0.51
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased 51% to $29.2 million; Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) at 57%
• Cash and bank balances together with term deposits totaled $122.7 million as of December 31, 2009
• Joined the Russell 3000 and Russell Global Indexes
• Completed the acquisition of the remaining 20% interest in the Foreign Trade and Business College of Chongqing Normal University for $19.9 million
• Completed the acquisition of Lijiang College of Guangxi Normal University for $53.7 million
• Entered into an agreement to establish a joint venture with the China University of Petroleum to provide online adult continuing education, vocational training and international education programs
• As of December 31, 2009, ChinaCast Education provides post-secondary education and e-Learning services to over 21,200 on-campus and 141,000 online university students in China 

• Financial Outlook for Full Year 2010:

• Total revenue between $78 million to $80 million (year-on-year increase of 53% to 57%)
• Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) between $25 million to $27 million (year-on-year increase of 34% to 44%)
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) between $45 million to $47 million (year-on-year increase of 58% to 65%)

Ron Chan, Chairman and CEO said, "We believe that 2009 was the most productive year since the Company's inception as we achieved several key milestones which contributed to robust growth and record profitability. Through proficient operational and fiscal management, we were able to deliver marked improvements on all key financial metrics during the year. We now currently have over 21,200 students enrolled at our university campuses in Chongqing and Guilin focused on career-oriented degree programs, in addition to 141,000 e-learning students in partnership with 15 state-owned universities serviced through our nationwide e-Learning network."

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(1) See financial tables below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation table attached to this press release. The U.S. dollar figures presented in this release are derived from the corresponding RMB figures from the Company's Form 10K for the periods ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and are based on the historical exchange rate of US$1.0 = 6.8 RMB at December 31, 2009, and US$1.0 = 6.8 RMB at December 31, 2008, respectively.

"Growth in China's education sector is being driven by an insatiable demand for higher education in what is now the world's largest tertiary education market, supported by the government's goal to double post secondary student enrollment to over 40 million by 2020. During 2009, we acquired our second traditional university, Lijiang College of Guanxi University, which further expands our career-oriented degree program offerings, our enrollments by an additional 9,000 students and extends our geographic reach. In addition, we established a joint venture with China University of Petroleum to expand the size and scope of their distance learning platform, which now numbers over 40,000 students. We believe this expansion positions us to capitalize on a significant growth opportunity, the adult online education sector, which will be created as China leverages distance learning to accommodate growth in lifelong learning, very similar to what has transpired in the U.S. adult education sector during the past decade. 

"We ended 2009 with over $120 million in cash, which coupled with our strong cash flow provides ultimate flexibility for completing additional accretive acquisitions during 2010, while implementing other facets like distance learning to drive incremental growth. Furthermore, we expect to accelerate our organic growth as we integrate our schools and begin to offer international cooperation and non-degree programs, aimed at optimizing our capacity utilization and margin profile," Mr. Chan concluded.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Total Revenues – Total revenues for the quarter increased 42% to $16.5 million from $11.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. ChinaCast is organized into two business segments: the e-Learning Group ("ELG"), encompassing the Company's e-Learning education service businesses, and the Traditional University Group ("TUG"), offering accredited bachelor and diploma degree programs to students from the Foreign Trade and Business College ("FTBC") campus in Chongqing and the Lijiang College ("LJC") campus in Guilin. ELG revenue for the quarter increased 8% to $7.6 million from $7.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. TUG revenue for the quarter increased 94% to $8.9 million from $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company also reports revenue by service and equipment revenue. Service revenue for the quarter increased 48% to $16.1 million from $10.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 while equipment revenue decreased 45% to $0.4 million from $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Cost of Sales – Cost of sales for the quarter increased 57% to $8.5 million from $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to the increase in amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition of Lijiang College in October 2009.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin – Gross profit for the quarter increased 29% to $8.0 million from $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Gross profit margin for the quarter was 48% compared to 53% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Share Based Compensation – Share based compensation for the quarter increased 48% to $0.5 million from $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Operating Expenses – Operating expenses for the quarter increased 23% to $3.9 million from $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to the acquisition of Lijiang College in October 2009.

Operating Income, Operating Income Margin – Operating income for the quarter increased 35% to $4.1 million from $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Operating income margin for the quarter was 25% compared to 26% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Net Income, Net Income Margin – Net income attributable to the Company for the quarter increased 275% to $2.8 million from a loss of $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Net income margin for the quarter was 17%.

Diluted EPS – Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.07 compared to a loss of $0.05 in the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to an increase in net income partially offset by a year-over-year increase in shares used in the computation. 

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income Margin – Adjusted net income excluding share based compensation, amortization of intangibles, gain on disposal of property and equipment, and impairment expenses (non-GAAP) for the quarter increased 91% to $5.26 million from $2.75 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Adjusted net income margin (non-GAAP) for the quarter was 32% compared to 24% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Adjusted Diluted EPS – Adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding share based compensation, amortization of intangibles and impairment expenses (non-GAAP) for the quarter were $0.13 compared to $0.10 in the fourth quarter of 2008. 

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin – Adjusted EBITDA excluding share based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) for the quarter increased 57% to $7.8 million from $5.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) for the quarter was 47% compared to 43% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Full Year 2009 Financial Results

Total Revenues – Total revenues for the year increased 23% to $51.0 million from $41.6 million in 2008. ELG revenue for the year decreased 2% to $28.9 million from $29.3 million in 2008 primarily due to a decrease in equipment sales. TUG revenue for the year increased 81% to $22.1 million from $12.2 million in 2008, primarily due to the acquisition of Lijiang College in October 2009. Service revenue for the year increased 33% to $49.7 million from $37.3 million in 2008 while equipment revenue decreased 70% to $1.3 million from $4.3 million in 2008.

Cost of Sales – Cost of sales for the year increased 16% to $21.7 million from $18.7 million in 2008 primarily due to the acquisition of Lijiang College in October 2009.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin – Gross profit for the year increased 28% to $29.3 million from $22.9 million in 2008.   Gross profit margin for the year was 57% compared to 55% in 2008.

Share Based Compensation – Share based compensation for the year increased 2% to $2.4 million from $2.3 million in 2008.

Operating Expenses – Operating expenses for the year increased 1% year-over-year to $10.2 million from $10.0 million in 2008.

Operating Income, Operating Income Margin – Operating income for the year increased 48% to $19.1 million from $12.9 million in 2008. Operating income margin for the year was 38% compared to 31% in 2008.

Net Income, Net Income Margin – Net income attributable to the Company for the year increased 116% to $13.5 million from $6.3 million in 2008. Net income margin for the year was 27% compared to 15% in 2008. 

Diluted EPS – Diluted earnings per share for the year were $0.36 compared to $0.20 in 2008 primarily due to an increase in net income partially offset by a year-over-year increase in shares used in the computation. 

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income Margin – Adjusted net income excluding share based compensation, amortization of intangibles, gain on disposal of property and equipment, and impairment expenses (non-GAAP) for the year increased 31% to $18.8 million from $14.4 million in 2008. Adjusted net income margin (non-GAAP) for the year was 37% compared to 35% in 2008.

Adjusted Diluted EPS – Adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding share based compensation, amortization of intangibles, gain on disposal of property and equipment, and impairment expenses (non-GAAP) for the year were $0.51 compared to $0.47 in 2008.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin – Adjusted EBITDA excluding share based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) for the year increased 51% to $29.2 million from $19.4 million in 2008. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) for the year was 57% compared to 47% in 2008.

Cash and Bank Balances together with Term Deposits Cash and bank balances together with term deposits totaled $122.7 million as of December 31, 2009, compared to $86.6 million as of December 31, 2008. 

Financial Outlook for 2010

For the full year ending December 31, 2010, the Company estimates that total net revenue will be between $78 million to $80 million (year-on-year increase of 53% to 57%); adjusted net income excluding share based compensation, amortization of intangibles, gain on disposal of property and equipment, and impairment expenses (non-GAAP) between $25 million to $27 million (year-on-year increase of 34% to 44%); and adjusted EBITDA excluding share based compensation (non-GAAP) between $45 million to $47 million (year-on-year increase of 58% to 65%). This is the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

ChinaCast's management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 am ET, Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

Earnings Call Telephone Numbers:
U.S./Canada Toll Free:  +1-877-303-9226
International: +1-760-666-3566

A replay of the earnings conference call will be available at the following numbers:

Replay Telephone Numbers:
U.S./Canada Toll Free: +1-800-642-1687
International: +1-706-645-9291
Replay Pass Code: 63155830

The replay will be available starting at 11:00 am ET, Tuesday, March 30, 2010, through 11:59 pm ET, Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Additionally, a live and archived version of the earnings call will be available at www.chinacasteducation.com. Please access the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time in order to download and install any necessary software.

About ChinaCast Education Corporation

Established in 1999, ChinaCast Education Corporation is a leading for-profit, post-secondary education and e-learning services provider in China. The Company provides post-secondary degree and diploma programs through its two universities in China: The Foreign Trade and Business College of Chongqing Normal University and the Lijiang College of Guangxi Normal University. These universities offer fully accredited, career-oriented bachelor's degree and diploma programs in business, economics, law, IT/computer engineering, hospitality and tourism management, advertising, language studies, art and music. The Company provides its e-learning services to post-secondary institutions, K-12 schools, government agencies and corporate enterprises via its nationwide satellite/fiber broadband network. These services include interactive distance learning applications, multimedia education content delivery, English language training and vocational training courses. The company is listed on the NASDAQ with the ticker symbol CAST.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements express our current expectations or forecasts of possible future results or events, including projections of future performance, statements of management's plans and objectives, future contracts, and forecasts of trends and other matters. These projections, expectations and trends are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as growth in demand for education services, smooth and timely implementation of new training centers and other risk factors listed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and often use words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "believe," "will likely result," "outlook," "project" and other words and expressions of similar meaning. No assurance can be given that the results in any forward-looking statements will be achieved and actual results could be affected by one or more factors, which could cause them to differ materially. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which statements are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted net income, adjusted net-income margin, adjusted EPS (basic and diluted), EBITDA and EBITDA margin. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP results of operations measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures" included at the end of this release.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of our "recurring core business operating results." These non-GAAP financial measures exclude from our operating performance not only non-cash charges, such as stock-based compensation, but also discrete cash charges that are infrequent in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity as well as comparisons to our competitors' operating results. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business.

The accompanying tables have more details on the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.