BEIJING, May 17 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. ("ChinaNet", NYSE Amex: CNET), a leading full-service media development, advertising and communications company for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced its first quarter 2010 financial results.

    -- First quarter 2010 adjusted net income increased 51.2% to $1.9 million,
       with adjusted earnings per share of $0.09, as revenues increased 4.4%
       to $10.0 million with operating margins of 21.0% vs. 16.9%
    -- Company launches new growth initiatives
    -- Company reaffirmed 2010 revenue guidance of $45.0 million and adjusted
       net income guidance of $14.1 million, representing 19.0% and 67.9%
       growth over 2009 revenue and adjusted net income, respectively
    -- Management to host earnings conference call May 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET


    SUMMARY FINANCIALS

    First Quarter 2010 Results (USD) (unaudited)
    (three months ended March 31)
                                  Q1 2010           Q1 2009        CHANGE

    Sales                      $10.2 million      $9.8 million      +4.4%
    Gross Profit                $3.5 million      $3.5 million        --
    Adjusted Net Income         $1.9 million      $1.3 million     +51.2%
    GAAP Net Income             $3.8 million (1)  $1.3 million    +196.7%
    Adjusted EPS (Diluted)             $0.09             $0.09        --
    GAAP EPS (Diluted)                 $0.18 (1)         $0.09    +100.0%
    Weighted Shares
     Outstanding                21.1 million      13.8 million      52.9%

    (1) GAAP net income and GAAP EPS (Diluted) for Q1 2010 include a $1.9
        million non-cash gain related to changes in fair value of warrants.

First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Revenues for the first quarter of 2010 increased 4.4% to $10.2 million compared to $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2009. In concert with management's plan for 2010, Internet advertising increased 23.3% year-over-year to $4.5 million, and comprised 44.4% of total revenue. Growth was driven by high customer retention and new customer acquisition generated through the successful brand building efforts for www.28.comin prior years both on TV and through other well-known portal websites in China. Revenues generated by TV advertising during the first quarter of 2010 decreased 6.3% year-over-year to approximately $5.4 million or 58.6% of total revenues. As of March 31, 2010, the number of active customers for the Company's Internet advertising business was 700 and the number of customers being serviced by its TV advertising business was 200. Approximately 10% of customers were being serviced by both platforms.

Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was approximately $6.7 million or 65.8% of revenues as compared to $6.3 million or 64.1% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The costs associated with the Company's advertising services include costs for purchasing Internet advertising resources from other well-known portal websites in China and purchasing Television advertisement time from well known stations.

For the first quarter of 2010 gross profit was $3.5 million, representing gross margin of 34.2%, compared to $3.5 million in gross profit and a gross margin of 35.9% in the first quarter of 2009. ChinaNet's Internet advertising business generated gross profit margin of 75.0% and 77.0% in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively, while the Company's TV advertisement segment generated a gross profit margin of -2% and 12.0% in each respective quarter. The decrease was mainly due to the much higher cost of TV air time compared with the better price performance ratio generated from Internet advertisement. In addition, the Spring Festival in the middle of the first quarter of 2010 reduced customer demand for air time and required the Company to maintain the same selling price as last year to attract clients.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were approximately $1.4 million, down 27.2% from $1.9 million in the same period of 2009. Selling expenses for the period were $0.4 million, a decrease of $1.1 million from the first quarter of 2009. The decrease was due to a reduction in TV based brand development advertising expenses given the past success in establishing market recognition and awareness for the Company's website http://www.28.com . General and administrative expenses were $0.8 million and $0.3 million in the first quarter 2010 and 2009, respectively, with the increase primarily due to non-recurring expenses associated with US public company reporting and non-cash equity compensation for services.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2010 totaled approximately $2.1 million, a 29.4% increase from the $1.7 million reported for the first quarter of 2009. Operating margins were 21.0% and 16.9% for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

GAAP net income for the first quarter was $3.8 million, an increase of 196.7% compared to $1.3 million reported in the same period of the prior year, with corresponding fully diluted net income per share of $0.18 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to fully diluted net income per share of $0.09 in the same period in 2009, based on 21.1 million and 13.8 million outstanding shares, respectively. During the first quarter of 2010 the Company realized a non-cash gain of $1.9 million for changes in fair value of warrants. Adjusting for the non-cash gain, net income for the first quarter of 2010 was $1.9 million, an increase of 51.2% over the first quarter of 2009, with $0.09 in earnings per diluted share.

"We are pleased with the continued growth in our Internet advertising business, which showed measured gains in revenue, number of customers and market share," stated Mr. Handong Cheng, Chairman and CEO of the Company. "With over 20% annual growth projected for the Chinese Internet advertising market through 2010 fueled by a sharp trajectory in franchise and chain store enterprises, we believe ChinaNet's "fully integrated one-stop shop" advertising exchange is well positioned to capitalize on this large secular growth opportunity and further increase market share. During the quarter we added notable customers operating franchise businesses including EuroHome, Shanghai Baidian Marketing Co., Ltd, Beijing Zhongke Advertising Co., Ltd. who are engaged in Home goods, Children toy and electronic industry, respectively. As previously disclosed, management believes company resources are better focused on our core business which generates recurring and predictable, high margin revenue. In addition, we are focused on introducing and expanding an exchange platform to enable manufacturers to add field representatives in various geographic areas while rolling out kiosks in both China Construction and Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank. We were also pleased that we commenced trading on the NYSE Amex during the quarter, a positive development for the Company and our shareholders that demonstrates the progress and performance achieved by ChinaNet."

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company had $12.4 million in cash and equivalents on March 31, 2010, compared to $13.9 million on December 31, 2009, working capital of $21.3 million, compared to $19.4 million, and a current ratio of 6.0 to 1 compared 4.9 to 1 on December 31, 2009. Accounts receivable were $4.2 million on March 31, 2010, up from to $3.2 million on December 31, 2009, with DSO's of 33 days compared to 20 days. For the first three months of 2010, the Company generated $0.3 million in cash from operations versus $1.5 million for the same period in 2009, with the variance principally resulting from an increase in deposits and prepayments paid to TV stations.

Guidance for 2010

Management reaffirmed 2010 revenue guidance of $45 million and net income guidance of $14.1 million, which represents 19% and 67.9% year-over-year growth, respectively.

Business Outlook

ChinaNet plans to focus on strategically expanding its rapidly growing Internet advertising sales business, which boasts gross margins of 75%, compared to 15% for its TV Advertising business segment, and yields substantial recurring revenue. There are several fundamental factors which we believe will drive the Company's business, including an overall increase in consumer demand for goods and services in China as evidenced by a year-on-year growth in total retail sales of consumer goods of 18.1 percent in the first four months of 2010, supported by government initiatives for developing small and medium companies, which creates millions of jobs and are a critical component of the economy. According to the 2008 China Franchise Development Report by China Chain Store & Franchise Development Report, the Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) marketplace is forecasted to grow to almost $43 billion next year, representing a two-year compounded average growth rate of over 21%. There were approximately 3,000 franchise enterprises and 260,000 chain stores in China at the end of 2007, which are projected to total 4,000 and 320,000 respectively during this year.

Internet Advertising -- During the first quarter of 2010, the Company's http://www.28.com web portal exchange further increased its market share from 35% to 30% due to successful branding and marketing efforts by the Company's sales team, in addition to a growing and stable customer base. The Company plans to continue to add new modules into its 28.com network including a new advertisement section mainly for local Chinese famous branding manufacturers to help them to enhance its brand building through our website, which will provide a more robust platform and incremental revenue potential. ChinaNet has been highly successful in past branding programs, including the use of TV advertising. As prices for this medium increase and 28.com becomes entrenched as a leading industry player, the Company plans to actively participate in government supported programs focused on raising employment rates which it believes will drive meaningful new customer adoption.

ChinaNet TV -- The Company continues to be a leading producer and distributor of web-based video ads and TV infomercials for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Shows are distributed over airtime purchased from the largest national satellite TV stations. Customers pay ChinaNet TV for proprietary editorial coverage and advertising spots. Currently 200 customers utilize this service in addition to 28.com.

During the first quarter of 2010 the Company sold about 7,500 minutes of advertising time that it purchased from seven provincial TV stations compared with approximately 8,000 minutes in the same period of 2009. The decrease was mainly due to the much higher cost of TV air time compared with the better price performance ratio generated from Internet advertisement. In addition, the Spring Festival in the middle of the first quarter of 2010 reduced customer demand for air time and required the Company to maintain the same selling price as last year to attract clients. As previously reported, in its effort to more effectively allocate working capital and expand margins, the Company will be committing less capital to this business segment, by reducing estimated total show time from 100,000 to 35,000 minutes in 2010.

Bank Kiosks -- During the first quarter of 2010, ChinaNet's bank kiosk advertising business, which provides online access for customers while displaying advertising for both PRC and global based companies through an exclusive arrangement with the China Construction Bank (CCB), reported $0.1 million in revenues. As of March 31, 2010, the Company has deployed 200 kiosks in China Construction Bank Henan Branch. ChinaNet plans to deploy 1300 more kiosks in aggregate by the end of 2010 starting from Henan, Shanghai and plans to cover Beijing, Guangdong and Si Chuan based on the possible client sources it will target. Management estimates a payback of one and half years for all equipment deployed, with higher margins and recurring advertising revenue. ChinaNet expects that its multi-platform advertising network will drive further growth during 2010.

Conference Call

The conference call will take place at 10:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Interested participants should call 1-877-941-4775 when calling within the United States or 1-480-629-9763 when calling internationally.

A playback will be available through May 25, 2010. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or 1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 4302503 for the replay.

This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00007587 , or visiting ViaVid's website at http://www.viavid.net , where the webcast can be accessed through May 25, 2010.

About ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.

The Company, a parent company of ChinaNet Online Media Group Ltd., incorporated in the BVI ("ChinaNet" or "Zhong Wang Zai Xian"), is a leading full-service media development, advertising and communications company for small and medium companies (SME) in China. The Company, through its certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the PRC, provides Internet advertising and other services for Chinese SMEs via its portal website 28.com, TV commercials and program production via China-Net TV, and in-house LCD advertising on banking kiosks targeting Chinese banking patrons. Website: http://www.chinanet-online.com .

Safe Harbor

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ChinaNet's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ChinaNet will be those anticipated by ChinaNet. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ChinaNet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

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 and adjusted EPS (basic and diluted). 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. 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 items that may not be indicative of our "recurring core business operating results." 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. 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 following table provides the non-GAAP financial measure and the
related GAAP measure and provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to
the equivalent GAAP measure.


                                               Q1 2010             Q1 2009
    GAAP Net Income                           $3,795,000          $1,279,000
    Change in fair value of warrants         $(1,861,000)                 --
    Adjusted Net Income                       $1,934,000          $1,279,000
    Adjusted EPS (Diluted)                         $0.09               $0.09


    For further information, please contact:

    HC International, Inc.
     Ted Haberfield, Executive VP
     Tel:   +1-760-755-2716
     Email: thaberfield@hcinternational.net

                         - Financial Tables Follow -



                        CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
        (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

                                            March 31,             December 31,
                                               2010                   2009
                                              (US $)                 (US $)
                                            Unaudited
    Assets
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents               $12,395                $13,917
      Accounts receivable, net                  4,235                  3,173
      Other receivables                         2,120                  2,636
      Prepayments and deposits to suppliers     5,882                  4,111
      Due from related parties                    161                    492
      Due from director                           219                     --
      Inventories                                   2                      2
      Other current assets                        460                     30
    Total current assets                       25,474                 24,361

    Property and equipment, net                 1,307                  1,355
    Other long-term assets                         35                     48
                                              $26,816                $25,764

    Liabilities and Stockholders'
    Equity
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                           $500                   $290
      Advances from customers                     428                    914
      Other payables                               11                     27
      Accrued payroll and other accruals          266                    191
      Due to related parties                       --                     24
      Due to Control Group                      1,139                  1,142
    Due to director                               282                     --
    Taxes payable                               1,277                  1,978
    Dividends payable                             317                    373
    Total current liabilities                   4,220                  4,939


    Long-term borrowing from director             128                    128
    Warrant liabilities                            --                  9,564

    Commitments and contingencies                  --                     --


    Stockholders' equity:
       Series A convertible preferred
        stock, US$0.001 par value;
        authorized-8,000,000 shares;
        issued and outstanding -
        3,403,600 and 4,121,600
        shares at March 31, 2010
        and December 31, 2009
        respectively (Liquidation
        preference of $2.5 per
        share)                                      3                      4
       Common stock, US$0.001 par
        value; authorized-50,000,000
        shares; issued and outstanding
        16,546,320 shares and 15,828,320
        shares at March 31, 2010 and
        December 31, 2009 respectively             17                     16
      Additional paid-in capital               18,340                 10,574
      Statutory reserves                          372                    372
      Retained earnings                         3,616                     50
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                     120                    117
    Total stockholders' equity                 22,468                 11,133

                                              $26,816                $25,764



                        CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
        (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                     2010              2009
                                                    (US $)            (US $)
                                                  Unaudited         Unaudited

    Sales
        To unrelated parties                         $10,034          $9,303
        To related parties                               194             494
                                                      10,228           9,797

    Cost of sales                                      6,727           6,277
    Gross margin                                       3,501           3,520

    Operating expenses
      Selling expenses                                   427           1,462
      General and administrative expenses                794             349
      Research and development expenses                  134              50
                                                       1,355           1,861

      Income from operations                           2,146           1,659

    Other income (expense):
      Changes in fair value of warrants                1,861              --
      Interest income                                      2               2
      Other income                                        --               4
                                                       1,863               6

    Income before income tax expense                   4,009           1,665
      Income tax expense                                 214             386
    Net income                                         3,795           1,279

    Other comprehensive income
      Foreign currency translation gain                    3               3
    Comprehensive income                              $3,798          $1,282

    Net income                                        $3,795          $1,279


    Dividend of Series A convertible preferred
     stock                                              (229)             --

    Net income attributable to common
     shareholders                                     $3,566          $1,279

    Earnings per share
    Earnings per common share
    Basic                                              $0.22           $0.09
    Diluted                                            $0.18           $0.09

    Weighted average number of common shares
     outstanding:
       Basic                                      16,234,409      13,790,800
       Diluted                                    21,059,683      13,790,800



                        CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In thousands)

                                                 Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                     2010             2009
                                                    (US $)           (US $)
                                                  Unaudited        Unaudited

    Cash flows from operating activities
    Net income                                       $3,795           $1,279
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to
     net cash provided by operating activities
      Depreciation and Amortization                      92               42
      Share-based compensation expenses                  63               --
      Changes in fair value of warrants               (1861)              --
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities
      Accounts receivable                             (1062)            (369)
      Other receivables                                1979              (63)
      Prepayments and deposits to suppliers           (1770)            (374)
      Due from related parties                          331               45
      Due from/to director                               63               --
      Other current assets                             (430)              11
      Accounts payable                                  212               86
      Advances from customers                          (486)             496
      Accrued payroll and other accruals                 75               77
      Other payables                                    (16)              --
      Due to related parties                            (24)             (13)
       Due to Control Group                              (4)            (256)
      Taxes payable                                    (701)             532
    Net cash provided by operating activities           256             1493

    Cash flows from investing activities
    Purchases of vehicles and office equipment          (31)             (19)
    Purchases of other long-term assets                  --              (15)
    Net cash used in investing activities               (31)             (34)

    Cash flows from financing
     activities
    Dividend paid to convertible preferred
     stockholders                                       (285)             --
    Increase of short-term loan to third parties       (1463)          (1461)
    Decrease in short-term loan from directors            --             (10)
      Increase in other payables                          --              14
    Net cash provided by financing activities         (1,748)         (1,457)

    Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash
     and cash equivalents                                  1               4

    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents         (1,522)              6

      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
       year                                           13,917           2,679
      Cash and cash equivalents at end
       of year                                       $12,395          $2,685

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information
      Interest paid                                     $--              $--
      Income taxes paid                              $1,019               $4

    Non-cash transactions:

    Warrant liability reclassify to additional
     paid in capital                                 $7,703              $--

SOURCE ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.