-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RdYCchoDcdE7PBTIkfWnlr00FEhtStaEjokis5mncJapitOY8CgSkxhz0++ZExYK YHRXD2Ao3REZhH5JRZ0tNg== 0001362310-09-008217.txt : 20090527 0001362310-09-008217.hdr.sgml : 20090527 20090527060042 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001362310-09-008217 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090501 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090527 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090527 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: eLong, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001290903 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TRANSPORTATION SERVICES [4700] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: E9 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-50984 FILM NUMBER: 09853172 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 JIU XIANQIAO MIDDLE ROAD, STREET 2: XINGKE PLAZA BUILDING B 3TH FL, CHAOYANG CITY: BEIJING STATE: F4 ZIP: 100016 BUSINESS PHONE: 8610-58602288-126 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 JIU XIANQIAO MIDDLE ROAD, STREET 2: XINGKE PLAZA BUILDING B 3TH FL, CHAOYANG CITY: BEIJING STATE: F4 ZIP: 100016 6-K 1 c86103e6vk.htm FORM 6-K 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
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of May 2009
Commission File Number: 000-50984
eLong, Inc.
 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Block B, Xingke Plaza Building
10 Middle Jiuxianqiao Road
Chaoyang District
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100016, 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 Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F þ.       Form 40-F o.
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):  _____  No þ
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
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):  _____  No þ
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o       No þ .
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-  _____ 
 
 

 

 


 

On May 27, 2009 (Beijing time), eLong, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its first quarter 2009 unaudited financial results. The Company’s press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1. In addition, on May 27, 2009 (Beijing time), the Company’s management team hosted a conference call to discuss the press release.
The information herein and in the press releases is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Any statements contained in this document and any exhibits hereto concerning eLong’s future business, operating results and financial condition are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they related to the Company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are based upon management’s current views and expectations with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Furthermore, these statements are, by their nature, subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Factors that could affect the Company’s actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, eLong’s operating losses, declines or disruptions in the travel industry, the international financial crisis, slowdown in the PRC economy, the recurrence of SARS, an outbreak of bird flu, swine flu or other disease, eLong’s reliance on having good relationships with hotel suppliers and airline ticket suppliers, our reliance on the Travelsky GDS system for our air business, the possibility that eLong will be unable to continue timely compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the risk that eLong will not be successful in competing against new and existing competitors, risks associated with Expedia, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: EXPE) majority ownership interest in eLong and the integration of eLong’s business with that of Expedia’s, fluctuations in the value of the Chinese currency, changes in eLong’s management team and other key personnel, changes in third-party distribution partner relationships and other risks outlined in eLong’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including eLong’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 20-F. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. eLong is not under any obligation and does not intend to publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Exhibits.
99.1   Press Release issued by the Company on May 27, 2009 (Beijing Time): “eLong, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Unaudited Financial Results.”

 

 


 

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.
         
DATED: May 27, 2009  ELONG, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mike Doyle  
    Name:   Mike Doyle   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 

 

EX-99.1 2 c86103exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
eLong, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Unaudited Financial Results
BEIJING, China — May 27, 2009 — eLong, Inc. (Nasdaq: LONG), a leading online travel service provider in China, today reported unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Highlights
  Total gross revenues increased 1% year-on-year to RMB82.5 million and net revenues increased 1% year-on-year to RMB77.8 million.
 
  Travel revenues before business tax and surcharges comprised of hotel, air and other travel product and service revenues were flat year-on-year at RMB77.8 million.
 
    Travel revenues before business tax and surcharges by product were as follows (figures in RMB 000’s; some numbers may not add due to rounding):
                                         
            %             %     Y/Y  
    Q1 2009     Total     Q1 2008     Total     Growth  
Hotel commissions
    56,222       73 %     57,234       74 %     -2 %
Air ticketing commissions
    21,248       27 %     19,632       25 %     8 %
Other travel revenue
    350             791       1 %     -56 %
 
                             
Total travel revenue
    77,820       100 %     77,657       100 %      
 
                             
  Operating loss in the first quarter was RMB3.4 million compared to RMB3.6 million in the prior year period, driven primarily by a decrease in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by greater sales and marketing expenses.
 
  Net income in the first quarter was RMB2.0 million compared to net loss of RMB32.6 million in the prior year period, driven primarily by a RMB38.2 million decrease in foreign currency exchange losses, partially offset by a decrease of RMB4.3 million in interest income.
 
  Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments as of March 31, 2009 were RMB964.9 million (USD$141.2 million). Short term investments of RMB615.9 million (USD$90.1 million) were comprised of time deposits of six or nine months duration held in commercial banks located outside mainland China.
“Q1 was a tough quarter, but see early indications that our focus on expanding our presence online, driving product innovation and improving supply will yield results.” said Guangfu Cui, Chief Executive Officer of eLong.
“The impact of transaction processing and customer service efficiencies are reflected in our gross margin performance for the quarter,” said Mike Doyle, Chief Financial Officer of eLong. “We were able to hold margin flat while facing headwinds from both lower average selling prices and a greater mix of lower margin air bookings. We also demonstrated some progress in our cost containment initiative by reducing general and administrative expenses as compared with the prior year period.”
Business Results
Hotel
Hotel commissions decreased 2% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower commission per room night, which was partially offset by higher volume. Commission per room night decreased to RMB62 from RMB65 in the prior year quarter primarily due to lower average selling prices and mix shift to lower margin budget hotels. Room nights booked through eLong increased 4% year-on-year to 912,000.

 

-2-


 

Air
Air ticketing commissions increased 8% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year quarter, driven by an 18% year-on-year increase in air segments to 506,000, partially offset by a decrease of 8% in the average ticket price to RMB758 compared to the prior year quarter.
Profitability
Gross margin in the first quarter of 2009 was 69% which was the same as in the first quarter of 2008.
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 and 2008 were as follows (figures in RMB 000’s; some numbers may not add due to rounding):
                                         
            % Net             % Net     Y/Y  
    Q1 2009     Revenue     Q1 2008     Revenue     Growth  
Service development
    13,030       17 %     12,697       17 %     3 %
Sales and marketing
    31,607       41 %     28,907       38 %     9 %
General and administrative
    12,424       16 %     14,778       19 %     -16 %
Amortization of intangibles
    157             217             -28 %
 
                             
Total operating expenses
    57,218       74 %     56,599       74 %     1 %
 
                             
Total operating expenses increased 1% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. Operating expenses were 74% of net revenue, a decrease of 26 basis points compared to the prior year quarter.
Service development expense is composed of expenses related to technology and our product offerings, including our website, platforms and other related systems development. Service development expense increased 3% in the first quarter 2009 compared to the prior year quarter, mainly driven by increases in labor costs, partially offset by a decrease in outside service fees, and was unchanged as a percentage of net revenues in 2009 compared to 2008.
Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter 2009 increased 9% over the prior year quarter, mainly driven by increased loyalty point awards and higher online marketing expenses, partially offset by decreases in sales commissions and professional fees. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 3 percentage points to 41% of net revenues in the first quarter 2009 compared to the same quarter of the prior year.
General and administrative expenses for the first quarter 2009 decreased 16% compared to the prior year quarter, mainly driven by a decrease in professional fees and lower bad debt provisions. General and administrative expenses decreased by 3 percentage points to 16% of net revenues in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter of the prior year.
Other income, which represents interest income, foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expense, was RMB5.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, due to interest income of RMB5.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 and a foreign currency exchange gain of RMB0.3 million resulting from the depreciation of the Renminbi against the US dollar during the quarter.
Net income for the first quarter 2009 was RMB2.0 million, which compared to net loss of RMB32.6 million over the prior year quarter.
Basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the first quarter of 2009 were RMB0.08 compared to basic and diluted losses per ADS of RMB1.28 in the prior year quarter.

 

-3-


 

Business Outlook
eLong expects net revenues, for the second quarter of 2009 to be within the range of RMB77 million to RMB85 million, equal to a decline of 5% to an increase of 5% compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Notes to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
To supplement the financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States, or GAAP, this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including basic earning/loss per ADS, diluted earning/loss per ADS, share-based compensation charges and unrealized foreign exchange losses/(gains). The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand the Company’s current financial performance and future prospects and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
Safe Harbor Statement
It is currently expected that the Business Outlook will not be updated until the release of eLong’s next quarterly earnings announcement; however, eLong reserves the right to update its Business Outlook at any time for any reason.
Statements in this press release concerning eLong’s future business, operating results and financial condition are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they related to the Company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These forward looking statements are based upon management’s current views and expectations with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Furthermore, these statements are, by their nature, subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Factors that could affect the Company’s actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, eLong’s operating losses, declines or disruptions in the travel industry, the international financial crisis, slowdown in the PRC economy, the recurrence of SARS, an outbreak of bird flu, swine flu or other disease, eLong’s reliance on having good relationships with hotel suppliers and airline ticket suppliers, our reliance on the Travelsky GDS system for our air business, the possibility that eLong will be unable to continue timely compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the risk that eLong will not be successful in competing against new and existing competitors, risks associated with Expedia, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: EXPE) majority ownership interest in eLong and the integration of eLong’s business with that of Expedia’s, fluctuations in the value of the Chinese currency, changes in eLong’s management team and other key personnel, changes in third-party distribution partner relationships and other risks outlined in eLong’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC), including eLong’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

 

-4-


 

Conference Call
eLong will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2009 earnings on May 27, 2009 at 8:00 AM Beijing time (May 26, 2009, 8:00 PM EST). The management team will be on the call to discuss the quarterly results and to answer questions. The toll-free number for U.S. participants is +1-800-365-8460. The dial-in number for Hong Kong participants is +852-2258-4000. International participants can dial +1-210-795-0492. Pass code: eLong.
A replay of the call will be available for one day between 9:30 pm Eastern Time on May 26, 2009 and 9:30 pm Eastern Time on May 27, 2009. The toll-free number for U.S. callers is +1-800-477-5821; the Hong Kong dial in number is +852-2802-5151, and the dial-in number for international callers is +1-203-369-4577. The pass code for the replay is 717980.
Additionally, a live and archived web cast of this call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the eLong web site at http://www.elong.net/AboutUs/conference.html for one year.
About eLong, Inc.
eLong, Inc. (NASDAQ: LONG) is a leading online travel company in China. Headquartered in Beijing, eLong has a national presence across China. eLong uses web-based distribution technologies and a 24-hour call center to provide consumers with access to travel reservation services. Aiming to enrich people’s lives through the freedom of independent travel, eLong empowers consumers to make informed decisions such as maps, virtual tours and user ratings. eLong has the capacity to fulfill air ticket reservations in over 80 major cities across China. In addition to a selection of more than 7,000 thousand hotels in China, eLong offers consumers the ability to make bookings at international hotels in more than 100 countries worldwide.
eLong operates websites including http://www.elong.com and http://www.elong.net.
For further information:
eLong, Inc.
Investor Relations
ir@corp.elong.com
+86-10-6436-7570

 

-5-


 

eLong, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                 
    Three Months Ended  
    Mar. 31,     Dec. 31,     Mar. 31,     Mar. 31,  
    2008     2008     2009     2009  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     USD  
Revenues:
                               
Hotel commissions
    57,234       67,913       56,222       8,228  
Air ticketing commissions
    19,632       19,316       21,248       3,110  
Other travel revenue
    791       74       350       51  
 
                       
Travel
    77,657       87,303       77,820       11,389  
Other
    3,792       3,699       4,653       681  
 
                       
Gross revenues
    81,449       91,002       82,473       12,070  
 
                               
Business tax and surcharges
    (4,754 )     (5,302 )     (4,668 )     (683 )
 
                       
Net revenues
    76,695       85,700       77,805       11,387  
 
                               
Cost of services
    (23,703 )     (25,473 )     (23,964 )     (3,507 )
 
                       
Gross profit
    52,992       60,227       53,841       7,880  
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Service development
    (12,697 )     (12,401 )     (13,030 )     (1,907 )
Sales and marketing
    (28,907 )     (45,100 )     (31,607 )     (4,626 )
General and administrative
    (14,778 )     (12,032 )     (12,424 )     (1,818 )
Amortization of intangibles
    (217 )     (197 )     (157 )     (23 )
Write-down of property and equipment and intangibles
          (753 )            
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    (56,599 )     (70,483 )     (57,218 )     (8,374 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income/(loss) from operations
    (3,607 )     (10,256 )     (3,377 )     (494 )
Other income(loss)
    (28,248 )     7,995       5,668       829  
 
                               
Income/(loss) from operations before income tax expense
    (31,855 )     (2,261 )     2,291       335  
Income tax expense
    (738 )     (5,940 )     (290 )     (42 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income/(loss)
    (32,593 )     (8,201 )     2,001       293  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earning/(loss) per share
    (0.64 )     (0.17 )     0.04       0.006  
Diluted earning/(loss) per share
    (0.64 )     (0.17 )     0.04       0.006  
 
                               
Basic earning/(loss) per ADS
    (1.28 )     (0.34 )     0.08       0.012  
Diluted earning/(loss) per ADS
    (1.28 )     (0.34 )     0.08       0.012  
 
                               
Shares used in computing basic net earning/loss per share
    50,905       48,076       47,079       47,079  
 
                               
Shares used in computing diluted net earning/loss per share
    50,905       48,076       49,556       49,556  
 
                               
Note: 1ADS = 2 shares.
                               
 
                               
Share-based compensation charges included are as follows:
    2,357       523       2,398       351  
Cost of services
    144       (79 )     139       20  
Service development
    974       37       668       98  
Sales and marketing
    494       (151 )     704       103  
General and administrative
    745       716       887       130  
 
                               
Un-realized foreign exchange losses/(gains)
    37,896       (1,723 )     (144 )     (21 )
Note 1: The conversions of Renminbi (RMB) into United States dollars (USD) as at the reporting dates are based on the noon buying rate of USD1.00=RMB6.8329 on March 31, 2009, USD1.00=RMB6.8225 on December 31, 2008 and USD1.00=RMB7.0120 on March 31, 2008 in the City of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve. No representation is intended to imply that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S.dollars at that rate, or at any rate, on the reporting dates.

 

-6-


 

eLong, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA

(IN THOUSANDS)
                         
    Dec. 31, 2008     Mar. 31, 2009     Mar. 31, 2009  
    RMB     RMB     USD  
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash, cash equivalents
    321,541       348,992       51,075  
Short-term investments
    635,810       615,927       90,141  
Accounts receivable, net
    42,471       41,489       6,072  
Due from related parties
    518       799       117  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    23,660       22,609       3,309  
 
                 
Total current assets
    1,024,000       1,029,816       150,714  
Property and equipment, net
    52,484       50,367       7,371  
Goodwill
    30,000       30,000       4,391  
Intangible assets, net
    943       786       115  
Other non-current assets
    30,538       29,552       4,325  
 
                 
Total assets
    1,137,965       1,140,521       166,916  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable
    34,146       35,503       5,196  
Income taxes payable
    1,152       684       100  
Due to related parties
    8,120       7,046       1,031  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    81,889       80,194       11,736  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    125,307       123,427       18,063  
Other long-term liabilities
    477       451       66  
 
                 
Total liabilities
    125,784       123,878       18,129  
 
                 
 
                       
Shareholders’ equity
                       
 
                       
Ordinary shares
    4,221       4,227       619  
Treasury Stock
    (103,393 )     (103,393 )     (15,132 )
Additional paid-in capital
    1,315,590       1,318,045       192,897  
Accumulated deficit
    (204,237 )     (202,236 )     (29,597 )
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,012,181       1,016,643       148,787  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
    1,137,965       1,140,521       166,916  
 
                 

 

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