NetEase Announces First Quarter 2006 Unaudited Financial Results

--Online Game Revenues Exceed Guidance; Fantasy Westward Journey Achieves Double Digit Growth--

(Beijing -May 16, 2006) -NetEase.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES), one of China's leading Internet and online game services providers, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006. 

Highlights for First Quarter 2006

. Total revenues for the quarter grew 8.7% quarter-over-quarter and 61.7% year-over-year to RMB529.8 million (US$66.1 million);

. Online game revenues for the quarter grew 12.4% quarter-over-quarter and 71.9% year-over-year to RMB450.6 million (US$56.2 million), exceeding the Company's guidance of 8-10% quarter-over-quarter growth;

. U.S. GAAP net profit for the quarter was RMB293.7 million (US$36.6 million), equivalent to US$0.26 (diluted) earnings per American Depositary Share;

. Non-GAAP net profit for the quarter grew 15.5% quarter-over-quarter and 107.7% year-over-year to RMB319.7 million (US$39.9 million), equivalent to US$0.28 (diluted) earnings per American Depositary Share; and

. Fantasy Westward Journey and Westward Journey Online II reported peak concurrent user numbers of approximately 1,280,000 and 580,000, respectively, for the first quarter.


William Ding, Chief Executive Officer and Director of NetEase said, "We saw double digit growth in revenues derived from Fantasy Westward Journey, which remains the #1 online game in China two years after its initial launch in 2004. While we did see some quarter-over-quarter decline in revenues for Westward Journey II, this game -now in its fourth year -continues to remain among the top 3 most popular online games in China. During the quarter, we continued to make progress in the development of our next-generation of online games, Datang and Tianxia. Datang is expected to enter open beta testing by May 31, 2006 and Tianxia is expected to enter open beta testing in the second half of 2006. By maintaining focus on our core strengths - deepening our relationship with our large and loyal customer base and creating quality, innovative online game content – we believe we will continue to achieve strong growth in 2006."

For the first quarter of 2006, total revenues increased to RMB529.8 million (US$66.1 million), representing 8.7% growth from RMB487.3 million (US$60.4 million) for the preceding fourth quarter of 2005, and 61.7% growth from RMB327.7 million (US$39.6 million) for the same period last year.

Online game revenues for the quarter exceeded the Company's guidance and increased 12.4% quarter-over-quarter and 71.9% year-over-year to RMB450.6 million (US$56.2 million), driven primarily by double digit growth in Fantasy Westward Journey as a result of the continued organic growth and, in particular, after players celebrated the second anniversary of the game in January 2006.

Revenues from advertising services declined by 10.9% to RMB61.6 million (US$7.7 million), compared to the preceding quarter's RMB69.1 million (US$8.6 million), primarily as a result of a seasonal decline in spending by certain advertisers during the first quarter of 2006. This represents an increase of 36.0% over RMB45.3 million (US$5.5 million) for the corresponding period a year ago. 

Revenues from the Company's wireless value-added services and others increased to RMB17.6 million (US$2.2 million) for the first quarter of 2006 representing a slight increase of 2.3% over the preceding quarter's RMB17.2 million (US$2.1 million) and 13.0% decrease from RMB20.3 million (US$2.4 million) for the first quarter of 2005. The quarter-over-quarter revenue growth was due primarily to increased sales of online game related merchandise and, to a lesser extent, increased revenue from value-added services provided to free email users.

Chief Operating Officer Michael Tong commented, "The continued success of Fantasy Westward Journey further solidifies the strength of our game development strategy and philosophy. Our focus in 2006 is to ensure that the upcoming launches of Datang and Tianxia are equally successful by executing on the same solid business model that has made NetEase the leading provider of online games in China." 

GAAP gross profit for the first quarter of 2006 was RMB420.9 million (US$52.5 million). The Company recorded non-GAAP gross profit in the first quarter of RMB425.3 million (US$53.0 million), representing a 10.1% increase over the previous quarter's non-GAAP gross profit of RMB386.2 million (US$47.9 million) and a 68.0% increase over non-GAAP gross profit of RMB253.2 million (US$30.6 million) for the corresponding period a year ago. The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release exclude the effect of certain non-cash, share-based compensation expense totaled RMB26.0 million (US$3.2 million) incurred in the first quarter of 2006. The reconciliation of GAAP measures with non-GAAP measures for gross margin, gross profit, operating expenses, net profit and net profit per American Depositary Share included in this release is set forth in the Company's unaudited financial information below. 

Total GAAP gross margin for the Company for the first quarter of 2006 was 82.7%. Total non-GAAP gross margin for the Company was 83.6% compared with non-GAAP gross margin of 82.6% for the preceding quarter and 82.0% for the same period last year. 

Non-GAAP gross margin for the online game business for the first quarter of 2006 improved slightly to 90.7% from non-GAAP gross margin of 89.4% for the preceding quarter and 89.0% for the first quarter of 2005, primarily due to the termination of revenue sharing arrangements with spokespersons for Fantasy Westward Journey and Westward Journey Online II in November 2005. GAAP gross margin for the online game business for the first quarter of 2006 was 90.4%. 

Non-GAAP gross margin for the online advertising business for the first quarter of 2006 declined to 55.3% from non-GAAP gross margin of 62.9% for the preceding quarter and 63.3% for the first quarter of 2005, primarily due to a seasonal decline in advertising expenditure and, to a lesser extent, due to the increased costs associated with the Company's online advertising business in 2006, GAAP gross margin for the advertising business for the first quarter of 2006 was 51.2%. Also, both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the wireless value-added services and others business declined in comparison to the preceding quarter and the same quarter a year ago, due to increased server depreciation costs associated with the Company's free email services. 

Total GAAP operating expenses for the first quarter of 2006 were RMB113.5 million (US$14.2 million). Total non-GAAP operating expenses for the first quarter of 2006 were RMB91.9 million (US$11.5 million), compared with RMB94.9 million (US$11.8 million) for the preceding quarter and RMB90.5 million (US$10.9 million) for the same period last year. The decline in non-GAAP operating expenses in comparison to the preceding quarter was primarily the result of lower general and administrative expenses resulting from the decrease in provision for doubtful debts expenses due mainly to the settlement of long-term debts.

As a result of foreign currency translation from currencies other than the Renminbi into Renminbi in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company reported a RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) foreign exchange loss in the first quarter of 2006, compared to foreign exchange losses of RMB1.9 million (US$0.2 million) in the preceding quarter and RMB nil in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

GAAP net profit for the first quarter totaled RMB293.7 million (US$36.6 million). Non-GAAP net profit for the first quarter totaled RMB319.7 million (US$39.9 million), a 15.5% increase over the previous quarter’s non-GAAP net profit of RMB276.7 million (US$34.3 million) and 107.7% increase over non-GAAP net profit of RMB153.9 million (US$18.6 million) for the first quarter of 2005. NetEase reported basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share of US$0.28 and US$0.26, respectively, which include the impact of approximately US$3.3 million, or US$0.02 per American Depositary Share, in non-cash, share-based compensation costs. For the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share of US$0.15 and US$0.13, respectively.

As of March 31, 2006, the Company's total cash and time deposit balance was RMB3.8 billion (US$469.8 million), an 11.5% increase from the previous quarter's RMB3.4 billion (US$418.5 million). Cash flow generated from operating activities was approximately RMB412.4 million (US$51.4 million), an 87.2% increase from the previous quarter's RMB220.3 million (US$27.3 million) and a 101.9% increase from the corresponding quarter's RMB204.2 million (US$24.7 million).


Denny Lee, NetEase's Chief Financial Officer, added, "We continued to carefully manage our expenses and operations to achieve solid financial results during the quarter. During 2006, we will remain focused on investing the necessary resources to expand our customer acquisition and game development efforts vital to our sustained growth. At the same time, we will continue to tightly control expenses to achieve long-term value for our shareholders."

Non-GAAP Disclosure
To supplement the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), NetEase's management uses non-GAAP measures of gross margin, gross profit, operating expenses, net profit and net profit per American Depositary Share, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude the compensation cost of share-based awards granted to employees under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123R, effective from January 1, 2006. The non-GAAP financial measures, by excluding the non-cash, stock-based compensation, are provided to enhance the investors'overall understanding of NetEase's current financial performance and prospects for the future. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

Reconciliations of NetEase's non-GAAP financial measures to unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations are set forth at this end of this release.

NetEase's management believes that excluding the share-based compensation expense from its GAAP financial measures of gross margin, gross profit, operating expenses, net profit and net profit per American Depositary Share are useful for itself and investors, because it makes a more meaningful comparison of NetEase's current operation results to those periods prior to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123R and improves readers' understanding of NetEase's performance. 

Conference Call
NetEase's management team will host a conference call on May 16, 2006, at 8:00PM Eastern Time, corresponding with May 17, 2006 at 8:00AM Beijing/Hong Kong time, to present an overview of NetEase’s financial and operational performance. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 800-500-0311 (international 719-457-2698), 10-15 minutes prior to the initiation of the call, or listen to a live webcast by going to the company's website at http://corp.netease.com. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 888-203-1112 (international 719-457-0820), and entering access code 9574480. The replay will be available through June 1, 2006 at midnight Eastern Time. An archived webcast will be available on the investor relations section of the company's website at http://corp.netease.com for 90 days.

**Note: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into U.S. dollars in this release is based on the exchange rate of US$1=RMB8.0167. The percentages stated are calculated based on RMB.**

Appointment of New Executive Officer
NetEase separately announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Zhonghui Zhan as Co-Chief Operating Officer to serve along with the Company's existing Chief Operating Officer, Michael Tong. Mr. Zhan joined NetEase in October 1999, and has served in various positions with the Company, including most recently as a Senior Vice President in the Company's game development group. In his new position, Mr. Zhan will continue to focus on the development of the Company's online game business. Mr. Zhan has Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Automation from the South China University of Technology.

Commenting on this appointment, Mr. Ding said, "We are delighted to have Zhonghui joining our senior management team. He has been with NetEase since its early days, and his extensive experience with our company and the online game industry in general well positions him to take a strong leadership role in further growing our online game business." 

About NetEase
NetEase.com, Inc. is a leading China-based Internet technology company that pioneered the development of applications, services and other technologies for the Internet in China. Our online communities and personalized premium services have established a large and stable user base for the NetEase websites which are operated by our affiliate. For the month of March 2006, the NetEase websites had more than 719 million average daily page views, making us one of the most popular destinations in China and on the World Wide Web. In particular, NetEase provides online game services to Internet users through the licensing or in-house development of massively multi-player online role-playing games, including Westward Journey Online II and Fantasy Westward Journey. 
NetEase also offers online advertising on its websites which enables advertisers to reach our substantial user base. In addition, NetEase has paid listings on its search engine and web directory and classified ads services, as well as an online mall, which provides opportunities for e-commerce and traditional businesses to establish their own storefront on the Internet. NetEase also offers wireless value-added services such as news and information content, matchmaking services, music and photos from the Web which are sent over SMS, MMS, WAP, IVR and Color Ring-back Tone technologies. 
Other community services which the NetEase websites offer include instant messaging, online personal ads, matchmaking, alumni clubs, personal home pages and community forums. NetEase is also the largest provider of free e-mail services in China. Furthermore, the NetEase websites provide more than 17 channels of content. NetEase aggregates news content on world events, sports, science and technology, and financial markets, as well as entertainment content such as cartoons, games, astrology and jokes, from over one hundred international and domestic content providers.




First Quarter 2006 Financial Statement

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