The9 Joint Venture Partner Increased Committed Annual Revenue to RMB900 Million and Profit to RMB300 Million from RMB600 and RMB200M Respectively

Rhea-AI Summary

The9 (Nasdaq: NCTY) announced that its subsidiary signed an amendment agreement with joint venture partner Huanyu, increasing committed annual revenue targets for 2025 from RMB600 million to RMB900 million (US$124 million) and profit targets from RMB200 million to RMB300 million (US$41 million). The joint venture, established in September 2024 with The9 holding 51% stake, will maintain its commitment to 30% annual growth in 2026 and 2027.

The venture will operate various games including MIR M, with The9 granting exclusive rights for certain iOS and Android channels. The9 issued 475,102,500 restricted shares to Huanyu, equivalent to 1,583,675 ADSs, which will unlock based on 2025 business results.

Positive

• Increased revenue commitment from RMB600M to RMB900M for 2025
• Higher profit commitment from RMB200M to RMB300M for 2025
• Guaranteed 30% annual growth for 2026 and 2027
• The9 holds controlling 51% stake in the joint venture
• Quarterly dividend distribution based on shareholding ratio

Negative

• Share dilution due to issuance of 475,102,500 restricted shares
• ICP license still pending approval
• Revenue and profit commitments are forward-looking with no guarantee of achievement

Insights

Financial Analyst

The increased revenue and profit commitments from Huanyu represent a significant positive development for The9. The new targets of RMB900 million in revenue and RMB300 million in profit for 2025 show a 50% increase from previous commitments, demonstrating strong confidence in the joint venture's potential. With The9 holding a 51% controlling stake, this translates to approximately $63.2 million in attributable revenue and $20.9 million in profit.

The committed 30% annual growth for 2026 and 2027 provides clear visibility into future earnings. The quarterly dividend distribution structure ensures regular cash flow to The9, while the share-based compensation structure (475.1M restricted shares) aligns Huanyu's interests with meeting these ambitious targets. The market opportunity in the mobile gaming sector, particularly with MIR M's exclusive distribution rights, positions this venture for substantial growth.

Gaming Industry Analyst

MIR M's implementation using Unreal Engine 4 represents a significant technical advancement that could differentiate it in the competitive mobile MMORPG market. The game's positioning as an evolution from existing MIR titles, combined with enhanced graphics capabilities, suggests strong potential for user acquisition and monetization. The pending ICP license acquisition is important for operating in China's strictly regulated gaming market.

The exclusive distribution rights through designated iOS and Android channels provide The9 with strategic control over key revenue streams. The increased revenue commitments suggest confidence in both the game's market potential and the distribution strategy. Given the historical success of the MIR franchise in Asia, these ambitious targets appear achievable with proper execution and marketing.

SHANGHAI, Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) ("The9"), an established Internet company, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Shanghai The9 Information Technology Co., Ltd. signed an amendment agreement to joint venture agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") with its joint venture partner Zhejiang Huanyu Network Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Huanyu"), a Chinese game development and operation company. Huanyu originally committed that the Joint Venture will have game revenues of at least RMB600 million and a profit of RMB200 million in 2025. Based on the Agreement, Huanyu increased its commitment that the Joint Venture will have game revenues of at least RMB900 million (approximately US$124 million) and a profit of RMB300 million (approximately US$41 million) in 2025, and the committed growth of game revenues and profit by at least 30% annually in 2026 and 2027 remains the same.

The Joint Venture was established in September 2024. The9 holds a 51% stake and Huanyu holds a 49% stake of the Joint Venture. All after-tax profits of the Joint Venture will be distributed as dividends every quarter according to the shareholding ratio of the Joint Venture partners. It is one of The9's consolidated subsidiaries to operate various games including MIR M. The Joint Venture had obtained an application receipt of the Internet Content Provider license and is expected to obtain the Internet Content Provider license soon. While The9 will still cooperate with other online game companies to operate MIR M, The9 granted the Joint Venture exclusive rights to publish, market and distribute MIR M through certain designated iOS and Android channels according to the Agreement.

The9 granted Huanyu 475,102,500 The9 restricted shares, equivalent to 1,583,675 ADSs. These restricted shares will be unlocked in stages according to Huanyu's commitment to the Joint Venture's 2025 business results.

"After signing the joint venture agreement with The9 in August, we have been working smoothly with The9 to set up the Joint Venture, applying for the ICP and most importantly, to prepare the launch of MIR M in 2025. In the past few months, we have been thrilled by the quality of MIR M. MIR M is an evolution game from all existing MIR games on the market. The Unreal Engine 4 helps MIR M to create and present top-level graphics. Other than MIR M, we will also cooperate with The9 to let our Joint Venture operate other games. We are more confident to the financial performance of our Joint Venture with The9 and that is the reason we entered into an amendment agreement to increase our revenue and profit guarantee," said Liu Huan, CEO of Huanyu.

Safe Harbor Statement

This current report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond The9's control. The9 may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about The9's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: The9's goal and strategies; The9's expansion plans; The9's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; The9's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; The9's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with business partners it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in The9's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date hereof, and The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

The9 Limited
17 Floor,
No. 130, Wu Song Road,
Hong Kou District,
Shanghai 200080, PRC

About The9 Limited

The9 Limited (The9) is an Internet company listed on Nasdaq in 2004. The9 is committed to become a global diversified high-tech Internet company, and is engaged in online games operation and Bitcoin mining businesses.

About Zhejiang Huanyu Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Huanyu Network Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese game development and operation company, mainly operating MIR and related games. The Group has more than 500 employees, more than 19 million game users, and more than 3.9 million paying users. The cumulative user payment amount exceeded RMB 1.9 billion.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the9-joint-venture-partner-increased-committed-annual-revenue-to-rmb900-million-and-profit-to-rmb300-million-from-rmb600-and-rmb200m-respectively-302324777.html

SOURCE The9 Limited

FAQ

What are the new revenue and profit targets for The9's joint venture in 2025?

The new targets for 2025 are RMB900 million (US$124 million) in revenue and RMB300 million (US$41 million) in profit, increased from RMB600 million and RMB200 million respectively.

How many restricted shares did The9 (NCTY) grant to Huanyu?

The9 granted Huanyu 475,102,500 restricted shares, equivalent to 1,583,675 ADSs, which will unlock based on 2025 business results.

What is the ownership structure of The9's joint venture with Huanyu?

The9 holds a 51% controlling stake in the joint venture, while Huanyu holds the remaining 49% stake.

What growth rate is committed for The9's joint venture in 2026 and 2027?

The joint venture commits to at least 30% annual growth in both revenue and profit for 2026 and 2027.