CNinsure Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Unaudited Financial Results

GUANGZHOU, China, March 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CNinsure Inc., (Nasdaq:CISG), (the "Company" or "CNinsure"), a leading independent insurance intermediary company operating in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.¹

Financial Highlights:

Highlights for Fourth Quarter 2012

• Total net revenues: RMB435.8 million (US$70.0 million), representing an increase of 4.1% from the corresponding period in 2011.
• Operating income: RMB6.4 million (US$1.0 million), compared to operating loss of RMB1.0 billion for the corresponding period in 2011.
• Non-GAAP operating income: RMB19.3 million (US$3.1 million), which excluded share-based compensation expenses, representing a decrease of 73.6% from the corresponding period of 2011. Non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2011 excluded impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses.
• Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders: RMB20.1 million (US$3.2 million), compared to net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB718.6 million for the corresponding period of 2011.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders: RMB28.5 million (US$4.6 million), which excluded share-based compensation expenses and refunds from the selling shareholder of an acquired subsidiary, representing a decrease of 62.6% from the corresponding period in 2011. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2011 excluded impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets, share-based compensation expenses,refunds from the selling shareholder of certain acquired subsidiaries, and net income from discontinued operations².
• Basic and diluted net income per ADS: RMB0.40(US$0.06) and RMB0.40(US$0.06), compared to basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB14.34 and RMB14.34 for the corresponding period in 2011 respectively.
• Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS: RMB0.57(US$0.09) and RMB0.57(US$0.09), representing decreases of 62.5% and62.7% from the corresponding period in 2011 respectively.

Highlights for Fiscal Year 2012

• Total net revenues: RMB1.6 billion (US$254.6 million), representing an increase of 4.6% from 2011.
• Operating income: RMB65.8 million (US$10.6 million), compared to operating loss of RMB748.8 million for 2011.
• Non-GAAP operating income: RMB132.7 million (US$21.3 million), which excluded share-based compensation expenses in 2012, representing a decrease of 64.7% from 2011. Non-GAAP operating income for 2011 excluded impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, share-based compensation expenses, and professional fees relating to a non-binding going-private proposal that was later withdrawn.
• Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders: RMB130.5 million (US$20.9 million) compared to net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB299.4 million for 2011.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders: RMB192.9 million (US$31.0 million), which excluded share-based compensation expenses and refunds from the selling shareholder of an acquired subsidiary, representing a decrease of 47.5% from 2011. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders for 2011 excluded impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets, share-based compensation expenses, profession fees relating to a non-binding going-private proposal that was later withdrawn, refunds from the selling shareholder of certain acquired subsidiaries and cash bonus received from the Shenzhen municipal government, and net income from discontinued operations.
• Basic and diluted net income per ADS: RMB2.60(US$0.42) and RMB2.60(US$0.42), compared to basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB5.97 and RMB5.97 for 2011 respectively.
• Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS: RMB3.85(US$0.62) and RMB3.84(US$0.62), respectively, representing decreases of 47.5% and 47.7%, respectively, from 2011.

Commenting on the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 financial results, Mr. Chunlin Wang, CNinsure's chief executive officer, stated, "We are pleased that our top line for the fourth quarter and full year of 2012 grew 4.1% and 4.6%, respectively, which were above our expectations. We are also pleased that our gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2012 was slightly improved over last quarter. While maintaining our market position in the property and casualty ("P&C") insurance business amidst a challenging market environment, we are encouraged by the stellar performance of our other business lines, such as the continued high persistency rate of the term life insurance business, the strong growth of our insurance brokerage business, and that our claims adjusting business further gaining market shares, closing its gap with the market top player.

"During 2012 we achieved many important milestones along the way to our goal of incorporating more technology into our business. These milestones included, among others, 1) the launch of CNpad, our proprietary mobile sales support device, which aims at helping our sales agents to serve their clients more effectively, 2) enhancing our life insurance platform by broadening product offerings to include financial products, expanding the market presence of our life insurance distribution network in major cities and strengthening our elite sales force, and 3) the establishment of the sales service group company. Looking ahead to 2013, we will continue to execute our growth strategies in order to create long-term shareholder value."

Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2012

Total net revenues were RMB435.8 million (US$70.0 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing an increase of 4.1% from RMB418.6million for the corresponding period in 2011, primarily due to increases in net revenues from our "P&C" insurance and claims adjusting business segments. The increase in the P&C business segment was mainly driven by increases in commission rates received from insurance underwriters, and the growth of the claims adjusting segment was mainly attributable to an increase in claims relating to automobile insurance. Net revenues from commissions and fees derived from the P&C insurance, life insurance and claims adjusting businesses for the fourth quarter of 2012 contributed 71.3%, 14.0% and 14.7% of the Company's total net revenues, respectively, compared to 69.7%, 15.7% and 14.6%, respectively, for the corresponding period in 2011.

Total operating costs and expenses were RMB429.4 million (US$68.9 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 70.0% from RMB1.4billion for the corresponding period of 2011.

Commissions and fees expenses were RMB311.8 million (US$50.0 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing an increase of 27.1% from RMB245.3 million for the corresponding period of 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in commissions paid to our sales agents within the P&C segment as greater competition among P&C insurance companies has driven up commission rates in the auto insurance market, and increased competition, largely resulting from telemarketing by other insurance companies, has pushed up our per policy acquisition cost.

Selling expenses were RMB19.3 million (US$3.1 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 2.8% from RMB19.9 million for the corresponding period in 2011.

General and administrative expenses were RMB98.3 million (US$15.8 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 24.3% from RMB129.8 million for the corresponding period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to a 73.9% decrease in share-based compensation expenses, from RMB49.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 to RMB12.9 million (US$2.1 million) for the corresponding period in 2012. The large Share-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were mainly arisen from the cancellation of certain stock options in November 2011.

Impairment loss on intangible assets and goodwill was nil for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to RMB1.0 billion for the corresponding period in 2011, which reflected a material decline in the fair value of the Company as at December 31, 2011 and the expected adverse impact of overall economic uncertainties in China, growth slowdown within the Chinese insurance market and our strategic business transition on its earnings over the following two years.

As a result of the foregoing factors, income from operations was RMB6.4 million (US$1.0 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to loss from operations of RMB1.0 billion for the corresponding period in 2011.

Non-GAAP operating income, which excluded (1) impairment losses on intangible assets and goodwill for the fourth quarter of 2011 and (2) share-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter of 2012 and the corresponding period in 2011, was RMB19.3 million (US$3.1 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 73.6% from RMB73.2 million for the corresponding period in 2011.

Operating margin was 1.5% for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to negative 242.2% for the corresponding period in 2011. Non-GAAP operating margin was 4.4% for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 17.5% for the corresponding period in 2011.

Interest income was RMB20.1 million (US$3.2 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing an increase of 21.0% from RMB16.6 million for the corresponding period in 2011. The increase in interest income was primarily due to (1) RMB1.0 million (US$0.2 million) in interest charged on the related parties and (2) increases in interest-bearing bank balances from the corresponding period in 2011.

Income tax expense was RMB9.5 million (US$1.5 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 48.7% from RMB18.6 million for the corresponding period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of taxable income in the fourth quarter of 2012 from the corresponding period of 2011 and significant impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets in 2011 which was not tax-deductible, offset by an increase of the preferential tax rate enjoyed by one of our subsidiaries from tax exemption to 12.5% starting from January 2012.

Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders was RMB20.1 million (US$3.2 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB718.6 million for the corresponding period in 2011.

Net margin was 4.6% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to negative171.7% for the corresponding period in 2011.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, which excluded(1) impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets for the fourth quarter of 2011, (2) share-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter of 2012 and the corresponding period in 2011,(3) refunds from the selling shareholder of certain acquired subsidiaries for the fourth quarter of 2012 and the corresponding period in 2011,and (4) net income from discontinued operations for the fourth quarter of 2011, was RMB28.5 million (US$4.6 million) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 62.6% from RMB76.0 million for the corresponding period in 2011. Non-GAAP net margin was 6.5% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 18.2% for the corresponding period in 2011.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS was RMB0.40(US$0.06) and RMB0.40 (US$0.06)for the fourth quarter of 2012 respectively, compared to basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB14.34 and RMB14.34 for the corresponding period in 2011 respectively.

Non-GAAP basic net income per ADS was RMB0.57 (US$0.09)for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 62.5% from RMB1.52 for the corresponding period in 2011.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was RMB0.57(US$0.09) for the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 62.7% from RMB1.52 for the corresponding period in 2011.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had RMB2.5 billion (US$405.4 million) in cash and cash equivalents.

Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Total net revenues for fiscal year 2012 were RMB1.6 billion (US$254.6 million), representing an increase of 4.6% from RMB1.5 billion in fiscal year 2011, which reflected the growth of the P&C insurance and claims adjusting business segments. The growth of the P&C insurance segment was primarily driven by rising auto insurance commission rates, while the increase in claims adjusting segment was mainly attributable to the growth in an increase in claims relating to automobile insurance. Net revenues from commissions and fees derived from the P&C insurance, life insurance and claims adjusting businesses for fiscal year 2012 contributed 68.9, 17.3% and 13.8% of the Company's total net revenues, respectively, compared to 68.3%, 18.3% and 13.4%, respectively, for fiscal year 2011.

Total operating costs and expenses were RMB1.5 billion (US$244.0 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing a decrease of 32.9% from RMB2.3 billion in fiscal year 2011.

Commissions and fees expenses were RMB1.1 billion (US$174.3 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing an increase of 36.3% from RMB796.8 million in fiscal year 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in commissions paid to our sales agents within the P&C segment as greater competition among P&C insurance companies has driven up commission rates in the auto insurance market, and increased competition largely resulting from telemarketing by other insurance companies has pushed up our per policy acquisition cost.

Selling expenses were RMB78.4 million (US$12.6 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing an increase of 0.8% from RMB77.8 million in fiscal year 2011.

General and administrative expenses were RMB356.0 million (US$57.1 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing an increase of 6.8% from RMB333.3 million in fiscal year 2011. The increase was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

(1) 17.3% increase in share-based compensation expenses, from RMB57.0 million for fiscal year 2011 to RMB66.9 million (US$10.7 million) for fiscal year 2012. Share-based compensation expenses for fiscal year 2012 were mainly associated with options granted to employees in March 2012, which were recognized on an accelerated basis. Share-based compensation expenses for fiscal year 2011 were mainly related to the cancellation of certain stock options in November 2011;

(2) 11.4% increase in payroll expense from RMB100.7 million for fiscal year 2011 to RMB112.2 million (US$18.0 million) for the fiscal year 2012; offset by

(3) the recognition of approximately RMB10.0 million in financial advisor and legal fees incurred in the third quarter of 2011 in relation to a non-binding going-private proposal which was later withdrawn.

Impairment loss on intangible assets and goodwill was nil for fiscal year 2012, as compared to RMB1.1 billion for the corresponding period in 2011, which reflected a material decline in the fair value of the Company as at December 31, 2011 and the expected adverse impact of the overall economic uncertainties in China, growth slowdown within the Chinese insurance market and our strategic business transition on its earnings over the following two years.

As a result of the foregoing factors, income from operations was RMB65.8 million (US$10.6 million) for fiscal year 2012, compared to loss from operation of RMB748.8 million in fiscal year 2011.

Operating margin was 4.2% for fiscal year 2012, compared to negative 49.3% in fiscal year 2011.

Non-GAAP operating margin was 8.4% for fiscal year 2012, compared to 24.8% in fiscal year 2011.

Non-GAAP operating income which excluded (1) impairment losses on intangible assets and goodwill for fiscal year of 2011, (2) share-based compensation expenses for fiscal year 2012 and 2011, and (3) professional fees relating to a non-binding going-private proposal that was later withdrawn, was RMB132.7 million (US$21.3 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing a decrease of 64.7% from RMB375.8 million for the corresponding period in 2011.

Interest income for fiscal year 2012 was RMB90.3 million (US$14.5 million), representing an increase of 73.6% from RMB52.0 million in fiscal year 2011. The increase in interest income was primarily due to (1) RMB10.3 million (US$1.7 million) in interest charged on the related parties for fiscal year 2012 and (2) increases in interest-bearing bank balances and bank interest rates from fiscal year 2011.

Income tax expense for fiscal year 2012 was RMB50.4 million (US$8.1 million), representing a decrease of 40.1% from RMB84.0 million in fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of taxable income in 2012 from 2011 and significant impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets in 2011 which was not tax-deductible, offset by an increase of the preferential tax rate enjoyed by one of our subsidiaries from tax exemption to 12.5% starting from 2012.

Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders was RMB130.5 million (US$20.9 million) for fiscal year 2012, compared to net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB299.4 million for fiscal year 2011.

Net margin was 8.2% for fiscal year 2012, compared to negative 19.7% for fiscal year 2011.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders, which excluded (1) impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets, net of tax, for fiscal year 2011, (2) share-based compensation expense for fiscal year 2011 and 2012, (3) professional fees relating to a non-binding going-private proposal that was later withdrawn for fiscal year 2011, (4) refunds from the selling shareholders of certain acquired subsidiaries for fiscal year 2011 and 2012, (5) cash bonus received from the Shenzhen municipal government for fiscal year 2011 and (6) net income from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2011, was RMB192.9 million (US$31.0 million) for fiscal year 2012, representing a decrease of 47.5% from RMB367.6 million for fiscal year 2011.

Non-GAAP net margin was 12.2% for fiscal year 2012, compared to 24.2% for fiscal year 2011.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS was RMB2.60(US$0.42) and RMB2.60(US$0.42) for fiscal year 2012 respectively, compared to basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB5.97 and RMB5.97 for fiscal year 2011 respectively.

Non-GAAP basic net income per ADS was RMB3.85(US$0.62) for fiscal year 2012, representing a decrease of 47.5% from RMB7.33 for fiscal year 2011.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was RMB3.84(US$0.62) for fiscal year 2012, representing a decrease of 47.7% from RMB7.33 for fiscal year 2011.

Recent developments:

• On November 21, 2012, CNinsure was named Best Insurance Intermediary of the Year 2012 at the Tenth China Financial Billboard hosted by www.hexun.com.
• On November 5, 2012, CNinsure was awarded Best Insurance Agency of the Year at Preferred Insurance Brand of China's Millions of Middle-class Families Billboard of 2012 hosted by Money Week of the 21st Century, and was concurrently honored with the Culture Management Innovation Award of the Year 2012 at the Seventh Insurance Innovation Award of China.
• Following the approval of a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to US$30 million of its American depositary shares by its board of directors on November 6, 2012, CNinsure had repurchased a total of 193,165 ADSs, representing 3,863,300 ordinary shares of the Company during fourth quarter of 2012. In addition, Mr. Yinan Hu, Chairman of the board, had repurchased 503,500 ADSs, representing 10,070,000 ordinary shares of the Company during 2012.
• As of December 31, 2012, CNinsure's distribution and service network consisted of 472 sales and services outlets operating in 26 provinces, compared to 605 sales and service outlets operating in 23 provinces as of December 31, 2011. CNinsure had 46,940 sales agents and 1,287 professional claims adjustors as of December 31, 2012, compared to 46,137 sales agents and 1,474 professional claims adjustors as of December 31, 2011.

Business Outlook

CNinsure expects its total net revenues to grow by approximately 5% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the corresponding period in 2012. This forecast reflects CNinsure's current view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 results at

About CNinsure Inc.

CNinsure is a leading independent intermediary company operating in China. CNinsure's distribution network reaches many of China's most economically developed regions and affluent cities. The Company distributes a wide variety of property and casualty and life insurance products underwritten by domestic and foreign insurance companies operating in China, and provides insurance claims adjusting as well as other insurance-related services.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements, including the statements relating to the Company's future financial and operating results, are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward- looking statements by terminology such as "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the management's quotations and the Business Outlook section contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about CNinsure and the industry. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to CNinsure's limited operating history, especially its limited experience in selling life insurance products, its ability to attract and retain productive agents, especially entrepreneurial agents, its ability to maintain existing and develop new business relationships with insurance companies, its ability to execute its growth strategy, its ability to adapt to the evolving regulatory environment in the Chinese insurance industry, its ability to compete effectively against its competitors, quarterly variations in its operating results caused by factors beyond its control and macroeconomic conditions in China and their potential impact on the sales of insurance products. All information provided in this press release is as of March 5, 2013, and CNinsure undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although CNinsure believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by CNinsure is included in CNinsure's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the Company's consolidated financial results under GAAP, the Company also provides non-GAAP financial measures, excluding net income from discontinued operations, share-based compensation expenses, professional fees relating to the non-binding going-private proposal that was later withdrawn, impairment losses on intangible asset and goodwill and refunds from selling shareholders of certain acquired subsidiaries and cash bonus received from the Shenzhen municipal government. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company's performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. One limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude the items that were significant in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the corresponding period of 2011, and in fiscal year 2012 and 2011. Another is that items such as share-based compensation expenses have been, and will continue to be, a significant recurring factor in our business.

In light of the limitations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and other interested persons to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this release.

¹This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi (RMB) amounts into U.S. dollars (US$) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB 6.2301 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate as of December 31, 2012 in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as set forth in H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

²Following the sale of Beijing Datong Investment Management Co., Ltd. ("Datong") on March 25, 2011, the Company was required to present its financial results on both a continuing and discontinued basis. Profits and losses related to Datong are presented as discontinued operations while profits and losses for the remaining business are presented as continuing operations.

&#60 1 &#62 goodwill and intangible assets impairment losses;
&#60 2 &#62 share-based compensation expenses;
&#60 3 &#62 goodwill and intangible asset impairment attributable to the Company, net of tax;
&#60 4 &#62 refunds from the selling shareholder of certain acquired subsidiaries, net of tax;
&#60 5 &#62 discontinued operations income, net of tax.

&#60 1 &#62 goodwill and Intangible assets impairment;
&#60 2 &#62 share-based compensation expense;
&#60 3 &#62 one-off professional fees related to the non-binding going-private proposal;
&#60 4 &#62 goodwill and intangible asset impairment attributable to the Company, net of tax;
&#60 5 &#62 refunds from the selling shareholder of certain acquired subsidiaries and cash bonus received from the Shenzhen municipal government, net of tax;
&#60 6 &#62 discontinued operations income, net of tax.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact:

         Oasis Qiu

         Investor Relations Manager

         Tel: +86 (20) 6122-2731

         Email: qiusr@cninsure.net

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