The9 Limited Announces Board
Approval of Buy-back of up to
US$50 million of its Shares
|
|
Shanghai, China – November 20, 2007. The9
Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY) (“The9”), a leading online game
operator in China, announced today its Board of Directors
has authorized a buy-back of up to $50 million of its
American Depositary Shares, each of which represents
one share of The9's ordinary shares. The company will
buy the shares in the open market and expects the purchases
to be funded from existing cash reserves.
Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The9
said, “Our business and competitive position in China
continue to be strong and therefore we are confident
of the company's future performance. We think that the
current shares price level do not reflect the company's
value and potential. Mirroring this confidence, our
board of directors has authorized the company to repurchase
up to $50 million of its own stock. We believe that
this is a good investment opportunity for the company
to repurchase its own shares at the prevailing price
level.”
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in China.
The9's business is primarily focused on operating and
developing high-quality games for the Chinese online
game market. The9 directly or through affiliates operates
licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU ,
Blizzard Entertainment 's
World of Warcraft ,
Soul of The Ultimate Nation ,
and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West ,
in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses
to operate additional MMORPGs and advanced casual games
in mainland China, including Granado Espada, Guild Wars,
Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle
Online, Huxley ,
FIFA Online 2, Audition 2, Field of Honor. In addition,
The9 is also developing two proprietary MMORPG games,
Fantastic Melody Online
and Warriors of Fate Online.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements.
These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions
of the U.S. 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. Among other things, the business
outlook and quotations from management in this press
release contain forward-looking statements. The9 may
also make written or oral forward-looking statements
in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, etc., 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 important factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, The9's limited operating history as an online game
operator, political and economic policies of the Chinese
government, the laws and regulations governing the online
game industry, information disseminated over the Internet
and Internet content providers in China, intensified
government regulation of Internet cafes, The9's ability
to retain existing players and attract new players,
license, develop or acquire additional online games
that are appealing to users, anticipate and adapt to
changing consumer preferences and respond to competitive
market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties
outlined in The9's filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports
on Form 20-F. The9 does not undertake any obligation
to update any forward-looking statement, except as required
under applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dahlia Wei
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
The9 Limited
Tel: +86 (21) 5172-9990
Email: IR@corp.the9.com
Website: |