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Market

Nature Home Achieves Turnaround in 1H2014

Revenue and Gross Profit Up by 37% and 50% to Approximately RMB776 Million and RMB253 Million Respectively

Further strengthened the integrated household product strategy by introducing an O2O platform to seize online and offline shopping opportunities

HONG KONG, Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Financial Highlights:

Unaudited results for the 6 months ended 30 June	2014 *RMB’000*	2013 *RMB’000*	*Change* %
Revenue	776,398	566,977	+36.9
Gross Profit	252,658	168,888	+49.6
Profit Before Tax	26,679	(47,370)	N/A
Profit Attributable to Equity Shareholders	19,715	(55,248)	N/A
Profit Attributable to Equity Shareholders (excluding the net change in fair value of biological assets)	25,694	18,111	+41.9
Basic Earnings per Share (RMB)	0.013	(0.037)	N/A

Nature Home Holding Company Limited (“Nature Home” or the “Company“, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“; HKEx Stock Code: 2083), announced today its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2014 (the “Period“).

During the Period, the Group achieved encouraging financial results with revenue increased by 36.9% to approximately RMB776 million. Gross profit surged 49.6% to approximately RMB252 million. Profit attributable to equity shareholders reached approximately RMB20 million, representing a turnaround in the Period as compared to the loss attributable to equity shareholders recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. The turnaround is mainly attributable to the reduction of the negative net change in fair value of the Group’s biological assets, as well as the increase in the Group’s revenue and gross profit. During the Period, approximately 10.09 million square meters of flooring products were sold (1H2013: approximately 8.45 million square meters), representing an increase of 19.4% year-on-year.

Mr. Se Hok Pan, Chairman and Executive Director of Nature Home stated, “In the first six months of 2014, we continued to strengthen our efforts on brand building and sales, to further broaden the coverage in international markets under the intensified industry competition, this is reflected in the significant increase in the trading revenue of timber and wood products. The turnaround recorded during the Period reflected the success of our business development strategies, brand building and sales efforts. With the change of our Company name to ‘Nature Home Holding Company Limited‘, we aim at achieving our goal in offering integrated household products with our ‘Nature‘ brand, representing an image of high quality, safe and environmentally-friendly household brand.”

Manufacturing and Sale of Wood Products

During the Period, turnover of the Group’s manufacturing and sale of wooden products has increased 39.2% to approximately RMB527 million, mainly attributable to the continued recovery of the Group’s flooring business in the PRC and the overall increased sales in flooring products.

The Group has successfully developed a solid and extensive sales network in the PRC. It has 1,856 “Nature” stores, 1,121 “Nature No.1 My Space” stores, 152 “Nature Aesthetics” stores, 99 foreign imported brand stores and 116 other brand stores as at 30 June 2014, amounting to 3,344 stores in total.

Nature Home will continue to focus on the development in the business of wooden doors, wardrobes and cabinets with the “Nature” brand, striving to improve such business in the future with the completion and operation of the new product line in the newly opened Taizhou Production Plant in Jiangsu Province, the PRC and the planned trial production of the Zhongshan Wardrobes and Cabinets Plant in the second half of 2014.

Trading of Timber and Wood Products

For the overseas market, the recovery of the global economy, especially the economy of the U.S., has created a favorable environment for the development of the Group’s business and brought to the group significant growth in the trading business revenue of timber and wood products. The Group’s subsidiaries located in the U.S. have further boosted the Group’s business development by establishing additional sales channels, which resulted in a sustained growth in the Group’s sales for the trading of wood flooring products in the U.S. During the Period, the Group’s trading business of timber and wood products contributed a revenue of approximately RMB165 million, representing a significant increase of 61.8% as compared to approximately RMB102 million in the corresponding period of 2013.

Chairman Se concluded, “Looking forward, the Group is still facing various challenges. However, the Group has captured the opportunities from the trend of online and offline shopping. We plan to establish an online housing O2O platform for the household industry to provide our customers with a one-stop solution with household products, logistics and decoration as well as installation service. The Group also plans to open ‘O2O Household Package Experience Stores’, which will display different packages of household products, offering customers an open experience for household products. We will also continue to implement our strategy of integrated household products and enhancing our household brand with a combination of online and offline platforms, in order to maximize the effectiveness in sales of the household brand. We will also strive for better performance in the future for the relevant business, especially with the new production line of wooden doors in the Taizhou Plant and a new production line of wardrobes and cabinets in the Zhongshan Plant. As one of the largest wood flooring brands in China, we have full confidence in our business and we will continue to reinforce our leading position in the industry to maximize returns to our shareholders.”

About Nature Home Holding Company Limited

Nature Home is the largest wood flooring brand in China in terms of market share by retail sales value of branded wood flooring products. According to an industry report of China’s flooring market conducted by an independent global market research and consulting company (the “Industry Report”), the Group’s “Nature” branded products accounted for 7.0% market share in terms of China’s total retail sales value of branded wood flooring products in 2011. The Group’s branded products are manufactured through a combination of its own manufacturing facilities and exclusive authorized manufacturers.

According to Industry Report, in 2011, the Group’s branded products ranked second in laminated flooring, first in multi-layered engineered flooring and first in solid wood flooring, each in terms of both the market share of retail sales volume and retail sales value in China. The Group is the only company to achieve a top two market share position across the three primary wood flooring product categories in China in 2011. Leveraging its strong brand, extensive distribution network, comprehensive product portfolio and flexible manufacturing model, the Group grew rapidly and gained market share in China from 2008 to 2011.

To see the full version of this release, including financial tables, click here: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnk/20140829/8521404880-a

Market

Steady Development with Solid Performance in 1H 2014

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883, TSX: CNU) today announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

For the first half of the year, the Company’s total net oil and gas production reached 211.6 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), up 6.8% year-on-year (yoy), with 36.3 million BOE contributed by Nexen.

The Company’s average realized oil price was US$106.30 per barrel in the first half of 2014, representing an increase of 2.0% yoy, while average realized gas price rose 13.5% yoy to US$6.44 per thousand cubic feet.

Benefited from the growth of net oil and gas production and increase in realized oil and gas prices, the Company recorded RMB117.1 billion in oil and gas sales revenue, a yoy increase of 5.7%; meanwhile, net profit fell 2.3% yoy to RMB33.59 billion.

In the first half of 2014, the Company’s all-in cost was US$43.20 per BOE, up slightly by 2.0 % yoy, while operating cost was US$11.78 per BOE, up 7.0 % yoy, mainly attributable to the consolidation of two more months of Nexen’s performance.

In the area of exploration, the Company made 9 new discoveries and 23 successful appraisal wells. Among them, Lingshui 17-2, discovered by “Haiyangshiyou 981”, was successfully tested and is expected to become the first large-sized deepwater gas field made by our independent exploration activities. While Luda 16-3 South structure is expected to become a mid-sized discovery after appraisal, Kenli 16-1 structure uncovers the good exploration potential of southern slope of Laizhou Bay Sag in Bohai. Kenli 3-2 oilfields, Panyu10-2/5/8 project and Wenchang 13-6 oilfield have commenced production within the year as scheduled while other projects are progressing accordingly.

During the period, the Company continued to advance the integration of Nexen, especially in the areas of management, resources development and corporate culture. Nexen’s safety and environmental protection achieved best performance in its history in the first half of 2014. Production efficiency of Buzzard oilfield in the UK North Sea was further enhanced, while production and operation of Long Lake oil sands project achieved significant improvement. The progress of integration reached the Company’s expectation.

Mr. Wang Yilin, Chairman of the Company, said, “In the first half of 2014, the Company has executed its ‘New Leap Forward’ strategy in a solid way and achieved satisfactory results. We will endeavor to strengthen our management, enhance the growth quality and efficiency of the Company to create greater value for our shareholders.”

Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of the Company commented, “During the first half of 2014, we have actively pushed ahead different areas of our business. Good progress was made in the production and operation and a healthy financial position was maintained. In the second half of the year, we will continue to work diligently to ensure that we meet our annual production and business targets.”

In the first half of the year, the Company’s basic earnings per share reached RMB0.75. The Board has declared an interim dividend of HK$0.25 per share (tax inclusive).

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the expectations and predictions of the Company depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, including those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the exploration or development activities, the capital expenditure requirements, the business strategy, whether the transactions entered into by the Group can complete on schedule pursuant to its terms and timetable or at all, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industries, the foreign operations, environmental liabilities and compliance requirements, and economic and political conditions in the People’s Republic of China. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company files from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2013 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on 17 April 2014.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Michelle Zhang
Deputy Manager, Media / Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6642
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: MR@cnooc.com.cn

Ms. Cathy Zhang
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia
Tel: +852-2894-6211
Fax: +852-2576-1990
E-mail: cathy.zhang@hkstrategies.com

Logo – http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200701301659.jpg

Market

The Lombard Odier Group Reports Results for the First Half of 2014

GENEVA, Aug. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Total client assets on 30 June 2014 amounted to CHF 211 billion of which assets under management were CHF 156 billion
Consolidated net profit was CHF 62.5 million for the Group
Fully-loaded Basel III CET1 ratio stood at 23.8%

Assets under management and strategic diversification across three business lines

Several years ago, Lombard Odier decided to accelerate the expansion of its private client business in Europe, Asia and Switzerland, to sharpen the scope of its asset management business and to turn its technology platform into a profit centre. This long-term strategic evolution is showing steady progress and positions the firm for the future.

As a result, today the Group is organised around three business lines with total client assets at the end of June 2014 of CHF 211.0 billion. Total client assets in the private clients business amounted to CHF 114.7 billion. Asset management clients invested CHF 47.8 billion. Technology and banking services clients entrusted an additional CHF 48.5 billion of assets to Lombard Odier.

Solid earnings

The Group’s consolidated income in the first six months was CHF 527.1 million and the operational cost base was CHF 429.7 million. Operating cost-income ratio for the Group stood at 80%, reflecting long-term investments in three strategic areas: the private client businesses in Europe, Asia and Switzerland; asset management expertise for institutional clients; and further developments into the technology platform that Lombard Odier provides to third parties.

“These results are in line with our expectations and reflect both the investments we make towards our strategic objectives as well as the conservative use of our balance sheet,” said Patrick Odier, Senior Managing Partner. “Our Group is increasingly diversified, more international and more balanced between private and asset management clients and we are expanding our partnerships with financial services providers. Our solid net profit allows us to continue investing in all three businesses.”

Strong and liquid balance sheet

The consolidated balance sheet totals CHF 17.1 billion and is conservatively invested. The Group has no external debt and is well capitalised with a fully-loaded Basel III CET1 ratio of 23.8%, which is well above the FINMA’s 12% target. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio was 653%.

One of the Group’s objectives is to remain one of the best capitalised banks in the world. Lombard Odier’s strong capitalisation is a foundation of its clients’ trust in the firm.

About Lombard Odier

Lombard Odier provides its private clients with a full range of bespoke services such as succession planning, discretionary and advisory portfolio management, tax reporting and custody services. With a view to remaining close to its clients’ needs, the Group is able to harness expertise and technology to provide wealth management solutions across the globe. Lombard Odier has developed significant private banking operations in Europe, Asia and Switzerland.

Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM), the Group’s asset management unit, seeks to deliver performance by identifying sources of both risk and return through absolute return, smart beta and high conviction strategies. LOIM offers its clients a range of innovative solutions including risk-based asset allocation, thematic equity investments, convertible bonds and absolute return as well as alternative strategies.

Lombard Odier provides its technology and banking clients with its own IT and operational infrastructure as well as global custody and reporting services.

The Lombard Odier Group has a presence in the world’s main financial centres and offers its clients a global perspective through its network of offices in 19 jurisdictions. The Group employs about 2,000 people.

The Group has a AA- Fitch rating with a “stable” outlook.

Lombard Odier is headed by eight Managing Partners, who represent up to the seventh generation of bankers running the Firm. They are both owners and managers and are involved with leading the firm’s strategy and management as well as serving clients. Since its founding in 1796, the Firm has stayed true to its primary vocation of preserving and nurturing the assets entrusted to it and helping to hand them to future generations.

For more information: http://www.lombardodier.com

Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd
Rue de la Corraterie 11
1204 Geneva
http://www.lombardodier.com

Warren Giles
Media Relations (English)
Tel: +41(22)709-31-57
w.giles@lombardodier.com

Christoph G. Meier
Head of Communications
Tel: +41(0)22-709-17-46
c.meier@lombardodier.com

Marionna Wegenstein
Pressverantwortliche (Deutsch)
Tel: +41(44)214-14-10
m.wegenstein@lombardodier.com

Media Relations
Tel: +41(22)709-21-21

Francois Mutter
Relations Medias (Francais)
Tel: +41(22)709-93-64
f.mutter@lombardodier.com

Market

China Fordoo Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2399) Announces 2014 Interim Results

— Turnover Reached RMB766.2 Million

— Gross Profit Increased by 13.0% to RMB269.1 Million

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — China Fordoo Holdings Limited (“Fordoo” or the “Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, Stock Code: 2399), a reputable menswear brand in the PRC, is pleased to announce its interim results for the period ended 30 June 2014 (the “period”).

During the period, benefited from the growing recognition of the Group’s “FORDOO” brand and an increase in the average wholesale price of products, the Group’s turnover increased to RMB766.2 million, representing an increase of 6.8% over the corresponding period last year (1H2013: RMB717.4 million). The expansion of distribution network further strengthened the profitability of the Group. Net profit increased by 8.5% to RMB128.7 million over the corresponding period in 2013. Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB36 cents, representing an increase of 8.5% as compared to the corresponding period last year (1H2013: RMB33 cents).

Mr. Kwok Kin Sun, Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board said, “In the first half of 2014, China’s economic growth continued to slowdown and the retail market remained weak. For the apparel retail industry, the total retail sales of garments, hats, footwear and knitwear recorded a 10.0% year-on-year increase, which was 1.9 percentage points lower than that of the corresponding period in 2013. Therefore, the Group adopted a prudent operation strategy and focused on improving the distribution channel management and enhancing product quality and design. We are very satisfied that the purchase orders from the sales fair held in March 2014 increased by 24% from the ones held in September 2013.”

Business Review

As a reputable menswear brand in the PRC, by product type, Fordoo continued to lead the market in the men’s trousers segment. In the first half of 2014, turnover from men’s trousers increased by 16.9% to RMB458.1 million as compared to the corresponding period last year (1H2013: RMB392.0 million). In addition, sales of trousers remained the major contributor to the total turnover with a proportion of 59.8%. In terms of product style, the Group maintained a healthy growth in the business formal and business casual series. The business casual series continued to be the largest turnover contributor to the Group with a proportion of 63.4% (1H2013: 61.1%).

The Group has been striving to optimize its retail and sales network for the sustainable business growth. As of 30 June 2014, the retail and distribution network of the Group further expanded to 52 distributors and 180 sub-distributors. During the period, the Group had a total 1,353 retail outlets (including 2 self-operated retail stores), representing a net increase of 53 retail outlets as at 31 December 2013, spanning over 240 cities and 31 provinces, autonomous regions and central government-administered municipalities in the PRC. The increase in retail outlets was a strategy to further penetrate into the markets in the second and third-tier cities.

In the first half of 2014, as part of the Group’s marketing and promotion plan to enhance and reinforce its brand image, the renovation of 41 existing stores had completed, and the plan for renovating another 59 stores by the end of the year remained on track. In addition, the Group continued to actively carry out regular advertising and promotion campaign through various channels, such as advertisements in fashion magazines, promotion activities in the internet and other media, as well as advertisements on large outdoor billboards in airports, highways and well-known department stores.

Prospects

Looking ahead to the second half of 2014, the Group sustains its cautiously optimistic view with respect to the growth of consumer demand in menswear market in China. It is confident that the ongoing urbanization and expanding middle class in China will generate a strong demand on apparels in the long run. Therefore, the Group maintains its target for distributors of adding approximately 200 retail outlets within the year. In the coming 2014 spring/summer sales fair to be held in September 2014, the Group will launch a new casual fashion line targeting young customers aged 18 to 30.

Mr. Kwok concluded, “Fordoo will strive to seize the opportunities arising from the continuous growth of the men’s casual wear and trousers market in PRC, as well as strengthen its cooperation with the distributors and sub-distributors. The Group will equip itself for the future development through enhancing its product design and development capability and kicking off the implementation of the ERP system. Driven by the success of men’s trousers, business formal and business casual series, it is believed that the Group could continue its sustainable growth and maximize shareholders’ returns.”

– End –

About China Fordoo Holdings Limited

Fordoo is a reputable menswear brand in the PRC. Positioned in the middle-upper menswear segment, Fordoo primarily targets men aged 30 to 60. According to Frost & Sullivan, Fordoo brand was ranked sixth in the middle-upper menswear market with a market share of 2.9%, fifth in both the middle-upper business casual menswear segment and the middle-upper business formal menswear segment with respective market share of 4.0% and 2.9%, and second in the men’s trousers category with a market share of 3.0%, all of which were in terms of retail sales in 2013. Fordoo manages and operates the business through a strategically integrated model, comprising brand management and marketing, design and product development, ordering process, procurement of raw materials, self-production and outsourced production and sales and distribution. As of 30 June 2014, Fordoo’s distribution network comprised of 52 distributors, 180 sub-distributors and 1,353 retail outlets (excluding the two self-operated stores).

Issued by Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group for and on behalf of China Fordoo Holdings Limited.

Market

Dongpeng Holdings Company Limited Announces 2014 Interim Results

Revenue Increased by 27.4% to RMB1,623.9 Million

Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company Surged by 47.7% to HK$179.1 Million

HONG KONG, Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Financial Highlights	For the six months ended 30 June（RMB Million）
Financial Highlights	2014 (Unaudited)	2013 (Audited)	Change %
Revenue	1,623.9	1,274.7	+27.4%
Gross profit	579.5	473.4	+22.4%
Gross margin	35.7%	37.1%	-1.4pts
Profit attributable to owners of the Company	179.1	121.2	+47.7%
Net Profit Margin	11.0%	9.5%	+1.5pts
Basic earnings per share	RMB0.14	RMB0.13	+7.7%

Dongpeng Holdings Company Limited (“Dongpeng” or the “Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, Stock Code:3386), the largest ceramic tile company in China, announced its interim results for the period ended 30 June 2014 (the “Period”).

In the first half of 2014, the Group leveraged its dual sales model of direct sales and third party distributors to continuously realize an effective and efficient expansion strategy, increase market recognition of “Dongpeng” brand, expand the customer base, deliver high quality customer services, and further enhance the Group’s leading position in the industry. During the Period, the Group’s total revenue amounted to approximately RMB1,623.9 million, representing an increase of 27.4% (1H2013: approximately RMB 1,274.7 million). The increase in total revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in the sales of the high-end glazed tile products and bathroom products.

During the Period, the Group recorded the gross profit of RMB579.5 million, representing an increase of 22.4% over the corresponding period last year (1H2013: approximately RMB473.4 million). The gross profit margin slightly decreased 1.4 percentage points to 35.7% (1H2013: 37.1%). Profit attributable to owners of the Company was approximately RMB179.1 million (1H2013: approximately RMB121.1 million), representing a significant increase of 47.7% as compared to the same period last year.

Business Review

	For the six months ended 30 June（RMB Million）
	Revenue		Change	% of Total Revenue
	2014 (Unaudited)	2013 (Audited)	%	2014	2013
Unglazed Tile Products	647.6	621.8	+4.1%	39.9%	48.8%
Glazed Tile Products	754.5	596.9	+26.4%	46.4%	46.8%
Subtotal	1,402.1	1,218.7	+15.1%	86.3%	95.6%
Bathroom Products	221.8	56.0	+295.8%	13.7%	4.4%
Total Revenue	1,623.9	1,274.7	+27.4%

Ceramic Tile Business

The ceramic tile business is mainly consisted of the sales from unglazed tile products and glazed tile products. During the Period, revenue from glazed tile products increased by 26.4% to RMB754.5 million (1H2013: RMB596.9 million), while revenue from unglazed tile products increased by 4.1% to RMB647.6 million (1H2013: RMB621.8 million).

The Group’s continuous sales and marketing efforts and expansion of sales channels sustained the growth of the ceramic tile business during the Period. The Group newly increased 216 retail outlets (including self owned and third party operated) to the total number of 1,825, covering over 600 cities across all provinces in China. Meanwhile, the Group continued to devote significant resources into technological innovation, new product design and development, and introduced 19 new product series including the glossy glazed tiles product series, namely Iran White Jade series, Cappuccino series and landscape stone series, and the unglazed tiles product series, namely matt supreme travertine series and world travertine series. In addition, the Group continued to expand and diversify the product of ceramic chips into the mass-market products and boosted the sales growth. At the same time, sales of the antique-inspired tiles also ramped up and their usage in real estate projects increased.

Bathroom Products Business

The acquisition of Dongpeng Sanitary Ware in May 2013 significantly promoted the bathroom products business with the revenue increased by 295.8% to RMB221.8 million (1H2013: RMB56.0 million). In July 2014, the Group acquired 62% equity interests in Innoci in order to expand its business in the mid to high-end bathroom product market. Leveraging excellent product design capabilities and brand positioning of Innoci’s talented and experienced product design team, as well as production capacity, distribution channels and logistic advantage of the Company, it will bring new momentum to Dongpeng to expand its business and sales in the contemporary and design-driven market sector, propelling the long-term steady development of the bathroom product business.

Utilization of On-line Sales Platform

Due to changing consumers’ shopping habits, the Group has increased its online sales effort. During the first half of 2014, the Group has conducted online marketing sales events across China with many well known internet portals, including Jia.com, CityTogo.com, Meilele.com, 17house.com, to8to.com, etc. These online sales events allow the Group to reach out to customers, and capture new market shares rapidly. For illustration, regarding the strategic collaboration with Jia.com, the Group planned to set up 11 provincial experience centers across China, of which 5 are already opened and the remaining 6 centers are under renovation. Further, there were a total of 14 marketing sales events with Jia.com during the six months ended 2014, each highly successful with an attendance of over 1,200 people.

Looking ahead, the Group will strive to achieve greater synergic effect between its ceramic tile business and bathroom products business. The Group will also draw on the high-end stylish positioning of Innoci to strengthen its brand recognition and solidify its leading market position in the PRC ceramic tile market. Furthermore, the Group will increase its effort in cross selling, enhance distributor management, improve its product mix and operational efficiency, as well as allocate more resources into the development of online sales channels so as to seize the business opportunities in the online consumer market and create connections between online and offline stores.

Mr. He Xinming, the Chairman of Dongpeng said, “China’s economy is expected to maintain its steady growth in the second half of 2014. In addition, as the home decoration and improvement market has always been less volatile in comparison to the property market, the Group believes that continued urbanization, increasing in per capita disposable income, growing demand for home renovation and upgrading activities will continue to fuel China’s home decoration and renovation market in the second half of 2014. Leveraging on the long-established Dongpeng brand, its outstanding operational, marketing and logistics efficiencies and direct access to the capital market after the IPO, Dongpeng will actively expand its business and optimize nationwide sales network, bringing returns to its shareholders.”

About Dongpeng Holdings Company Limited

Dongpeng Holdings Company Limited is the largest ceramic tile company in China with leading market share in high-end ceramic tiles market in China. Dongpeng designs, develops, produces, markets and sells a wide variety of ceramic tile and bathroom products sunder the “Dongpeng” brand, which has been recognized as the most valuable brand in the industry among China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands by the World Brand Laboratory for eight consecutive years. Dongpeng manages an extensive nationwide sales network 1,825 retail outlets covering over 600 cities across China. Its products are also sold in 66 countries worldwide. Leveraging on its strong innovation and development capabilities, advanced SAP system and extensive nationwide sales network, Dongpeng will continuously strengthen its brand recognition, optimize its sales network, enhance its product mix and expand its bathroom products business, so as to solidify its leading market position.

To see the full version of this release, click here:: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnk/20140827/8521404828-a

Market

Insurance Segment Taking Shape, Investments Gathering Strengths: Fosun Adheres Comprehensively to the Warren Buffett Model

HONG KONG, Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Fosun International Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “Fosun” or the “Group”, HKEx stock code: 00656) announces today its interim results for 2014. As at June 30, 2014, net assets attributable to owners of the parent of the Group amounted to RMB43.99 billion, up 11.0% from end-2013. Profit attributable to owners of the parent of the Group amounted to RMB1.83 billion, up 8.4% from the same period of 2013.

Fosun has been persistently making a major stride towards becoming a world-class investment group underpinned by the twin drivers of “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability” and “industrial-rooted global investment capability” since the beginning of 2014 to date. Following the completion of the acquisition of the three insurance companies namely Fidelidade, Multicare and Cares under Caixa Seguros e Saude (“CSS”) of Portugal (“Fosun Insurance Portugal”); the successful investment in one of the largest independent private banks in Europe, BHF of Germany; the successful acquisition of the Japanese real estate capital management firm IDERA; and signing of an equity purchase agreement with the US insurance company Ironshore Inc., the Group’s “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability” under the twin drivers development model has already taken on firm foothold. Meanwhile, Fosun will continue to leverage and pursue its another driver of “industrial-rooted global investment capability”, seeking to deliver more successful investment cases under the value investing principle.

Insurance funds available for investments close to RMB120 billion

Significant enhancement of Fosun’s “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability”

Fosun has always been considering the development of the insurance business as a premium path in connecting its investment capability to long-term high-quality capital. Currently, Fosun’s insurance business comprises over one-third of its total assets. Fosun’s latest investment in insurance business was signing an equity purchase agreement with the US insurance company Ironshore Inc., for acquisition of 20% of its total outstanding ordinary shares (on a fully diluted basis) and to become its largest shareholder. Excluding the investment in Ironshore of which the acquisition has not yet been closed and completed, Fosun’s insurance segment comprises four companies, namely Yong’an P&C Insurance, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance, Peak Reinsurance and Fosun Insurance Portugal, constituting a comprehensive insurance platform underpinned by property and casualty, life, and re-insurance. Following the successful completion of the Fosun Insurance Portugal acquisition on May 15, 2014, Fosun successfully matched and commenced a total of 14 equity and debt investment projects for Fosun Insurance Portugal, including investments in the Portuguese power grid company Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS, S.A. (REN), China’s leading film distributor with an integrated business chain Bona Film Group, etc., aggregating an investment amount of approximately EUR460 million. Leveraging its successful connection to Fosun’s investment capability, the profit attributable to owners of the parent of insurance segment amounted to RMB114.5 million during the first half of 2014, up 19.9% from the same period of 2013, with an investible fund stood at approximately RMB119.06 billion.

Besides investing in the insurance segment, Fosun also extended its footholds to the comprehensive financial area including banking, real estate capital management, securities brokerage and asset management. Fosun succeeded in investing in one of the largest independent private banks in Europe, BHF of Germany in the first half of 2014. For this transaction, Fosun acquired an approximately 19% interest in KBG to secure an indirect ownership of the BHF and the well-established UK private bank with a very long history, Kleinwort Benson, thereby gaining footholds in two big financial hubs, Frankfurt and London. Fosun will capitalize on their connections with billionaires and family enterprises to establish a platform and a network for Fosun’s investment businesses in Europe. It is the first time Fosun holds indirect interests in a private-banking business which will successfully enhance its comprehensive financial capability. In addition, Fosun completed the acquisition of a 98% equity interest in a Japanese real estate capital management firm IDERA. Japan is one of the important markets in the global property investment mix for institutional investors. IDERA will become the most important property investment and management platform in Japan for Fosun. After the IDERA acquisition, the Group can efficiently acquire capital and asset management capability in the Japanese property market. In July 2014, Fosun acquired Hong Kong Hani Securities (It is still waiting for the final approval by the SFC). Hani Securities has licenses including for dealing in securities and assets management. Looking forward, it will help secure a foothold for Fosun in supporting “Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect” and start pursuing differentiated assets management business in Hong Kong, while engaging in further development with Fosun’s other financial platforms.

Investments gathering strengths

Accomplished successful large-scale global value investment cases based on deep industrial footholds in China

During the first half of the year, Fosun sped up establishment of localized investment capabilities in overseas markets. It proactively invested in local platform entities, put together local partner teams in Europe, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asian countries and regions. Ripping benefits from the significant acceleration of globalization of China’s growth momentum, Fosun completed many investments across Asia, Europe and North America. Fosun’s global investment strategies are based on “benefits from China’s growth momentum” to further implement its “industrial-rooted global investment capability”, accomplishing a long list of value investment cases.

On the top of its successful investments in the global leisure resort hotel chain Club Med of France and the Greek renowned fashion retail group Folli Follie, etc., Fosun took its “Combining China’s Growth Momentum with Global Resources” investment model further. Since last year until lately, Fosun and funds under its management invested, respectively, in the US high-end female apparel brand St. John, the premium Italian menswear manufacturer Caruso, the world’s leading medical and cosmetic energy-based device manufacturer Alma Lasers originated in Israel, the largest lifestyle restaurant chain group in Southeast Asia Secret Recipe, a leading German fashion and lifestyle brand TOM TAILOR, as well as a renowned Spanish premium ham, wines and spirits producer Osborne Group. Fosun believes in co-operation with its investees and partners to discover and share investment opportunities brought about by China’s sustaining economic growth.

Fully “Embracing the Mobile Internet”: already become a major “mobile internet“ investor in China

Facing the comprehensive reform brought about by the internet, Fosun proactively implement its “Embracing the Mobile Internet Strategy”. Following the successful investment in Perfect World and completion of the Focus Media privatization, Fosun and funds under its management expanded their mobile internet investments comprehensively in many areas, including the internet medical company Scanadu; the online education companies such as Mofangge, and Uniquedu; the mobile game portal Joyme.com; and the online travel company Lailaihui.com; and Southeast Asia mobile internet company Main Spring, etc. Furthermore, Fosun also invested in high-growth traditional industries ancillary to the internet, including distribution warehousing, freight express, smart logistics systems, etc., such as China Smart Logistics Network (CSN) — “Cainiao”. Fosun and funds under its management also invested in and pushed forward traditional enterprises to innovate and achieve O2O, for example, invested successfully in Ali Small-Loan and participated in its rapid growth. In the first half of 2014, the Group has a total of 18 PE and VC projects in the internet sector, for investment amounts aggregating approximately RMB1.85 billion.

Spearheaded investments in industries associated with middle-class lifestyles

Exponential growth in successful cases of experience-driven consumption and consumption upgrade

China’s middle class population is growing rapidly, and the middle class lifestyles are set to become the major driver of consumption in the country. Fosun is eyeing on investment opportunities brought about by the changing lifestyles of the middle class in China, extending its footholds in experience-driven consumption in tourism and the filming and television entertainment industry, as well as focusing on investments in consumption upgrades, etc.

Fosun further extended its investment footholds in experience-driven consumption in the first half of 2014, initiated at a high starting point in the filming and television entertainment industry by investing in Studio 8, an US Hollywood multi-platform media company; increased its holding in Bona Film Group and became the second largest shareholder; and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with one of China’s largest and strongest modern film groups Shanghai Film Group. For experience-driven tourism consumption investments, besides the investment in China International Travel Services and the increased holding in Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart, Fosun continued to develop the world’s third ultimate high-end hotel and ocean theme park Atlantis Resort along the Haitang Bay National Coast in Sanya, Hainan, with Kerzner Group, while facilitated Club Med’s expansion in China and on the heels of Yabuli and Guilin resorts, Club Med has already beta-launched its third resort in China this year. Meanwhile, Fosun persists in its focus on investments in consumption upgrades. Since the beginning of 2014 to date, Fosun and funds under its management invested in the leading lifestyle restaurant chain group in Southeast Asia Secret Recipe, a renowned Spanish premium ham, wines and spirits producer Osborne Group, a leading German fashion and lifestyle brand TOM TAILOR etc.

Transformation of traditional property businesses: Full landing of “Hive Community”, a PPP urbanization model that pioneered “provision of core urban functions, industry-backed urban development and urban-industry integration“

Implementing the new model of urbanization is a major highlight of the Central Government, and a major driver of the sustaining economic development in China. Hive Community is a product integrated Fosun’s industrial resources to assist local governments in the construction of core urban functions, with a key feature of “industry-backed urban development and urban-industry integration”. Through providing core urban functions required by the cities, Fosun is able to take a lead in introducing its core industrial resources and to further introduce ancillary industries that support the core industries, with a view to promoting “Urban-Industry integration” by establishing a 24-hour plus 3-in-1 vibrant community for work, consumption and living, as well as introducing living and consumption services industries. The Hive Community products, therefore, provide clear and distinctive functions with active dispersal of peripheral services. They also provide adequate and diverse job opportunities (no more dormant cities, ghost cities), seeking to constitute functional communities that drive employment by industries. As such, a new model of communities which is self-sufficient and built with flexible combination of modules comprising different functions are established.

In the first half of 2014, Fosun combined its resources to fully extend property businesses migration, securing a foothold to the “Hive Community” development. Currently, Fosun has been exploring actively in this area with several satisfactory case studies: Financial Hive — BFC on the Bund in Shanghai and Chengdu Financial Hive; Healthcare Hive — Shanghai Starcastle Senior Living community; Culture Hive — Shenyang Yulong City and Dongyang Woodcarving City; Tourism Hive — Atlantis Resort in Hainan; and Logistics Hive — Tian Mao Plaza in Xiangyang and Ankang; comprising GFA aggregating 3.96 million sq.m.

Signficant results from long-term vigilance on and grasping of opportunities from China’s SOE mixed ownership reforms

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee proposed to “actively participate in mixed ownership reforms” which confirmed the overall direction for SOE reforms. Mixed ownership reforms are an important move for China’s further reform and opening up, deepening the SOEs reform and enhancing the state-owned assets management system and the economic system. In the past ten years, Fosun actively invested in 21 SOE restructuring projects in a number of industries, accomplished a base of valuable experiences. To grasp opportunities in history, Fosun has been actively participating in mixed ownership reforms since The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party, and invested in several leading corporates in China as Sanyuan Food in dairy industry, CNFC Fishery in overseas fishing industry and Zhongshan Public Utilities in professional environmental protection industry. (Sanyuan Food project and CNFC Fishery project are still waiting for final approval by the China Securities Regulatory Commission)

Outlook

Led by a spiritual courage of “Reinitiating two decades of entrepreneurship”, Fosun will follow the trends by combining resources, continue to enhance and implement its twin drivers of “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability” and “industrial-rooted global investment capability”, enabling the Group to better and timely grasp the value investing opportunities and making a major stride towards becoming a world-class investment group.

Arts

Natural Beauty Announces 2014 Interim Results

Turnover Rose 22.1% to HK$248.5 Million

Contribution from Higher-margin Products Drove

Gross Margin Improvement

HONG KONG, Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Natural Beauty Bio-Technology Limited (“Natural Beauty” or the “Group”; Stock Code: 00157), the leading professional skin-care, spa services and beauty training provider in China, announced today its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2014.

For the six months ended 30 June 2014, turnover of the Group grew 22.1% to HK$248.5 million year-on-year (1H2013: HK$203.6 million), driven by an increase in product sales as a result of higher store productivity in Mainland China and Taiwan. Overall gross profit margin improved to 76.7%, as contribution from higher-margin products increased within the Group’s sales mix during the period (1H2013: 75.9%). Profit for the period amounted to HK$29.7 million for the six months ended 30 June 2014 (1H2013: HK$36.2 million). Earnings per share were 1.48 HK cents (1H2013: 1.81 HK cents). The Board recommended to distribute an interim dividend of 2.1 HK cents per share, equivalent to a dividend payout ratio of 141.5%.

Despite the economic growth slowdown in the Mainland China, turnover in the Mainland China market rose by 25.3% to HK$201.8 million for the six months ended 30 June 2014. The growth was driven by increase in sales of products, mainly due to the pilot-testing of “direct-own retail” management system to exercise better control over franchisees in order to drive higher store productivity. During the first half of 2014, gross margin on product sales was up 2.4 percentage points to 81.2%. Turnover for the Taiwan market also registered growth of 11.7% to HK$44.4 million, as the Group adopted door-by-door management via franchisee differentiation to utilize company resources efficiently. Gross margin on product sales expanded 3.5 percentage points to 82.4%. The gross margin improvement in both Mainland China and Taiwan was a result of higher sales contribution from higher-margin products such as NB-1, and lower promotion discounts during the period under review. On the other hand, sales in other regions, including Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia, decreased 17.9% to HK$2.3 million for the six months ended 30 June 2014, accounting for an insignificant 0.9% of the Group’s turnover.

The Group derives its income principally from its network of distribution channels, including spas and concessionary counters in department stores. As at 30 June 2014, there were 1,358 spas and 14 concessionary counters. A total of 11 new stores were opened and 72 stores were closed during the six months ended 30 June 2014.

During the period, average sales per store of the Group amounted to HK$179,000 (1H2013: HK$138,000), of which average sales per store in the Mainland China grew 32.6% to HK$183,000, while average sales per store in Taiwan increased by 20.6% to HK$164,000.

The Group puts significant emphasis on research and development which allows it to maintain its competitive edge by continuously improving the quality of its existing products and developing new products. The Group has been collaborating with overseas skin-care companies on technological development, drawing on the experience of its team of experts to continually create high-quality beauty and skin care products. During the six months ended 30 June 2014, nearly 191,395 sets/bottles of the Group’s flagship NB-1 family products were sold with turnover amounting to HK$101.3 million, accounting for more than one-third of the Group’s total product sales during the period. The Group has also collaborated with a leading researcher in the field of human genome and stem cell technology. The stem cell technology is patented in the United States to protect the uniqueness of the NB-1 products.

Ms. Karen Chang, Chief Executive Officer of the Group said, “In 2014, the beauty and personal care sector maintained better than GDP growth and we are pleased to have achieved a much higher growth than the industry. Our growth is mainly attributed to the improved channel quality by implementing ‘direct-own retail’ management methodology to drive much higher door productivity. In order to maintain the encouraging growth momentum, we will strengthen trainings provided to our franchisees to ensure their operational quality. We also rationalize our products lines by relaunching NB-1 Revital products to increase the penetration of home care. We will press on with our prudent growth strategy, and strive to strengthen our position as a leading skin care brand and spa operator in the Greater China Region, so as to generate better returns for our shareholders.”

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About Natural Beauty Bio-Technology Limited

Natural Beauty is a leading beauty and spa services and products provider in Greater China. The Group principally offers tailor-made beauty and skin care solutions through its trained professional beauticians. The Group is engaged in research and development, manufacture and sale of skin care, aroma-therapeutic and beauty products, marketed under the brandname “NB®”. The products are distributed through a distribution network of over 1,300 NB’s SPAs and dedicated counters in Greater China.