Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd Announces
Intention to Purchase 3721 Network Software Co Ltd
Latitude Capital Group Acted as the Financial Advisor to 3721 on the
Transaction 2003-11-21
Cooperation
Will Help Asia's Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses Reach Increasing Number of
Consumers and Build a Bridge to Global Markets
Hong Kong, PRC - November 21, 2003 - Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, part
of the Yahoo! Inc. global Internet network, and 3721 Network Software Company
Limited ("3721 NSC"), a leading software development company, today announced
the two companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Yahoo! Holdings
(Hong Kong) Limited will purchase 3721 NSC. Under the terms of the agreement,
Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited has agreed to pay up to approximately US$120
million in cash over two years subject to certain conditions.
3721 NSC will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong)
Limited. There are no current plans to alter the management structure of either
company. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. It is
expected the transaction will be completed in the first quarter of 2004.
"Together, Yahoo! and 3721 Network Software Company will bring together
innovative technologies that can create a better experience for both users and
businesses in Asia," said Allan Kwan, regional vice president and managing
director for Yahoo! Inc., North Asia. "The agreement provides outstanding and
complementary personnel and technology to support and grow current Internet
needs across China and Asia."
3721 NSC is a software development company incorporated in Hong Kong. 3721 NSC
has developed a range of leading and proprietary technologies that contribute to
providing an enhanced user experience on the Internet.
As a further result of this purchase, Beijing 3721, a noted pioneer in selling
keywords in China, through its technological cooperation with 3721 NSC and its
affiliates, will have access to a broad range of Yahoo! technology, products and
services. Through this collaboration with Beijing 3721, the companies believe
they will be able to help Asia's small- and medium-sized businesses reach an
increasing number of consumers and build a bridge to global markets, while at
the same time supporting the continued growth of Asia's software industry.
"Through this agreement, 3721 NSC gains the support of an entity that provides
access to leading edge technologies, financial resources, world-class
management, and the leverage of the most visited global Internet platform, all
of which enhances our ability to further develop our existing technology
portfolio," said Zhou Hongyi, chief executive officer, 3721 NSC.
Included in 3721 NSC's technology portfolio is its ability to enable keyword
search through the Internet Explorer browser address bar in addition to other
search tool bars. In addition, 3721's double byte character technology enables
non-English language based users to enter search terms in local languages. 3721
NSC's technology will complement Yahoo!'s already robust search services and
enable Yahoo! to continue growing its global search strategy.
About Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited
Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited is part of Yahoo! Inc's global network.
Yahoo! Inc is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services
to customers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand
globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Headquartered
in Sunnyvale, Calif, Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 world properties and is
available in 13 languages.
About 3721 Network Software Company Limited
3721 Network Software Company Limited is a Hong Kong-based software development
firm which has developed industry-leading solutions enabling individuals and
enterprises to capture the functionality of the Internet. The company has a
technical cooperation partnership with Beijing 3721. Beijing 3721 is one of
China's leading providers of Internet functionality and services.
This press release and its attachments contain forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong)
Limited's proposed purchase of 3721 NSC, Yahoo!'s expected financial performance
(including without limitation as described in the quotations from management in
this press release), as well as Yahoo!'s strategic and operational plans. Actual
events or results may differ materially from those described in this press
release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and
uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the transaction will
not close or that the closing may be delayed; the reaction of customers of
Yahoo! and 3721 NSC to the transaction; Yahoo!'s ability to successfully
integrate 3721 NSC's operations and employees; and general economic conditions.
More information about potential factors that could affect Yahoo!'s business and
financial results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2002 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended September 30 , 2003, including (without limitation) under
the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov.
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For more information, please contact:
Yahoo! Media Relations
Pauline Wong (Greater China), Yahoo! Inc., + 852-28376370, pauline@yahoo-inc.com
Joanna Stevens (English), Yahoo! Inc., +1 408 349 7855, joanna@yahoo-inc.com
Yahoo! Investor Relations
Paul Hollerbach, Yahoo! Inc., +1 408 349 3578, paulh@yahoo-inc.com
Burson-Marsteller Greater China
Linda Lee (8610) 1390 1230432, linda_lee@bj.bm.com
Cindy Tian (8610) 13910709326, cindy_tian@bj.bm.com
David Wolf (8610) 13311068107, david_wolf@bj.bm.com
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