BEIJING, CHINA, December 1, 2004 - SOHU.COM Inc. (Nasdaq:
SOHU), China's leading online media, communications, commerce and mobile
value-added services company, today announced it has repurchased 360,500 shares
of common stock between November 1 and November 30, 2004.
SOHU reports that in the period of November 1-30, 2004 it has purchased
360,500 shares at an average price per share of US$ 16.99, for total
consideration of US$6,125,000 including a brokerage commission of US$0.03 per
share. This follows the approval of the Board of Directors announced on October
28, 2004 for SOHU to buy back from time to time up to US$20 million worth of
outstanding shares of its common stock. As a result of the stock buy-back SOHU
had, as of November 30, 2004, approximately 36.5 million shares of common stock
outstanding, and there remained up to US$13,875,000 available for repurchases
from time to time by SOHU. Investors should be aware that the buy-back program
could be discontinued at any time, and that the company generally does not
intend to make any purchases during periods when its officers, directors, and
key employees are prohibited from trading pursuant to company policy.
"We decided that our continuing buy-back program, following the repurchase of
1 million shares in May 2004, is an attractive investment for the company and
sends a positive message to our shareholders," said Charles Zhang, Chairman and
CEO of SOHU.
Safe Harbor Statement This
announcement contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not
historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans,
estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on
them. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We
caution you that 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, SOHU’s
historical and possible future losses, limited operating history, uncertain
regulatory landscape in the People's Republic of China, fluctuations in
quarterly operating results, and the company's reliance on online advertising
sales, wireless services (most wireless revenues are collected from a few mobile
telecom operators) and e-commerce for its revenues. Further information
regarding these and other risks is included in SOHU's Annual Report on Form 10K
for the year ended December 31, 2003, and other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
About SOHU.com SOHU.com is the leading Internet portal in
Mainland China with current daily page views exceeding 12 million. It provides
navigation/search, news, sports, business and finance, real estate channel,
entertainment, chat, email and e-commerce activities for a solid and wide base
of visitors. Dr. Charles Zhang founded SOHU.com in 1997. Its investors include
Intel, Dow Jones, IDG, the Morningside China Group, PCCW, Legend and Hikari. Its
content partners include CNET, DOW Jones and dozens of local media organizations
in China.
For further information: Dahlia Wei SOHU Investor
Relations and Communications Tel: +86 10 6272 6598 E-mail:
ir@sohu-inc.com
http://www.sohu.com/about/English/ |