(b) Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of E-House, its majority owned subsidiaries and its VIEs, Beijing Leju, Shanghai Yi Xin, Beijing Jiajujiu, Shanghai Kushuo, Shanghai E-Cheng, Shanghai Fangjia and Shanghai Weihui. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

In 2012, the contractual arrangements among the shareholders of Shanghai Tian Zhuo Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Tian Zhuo”), Tian Zhuo and Shanghai CRIC Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai CRIC”) were terminated. Upon the termination, the shareholders of Tian Zhuo transferred all of their equity interests in Tian Zhuo to Beijing Leju to make Tian Zhuo a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing Leju. In December 2013, Beijing Leju transferred all of its equity interest in Tian Zhuo to Shanghai Kushuo to make Tian Zhuo a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Kushuo.

 

The Group evaluates each of its interests in private companies to determine whether or not the investee is a VIE and, if so, whether the Group is the primary beneficiary of such VIE. In determining whether the Group is the primary beneficiary, the Group considers if the Group (1) has power to direct the activities that most significantly affects the economic performance of the VIE, and (2) receives the economic benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. If deemed the primary beneficiary, the Group consolidates the VIE.

 

The VIE arrangements

 

PRC regulations currently prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provide Internet content and advertising services. To comply with these regulations, the Group provides such activities relating to Internet content and advertising services through its VIEs and their subsidiaries.

 

To provide the Group effective control over and the ability to receive substantially all of the economic benefits of its VIEs and their subsidiaries, the Company’s subsidiaries Shanghai Yifang Software Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yifang”), Shanghai SINA Leju Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai SINA Leju”) and Shanghai Yi Yue Information Technology Co. Ltd. (“Shanghai Yi Yue”), Beijing Maiteng Fengshun Science and Technology Co., Ltd., (“Beijing Maiteng”), Baoyi Investment Consultant (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (“Shanghai Baoyi”), Shanghai CRIC, and Shanghai Weidian (collectively, the “Foreign Owned Subsidiaries”) entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Kushuo, Beijing Leju, Shanghai Yi Xin, Beijing Jiajujiu, Shanghai E-Cheng, Shanghai Fangjia and Shanghai Weihui (collectively the “VIEs”) and their respective shareholders, respectively, as summarized below:

 

 

The VIEs hold the requisite licenses and permits necessary to conduct Internet content and advertising services activities relating to real estate projects from which foreign ownership of companies are prohibited or restricted. Foreign-invested enterprises incorporated in the PRC are not expressly prohibited from providing asset management services in PRC. However, according to local business practice, as a general partner of a fund, the Group must invest as a limited partner before the fund is established. Some investments of the fund managed by the Group are in the foreign-invested enterprise prohibited, or not encouraged industries, which requires all investors not to be foreign-invested enterprises. Therefore the Group provides asset management services through its VIE entities. In addition, the VIEs hold leases and other assets necessary to operate such business and generate substantial of the Group’s online and advertising revenues.

 

Agreements that Transfer Economic Benefits of the VIEs to the Group

 

Exclusive Consultancy Services/Technical Support Agreement. Pursuant to an exclusive Consultancy services/technical support agreement between the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries and the respective VIEs, the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries provide the respective VIEs with a series of Consultancy services/technical support services and are entitled to receive related fees. The term of this exclusive technical support agreement will expire upon dissolution of the VIEs. Unless expressly provided by this agreement, without prior written consent of the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries, the VIEs may not engage any third party to provide the services offered by the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries under this agreement.

 

Agreements that Provide Effective Control over VIEs

 

Exclusive Call Option Agreement. Each of shareholders of the VIEs has entered into an exclusive call option agreement with the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries. Pursuant to these agreements, each of the shareholders of the VIEs has granted an irrevocable and unconditional option to the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries or their designees to acquire all or part of such shareholder’s equity interests in VIEs at its sole discretion, to the extent as permitted by PRC laws and regulations then in effect. The consideration for such acquisition of all equity interests in VIEs will be equal to the registered capital of the VIEs, and if PRC law requires the consideration to be greater than the registered capital, the consideration will be the minimum amount as permitted by PRC law. In addition, the VIEs irrevocably and unconditionally granted respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under the PRC law, all or part of the assets of the VIEs. The exercise price for purchasing the assets of the VIEs will be equal to their respective book values, and if PRC law requires the price to be greater than the book value, the price will be the minimum amount as permitted by PRC law. The call option may be exercised by respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries or their designees.

 

Loan Agreement. Under the loan agreement among shareholders of the VIEs and the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries, the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries granted an interest-free loan to the shareholders of VIE, solely for their purchase of equity interest of the VIEs, investing or operating activities conducted in the VIEs. Each loan agreement has a term of twenty years.

 

Shareholder Voting Right Proxy Agreement. Each of shareholders of the VIEs irrevocably grant any person designated by the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries the power to exercise all voting rights to which he will be entitled to as shareholder of the VIEs at that time, including the right to declare dividends, appoint and elect board members and senior management members and other voting rights.

 

Each shareholder voting right proxy agreement has a term of twenty years, unless it is early terminated by all parties in writing or pursuant to provision of this agreement. The term of the agreement will be automatically extended for one year upon the expiration, if the Foreign Owned Subsidiary gives the other Parties written notice requiring the extension thereof and the same mechanism will apply subsequently upon the expiration of each extended term.

 

Equity Pledge Agreement. Each of shareholders of the VIEs has also entered into an equity pledge agreement with the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries. Pursuant to which these shareholders pledged their respective equity interest in the VIEs to guarantee the performance of the obligations of the VIEs. The Foreign Owned Subsidiaries, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, each shareholder of the VIEs cannot transfer, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise create any new encumbrance on their respective equity interest in the VIEs without the prior written consent of the respective Foreign Owned Subsidiaries. The equity pledge right enjoyed by the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries will expire when shareholders of the VIEs have fully performed their respective obligations under the above agreements. The equity pledges of the VIEs have been registered with the relevant local branch of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or SAIC.

 

Risks in relation to the VIE structure

 

The Company believes that the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries’ contractual arrangements with the VIEs are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit the Company’s ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and the interests of the shareholders of the VIEs may diverge from that of the Company and that may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the contractual terms, for example by influencing the VIEs not to pay the service fees when required to do so.

 

The Company’s ability to control the VIEs also depends on the power of attorney the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries have to vote on all matters requiring shareholder approval in the VIEs. As noted above, the Company believes this power of attorney is legally enforceable but may not be as effective as direct equity ownership.

 

In addition, if the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing PRC laws and regulations, the Company may be subject to fines or other actions. The Company does not believe such actions would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the Foreign Owned Subsidiaries or the VIEs.

 

The Group, through its subsidiaries and through the contractual arrangements, has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (2) the right to receive benefits from the VIEs. Accordingly, the Group is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and has consolidated the financial results of the VIEs.

 

The following financial statement amounts and balances of the Group’s VIEs were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:

 

 

 

There are no consolidated VIEs’ assets that are collateral for the VIEs’ obligations or are restricted solely to settle the VIEs’ obligations. The Company has not provided any financial support that it was not previously contractually required to provide to the VIEs.

 

 

(d) Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Group records certain of its financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value reflects the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

 

The Group applies a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

 

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

 

(f) Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have original maturities of three months or less.

 

(h) Investment in debt and equity securities

 

The Group invests in debt securities and equity securities with readily determinable fair values, and accounts for the investments based on the nature of the products invested, and the Group’s intent and ability to hold the investments to maturity.

 

The Group’s investments in debt securities that have a stated maturity and normally pay a prospective fixed rate of return. The Group classifies the investments in debt securities as held-to-maturity when it has both the positive intent and ability to hold them until maturity. Held-to-maturity investments are recorded at amortized cost and are classified as long-term or short-term according to their contractual maturity. Long-term investments are reclassified as short-term when their contractual maturity date is less than one year. Investments that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Investments that do not meet the criteria of held-to-maturity or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale, and are reported at fair value with changes in fair value included in other comprehensive income.

 

The Group reviews its investments, except for those classified as trading securities, for other-than-temporary impairment based on the specific identification method and considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment. If the cost of an investment exceeds the investment’s fair value, the Group considers, among other factors, general market conditions, government economic plans, the duration and the extent to which the fair value of the investment is less than cost and the Group’s intent and ability to hold the investment to determine whether another-than-temporary impairment has occurred.

 

The Group recognizes other-than-temporary impairment in earnings if it has the intent to sell the debt security or if it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, the Group evaluates expected cash flows to be received and determines if credit-related losses on debt securities exist, which are considered to be other-than-temporary, should be recognized in earnings.

 

If the investment’s fair value is less than the cost of an investment and the Group determines the impairment to be other-than-temporary, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the fair value of the investment.

 

 

 

(j) Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $60,232,453 and $44,002,810 at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, consists of following:

 

 

Unbilled accounts receivable represents amounts recognized in revenue prior to issuing official tax receipts to customers. The Group regularly reviews the collectability of unbilled accounts receivable in the same method as billed accounts receivable disclosed in Note 2 (y).

 

 

(l) Investment in affiliates

 

Affiliated companies are entities over which the Group has significant influence, but which it does not control. The Group generally considers an ownership interest of 20% or higher to represent significant influence. And the Group considers an equity interest of 3% or higher to represent more than minor influence for investments in investment funds.

 

Investment funds are subject to Investment Company accounting, and need to apply the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. Accordingly, all investments held by these investment funds are measured at fair value. The difference between fair value and initial cost of investments is reflected as unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments in the income statement. Investment funds determine the fair value of the investments based on relevant comparable market data such as comparisons of multiples of peer companies, evaluation of financial and operating data, company specific developments, market valuations of comparable companies, and latest transaction price factors (Level 3 inputs).

 

Investments in affiliates are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses of affiliated companies is recognized in the income statement and its shares of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income are recognized in other comprehensive income. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its affiliated companies are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the affiliated companies; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. When the Group’s share of losses in an affiliated company equals or exceeds its interest in the affiliated company, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless the Group has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the affiliated company. The Group records its income (loss) from the investment funds one quarter in arrears to enable it to have more time to collect and analyze the investments’ result.

 

The Group is required to perform an impairment assessment of its investments whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when there has been a loss in value of the investment that is other than temporary. The Group has not recorded any impairment losses in any of the periods reported. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Group determined that no such events were present.

 

 

(n) Intangible assets, net

 

Acquired intangible assets mainly consist of license agreements with SINA, a real estate advertising agency agreement with SINA, database license agreement, exclusive rights with Baidu, Inc. (“Baidu”), favorable lease terms, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trademarks from business combinations and are recorded at fair value on the acquisition date. All intangible assets, with the exception of customer relationships, are amortized ratably over the contract period. Intangible assets resulting out of acquired customer relationships are amortized based on the timing of the revenue expected to be derived from the respective customer.

 

 

(p) Impairment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets

 

The Group performs an annual goodwill impairment test comprised of two steps. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets to the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

Management performs a goodwill impairment test for each of its reporting units as of December 31 of each year or when there is a triggering event causing management to believe it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired.

 

Intangible assets with an indefinite life are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal in amount to that excess.

 

 

(r) Debt issuance costs and debt discounts

 

Debt issuance costs and debt discounts are amortized as interest expense, using the effective interest method, through the earlier of the maturity date of the Convertible Senior Notes or the date of conversion, if any. Debt issuance costs are recorded as deferred assets, and debt discounts are recorded as a direct deduction from the face amount of Convertible Senior Notes.

 

 

(t) Revenue recognition

 

The Group recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, service has been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are recorded, net of sales related taxes.

 

Real estate online services

 

The Group generates real estate online revenues principally from e-commerce, online advertising, and listing services.

 

The Group e-commerce services primarily include discount coupon advertising and online property auctions. The Group also provides property viewing and pre-sale customer support free of charge in connection with the sale of discount coupons and online property auctions. E-commerce revenues are principally generated from selling discount coupons to potential property buyers. Those discount coupons allow buyers to purchase specified properties from real estate developers at discounts greater than the face value of the fees charged by the Group. The discount coupons are refundable to the buyers at any time before they are used to purchase the specified properties. The Group recognizes such e-commerce revenues upon obtaining confirmation letters that prove the use of coupons by property buyers, and when collections are reasonably assured. Revenues are recognized based on the net proceeds received as the Group acts as a marketing agent of the property developer in the transaction.

 

Revenue from online advertising services is generated principally from online advertising arrangements, sponsorship arrangements, and to a lesser extent, outsourcing arrangements, and keyword advertising arrangements. Online advertising arrangements allow advertisers to place advertisements on particular areas of the Group’s websites, in particular formats and over particular periods of time. Advertising revenues from online advertising arrangements are recognized ratably over the contract period of display when collectability is reasonably assured. Sponsorship arrangements allow advertisers to sponsor a particular area on the Group’s websites in exchange for a fixed payment over the contract period. Advertising revenues from sponsorship arrangements are recognized ratably over the contract period. The Group also generates online advertising revenues from outsourcing certain regional sites for a fixed period of time to local outsourcing partners, who are responsible for both website operation and related advertising sales. Advertising revenues from hosted websites are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Keyword advertising revenues are recognized ratably over the contract period when collectability is reasonably assured.

 

The Group also provides listing services to real estate brokers. Listing services entitle real estate brokers to post and make changes to information for properties in a particular area on the website for a specified period of time, in exchange for a fixed fee. Listing revenues are recognized ratably over the contract period of display when collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Real estate brokerage services

 

The Group provides marketing and sales agency services to primary real estate developers. The Group recognizes the commission revenue when a successful sale of property has occurred and upon completing the services required to execute a successful sale without further contingency. A successful sale is defined in each agency contract and is usually achieved after the property buyer has executed the purchase contract, made the required down payment, and the purchase contract has been registered with the relevant government authorities. The Group may also be entitled to earn additional revenue on the agency services if certain sales and other performance targets are achieved, such as average sale price over a pre-determined period. These additional agency service revenues are recognized when the Group has accomplished the required targets.

 

The Group provides brokerage service for secondary real estate sale and rental transactions. For secondary real estate brokerage service, the Group recognizes revenue upon execution of a transaction agreement between the buyer/lessee and the seller/lessor for which the Group acts as the broker.

 

Real estate information and consulting services

 

The Group sells subscriptions to its proprietary CRIC system for which revenues are recognized ratably over the subscription period, which is usually six to 12 months. The Group also provides data integration services periodically, such as periodic market updates and research analysis that suit the specific needs and requirements of individual clients in addition to access to the CRIC system. The contractual period for such arrangements is usually between three to 12 months with revenue being recognized ratably over such period.

 

The Group provides real estate consulting services to customers in relation to land acquisition and project consulting services. Land acquisition consulting services involve advising customers in relation to land acquisition and facilitating the transfer of land development rights. Payment is usually contingent upon the delivery of a final product, such as closing a land acquisition transaction. The Group recognizes revenue under such arrangements upon delivery of the final product, assuming customer acceptance has occurred and the fee is no longer contingent. Project consulting services involve providing consulting services, including project feasibility studies, analysis of the real estate transaction history of nearby development projects, marketing and advertising consulting, and development of comprehensive plans for their development projects. Such arrangements include periodic consulting services arrangements and delivery based consulting services arrangements. Periodic consulting services involve providing consulting services which are tailored to meet the needs of real estate developer clients at various stages of the project development and sales process for a specified period, such as monthly market studies. The contractual period for such arrangements is usually between one and 12 months with revenue being recognized ratably over such period. Delivery based consulting services involve providing consulting services which are tailored to meet the specific need of real estate developer. Payment is usually contingent upon the delivery of a final product, such as providing a market study report. The Group recognizes revenue under such arrangements upon delivery of the final product, assuming customer acceptance has occurred and the fee is no longer contingent.

 

Community value-added services

 

The Group launched community value-added services in 2014. No revenue was generated from these services yet in the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Other services

 

The Group provides promotional events services, and recognizes revenue when such services are rendered, assuming all other revenue recognition criterion have been met. The Group also generates revenues from advertising sales services by acquiring advertising space and subsequently reselling such space. Revenues under such arrangements are recognized when the related advertisement is placed. The Group recognizes advertising sales revenues on a gross basis because it acts as principal and is the primary obligator in the arrangement.

 

The Group also generates revenues from real estate fund management fees, performance fees and allocations. Real estate fund management fees are based upon investment advisory and related agreements and are recognized as earned over the specified contract period. Performance fees and allocations represent the preferential allocations of profits (“carried interest”) that are a component of the Group’s general partnership interests in the real estate funds. The Group is entitled to an additional return from the investment fund in the event investors in the fund achieve cumulative investment returns in excess of a specified amount. The Group records the additional return from these carried interests as revenue at the end of the contract year.

 

The Group launched real estate financial services in 2014. No material revenue was generated from these services yet in the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Multiple element arrangements

 

The Group has multiple element arrangements that may include provision of primary real estate services, online advertising, promotional events services, consulting services and/or information services. The Group has determined that each of the deliverables listed above is considered a separate unit of account as each has value to the customer on a standalone basis and has been sold separately on a standalone basis, there is no general right of return on delivered items and the delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Group.

 

The Group allocates arrangement consideration in multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements at the inception of an arrangement to all deliverables based on the relative selling price in accordance with the selling price hierarchy, which includes: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if available; (ii) third-party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available; and (iii) best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.

 

VSOE . The Group determines VSOE based on its historical pricing and discounting practices for the specific service when sold separately. In determining VSOE, the Group requires that a substantial majority of the selling prices for these services fall within a reasonably narrow pricing range. The Group has historically priced its commission rate for the primary real estate services, periodic consulting services, subscription for the CRIC system and online advertising within a narrow range. As a result, the Group has used VSOE to allocate the selling price for these services when elements of a multiple element arrangement. The Group has not historically priced delivery based consulting service and promotional event services within a narrow range, therefore, the Group considers TPE and BESP as discussed below.

 

TPE . When VSOE cannot be established for deliverables in multiple element arrangements, the Group applies judgment with respect to whether it can establish a selling price based on TPE. TPE is determined based on competitor prices for similar deliverables when sold separately. Generally, the Group’s marketing strategy differs from that of its peers and its offerings contain a significant level of differentiation such that the comparable pricing of services with similar functionality cannot be obtained. Furthermore, the Group is unable to reliably determine what similar competitor services’ selling prices are on a stand-alone basis. As a result, the Group has not been able to establish selling price based on TPE.

 

BESP . When it is unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, the Group uses BESP in its allocation of arrangement consideration. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Group would transact a sale if the service were sold on a stand-alone basis. The Group determines BESP for deliverables by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, prices it charged for similar offerings, market conditions, specification of the services rendered and pricing practices. The Group has used BESP to allocate the selling price of project-based consulting service and promotional event services under these multiple element arrangement. The process for determining BESP involves management judgment. The Group’s process considers multiple factors that may vary depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each deliverable. If the facts and circumstances underlying the factors the Group considers change, or should subsequent facts and circumstances lead the Group to consider additional factors, the Group’s BESP could change in future periods. The Group regularly reviews the evidence of selling price for its services and maintains internal controls over the establishment and updates of these estimates. There were no material changes in estimated selling price for its services during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, nor does the Group expect a material changes in BESP in the foreseeable future.

 

The total amounts of revenue earned by the Group related to agreements that have been accounted for as multiple element arrangements were $74,042,253, $71,908,552, and $74,189,077 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Deferred revenues are recognized when payments are received in advance of revenue recognition.

 

 

(v) Marketing and advertising expenses

 

Marketing and advertising expenses consists primarily of targeted online and offline marketing costs for promoting the Group’s e-commerce projects, increasing visibility and building brand, such as Leju property visit, sponsored marketing campaigns, online or print advertising, public relations and sponsored events. The Company expenses all marketing advertising costs as incurred and record these costs within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the consolidated statements of operations when incurred. The nature of the Company’s direct marketing activities is such that they are intended to attract subscribers for the online advertising and potential property buyers to purchase the discount coupons. The Group incurred advertising expenses amounting to $51,936,863, $100,457,370 and $208,667,609 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

(x) Government subsidies

 

Government subsidies include cash subsidies received by the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC from local governments. These subsidies are generally provided as incentives for conducting business in certain local districts. Cash subsidies of $6,475,023, $4,917,642 and $8,786,891 were included in other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Subsidies are recognized when cash is received and when all the conditions for their receipt have been satisfied.

 

 

(z) Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted earnings per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised or converted into ordinary shares.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per share for the periods indicated:

 

 

* In calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share, the amount of Leju’s net income included in net income (loss) attributable to E-House’s ordinary shareholders is calculated by multiplying Leju’s diluted EPS by the weighted average number of Leju shares held by E-House’s during the period, which may result in net income (loss) attributable to E-House ordinary shareholders, for purposes of computing diluted earnings (loss) per share, being different from that actually recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. This difference is presented as increase (decrease) of income (loss) from Leju.

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share do not include the following instruments as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

(ab) Comprehensive income

 

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. For the years presented, total comprehensive income included net income, foreign currency translation adjustments and the unrealized gain/loss due to the changes in fair value of the available-for-sale investment.