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Published: 2022-03-24 07:50:20 ET
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EX-99.1 2 tm2210117d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

China Online Education Group Announces Full Year 2021 Results

 

BEIJING, March 24, 2022 -- China Online Education Group (“51Talk” or the “Company”) (NYSE: COE), a leading online education platform in China, with core expertise in English education, announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, as well as the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Full Year 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights

 

·Net revenues were RMB2,166.5 million (US$340.0 million), a 5.5% increase from RMB2,054.1 million for the full year 2020.

 

·Gross margin was 74.2%, compared with 71.7% for the full year 2020.

 

·GAAP net income was RMB105.7 million(US$16.6 million), compared with GAAP net income RMB147.0 million for the full year 2020.

 

·Non-GAAP net income1 was RMB132.7 million (US$20.8million), compared with non-GAAP net income RMB 173.7 million for the full year 2020.

 

·Operating cash outflow was RMB676.1 million (US$106.1 million), compared with RMB719.2 million cash inflow for the full year 2020.

 

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Metrics

 

·Net revenues were RMB412.8 million (US$64.8 million), a 22.9% decrease from RMB535.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

·Gross margin was 78.6%, compared with 72.7% for the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

·Net income was RMB52.0million (US$8.2 million), compared with net income of RMB31.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

·Non-GAAP net income was RMB55.0 million (US$8.6 million), compared with non-GAAP net income of RMB38.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

·Operating cash outflow was RMB268.6 million (US$42.1 million), compared with RMB188.5 million of operating cash inflow for the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

·Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments balance stood at RMB992.6 million (US$155.8 million) as of December 31, 2021.

 

Third Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Metrics

 

·Net revenues were RMB573.6 million (US$90.0 million), a 6.5% increase from RMB538.5 million for the third quarter of 2020.

 

·Gross margin was 73.5%, compared with 72.8% for the third quarter of 2020.

 

·Net income was RMB 72.7 million (US$11.4 million), compared with net income of RMB31.6 million for the third quarter of 2020.

 

·Non-GAAP net income1 was RMB78.7 million (US$12.3 million), compared with non-GAAP net income of RMB38.5 million for the third quarter of 2020.

 

·Operating cash outflow was RMB376.7 million (US$59.1 million), compared with RMB186.1 million of operating cash inflow for the third quarter of 2020.

 

·Cash, cash equivalents, time deposits and short-term investments balance stood at RMB1,265.7 million (US$198.6 million) as of September 30, 2021.

 

 

1 For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section of “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table captioned “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures” set forth in this press release.

 

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Key Financial and Operating Data

 

   For the three months ended   For the three months ended   For the year ended
   Sep. 30,   Sep. 30,   YoY   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   YoY   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   YoY
   2020   2021   %   2020   2021   %   2020   2021   %
Net Revenues (in RMB millions)   538.5    573.6    6.5    535.1    412.8    -22.9    2,054.1    2,166.5    5.5
Mainland China business   538.5    572.4    6.3    535.1    408.1    -23.8    2,054.1    2,160.5    5.2
Overseas business   -    1.2    -    -    4.8    -    -    6.0    -
Active students with attended lesson consumption2 (in thousands)        376.5              299.1              455.9     
Active students with general lesson consumption3 (in thousands)     338.0    406.2    20.2    353.8    363.8    2.8    470.7    483.5    2.7

 

“In response to the changes in regulations related to After-School Tutoring (“AST”) promulgated by the Chinese government, we have taken measures to restructure our business so that the Company’s 2022 strategy will keenly focus on overseas business. In the fourth quarter, net gross billings of overseas business have reached $2.9 million, representing 222.1% sequential growth,” said Mr. Jack Jiajia Huang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 51Talk.,

 

“As the overseas business momentum continue to build, we have extended our product offerings to students in more than 50 countries and regions outside Mainland China. We have been able to leverage our strength in high quality teacher resources, interactive curriculum, and advanced technology platform to quickly establish presence in a new market. We will stick with our business model which balances growth with profitability and was proven in Mainland China market. We are excited in exploring opportunities in oversea markets and allow our Filipino teachers to help more students to be able to talk to the world,” concluded Mr. Huang.

 

 

2 An “active student with attended lesson consumption” for a specified period refers to a student who attended at least one paid lesson, excluding those students who only attended paid live broadcasting lessons or trial lessons.

3 An “active student with general lesson consumption” for a specified period refers to a student who consumed at least one paid lesson credit, in attendance or due to minimum consumption or expiration,excluding those students who only attended paid live broadcasting lessons or trial lessons.

 

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Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

 

Net Revenues

 

Net revenues for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB573.6 million (US$90.0 million), a 6.5% increase from RMB538.5 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily attributed to an increase in the number of active students, partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per active student. The number of active students with general lesson consumption in the third quarter of 2021 was 406,200, a 20.2% increase from 338,000 for the same quarter last year. The number of active students with attended lesson consumption in the third quarter of 2021 was 376,500.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of revenues for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB151.9 million (US$23.8 million), a 3.5% increase from RMB146.7 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in total service fees paid to teachers, mainly due to an increased number of paid lessons.

 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB421.8 million (US$66.2 million), a 7.7% increase from RMB391.8 million for the same quarter last year.

 

Gross margin for the third quarter of 2021 was 73.5%, compared with 72.8% for the same quarter last year. The increase was mainly attributable to the decrease of the cost per lesson, partially offset by the decrease of the revenue per lesson.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB369.3 million (US$58.0 million), a 2.7% decrease from RMB379.6 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in sales and marketing expenses and product development expenses, partially offset by an increase of general and administrative expenses and goodwill and intangibles impairment.

 

Sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB191.9 million (US$30.1 million), a 32.2% decrease from RMB282.8 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to decrease in the number of personnel and lower marketing and branding expenses. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB191.0 million (US$30.0 million), a 31.9% decrease from RMB280.6 million for the same quarter last year.

 

3

 

 

Product development expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB40.7 million (US$6.4 million), a 6.9% decrease from RMB43.8 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower product development personnel costs related to decrease in the number of personnel. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB39.3 million (US$6.2 million), a 6.6% decrease from RMB42.1 million for the same quarter last year.

 

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were RMB104.9 million (US$16.5 million), a 97.9% increase from RMB53.0 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to restructuring cost of RMB 51.4 million during the quarter. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses for the third quarter were RMB101.1 million (US$15.9 million), a 102.3% increase from RMB50.0 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding restructuring cost and share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter would have been RMB 49.7 million (US$7.8 million), a 0.6% decrease from RMB50.0 million for the same quarter last year.

 

Goodwill and intangibles impairment for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB31.8 million (US$4.9 million), compared with nil for the same quarter last year. The goodwill and intangible impairment was mainly due to the decline of fair value related to the intangible assets and goodwill in connection with the acquisition of 91waijiao.com completed in January 2015, assets acquisition of GKid completed in December 2020, and business combination of Kaola Reading completed in the second quarter of 2021. Considering recent regulatory policies on further alleviating the burden of homework and after-school tutoring for students and the changes in operating environment, the Company recognized impairment losses of the intangible assets and goodwill in the third quarter of 2021.

 

Other income

 

The exemption for the value added tax (VAT) of consumer services has been stopped as of March 31, 2021. This exemption, which covers a wide range of consumer services, was part of the Chinese government’s effort to ease the burden of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The income obtained by taxpayers from providing essential services shall be exempted from VAT. The favorable impact of such COVID-19 relief policies was nil and RMB7.6 million in the third quarter of 2021 and 2020 respectively.

 

On September 30, 2019, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced that from October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, taxpayers engaging in the provision of essential services are allowed to deduct an extra 15% of the deductible input value-added tax for the current period from the payable value-added tax. The impact of the policy of additional value-added tax credit for the income generated by the essential services provided by enterprises was RMB6.0 million and RMB1.7 million in the third quarter of 2021 and 2020 respectively.

 

Income from Operations

 

Operating income for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB58.4 million (US$9.2 million), compared with operating income of RMB21.4 million for the same quarter last year. Operating margin for the third quarter was 10.2%, compared with operating margin of 4.0% for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP operating income for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB64.4 million (US$10.1million), compared with non-GAAP operating income of RMB28.3 million for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP operating margin for the third quarter was 11.2%, compared with non-GAAP operating margin of 5.3% for the same quarter last year.

 

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Net income

 

Net income for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB72.7 million (US$11.4 million), compared with net income of RMB31.6 million for the same quarter last year. Net margin for the third quarter was 12.7%, compared with net margin of 5.9% for the same quarter last year.

 

Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB78.7 million (US$12.3 million), compared with non-GAAP net income of RMB38.5 million for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP net margin for the third quarter was 13.7%, compared with non-GAAP net margin of 7.1% for the same quarter last year.

 

Interest income for the third quarter of 2021 was negative RMB7.0 million, due to RMB15.0 million reversal of interest income accrual from the time-deposits early withdraw, partially offset by interest income of RMB8.0 million.

 

Income tax benefits for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB20.5 million.

 

Basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB0.22 (US$0.03), compared with basic net income per share of RMB0.10 for the same quarter last year. Diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB0.21 (US$0.03), compared with diluted net income per share of RMB0.09 for the same quarter last year.

 

Non-GAAP basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB0.24 (US$0.04), compared with non-GAAP basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB0.12 for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB0.23 (US$0.04), compared with non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB0.11 for the same quarter last year.

 

Basic net income per American depositary share (“ADS”) attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB3.28 (US$0.51), compared with basic net income per ADS of RMB1.46 for the same quarter last year. Diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB3.22 (US$0.51), compared with diluted net income per ADS of RMB1.38 for the same quarter last year. Each ADS represents 15 Class A ordinary shares.

 

Non-GAAP basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB3.56 (US$0.56), compared with non-GAAP basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB1.78 for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was RMB3.49 (US$0.55), compared with non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB1.68 for the same quarter last year.

 

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Balance Sheet

 

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had total cash, cash equivalents, time deposits and short-term investments of RMB1,265.7 million (US$198.6 million), compared with RMB1,727.7 million as of December 31, 2020. As a part of cash, cash equivalents, time deposits and short-term investments, the Company had non-current time deposits of RMB30.0 million (US$4.7 million), compared with RMB414.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

 

As of September 30, 2021, the Company has a consolidated net current liability of RMB919.9 million, compared with net current liability of RMB1,400.4 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company had advances from students4 (current and non-current) of RMB2,262.5 million (US$355.0 million) as of September 30, 2021, compared with RMB2,721.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

 

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results

 

Net Revenues

 

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB412.8 million (US$64.8 million), a 22.9% decrease from RMB535.1 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily attributed to a decrease in the number of lessons booked, partially offset by an increase in the number of active students with general lesson consumption. The number of active students with general lesson consumption in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 363,800, a 2.8% increase from 353,800 for the same quarter last year. The number of active students with attended lesson consumption in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 299,100.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB 88.3 million (US$13.9 million), a 39.6% decrease from RMB146.1 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in total service fees paid to teachers, mainly due to a decreased number of paid lessons.

 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB324.5 million (US$50.9 million), a 16.6% decrease from RMB388.9million for the same quarter last year.

 

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 78.6%, compared with 72.7% for the same quarter last year. The increase was mainly attributable to the decrease of the cost per lesson and the increase of the revenue per lesson.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB321.2 million (US$50.4 million), a 16.7% decrease from RMB385.7 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in sales and marketing expenses and product development expenses, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses.

 

 

4 “Advances from students,” which is defined as the amount of obligation to transfer good or service to students or business partners for which consideration has been received from students in advance. The deposits from students are also presented in the total amount of “advances from students”.

 

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Sales and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB235.8 million (US$37.0 million), a 17.1% decrease from RMB284.5 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to decrease in the number of personnel and lower marketing and branding expenses. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB235.4 million (US$36.9 million), a 16.7% decrease from RMB282.6 million for the same quarter last year.

 

Product development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB15.3 million (US$2.4 million), a 65.8% decrease from RMB44.6 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower product development personnel costs related to decrease in the number of personnel. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB15.6 million (US$2.4 million), a 64.1% decrease from RMB43.3 million for the same quarter last year.

 

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were RMB69.7 million (US$10.9 million), a 23.1% increase from RMB56.6 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to restructuring cost of RMB 25.8 million during the quarter. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter were RMB66.7 million (US$10.5 million), a 26.0% increase from RMB53.0 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding restructuring cost and share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter would have been RMB40.9 million (US$6.4 million), a 22.8% decrease from RMB53.0 million for the same quarter last year.

 

Goodwill and intangibles impairment for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million), compared with nil for the same quarter last year. The goodwill and intangibles impairment was mainly due to the decline of fair value related to the system for employee performance evaluation. Considering recent regulatory policies on further alleviating the burden of homework and after-school tutoring for students and the changes in operating environment, the Company recognized impairment losses of the intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2021.

 

Other income

 

The exemption for the VAT of consumer services has been stopped as of March 31, 2021. This exemption, which covers a wide range of consumer services, was part of the Chinese government’s effort to ease the burden of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The income obtained by taxpayers from providing essential services shall be exempted from VAT. The favorable impact of such COVID-19 relief policies was nil and RMB7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020 respectively.

 

On December 31, 2019, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced that from October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, taxpayers engaging in the provision of essential services are allowed to deduct an extra 15% of the deductible input value-added tax for the current period from the payable value-added tax. The impact of the policy of additional value-added tax credit for the income generated by the essential services provided by enterprises was RMB0.6 million and RMB0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020 respectively.

 

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Income from Operations

 

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million), compared with operating income of RMB11.0 million for the same quarter last year. Operating margin for the fourth quarter was 0.9%, compared with operating margin of 2.1% for the same quarter last year.

 

Non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB6.9 million (US$1.1 million), compared with non-GAAP operating income of RMB17.8 million for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP operating margin for the fourth quarter was 1.7%, compared with non-GAAP operating margin of 3.3% for the same quarter last year.

 

Net income

 

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB52.0 million (US$8.2 million), compared with net income of RMB31.8million for the same quarter last year. Net margin for the fourth quarter was 12.6%, compared with net margin of 5.9% for the same quarter last year.

 

Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB55.0 million (US$8.6 million), compared with non-GAAP net income of RMB38.6 million for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP net margin for the fourth quarter was 13.3%, compared with non-GAAP net margin of 7.2% for the same quarter last year.

 

Income tax benefits for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB34.7 million.

 

Basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB0.16 (US$0.02), compared with basic net income per share of RMB0.10 for the same quarter last year. Diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB0.15 (US$0.02), compared with diluted net income per share of RMB0.09 for the same quarter last year.

 

Non-GAAP basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB0.17 (US$0.03), compared with non-GAAP basic net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB0.12 for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB0.16 (US$0.03), compared with non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB0.11 for the same quarter last year.

 

Basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB2.34 (US$0.37), compared with basic net income per ADS of RMB1.48 for the same quarter last year. Diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB2.31 (US$0.36), compared with diluted net income per ADS of RMB1.39 for the same quarter last year. Each ADS represents 15 Class A ordinary shares.

 

Non-GAAP basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB2.48 (US$0.39), compared with non-GAAP basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB1.79 for the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB2.45 (US$0.38), compared with non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB1.68 for the same quarter last year.

 

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Balance Sheet

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had total cash, cash equivalents,restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments of RMB992.6 million (US$155.8 million)and among which RMB50.6 million of restricted cash, compared with RMB1,727.7 million as of December 31, 2020 with nil of restricted cash. As a part of cash, cash equivalents, time deposits and short-term investments, the Company had non-current time deposits of RMB100.9 million (US$15.8 million), compared with RMB414.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has a consolidated net current liability of RMB944.4 million, compared with net current liability of RMB1,400.4 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company had advances from students (current and non-current) of RMB1,767.2 million (US$277.3 million) as of December 31, 2021, compared with RMB2,721.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

 

Full Year 2021 Financial Results

 

Net Revenues

 

Net revenues for 2021 were RMB2,166.5 million (US$340.0 million), a 5.5% increase from RMB2,054.1 million for 2020. The increase was primarily attributed to an increase in the number of active students with general lesson consumption.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of revenues for 2021 was RMB558.0 million (US$87.6 million), a 3.9% decrease from RMB580.4 million for 2020. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in total service fees paid to teachers, mainly due to the decrease of cost per lesson driven from cost control.

 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Gross profit for 2021 was RMB1,608.6 million (US$252.4 million), a 9.2% increase from RMB1,473.7 million for 2020.

 

Gross margin for 2021 was 74.2%, compared with 71.7% for 2020.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for 2021 were RMB1,597.4 million (US$250.7 million), a 13.1% increase from RMB1,412.7 million for 2020. The increase was mainly the result of the increases in sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses, product development expenses and goodwill and intangibles impairment.

 

Sales and marketing expenses for 2021 were RMB1,062.5 million (US$166.7 million), a 2.6% increase from RMB1,035.6 million for 2020. The increase was mainly due to increase in the sales and marketing personnel costs. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses for 2021 were RMB1,056.3 million (US$165.8 million), a 2.9% decrease from RMB1,026.8 million for 2020.

 

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Product development expenses for 2021 were RMB178.8 million (US$28.1 million), a 9.8% increase from RMB162.8 million for 2020. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses for 2021 were RMB174.3 million (US$27.4 million), a 10.1% increase from RMB158.4 million for 2020.

 

General and administrative expenses for 2021 were RMB324.0 million (US$50.8 million), a 51.2% increase from RMB214.2 million for 2020. The increase was primarily due to restructuring cost of RMB85.9 million during the year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses for 2021 were RMB307.5 million (US$48.3 million), a 53.2% increase from RMB200.8 million for 2020. Excluding restructuring cost and share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses for 2021 would have been RMB221.6 million (US$34.8 million), a 10.4% decrease from RMB200.8 million for 2020.

 

Goodwill and intangibles impairment for 2021 was RMB32.2 million (US$5.0 million), compared with nil for the same quarter last year. The goodwill and intangibles impairment was mainly due to the decline of fair value related to the acquisition of 91waijiao.com completed in January 2015, the assets acquisition of GKid completed in December 2020, the acquisition of Kaola Reading completed in the second quarter of 2021, and the system for employee performance evaluation. Considering recent regulatory policies on further alleviating the burden of homework and after-school tutoring for students and the changes in operating environment, the company recognized impairment losses of the intangible assets in 2021.

 

Other income

 

As part of Chinese government’s effort to ease the burden of businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the State Taxation Administration (STA) exempted a wide range of consumer services from VAT from January 2020. The income obtained by taxpayers from providing essential services shall be exempted from VAT. The favorable impact of coronavirus relief policies was RMB10.7 million and RMB32.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

On September 30, 2019, Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced that from October 1,2019 to December 31, 2021, the taxpayers engaging in the provision of essential services are allowed to deduct an extra 15% of the deductible input tax for the current period from the payable tax. The impact of the policy of additional value-added tax credit for the income generated by the essential services provided by enterprises was RMB12.5 million and RMB11.1 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Income from Operations

 

Operating income for 2021 was RMB34.4 million (US$5.4 million), compared with RMB104.4 million for 2020. Operating margin for 2021 was 1.6%, compared with operating margin of 5.1% for 2020.

 

10

 

 

Non-GAAP operating income for 2021 was RMB61.4 million (US$9.6 million), compared with RMB131.2 million for 2020. Non-GAAP operating margin for 2021 was 2.8%, compared with non-GAAP operating margin of 6.4% for 2020.

 

The favorable impact of coronavirus relief policies was RMB10.7 million in 2021. Excluding the favorable impact, operating income and non-GAAP operating income for 2021 would have been RMB23.7 million (US$3.7 million) and RMB50.7 million (US$8.0 million), representing operating margin of 1.1% and 2.3% respectively.

 

Net income

 

Net income for 2021 was RMB105.7 million (US$16.6 million), compared with RMB147.0 million for 2020. Net margin for 2021 was 4.9%, compared with net margin of 7.2% for 2020.

 

Non-GAAP net income for 2021 was RMB132.7 million (US$20.8 million), compared with RMB173.7 million for 2020. Non-GAAP net margin for 2021 was 6.1%, compared with non-GAAP net margin of 8.5% for 2020.

 

The favorable impact of coronavirus relief policies was RMB10.7 million in 2021. Excluding the favorable impact, net income and non-GAAP net income for 2021 would have been RMB95.0 million (US$14.9 million) and RMB122.0 million (US$19.1 million), representing net margin of 4.4% and 5.6% respectively.

 

Income tax benefits for the fourth quarter of 2021 was RMB46.1 million.

 

Basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB4.82 (US$0.76), compared with basic net income per ADS of RMB6.90 for 2020. Diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB4.66 (US$0.73), compared with diluted net income per ADS of RMB6.46 for 2020. Each ADS represents 15 Class A ordinary shares.

 

Non-GAAP basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB6.06 (US$0.95), compared with non-GAAP basic net income per ADS of RMB8.15 for 2020. Non-GAAP diluted net income per American depositary share (“ADS”) attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB5.86 (US$0.92), compared with non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS of RMB7.63 for 2020. Each ADS represents 15 Class A ordinary shares.

 

The favorable impact of coronavirus relief policies was RMB10.7 million in 2021. Excluding the favorable impact, basic net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB4.33 (US$0.68) and non-GAAP basic net income ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB5.57 (US$0.87), respectively. Excluding the favorable impact, diluted net income ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2021 was RMB4.19 (US$0.66) and non-GAAP diluted net income per American depositary share (“ADS”) attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2020 was RMB5.38 (US$0.84), respectively.

 

11

 

 

Outlook

 

For the first quarter of 2022, the Company currently expects net gross billings of oversea business to be between $4.4 million and $4.6 million,representing sequential growth of 51.7 % to 58.6%

 

The above outlook is based on current market conditions and reflects the Company’s current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change.

 

In addition, the Company’s future operational and financial performance depends on the future development of the implementation of the Opinion and the success of the Company’s business adjustment plans, which is subject to inherent uncertainties at this time.

 

Conference Call

 

The Company’s management will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time on March 24, 2022 (8:30 PM Beijing/Hong Kong time on March 24, 2022).

 

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

 

United States (toll free): 1-800-239-9838
International: 1-323-794-2551
Mainland China: 400-120-9101
Hong Kong (toll free): 800-961-105
Hong Kong: 852-3008-1527

 

Participants should dial-in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for “China Online Education Group.”

 

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.51talk.com.

 

A replay of the conference call will be accessible until December3, 2021, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

 

United States (toll free): 1-888-203-1112
International: 1-719-457-0820
Replay Access Code: 8412792

 

About China Online Education Group

 

China Online Education Group (NYSE: COE) is a leading online education platform in China, with core expertise in English education. The Company’s mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company’s online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons, on demand. The Company connects its students with a large pool of highly qualified teachers that it assembled using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.

 

12

 

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In evaluating its business, 51Talk considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders per share and per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” set forth at the end of this press release.

 

51Talk believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. 51Talk believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to 51Talk’s historical performance. 51Talk computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. 51Talk believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the 51Talk’s business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying table at the end of this press release provides more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.3726 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of December 31, 2021 as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

13

 

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “aims”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “likely to” and similar statements. Among other things, 51Talk’s quotations from management in this announcement, as well as 51Talk’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. 51Talk may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to fourth parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 51Talk’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: 51Talk’s goals and strategies; 51Talk’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and platform; 51Talk’s ability to retain and increase its student enrollment; 51Talk’s ability to offer new courses; 51Talk’s ability to engage, train and retain new teachers; 51Talk’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; 51Talk’s ability to maintain and improve infrastructure necessary to operate its education platform; competition in the online education industry in China; the expected growth of, and trends in, the markets for 51Talk’s course offerings in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to 51Talk’s corporate structure, business and industry; general economic and business condition in China, the Philippines and elsewhere and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 51Talk’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 51Talk does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

China Online Education Group

Investor Relations

ir@51talk.com

 

14

 

 

 

CHINA ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

 

   As of 
   Dec. 31,   Sep.30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31, 
   2020   2021   2021   2021 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   US$ 
ASSETS                    
Current assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents   326,647    412,462    214,732    33,696 
Restricted cash   -    -    50,550    7,932 
Time deposits   477,408    212,436    48,437    7,601 
Short-term investments   509,636    610,843    577,970    90,696 
Inventory   1,935    1,656    1,080    169 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   302,057    295,309    72,450    11,369 
Total current assets   1,617,683    1,532,706    965,219    151,463 
                     
Non-current assets                    
Property and equipment, net   21,175    28,973    17,017    2,670 
Intangible assets, net   20,302    12,187    11,211    1,759 
Goodwill   4,223    -    -    - 
Right-of-use assets   98,001    57,312    36,907    5,792 
Time deposits   414,000    30,000    100,868    15,828 
Deferred tax assets   10,268    23,694    56,868    8,924 
Other non-current assets   23,896    17,572    5,496    862 
Total non-current assets   591,865    169,738    228,367    35,835 
                     
Total assets   2,209,548    1,702,444    1,193,586    187,298 
                     
LIABILITIES                    
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                    
Current liabilities                    
Advances from students   2,718,776    2,261,052    1,766,032    277,129 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   237,101    139,860    96,205    15,097 
Lease liability   42,949    25,680    19,400    3,044 
Taxes payable   19,288    26,001    28,027    4,398 
Total current liabilities   3,018,114    2,452,593    1,909,664    299,668 
                     
Non-current liabilities                    
Advances from students   2,270    1,438    1,126    177 
Lease liability   53,594    33,894    19,340    3,035 
Other non-current liabilities   2,508    2,723    1,547    243 
Total non-current liabilities   58,372    38,055    22,013    3,455 
                     
Total liabilities   3,076,486    2,490,648    1,931,677    303,123 
                     
Total shareholders’ deficit   (866,938)   (788,204)   (738,091)   (115,825)
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit   2,209,548    1,702,444    1,193,586    187,298 

 

15

 

 

  CHINA ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP  
  UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
  (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data)  

 

   For the three months ended   For the year ended 
   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31, 
   2020   2021   2021   2021   2020   2021   2021 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Net revenues   535,074    573,621    412,773    64,773    2,054,095    2,166,549    339,979 
Cost of revenues   (146,134)   (151,852)   (88,276)   (13,852)   (580,417)   (557,974)   (87,558)
Gross profit   388,940    421,769    324,497    50,921    1,473,678    1,608,575    252,421 
Operating expenses                                   
Sales and marketing expenses   (284,493)   (191,909)   (235,838)   (37,008)   (1,035,620)   (1,062,523)   (166,733)
Product development expenses   (44,577)   (40,735)   (15,260)   (2,395)   (162,829)   (178,750)   (28,050)
General and administrative expenses   (56,626)   (104,907)   (69,681)   (10,934)   (214,224)   (323,968)   (50,838)
Goodwill and intangibles impairment   -    (31,780)   (396)   (62)   -    (32,176)   (5,049)
Total operating expenses   (385,696)   (369,331)   (321,175)   (50,399)   (1,412,673)   (1,597,417)   (250,670)
Other income   7,766    5,962    552    87    43,414    23,223    3,644 
Income from operations   11,010    58,400    3,874    609    104,419    34,381    5,395 
Interest income   11,711    (6,972)   5,735    900    38,508    21,120    3,314 
Interest expense and other expenses, net   193    785    7,683    1,206    (66)   4,014    630 
Income before income tax expenses   22,914    52,213    17,292    2,715    142,861    59,515    9,339 
Income tax benefits   8,905    20,452    34,691    5,444    4,101    46,139    7,240 
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   31,819    72,665    51,983    8,159    146,962    105,654    16,579 
                                    
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic income per share   323,458,483    331,843,733    332,760,727    332,760,727    319,553,690    328,484,502    328,484,502 
                                    
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted income per share   344,354,904    338,390,638    337,351,518    337,351,518    341,503,118    339,937,677    339,937,677 

 

16

 

 

  CHINA ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands except for number of shares and per share data)

 

   For the three months ended   For the year ended 
   Dec. 31,   Sep.30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31, 
   2020   2021   2021   2021   2020   2021   2021 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders                                   
Basic   0.10    0.22    0.16    0.02    0.46    0.32    0.05 
Diluted   0.09    0.21    0.15    0.02    0.43    0.31    0.05 
Net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders                                   
Basic   1.48    3.28    2.34    0.37    6.90    4.82    0.76 
Diluted   1.39    3.22    2.31    0.36    6.46    4.66    0.73 
Comprehensive income:                                   
Net income   31,819    72,665    51,983    8,159    146,962    105,654    16,579 
Other comprehensive income                                   
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (14,319)   (290)   (4,921)   (772)   (21,087)   (9,203)   (1,444)
Total comprehensive income   17,500    72,375    47,062    7,387    125,875    96,451    15,135 
                                    
Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating expenses as follows:                     
                                    
Sales and marketing expenses   (1,875)   (872)   (394)   (62)   (8,835)   (6,186)   (971)
Product development expenses   (1,281)   (1,399)   298    47    (4,477)   (4,434)   (696)
General and administrative expenses   (3,636)   (3,759)   (2,933)   (460)   (13,422)   (16,430)   (2,578)

  

17

 

 

CHINA ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures
 (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data)

 

   For the three months ended   For the year ended 
   Dec. 31,   Sep.30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31, 
   2020   2021   2021   2021   2020   2021   2021 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Sales and marketing expenses   (284,493)   (191,909)   (235,838)   (37,008)   (1,035,620)   (1,062,523)   (166,733)
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   (1,875)   (872)   (394)   (62)   (8,835)   (6,186)   (971)
Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses   (282,618)   (191,037)   (235,444)   (36,946)   (1,026,785)   (1,056,337)   (165,762)
                                    
Product development expenses   (44,577)   (40,735)   (15,260)   (2,395)   (162,829)   (178,750)   (28,050)
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   (1,281)   (1,399)   298    47    (4,477)   (4,434)   (696)
Non-GAAP product development expenses   (43,296)   (39,336)   (15,558)   (2,442)   (158,352)   (174,316)   (27,354)
                                    
General and administrative expenses   (56,626)   (104,907)   (69,681)   (10,934)   (214,224)   (323,968)   (50,838)
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   (3,636)   (3,759)   (2,933)   (460)   (13,422)   (16,430)   (2,578)
Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses   (52,990)   (101,148)   (66,748)   (10,474)   (200,802)   (307,538)   (48,260)
                                    
Goodwill and intangibles impairment   -    (31,780)   (396)   (62)   -    (32,176)   (5,049)
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   -    -    -    -    -    -      
Non-GAAP goodwill and intangibles impairment   -    (31,780)   (396)   (62)   -    (32,176)   (5,049)
                                    
Operating expenses   (385,696)   (369,331)   (321,175)   (50,399)   (1,412,673)   (1,597,417)   (250,670)
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   (6,792)   (6,030)   (3,029)   (475)   (26,734)   (27,050)   (4,245)
Non-GAAP operating expenses   (378,904)   (363,301)   (318,146)   (49,924)   (1,385,939)   (1,570,367)   (246,425)
                                    
Income from operations   11,010    58,400    3,874    609    104,419    34,381    5,395 
Less: Share-based compensation expenses   (6,792)   (6,030)   (3,029)   (475)   (26,734)   (27,050)   (4,245)
Non-GAAP income from operations   17,802    64,430    6,903    1,084    131,153    61,431    9,640 

 

18

 

 

CHINA ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures
 (In thousands except for number of shares and per share data)

 

   For the three months ended   For the year ended 
   Dec. 31,   Sep.30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31, 
   2020   2021   2021   2021   2020   2021   2021 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Income tax benefits   8,905    20,452    34,691    5,444    4,101    46,139    7,240 
Less: Tax impact of Share-based compensation expenses   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Non-GAAP income tax benefits   8,905    20,452    34,691    5,444    4,101    46,139    7,240 
                                    
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   31,819    72,665    51,983    8,159    146,962    105,654    16,579 
Add back: Share-based compensation expenses, net of tax   6,792   6,030   3,029    475    26,734    27,050    4,245 
Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   38,611    78,695    55,012    8,634    173,696    132,704    20,824 
                                    
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic income per share   323,458,483    331,843,733    332,760,727    332,760,727    319,553,690    328,484,502    328,484,502 
                                    
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted income per share   344,354,904    338,390,638    337,351,518    337,351,518    341,503,118    339,937,677    339,937,677 
                                    
Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders                                   
basic   0.12    0.24    0.17    0.03    0.54    0.40    0.06 
diluted   0.11    0.23    0.16    0.03    0.51    0.39    0.06 
                                    
Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders                                   
basic   1.79    3.56    2.48    0.39    8.15    6.06    0.95 
diluted   1.68    3.49    2.45    0.38    7.63    5.86    0.92 

 

19