Tag Archives: WEB

Baidu to Hold Extraordinary General Meeting on March 1, 2021

BEIJING, Jan. 22, 2021 — Baidu, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDU) ("Baidu" or the "Company"), a leading Internet platform and AI company, today announced that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM") at 11:00 a.m. on March 1, 2021 (Beijing time) at the address of No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing, the People’s Republic of China.

A proposal of changing the Company’s authorized share capital by one-to-eighty subdivision of shares ("Share Subdivision") will be submitted to Baidu’s shareholders to be considered and voted upon at the EGM. Subject to the approval of the Share Subdivision at the EGM, Baidu’s board of directors (the "Board") has approved a change in the American depositary share ("ADS") ratio proportionate to the Share Subdivision from ten (10) ADSs representing one (1) Class A ordinary share to one (1) ADS representing eight (8) Class A ordinary shares (the "ADS Ratio Change"), to take effect on March 1, 2021. For Baidu’s ADS holders, the percentage interest in the Company represented by each ADS will not be altered, and the impact on the Company’s per-ADS trading price on Nasdaq is neutral. Holders of ADSs need not take any action in regards to the ADS Ratio Change.

The Board has fixed the close of business on January 28, 2021 (Eastern Standard Time) as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to attend, the EGM or any adjourned or postponed meeting thereof. Holders of record of the Company’s Class A or Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the EGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Holders of the Company’s ADSs who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying Class A ordinary shares must act through the depositary of the Company’s ADS program, The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Depositary"). The notice of the EGM, which sets forth the resolutions to be submitted to shareholder approval at the meeting, is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.baidu.com.  

About Baidu

Baidu, Inc. is a leading search engine, knowledge-and-information centered Internet platform and AI company. The Company’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu’s ADSs trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BIDU". Currently, ten ADSs represent one Class A ordinary share.

Contacts

Investors Relations, Baidu, Inc.
Tel: +86-10-5992-8888
Email: ir@baidu.com

Related Links :

http://www.baidu.com

China Distance Education Holdings Limited Files Annual Report on Form 20-F

BEIJING, Jan. 22, 2021 — China Distance Education Holdings Limited (NYSE: DL) ("CDEL", or the "Company"), a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China, today announced that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The annual report can be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.cdeledu.com under the section titled "Financials – Annual Reports."

CDEL will provide a hard copy of its complete audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to our IR representatives stated below, or in writing to China Distance Education Holdings Limited, 18th Floor, Xueyuan International Tower, 1 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing China, 100083.

About China Distance Education Holdings Limited

China Distance Education Holdings Limited is a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China. The courses offered by the Company through its websites are designed to help professionals seeking to obtain and maintain professional licenses and to enhance their job skills through our professional development courses in China in the areas of accounting, healthcare, engineering & construction, legal and other industries. The Company also offers online test preparation courses for self-taught learners pursuing higher education diplomas or degrees, and practical accounting training courses for college students and working professionals. In addition, the Company provides business services to corporate clients, including but not limited to tax advisory and accounting outsourcing services. For further information, please visit http://ir.cdeledu.com.

Contacts:

In China:

China Distance Education Holdings Limited
Jiao Jiao
Tel:  +86-10-8231-9999 ext. 1826
Email: IR@cdeledu.com

The Piacente Group, Inc. 
Jenny Cai 
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: dl@tpg-ir.com

In the United States: 

The Piacente Group, Inc.    
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1 212-481-2050
Email: dl@tpg-ir.com

China Finance Online Reports Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2020 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, Dec. 30, 2020 — China Finance Online Co. Limited ("China Finance Online", or the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") (NASDAQ GS: JRJC), a leading web-based financial services company that provides Chinese individual investors with fintech-powered online access to securities trading services, wealth management products, securities investment advisory services, as well as financial database and analytics services to institutional customers, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights and Recent Development

  • The bottom line losses continued to narrow year-over-year.
  • Net loss attributable to China Finance Online was $1.5 million, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2019.
  • Net revenues grew 32.9% year-over-year and 9.8% quarter-over-quarter to $10.7 million.
  • Revenues from the financial information and advisory business, accounted for 46.5% total revenue in the third quarter of 2020, were up 108.0% year-over-year to $5.0 million, powered by 139.6% growth in individual investor subscription and 176.3% growth in investment advisory services.
  • Due to the growth of financial information and advisory business, gross margin increased to 64.4% from 62.3% in the third quarter of 2019 and 63.3% in the second quarter of 2020.
  • In the 2020 China Robo-Advisor Industry report recently published by Tsinghua University, Lingxi Robo-Advisor ("Lingxi") won the Top 10 Best Robo-Advisors.

First Nine Months of 2020 Highlights

  • Net revenues were $30.3 million compared with $26.8 million in the first nine months of 2019.
  • Revenues from the financial information and advisory business grew 54.1% year-over-year and accounted for 43.2% of total revenues in the first nine months of 2020.
  • Net loss attributable to China Finance Online was $4.9 million, compared with a net loss of $7.9 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Mr. Zhiwei Zhao, Chairman and CEO of China Finance Online, commented that "During the third quarter, we continued to expand our top line as our financial information and advisory business experienced robust growth in a market that participation keeps reaching new highs among retail investors. We are pleased that our years of accumulated experience in fintech and wealth management are gaining popularity and showing results. Through our product mix change and vigorous cost controls, we further reduced our bottom-line loss in the third quarter as well."

"As a professional financial media, we continued to retain our leadership and market influence. On October 16th, the prestigious Hurun Institute published its 2020 Hurun China’s Most Influential Financial Media report and awarded China Finance Online as a Top 8 Most Influential Financial Media. We continue to promote innovations and the rise of short-form videos demonstrates how new media is becoming the new entry point for online traffic. As a professional financial media provider, we have strengthened our new media operation to deliver our enriched content to audiences through different channels. With our original content and proprietary programs, we made substantial strides in the popular short-form video social media, DouYin. In recent years, we also have been providing value-added services to public companies listed on domestic and international exchanges which helped grow our revenue in the third quarter."

"In addition, our fintech offerings to empower wealth management buy-side services began to bear fruit. Our one-stop wealth management service platform, i-TAMP, not only empowers investment advisors and wealth managers, but helps elevate their service efficiency and professionalism. Our i-TAMP has supported more than 100 third-party platforms and reached nearly 40 million individual investors. With the growing scale of the platform, our revenue from services for individual investors increased significantly during the third quarter."

"Our two-year-old robo-advisor, Lingxi, remains committed to providing personalized services for global asset allocation to the vast investor population. Lingxi’s outstanding performance didn’t go unnoticed by the financial industry and academia. In the 2020 China Robo-Advisor Industry report recently published by Tsinghua University, Lingxi won as the Top 10 Best Robo-Advisors."

"On the institutional wealth management service front, we are forming partnerships with more and more financial institutions. With the growing popularity of our content, our services in investor education drew increasingly more attention and won projects from leading financial institutions. We strongly believe that China presents a massive market opportunity in wealth management. We will continue to develop and upgrade our technologies, products and services to empower the wealth management sector in China," Mr. Zhao concluded.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Net revenues were $10.7 million, compared with $8.1 million during the third quarter of 2019 and $9.7 million during the second quarter of 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, revenues from financial services, the financial information and advisory business, advertising business and enterprise value-added services contributed 29%, 47%, 15% and 9% of the net revenues, respectively, compared with 45%, 30%, 17% and 9%, respectively, for the corresponding period in 2019.

Revenues from financial services were $3.1 million, compared with $3.6 million during the third quarter of 2019 and $3.2 million during the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter decreases in revenues from financial services were mainly due to reduced revenue from the equity brokerage business.

Revenues from the financial information and advisory business were $5.0 million, compared with $2.4 million during the third quarter of 2019 and $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2020. Revenues from the financial information and advisory business were mainly comprised of subscription services from individual and institutional customers and financial advisory services. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases in revenues from the financial information and advisory business were mainly due to the fast-growing investment advisory services and subscription fees from individual investors. During the third quarter, revenue from the individual investors subscription business rose by 139.6% from third quarter of 2019 and 9.5% from the second quarter of 2020. Investment advisory services also registered strong growth with an increase of 176.3% from the third quarter of 2019 and an increase of 11.0% from the second quarter of 2020.

Revenues from the advertising business were $1.6 million, compared with $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Revenues from enterprise value-added services were $1.0 million, compared with $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2020. Enterprise value-added services are a relatively new service that came out of our advertising business. Leveraging its accumulated large corporate data and research and increasing audience base online, China Finance Online provides professional communication services to companies listed on domestic or international markets to increase their visibility in the market.

Gross profit was $6.9 million, compared with $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2020. Gross margin in the third quarter was 64.4%, compared with 62.3% in the third quarter of 2019 and 63.3% in the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases in gross margin were mainly due to increased revenue contribution from individual subscription services and financial advisory services which have higher gross margin.

General and administrative expenses were $2.2 million, compared with $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, and $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter decreases were mainly attributable to further streamlining of the corporate managerial operations.

Sales and marketing expenses were $4.5 million, compared with $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, and $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to higher marketing expenses related to the investment advisory business.

Research and development expenses were $2.0 million, compared with $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to improved efficiency after consolidation of research and development teams throughout different business units. The Company continues to support research and development in the fintech segment to further develop its fintech capabilities.

Total operating expenses were $8.8 million, compared with $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, and $8.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases were mainly due to higher sales and marketing expenses.

Loss from operations was $1.9 million, compared with a loss from operations of $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 and a loss from operations of $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Net loss attributable to China Finance Online was $1.5 million, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2019 and a net loss of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Fully diluted loss per American Depository Shares ("ADS") attributable to China Finance Online was $0.66 for the third quarter of 2020, compared with fully diluted loss per ADS of $0.91 for the third quarter of 2019 and fully diluted loss per ADS of $0.65 for the second quarter of 2020. Basic and diluted weighted average numbers of ADSs for the third quarter of 2020 were 2.3 million, compared with basic and diluted weighted average number of ADSs of 2.3 million for the third quarter of 2019. Each ADS represents fifty ordinary shares of the Company.

First Nine Months of 2020 Financial Results

Net revenues for the first nine months of 2020 were $30.3 million, compared with $26.8 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Gross profit for the first nine months of 2020 was $19.0 million, compared with $17.0 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Loss from operations for the first nine months of 2020 was $5.7 million, compared with a loss from operations of $8.0 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Net loss attributable to China Finance Online for the first nine months of 2020 was $4.9 million, compared to a net loss of $7.9 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Fully diluted losses per ADS attributable to China Finance Online was $2.14 for the first nine months of 2020, compared with fully diluted loss of $3.43 for the first nine months of 2019.

Recent Developments 

  • Lingxi Robo-Advisor recorded strong performance in the third quarter of 2020 and won Top 10 Best Robo-Advisors

According to our proprietary asset allocation system, our Robo-Advisor product, Lingxi, provides Chinese retail investors with a wide array of investment combinations and personalized global asset allocations through Chinese domestic mutual funds. Since its inception, Lingxi established a solid track record of balancing performance and risk management. During the first nine months of 2020, the Chinese stock market experienced unprecedented volatility. Lingxi once again outclassed most of the peer Robo-Advisor products in the marketplace and outperformed the Shanghai Composite Index. The best strategy of Lingxi posted a return of 13.34% in the first nine months while Shanghai Composite Index had a return of 5.50% during the same period. All strategies of Lingxi managed to control the expected annualized fluctuation under 9.54% while the expected annualized volatility of Shanghai Composite Index reached 22.47% during the same period. In the 2020 China Robo-Advisor Industry report recently published by Tsinghua University, Lingxi won the Top 10 Best Robo-Advisors. The other winners are from among the largest financial institutions.

  • 2020 Leading China Annual Forum

In December 2020, the Company hosted the "2020 Leading China Annual Awards" in Beijing. The key discussions were digital transformation of the financial industry, applications of fintech in wealth management, mutual funds, and pension finance. The conference is committed to promoting the long-term development of the financial industry in China and has received high recognition from financial regulators and institutions. There were senior government officials and over 1100 professionals from nearly 300 financial institutions in attendance at the event.

  • Hurun Report Ranks China Finance Online among the Top 8 Most Influential Financial Media in China

In October 2020, the prestigious Hurun Institute awarded China Finance Online as a Top 8 Most Influential Financial Media in China. This new ranking is based on Hurun Institute’s research of leading Chinese financial media outlets’ public data, website unique visitors, social media followers and article readership. The Chairman of Hurun Institute and researcher-in-chief of the Hurun Report, Rupert Hoogewerf, commented: "In this fast-moving information age, credibility of information source is especially crucial. High-quality original content is the most important determining factor of a media’s competitiveness. This ranking list enables corporates to identify the most influential financial media in China." 

Conference Call Information

The management will host a conference call on December 29, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time December 30, 2020). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

US: 1-855-823-0291
Hong Kong: 800-963-435
Singapore: 800-616-2312
Mainland China: 800-870-0211 or 400-120-3169
Conference ID: 1688879

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the conference ID to join the call.

A recording of the call will be available on China Finance Online’s website under the investor relations section.

In addition, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/yenpozzx.

About China Finance Online

China Finance Online Co. Limited is a leading web-based financial services company that provides Chinese individual investors with fintech-powered online access to securities trading services, wealth management products, securities investment advisory services, as well as financial database and analytics services to institutional customers. The Company’s prominent flagship portal site, www.jrj.com, is ranked among the top financial websites in China. In addition to the web-based securities trading platform, the Company offers basic financial software, information services and securities investment advisory services to retail investors in China. Through its subsidiary, Shenzhen Genius Information Technology Co. Ltd., the Company provides financial database and analytics to institutional customers including domestic financial, research, academic and regulatory institutions. China Finance Online also provides brokerage services in Hong Kong.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained herein reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, this release contains the following forward-looking statements regarding:

  • Liquidity and sources of funding, including our ability to continue operating as a going concern;
  • our prospect and our ability to attract new users;
  • our prospect on building a comprehensive wealth management ecosystem through providing a fully-integrated online communication and securities-trading platform;
  • our prospect on stabilization in cash attrition and improvement of our financial position;
  • our initiatives to address customers’ demand for intuitive online investment platforms and alternative investment opportunities; and
  • the market prospect of the business of securities-trading, securities investment advisory and wealth management.

Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, which risk factors and uncertainties include, amongst others, substantial doubt about ability to continue as a going concern, the outbreak of COVID-19 or other health epidemics in China or globally, changing customer needs, regulatory environment and market conditions that we are subject to; the uneven condition of the world and Chinese economies that could lead to volatility in the equity markets and affect our operating results in the coming quarters; the impact of the changing conditions of the mainland Chinese stock market, Hong Kong stock market and global financial markets on our future performance; the unpredictability of our strategic transformation and growth of new businesses; the prospect of our margin-related business and the degree to which our implementation of margin account screening and ongoing monitoring will yield successful outcomes; the degree to which our strategic collaborations with partners will yield successful outcomes; the prospects for China’s high-net-worth and middle-class households; the prospects of equipping our customer specialists with new technology, tools and financial knowledge; wavering investor confidence that could impact our business; and possible non-cash goodwill, intangible assets and investment impairments may adversely affect our net income. Furthermore, we have recurring losses from operation and inability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our obligation and sustain our operations and face uncertainty as to the operation impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F under "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors". The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

China Finance Online
+86-10-8336-3100
ir@jrj.com

Kevin Theiss
Awaken Advisors
(212) 521-4050
kevin@awakenlab.com

— Tables Follow —

China Finance Online Co. Limited

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

Sep. 30,

2020

Dec. 31,

2019

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

7,093

9,600

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,851

2,413

Trust bank balances held on behalf of customers

30,889

36,987

Accounts receivable – margin clients

12,824

13,452

Accounts receivable – others

13,113

12,382

Short-term investments

1,147

Total current assets

66,770

75,981

Property and equipment, net

3,446

4,272

Acquired intangible assets, net

75

75

Equity investments without readily determinable fair value

1,645

1,605

Equity method investment, net

783

767

Right-of-use assets

2,491

3,988

Rental deposits

775

770

Goodwill

109

108

Guarantee fund deposits

219

218

Deferred tax assets

1,277

1,381

Total assets

77,590

89,165

Liabilities and equity

Current liabilities:

Deferred revenue, current (including deferred revenue, current of the consolidated variable
interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of $9,217 and $8,061
as of Sep. 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

9,916

8,855

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current
liabilities of the consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance
Online Co. Limited of $5,454 and $5,068 as of Sep. 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
respectively)

18,533

17,420

Amount due to customers for trust bank balances held on behalf of customers (including
amount due to customers for trust bank balances held on behalf of customers of the
consolidated variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited
of $1,082 and $2,110 as of Sep. 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

30,889

36,987

Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated variable interest entities
without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of $407 and $185 as of Sep. 30, 2020
and December 31, 2019, respectively)

5,251

6,741

Lease liabilities, current (including lease liabilities, current of the consolidated variable
interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of $820 and $1,604 as
of Sep. 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

2,002

2,243

Income taxes payable (including income taxes payable of the consolidated variable interest
entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of $35 and $44 as of Sep. 30,
2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

(35)

177

Total current liabilities

66,556

72,423

Deferred revenue, non-current (including deferred revenue, non-current of the consolidated
variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of nil and nil
as of Sep 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

80

151

Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated variable interest
entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of nil and nil as of Sep. 30,
2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

14

15

Lease liabilities, non-current (including lease liabilities, non-current of the consolidated
variable interest entities without recourse to China Finance Online Co. Limited of $273 and
$741 as of Sep. 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

225

1,448

Total liabilities

66,875

74,037

Total China Finance Online Co. Limited Shareholders’ equity

21,033

25,156

Noncontrolling interests

(10,318)

(10,028)

Total liabilities and equity

77,590

89,165

 

 

China Finance Online Co. Limited

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and ADS related data)

Three months ended

Nine months ended

Sep. 30,

2020

Sep. 30,

2019

Jun. 30,

2020

Sep. 30,

2020

Sep. 30,

2019

Net revenues

10,701

8,051

9,745

30,281

26,833

Cost of revenues

(3,812)

(3,036)

(3,577)

(11,312)

(9,826)

Gross profit

6,889

5,015

6,168

18,969

17,007

Operating expenses

General and administrative (including share-based
compensation expenses of $177, $168, $250, $678 and $763
respectively)

(2,223)

(2,290)

(2,254)

(6,703)

(7,488)

Product development (including share-based compensation
expenses of $30, $8, $34, $91 and $38, respectively)

(2,023)

(2,195)

(1,990)

(5,998)

(7,323)

Sales and marketing (includes share-based compensation
expenses of $18, $13, $16, $26 and $46, respectively)

(4,509)

(2,816)

(4,120)

(11,965)

(10,245)

Total operating expenses

(8,755)

(7,301)

(8,364)

(24,666)

(25,056)

Loss from operations

(1,866)

(2,286)

(2,196)

(5,697)

(8,049)

Interest income

4

5

8

17

25

Exchange gain (loss), net

(78)

76

6

(104)

10

Loss on the interest sold and retained noncontrolling
investment

(298)

Income (loss) from equity method investment

(1)

(1)

(2)

(4)

Other income (expense), net

350

79

242

658

36

Loss before income tax expenses

(1,590)

(2,127)

(1,941)

(5,128)

(8,280)

Income tax expenses

(5)

(108)

243

(181)

(574)

Net loss

(1,595)

(2,235)

(1,698)

(5,309)

(8,854)

Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

(74)

(131)

(209)

(379)

(1,001)

Net loss attributable to China Finance Online Co. Limited

(1,521)

(2,104)

(1,489)

(4,930)

(7,853)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Changes in foreign currency translation adjustment

(76)

(189)

15

105

(124)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(76)

(189)

15

105

(124)

Comprehensive loss

(1,671)

(2,424)

(1,683)

(5,204)

(8,978)

Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling
interest

(74)

(131)

(209)

(379)

(1,001)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to China Finance
Online Co. Limited

(1,597)

(2,293)

(1,474)

(4,825)

(7,977)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to China Finance
Online Co. Limited

Basic and Diluted

(0.01)

(0.02)

(0.01)

(0.04)

(0.07)

Net income (loss) per ADS attributable to China Finance
Online Co. Limited

Basic and Diluted

(0.66)

(0.91)

(0.65)

(2.14)

(3.43)

Weighted average ordinary shares

Basic and Diluted

115,060,781

115,060,781

115,060,781

115,060,781

114,561,418

Weighted average ADSs

Basic and Diluted

2,301,216

2,301,216

2,301,216

2,301,216

2,291,228

 

Related Links :

http://www.jrj.com

Online Orders on Yiwugo Doubled, over 80% of Which were Placed by Cellphone Users


YIWU, China, Dec. 25, 2020Yiwugo.com is the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, which is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. According to the back-office statistics about transactions on Yiwugo, as of the end of December, the total number of online orders in 2020 had grown by 100% YoY as compared with 2019, more than 80% of which were placed by cellphone users; the SKU indicator had increased from 3 million in the beginning of the year to 5 million; the number of registered buyers had exceeded 6 million.

The increase in orders on Yiwugo is mainly attributed to the following reasons:

I. As the circulation chain of commodities shortened, small retailers had an increasing stock demand

Along with the development of information technology and the logistics industry, the circulation chain of commodities has been shortening and the efficiency of commodity circulation has been increasing. As a result, the original multi-layered wholesale system is shifting to the mode of direct supply to retailers in small batches. In response to the development trend of the wholesale market, Yiwugo has also actively adjusted and constantly improved its services to address the stock demand of small retailers, such as launching the live streaming function for suppliers to introduce their products to retailers, improving payment and logistic services, and stepping up efforts to publicizing the stocking demand of small retailers. All these measures have contributed to the significant increase in small retailing orders on Yiwugo, hence a notable growth in orders on the platform as a whole.

II. The continuous development of the global mobile internet has promoted the increase in orders placed by cellphone users

2011 to 2020 is a golden decade for the development of the mobile internet. Through 10 years’ development, the mobile internet has been gradually popularized, making online transactions undoubtedly easier and faster. According to statistics, the global downloads of the Yiwugo app exceeded 30 million, and more than 80% of the orders on Yiwugo came from cellphone users. These orders have promoted the growth of total orders.

III. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic drove up online orders

In recent years, the e-commerce supply chain in Yiwu has been developing at a high speed, and Yiwu has become the world’s largest online commodity supply base for daily necessities and also taken the lead in cross-border e-commerce. Many vendors in Yiwu are adopting the mode online-offline integrated development. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, such a mode has enhanced the resistance of the small commodity supply chain against risks brought by the pandemic. As the online version of the Yiwu market, Yiwugo has served as a strong supplement to the physical market and gained favor among even more buyers around the world.

SINA Announces Shareholders’ Approval of Merger Agreement

BEIJING, Dec. 24, 2020 — SINA Corporation (the "Company" or "SINA") (Nasdaq: SINA), a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, today announced at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held today, the Company’s shareholders voted in favor of (i) the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger, dated as of September 28, 2020 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between New Wave Holdings Limited ("Parent"), New Wave Mergersub Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub") and the Company, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger"), (ii) the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands to effect the Merger (the "Plan of Merger") and (iii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, including the Merger.

Approximately 62.0% of the Company’s total shares (including ordinary shares and Class A preference shares) outstanding as of 5 p.m., Cayman Islands time, on the share record date of November 20, 2020 were present and voting in person or by proxy at the meeting.  Each shareholder has one vote for each ordinary share or 10,000 votes for each Class A preference share (together with the ordinary shares, the "Shares"). These Shares represented approximately 82.7% of the total outstanding votes represented by the Company’s total Shares outstanding at 5 p.m., Cayman Islands time, on the share record date. The Merger Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, were approved by approximately 93.6% of the total votes (voting as a single class) cast at the extraordinary general meeting.

Completion of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and the Company will work with the other parties towards meeting the closing conditions and completing the Merger in a timely manner. One such closing condition is holders of no more than 10% of the Shares having validly served and not having validly withdrawn a notice of dissent under the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands. Prior to the vote being taken at today’s extraordinary general meeting, the Company had received notices of objection from certain shareholders that in the aggregate hold more than 10% of the Shares. The Company will give notices of authorization to those objecting shareholders in due course as required by the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands. If those objecting shareholders that eventually validly deliver notices of dissent together hold more than 10% of the Shares, Parent will have the right to either waive this closing condition or not proceed with the Merger.

If and when the Merger is completed, the Company will become a private company and its shares will no longer be listed or traded on any stock exchange.

About SINA

SINA is a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities. Its digital media network of SINA.com (portal), SINA mobile (mobile portal and mobile apps) and Weibo (social media) enables internet users to access professional media and user generated content in multi-media formats from personal computers and mobile devices and share their interests with friends and acquaintances.

SINA.com offers distinct and targeted professional content on each of its region-specific websites and a full range of complementary offerings. SINA mobile provides news information, professional and entertainment content customized for mobile users through mobile applications and mobile portal site SINA.cn.

Weibo is a leading social media platform for people to create, distribute and discover content. Based on an open platform architecture, Weibo provides unprecedented and simple way for people and organizations to publicly express themselves in real time, interact with others on a massive global platform and stay connected with the world.

Through these properties and other product lines, SINA offers an array of online media and social media services to its users to create a rich canvas for businesses and advertisers to effectively connect and engage with their targeted audiences.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains statements that express the Company’s current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing" and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: uncertainties as to the expected benefits and costs of the proposed merger; the expected timing of the completion of the merger; the parties’ ability to complete the merger considering the various closing conditions; the possibility that financing may not be available; the possibility that various closing conditions to the merger may not be satisfied or waived; the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger or operational activities taken in anticipation of the merger on our business relationships, results of operations and business generally; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against us related to the Merger Agreement; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, as well as the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and the proxy statement filed by the Company in connection with the merger. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date of this press release. You should not rely upon these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contact

Investor Relations
SINA Corporation
Phone: +86 10 5898 3336
Email: ir@staff.sina.com.cn

Related Links :

http://www.sina.com

51job, Inc. Announces Results of Annual Shareholders Meeting

SHANGHAI, Dec. 23, 202051job, Inc. (Nasdaq: JOBS) ("51job" or the "Company"), a leading provider of integrated human resource services in China, announced the results of its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Shanghai today.

At the meeting, shareholders resolved to elect each of the following individuals to the Company’s Board of Directors until the close of its next annual general meeting of shareholders: Junichi Arai, David K. Chao, Li-Lan Cheng, Eric He, and Rick Yan. In addition, shareholders resolved to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2020.

About 51job

Founded in 1998, 51job is a leading provider of integrated human resource services in China. With a comprehensive suite of HR solutions, 51job meets the needs of enterprises and job seekers through the entire talent management cycle, from initial recruitment to employee retention and career development. The Company’s main online recruitment platforms (http://www.51job.com, http://www.yingjiesheng.com, http://www.51jingying.com, http://www.lagou.com, and http://www.51mdd.com), as well as mobile applications, connect millions of people with employment opportunities every day. 51job also provides a number of other value-added HR services, including business process outsourcing, training, professional assessment, campus recruitment, executive search and compensation analysis. 51job has a call center in Wuhan and a nationwide network of sales and service locations spanning more than 30 cities across China.

Related Links :

http://www.51job.com

China Distance Education Holdings Limited Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020

– Fourth Quarter 2020 Net Revenue was $65.5 Million, Exceeding Guidance –
Fourth Quarter 2020 Gross Profit was $36.7 Million, with Gross Margin of 56.0% –
Fourth Quarter 2020 Operating Income was $12.9 Million, with Operating Margin of 19.7% –
Fourth Quarter 2020 Net Income Attributable to CDEL was $4.9 Million, with Net Income Margin of 7.4% –

BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2020 — China Distance Education Holdings Limited (NYSE: DL) ("CDEL", or the "Company"), a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China, today announced unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020 ended September 30, 2020.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial and Operational Highlights

  • Net revenue decreased by 4.6% to $65.5 million from $68.7 million in the prior year period.
  • Total course enrollments were 931,500, a decrease of 17.7% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
  • Cash receipts from online course registration were $38.2 million, a 12.8% decrease from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
  • Gross profit decreased by 15.4% to $36.7 million from $43.4 million in the prior year period.
  • Non-GAAP[1] gross profit decreased by 15.3% to $36.8 million from $43.4 million in the prior year period.
  • Gross margin was 56.0%, compared with 63.2% in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] gross margin was 56.1%, compared with 63.2% in the prior year period.
  • Operating income decreased by 32.9% to $12.9 million from $19.2 million in the prior year period.
  • Non-GAAP[1] operating income decreased by 36.0% to $13.6 million from $21.2 million in the prior year period.
  • Net income attributable to CDEL was $4.9 million, compared with net income attributable to CDEL of $13.8 million in the prior year period.
  • Non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL was $6.2 million, compared with non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL of $18.6 million in the prior year period.
  • Basic and diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") attributable to CDEL were $0.144 and $0.143, respectively, compared with both basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to CDEL of $0.411, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Each ADS represents four ordinary shares.
  • Basic and diluted non-GAAP[1] net income per ADS attributable to CDEL were $0.185 and $0.184, respectively, compared with basic and diluted non-GAAP[1] net income per ADS attributable to CDEL of $0.558 and $0.554, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
  • Cash outflow from operations was $1.7 million, compared with cash inflow from operations of $20.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

Fiscal Year 2020 Financial and Operational Highlights

  • Net revenue decreased by 1.1% to $209.6 million from $211.8 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Total course enrollments were 4,255,000, an increase of 12.2% from fiscal year 2019.
  • Cash receipts from online course registration were $179.0 million, a 15.4% decrease from fiscal year 2019.
  • Gross profit increased by 0.8% to $108.0 million from $107.1 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Non-GAAP[1] gross profit increased by 0.9% to $108.1 million from $107.1 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Gross margin was 51.5%, compared with 50.6% in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] gross margin was 51.6%, compared with 50.6% in fiscal year 2019.
  • Operating income decreased by 17.8% to $18.8 million from $22.8 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Non-GAAP[1] operating income decreased by 18.8% to $21.4 million from $26.4 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Net income attributable to CDEL decreased by 50.9% to $10.4 million from $21.3 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL decreased by 50.3% to $13.7 million from $27.6 million in fiscal year 2019.
  • Both basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to CDEL were $0.309, compared with both basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to CDEL of $0.635 for fiscal year 2019.
  • Basic and diluted non-GAAP[1] net income per ADS attributable to CDEL were $0.410 and $0.406, respectively, compared with basic and diluted non-GAAP[1] net income per ADS attributable to CDEL of $0.830 and $0.823, respectively, for the fiscal year 2019.
  • Cash flow from operations decreased by 51.1% to $40.0 million from $81.8 million in the fiscal year 2019.

Mr. Zhengdong Zhu, Chairman and CEO of CDEL, said, "We concluded fiscal 2020 with fourth-quarter revenue of $65.5 million, exceeding the upper end of our guidance range. This quarter’s revenue outperformance was primarily driven by a less-severe than previously expected impact from the pandemic-related postponement or suspension of certain professional certification examinations. The appreciation of the Renminbi against U.S. dollar also contributed to the fourth quarter revenue performance. However, our cash receipts from online course registration have declined year-over-year for the past three consecutive quarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

"We believe in the long-term growth prospects of China’s online education industry and are well prepared to serve a growing student demographic. We remain dedicated to consistently delivering knowledge to an even broader student constituency and extending convenience, flexibility and engagement to their learning experiences. Meanwhile, we will continue to integrate cutting-edge technologies into our educational solutions, and diversify our course offerings to fulfill the needs of students at different stages of their study and career development. With our 20-year track record and an unwavering commitment to education, we have proven to be the premier partner of choice for students in their journey of lifelong learning," Mr. Zhu concluded.

Mr. Mark Marostica, Co-Chief Financial Officer of CDEL, added, "Despite our efforts to control costs amid revenue weakness stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, our fourth quarter non-GAAP operating profit declined year-over-year. With fiscal 2021 well underway, we remain committed to our balanced growth strategy, and deeply focused on improving both revenue growth and profitability."

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Results

Net Revenue. Total net revenue decreased by 4.6% to $65.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $68.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Net revenue from online education services, books and reference materials, and other sources contributed 78.4%, 9.6% and 12.0%, respectively, of total net revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Online education services. Net revenue from online education services increased by 3.9% to $51.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $49.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, mainly due to the revenue growth from the accounting vertical.

Books and reference materials. Net revenue from books and reference materials increased by 9.9% to $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily attributable to the publication of certain Legal Professional Qualification Examination books in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which were previously expected to be published in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Others. Net revenue from other sources decreased by 41.9% to $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $13.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily due to the significant decrease in revenue from the sale of college-related learning simulation software, and the significant decrease in the provision of offline training courses due to COVID-19.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased by 14.0% to $28.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $25.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP[1] cost of sales increased by 13.8% to $28.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $25.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. The increase in cost of sales was mainly due to the increase in cost of books and reference materials, and salaries. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in rental and related expenses, and lecture fees.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin. Gross profit was $36.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of 15.4% from $43.4 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] gross profit was $36.8 million, decreasing by 15.3% from $43.4 million in the prior year period. Gross margin was 56.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with 63.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP[1] gross margin was 56.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with 63.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by 5.3% to $26.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $24.7 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] total operating expenses increased by 11.8% to $25.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $22.7 million in the prior year period.

Selling expenses. Selling expenses increased by 8.9% to $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $16.1 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] selling expenses increased by 8.8% to $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $16.1 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by higher advertising and promotional expenses, and the increase in commission to agents. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in rental and related expenses.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 19.8% to $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $7.1 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] general and administrative expenses increased by 19.2% to $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, from $6.6 million in the prior year period. The increase was mainly due to the professional fees associated with the Company’s going private transaction. This increase was partially offset by the significant decrease in provision for doubtful debts, compared with the prior year period. In the prior year period, significant provision for doubtful debts was made mainly associated with the Company’s investee company, Hangzhou Wanting Technology Co., Ltd., and the sale of learning simulation software.

Impairment loss from long-term investments. Impairment loss from long-term investments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was $0.9 million, compared with $6.9 million in the prior year period, due to impairment of the value of the investee company, Beijing Xinrui Education Technology Co., Ltd.

Income Tax Expenses. Income tax expense decreased by 30.5% to $4.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 from $6.0 million in the prior year period, primarily due to the decrease in taxable income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Net Income Attributable to CDEL. As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to CDEL was $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with net income attributable to CDEL of $13.8 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL was $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL of $18.6 million in the prior year period.

Operating Cash Flow. Net operating cash outflow was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with net operating cash inflow of $20.0 million in the prior year period. The operating cash outflow was mainly attributable to the decrease in deferred revenue, and partially due to the decrease in cash receipts from online course registration, lease liability, and the decrease/increase in amount due to/from related parties. The operating cash outflow was partially offset by net income before non-cash items generated in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the decrease in inventories, and the increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities, and income tax payable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Term Deposits, Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments. Cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments as of September 30, 2020 increased by 0.9% to $134.9 million from $133.7 million as of June 30, 2020, mainly due to the appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. The increase was partially offset by (i) the operating cash flow used in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, (ii) the capital expenditure of $1.9 million, (iii) the repayment of an onshore loan of $3.3 million, and (iv) the dividend distribution by an affiliated entity to its noncontrolling interests’ shareholders of $1.7 million.

Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results

Net Revenue. Total net revenue decreased by 1.1% to $209.6 million in fiscal year 2020 from $211.8 million in fiscal year 2019. Net revenue from online education services, books and reference materials, and other sources contributed 76.0%, 10.6% and 13.4%, respectively, of total net revenues for fiscal year 2020.

Online education services. Net revenue from online education services increased by 9.2% to $159.3 million in fiscal year 2020 from $145.9 million in fiscal year 2019.

Books and reference materials. Net revenue from books and reference materials decreased by 19.4% to $22.1 million in fiscal year 2020 from $27.4 million in fiscal year 2019.

Others. Net revenue from other sources decreased by 26.9% to $28.2 million in fiscal year 2020 from $38.5 million in fiscal year 2019.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales decreased by 3.0% to $101.6 million in fiscal year 2020 from $104.7 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] cost of sales decreased by 3.1% to $101.5 million in fiscal year 2020, from $104.7 million in fiscal year 2019.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin. Gross profit was $108.0 million in fiscal year 2020, up 0.8% from $107.1 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] gross profit was $108.1 million, increasing by 0.9% from $107.1 million in fiscal year 2019. Gross margin was 51.5% in fiscal year 2020, compared with 50.6% in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] gross margin was 51.6% in fiscal year 2020, compared with 50.6% in fiscal year 2019.

Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by 8.5% to $95.3 million in fiscal year 2020, from $87.9 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] total operating expenses increased by 10.0% to $92.8 million in fiscal year 2020, from $84.4 million in fiscal year 2019.

Selling expenses. Selling expenses increased by 13.6% to $69.8 million in fiscal year 2020 from $61.5 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] selling expenses increased by 13.6% to $69.8 million in fiscal year 2020, from $61.5 million in fiscal year 2019.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 2.2% to $25.5 million in fiscal year 2020 from $24.9 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] general and administrative expenses increased by 0.5% to $23.1 million in fiscal year 2020, from $22.9 million in fiscal year 2019.

Impairment loss from long-term investments. Impairment loss from long-term investments in fiscal 2020 was $0.9 million, compared with $6.9 million in fiscal year 2019, due to impairment of the value of the investee company, Beijing Xinrui Education Technology Co., Ltd.

Income Tax Expenses. Income tax expense was $5.5 million in fiscal year 2020, compared with income tax expense of $8.1 million in fiscal year 2019.

Net Income Attributable to CDEL. As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to CDEL was $10.4 million in fiscal year 2020, compared with net income attributable to CDEL of $21.3 million in fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL was $13.7 million in fiscal year 2020, compared with non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to CDEL of $27.6 million in fiscal year 2019.

Operating Cash Flow. Net operating cash inflow decreased by 51.1% to $40.0 million in fiscal year 2020 from $81.8 million in fiscal year 2019.

China Distance Education Holdings Limited Enters into Definitive Merger Agreement for Going Private Transaction

On December 1, 2020, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Champion Distance Education Investments Limited ("Parent") and China Distance Learning Investments Limited ("Merger Sub"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger"), in a transaction in which the Company will be acquired by a group of certain of the Company’s existing shareholders (including Mr. Zhu, Ms. Baohong Yin, co-founder of the Company, deputy chairman of the Board and the spouse of Mr. Zhu, and their affiliated entity) and certain other existing shareholders of the Company and equity investors. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, all outstanding ordinary shares of the Company (each, an "Ordinary Share"), including Ordinary Shares represented by American depositary shares, each representing four Ordinary Shares ("ADSs"), other than Excluded Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and ADSs representing Excluded Shares, will be cancelled in exchange for the right of the holders thereof to receive $2.45 in cash per Ordinary Share, or $9.80 in cash per ADS.

The Company cautions its shareholders and others considering trading in its securities that there remain risks and uncertainties with respect to the Merger, including the possibility that the Merger will not occur as planned if events arise that result in the termination of the Merger Agreement, or if one or more of the various closing conditions to the Merger are not satisfied or waived or if requisite shareholder approval is not obtained, and other risks and uncertainties regarding the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

[1] For more information about the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this press release, please see "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

About China Distance Education Holdings Limited

China Distance Education Holdings Limited is a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China. The courses offered by the Company through its websites are designed to help professionals seeking to obtain and maintain professional licenses and to enhance their job skills through our professional development courses in China in the areas of accounting, healthcare, engineering & construction, legal and other industries. The Company also offers online test preparation courses for self-taught learners pursuing higher education diplomas or degrees, and practical accounting training courses for college students and working professionals. In addition, the Company provides business services to corporate clients, including but not limited to tax advisory and accounting outsourcing services. For further information, please visit http://ir.cdeledu.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under 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," "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expect," "predict," "anticipate," "future," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "estimate" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement, the Company’s strategic and operational plans (in particular, the impact of COVID-19 on our businesses including the postponement or suspension of certain professional certification examinations; balancing growth and profitability; the growth prospects of online professional education in China; as well as the anticipated benefits of our strategic growth initiatives, including the promotion of the Company’s life-long learning ecosystem) as well as the risks and uncertainties of the Merger, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic and annual reports to the SEC, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’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: the impact of COVID-19, together with the postponement or suspension of certain professional certification examinations; the results and impact of the Merger; our goals and growth strategies; future prospects and market acceptance of our courses and other products and services; our future business development and results of operations; projected revenues, profits, earnings and other estimated financial information; projected enrollment numbers; our plans to expand and enhance our courses and other products and services; anticipated benefits of acquisition or disposal of businesses, competition in the education and test preparation markets; and Chinese laws, regulations and policies, including those applicable to the Internet, Internet content providers, the education and telecommunications industries, mergers and acquisitions, taxation and foreign exchange.

Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed or furnished with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Statement Regarding Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set forth in this press release is preliminary and subject to adjustments. Adjustments to the financial statements may be identified when audit work is performed for the year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP net income attributable to CDEL, operating income, gross profit, cost of sales, selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, net income margin attributable to CDEL, operating margin, gross profit margin, and basic and diluted earnings per ADS and per share attributable to CDEL. 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 comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses, impairment loss from long-term investments net of noncontrolling interests and taxes calculated using specific tax treatments applicable to the adjustments based on their respective jurisdictions, and impairment of goodwill. However, non-GAAP financial measures may not be indicative of the Company’s operating performance from a cash perspective. The Company 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 the Company’s historical performance and liquidity. The Company computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter. The Company 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 excluding share-based compensation expenses, impairment loss from long-term investments net of noncontrolling interests and taxes calculated using specific tax treatments applicable to the adjustments based on their respective jurisdictions, and impairment of goodwill from the above-mentioned line items and presenting these non-GAAP measures is that such items may continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in our business. Management compensates for this limitation by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying table at the end of this release provides more detail on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

Contacts:

In China:

China Distance Education Holdings Limited
Jiao Jiao
Tel: +86-10-8231-9999 ext. 1826
Email: IR@cdeledu.com

The Piacente Group, Inc. 
Jenny Cai 
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: dl@tpg-ir.com

In the United States: 

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1 212-481-2050
Email: dl@tpg-ir.com

 

 

(Financial Tables on Following Pages)

 

 

China Distance Education Holdings Limited

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands of US Dollars, except number of shares and per share data)

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2020

(Derived from Audited)

(Unaudited)

Assets:

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

67,977

80,056

Term deposits

13,440

Restricted cash

38,358

4,212

Short term investments

22,118

20,343

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of US$1,864 and
US$1,282 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively

7,330

6,154

Inventories

4,232

4,863

Prepayment and other current assets

26,732

31,316

Amounts due from related parties

515

3,580

Deferred costs

1,427

1,657

Total current assets

168,689

165,621

Non-current assets:

Restricted cash

16,849

Property, plant and equipment, net

37,935

42,331

Operating lease right of use asset

30,029

Goodwill, net

74,829

78,966

Long term investments

25,379

26,324

Other intangible assets, net

30,113

23,161

Deposit for purchase of non-current assets

4,448

2,186

Deferred tax assets

3,865

5,690

Other non-current assets

10,092

7,490

Total non-current assets

186,661

233,026

Total assets

355,350

398,647

Liabilities and equity:

Current liabilities:

Bank borrowings

38,502

4,012

Accrued expenses and other liabilities (including accrued expenses and other
liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to China Distance Education
Holdings Limited of US$49,232 and US$35,491 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019,
respectively)

38,267

55,454

Amount due to related parties

600

1,309

Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated VIE without
recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited of US$14,451 and
US$8,188 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

10,899

17,378

Deferred revenue – current portion (including deferred revenue of the consolidated
VIE without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited of US$104,929
and US$93,364 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

94,202

105,953

Refundable fees – current portion (including refundable fees of the consolidated VIE
without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited of US$1,729 and
US$435 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

435

1,729

Operating lease liability – current portion (including operating lease liability of the
consolidated VIE without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited
of US$3,835 and nil as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

4,160

Total current liabilities

182,905

189,995

Non-current liabilities:

Deferred revenue – non-current portion (including deferred revenue of the
consolidated VIE without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited
of US$33,928 and US$33,564 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

33,564

33,928

Refundable fees – non-current portion (including refundable fees of the consolidated
VIE without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings Limited of US$2,602
and US$2,440 as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

2,440

2,602

Deferred tax liabilities

12,695

6,088

Long-term bank borrowing

16,000

Operating lease liability – non-current portion (including operating lease liability of
the consolidated VIE without recourse to China Distance Education Holdings
Limited of US$22,749 and nil as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)

23,089

Total non-current liabilities

48,699

81,707

Total liabilities

231,604

271,702

 

Equity:

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized;
135,320,433 and 134,210,745 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020
and 2019, respectively)

13

14

Additional paid-in capital

24,507

27,318

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(12,357)

(833)

Retained Earnings

60,668

51,477

Total China Distance Education Holdings Limited shareholder’s equity

72,831

77,976

Noncontrolling interests

50,915

48,969

Total equity

123,746

126,945

Total liabilities and equity

355,350

398,647

 

 

China Distance Education Holdings Limited

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations

 (in thousands of US dollars, except number of shares, per share and per ADS data)

Three Months Ended September 30,

2019

2020

Sales, net of value-added tax and related surcharges:

Online education services

49,467

51,399

Books and reference materials

5,740

6,310

Others

13,484

7,837

–  Sale of learning simulation software

3,366

2,225

–  Business start-up training services

483

331

–  Others

9,635

5,281

Total net revenues

68,691

65,546

Cost of sales

Cost of services and others

(22,791)

(24,080)

Cost of tangible goods sold

(2,492)

(4,740)

Total cost of sales

(25,283)

(28,820)

Gross profit

43,408

36,726

Operating expenses

Selling expenses

(16,133)

(17,574)

General and administrative expenses

(7,064)

(8,462)

Impairment of goodwill

(1,517)

Total operating expenses

(24,714)

(26,036)

Other operating income

535

2,222

Operating income 

19,229

12,912

Impairment loss from long-term investments

(6,920)

(910)

Interest income

493

603

Interest expense

(525)

(120)

Exchange gain (loss)

3,399

(4,107)

Income before income taxes

15,676

8,378

Income tax expense

(6,044)

(4,201)

(Loss) gain from equity method investments

(465)

292

Net income

9,167

4,469

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(4,602)

(396)

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

13,769

4,865

 

Net income per share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
Limited:

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited 
shareholders

Basic

0.103

0.036

Diluted

0.103

0.036

 

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
Limited:

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited 
shareholders

Basic

0.411

0.144

Diluted

0.411

0.143

Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per share
attributable to
China Distance Education Holdings Limited:

Basic

133,399,392

134,510,192

Diluted

134,333,486

135,537,758

 

 

China Distance Education Holdings Limited

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations

 (in thousands of US dollars, except number of shares, per share and per ADS data)

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2020

Sales, net of value-added tax and related surcharges:

Online education services

145,917

159,338

Books and reference materials

27,372

22,061

Others

38,533

28,159

–  Sale of learning simulation software

12,996

9,520

–  Business start-up training services

2,741

2,158

–  Others

22,796

16,481

Total net revenues

211,822

209,558

Cost of sales

Cost of services and others

(85,252)

(81,976)

Cost of tangible goods sold

(19,489)

(19,622)

Total cost of sales

(104,741)

(101,598)

Gross profit

107,081

107,960

Operating expenses

Selling expenses

(61,460)

(69,848)

General and administrative expenses

(24,919)

(25,478)

Impairment of goodwill

(1,517)

Total operating expenses

(87,896)

(95,326)

Change in fair value in connection with business combination

695

Other operating income

2,968

6,155

Operating income 

22,848

18,789

Impairment loss from long-term investments

(6,920)

(910)

Interest income

2,207

2,555

Interest expense

(2,819)

(1,021)

Gain from disposal of an investment

318

Gain from deconsolidation of a subsidiary

6,869

Exchange gain (loss)

3,296

(5,261)

Income before income taxes

25,799

14,152

Income tax expense

(8,121)

(5,460)

Loss from equity method investments

(1,484)

(555)

Net income

16,194

8,137

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(5,060)

(2,293)

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

21,254

10,430

 

Net income per share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
Limited:

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited 
shareholders

Basic

0.159

0.077

Diluted

0.159

0.077

 

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
Limited:

Net income attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited 
shareholders

Basic

0.635

0.309

Diluted

0.635

0.309

Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per share 
attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited:

Basic

133,060,900

133,984,929

Diluted

134,138,117

135,232,224

 

 

China Distance Education Holdings Limited

Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP measures

(In thousands of US Dollars, except number of shares, per share and per ADS data)

Three Months Ended September 30,

2019

2020

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Cost of sales

25,283

28,820

Share-based compensation expense in cost of sales

45

Non-GAAP cost of sales

25,283

28,775

Selling expenses

16,133

17,574

Share-based compensation expense in selling expenses

18

Non-GAAP selling expenses

16,133

17,556

General and administrative expenses

7,064

8,462

Share-based compensation expense in general and administrative expenses

490

626

Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses

6,574

7,836

Gross profit

43,408

36,726

Share-based compensation expenses

45

Non-GAAP gross profit

43,408

36,771

Gross profit margin

63.2%

56.0%

Non-GAAP gross profit margin

63.2%

56.1%

Operating income

19,229

12,912

Share-based compensation expenses

490

689

Impairment of goodwill

1,517

Non-GAAP operating income

21,236

13,601

Operating margin

28.0%

19.7%

Non-GAAP operating margin

30.9%

20.8%

Net income attributable to CDEL

13,769

4,865

Share-based compensation expenses

490

689

Impairment loss from long-term investments, net of tax effect of US$228 and nil
     for the year ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively

6,920

682

Impairment of goodwill

1,517

Noncontrolling interests impact on adjustments

(4,094)

Non-GAAP net income attributable to CDEL

18,602

6,237

Net income margin attributable to CDEL

20.0%

7.4%

Non-GAAP net income margin attributable to CDEL

27.1%

9.5%

Net income per share attributable to CDEL—basic

0.103

0.036

Net income per share attributable to CDEL—diluted

0.103

0.036

Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to CDEL—basic

0.139

0.046

Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to CDEL—diluted

0.138

0.046

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited
     shareholders—basic (note 1)

0.411

0.144

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited
     shareholders—diluted (note 1)

0.411

0.143

Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education
     Holdings Limited shareholders—basic (note 1)

0.558

0.185

Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education
    Holdings Limited shareholders—diluted (note 1)

0.554

0.184

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic net income per share
     attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

133,399,392

134,510,192

Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted net income per share
    attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

134,333,486

135,537,758

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic non-GAAP net income per
    share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

133,399,392

134,510,192

Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted non-GAAP net income per
    share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

134,333,486

135,537,758

Note 1: Each ADS represents four ordinary shares.

 

 

China Distance Education Holdings Limited

Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP measures

(In thousands of US Dollars, except number of shares, per share and per ADS data)

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2020

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Cost of sales

104,741

101,598

Share-based compensation expense in cost of sales

23

139

Non-GAAP cost of sales

104,718

101,459

Selling expenses

61,460

69,848

Share-based compensation expense in selling expenses

10

58

Non-GAAP selling expenses

61,450

69,790

General and administrative expenses

24,919

25,478

Share-based compensation expense in general and administrative expenses

1,972

2,421

Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses

22,947

23,057

Gross profit

107,081

107,960

Share-based compensation expenses

23

139

Non-GAAP gross profit

107,104

108,099

Gross profit margin

50.6%

51.5%

Non-GAAP gross profit margin

50.6%

51.6%

Operating income

22,848

18,789

Share-based compensation expenses

2,005

2,618

Impairment of goodwill

1,517

Non-GAAP operating income

26,370

21,407

Operating margin

10.8%

9.0%

Non-GAAP operating margin

12.4%

10.2%

Net income attributable to CDEL

21,254

10,430

Share-based compensation expenses

2,005

2,618

Impairment loss from long-term investments, net of tax effect of US$228 and
     nil for the year ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively

6,920

682

Impairment of goodwill

1,517

Noncontrolling interests impact on adjustments

(4,094)

Non-GAAP net income attributable to CDEL

27,602

13,730

Net income margin attributable to CDEL

10.0%

5.0%

Non-GAAP net income margin attributable to CDEL

13.0%

6.6%

Net income per share attributable to CDEL—basic

0.159

0.077

Net income per share attributable to CDEL—diluted

0.159

0.077

Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to CDEL—basic

0.207

0.102

Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to CDEL—diluted

0.206

0.102

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
     Limited shareholders—basic (note 1)

0.635

0.309

Net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education Holdings
     Limited shareholders—diluted (note 1)

0.635

0.309

Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education
     Holdings Limited shareholders—basic (note 1)

0.830

0.410

Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to China Distance Education
     Holdings Limited shareholders—diluted (note 1)

0.823

0.406

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic net income per share
     attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

133,060,900

133,984,929

Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted net income per share
     attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

134,138,117

135,232,224

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic non-GAAP net income per
     share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

133,060,900

133,984,929

Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted non-GAAP net income per
     share attributable to China Distance Education Holdings Limited

134,138,117

135,232,224

Note 1: Each ADS represents four ordinary shares

 

 

500.com Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results For the Third Quarter ended September 30, 2020

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 21, 2020 — 500.com Limited (NYSE: WBAI) ("500.com," "the Company," "we," "us," "our company," or "our"), an online sports lottery service provider in China, today reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Resumption of Operations in Sweden

The Multi Group ("TMG"), a Malta-based subsidiary of the Company, has temporarily suspended its operations in Sweden in early 2020 as TMG did not complete the renewal of its e-Gaming license before it expired. The Company promptly issued a Current Report on Form 6-K dated January 13, 2020 regarding this situation, and provided an update through another Current Report on Form 6-K dated February 20, 2020. After submitting all the application materials and maintaining close communication with Sweden’s e-Gaming regulatory authority, TMG completed the renewal process and resumed its operations in Sweden in September 2020. The Company’s revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 have been, and for the fiscal year of 2020 are expected to be, materially and adversely impacted by the temporary suspension of TMG’s operations in Sweden. Revenue generated by TMG accounted for approximately 89.7% of the Company’s total net revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, of which approximately 61.3% was generated from Sweden.

Completion of Internal Investigation

On December 31, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") had formed a Special Investigation Committee (the "SIC") to internally investigate alleged illegal money transfers and the role played by consultants following the arrest of one consultant (also a former director of the Company’s subsidiary in Japan) and two former consultants by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. On January 16, 2020, the Company announced that the SIC had retained King & Wood Mallesons LLP ("KWM") as its legal advisor to assist with its internal investigation.

On October 7, 2020, the Company announced that the SIC of the Company’s Board completed its internal investigation. 

KWM presented its investigation review to SIC on October 7, 2020. Based on the findings and analyses in KWM’s review, the SIC has concluded that it did not find a sufficient basis to establish a violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 in connection with the Company’s prior activities in Japan. The SIC has also reviewed the Company’s compliance policies, procedures and internal controls in light of the suggestions from KWM. The Company has updated such policies, procedures and internal controls based on recommendations from the SIC, and will continue to enhance its internal controls as appropriate.

Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019

The Company previously filed a Form 12b-25 with the SEC on June 15, 2020 for late filing of its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Annual Report"), pursuant to which the 2019 Annual Report was due to be filed by June 30, 2020. The Company expects to file the 2019 Annual Report (i) upon completion of the previously announced internal investigation being conducted by the SIC of the Company’s Board, with the assistance of KWM, (ii) once the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 are finalized, (iii) once the Company has completed the assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, and (iv) once the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has completed its audit of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.

The Company also reports that on July 1, 2020, the Company received an expected notice from New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Regulation stating that the Company is not in compliance with the NYSE’s continued listing requirements under the timely filing criteria pursuant to Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file the 2019 Annual Report with the SEC. As required by the notice, (a) a representative of the Company contacted the NYSE on July 1, 2020 to discuss the status of the 2019 Annual Report, and (b) the Company is issuing this press release, disclosing the status of the 2019 Annual Report, noting the delay and the reason for the delay, as mentioned above. The anticipated filing date of the 2019 Annual Report is not known at this time.

NYSE Regulation notified the Company that the NYSE will closely monitor the status of the Company’s late filing and related public disclosures for up to a six-month period from the due date of the 2019 Annual Report. If the Company fails to file its annual report and any subsequent delayed filings within six months from the filing due date, the NYSE may, in its sole discretion, allow the Company’s securities to trade for up to an additional six months depending on specific circumstances, as outlined in Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

The Company intends to meet the filing deadline of six months from the filing due date of the 2019 Annual Report, or December 31, 2020.

Suspension of Online Sports Lottery Sales in China

All provincial sports lottery administration centers to which the Company provided sports lottery sales services have suspended accepting online purchase orders for lottery products in response to the Notice related to Self-Inspection and Self-Remedy of Unauthorized Online Lottery Sales (the "Self-Inspection Notice"), which was jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports of the People’s Republic of China on January 15, 2015. In response to the Self-Inspection Notice, on April 4, 2015, the Company decided to voluntarily suspend all online lottery sales services. As a result of the provincial sport lottery administration centers’ decision to suspend accepting online lottery orders and the Company’s voluntary suspension of all online sports lottery sales services in China, the Company has not generated any revenue from these services since April 2015.

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights

  • Net revenues were RMB6.1 million (US$0.9 million), compared with net revenues of RMB3.6 million for the second quarter of 2020, and net revenues of RMB9.8 million for the third quarter of 2019.
  • Operating loss was RMB50.2 million (US$7.4 million), compared with operating loss of RMB52.3 million for the second quarter of 2020, and operating loss of RMB98.4 million for the third quarter of 2019.
  • Non-GAAP[1] operating loss was RMB37.6 million (US$5.5 million), compared with non-GAAP operating loss of RMB33.7 million for the second quarter of 2020, and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB52.3 million for the third quarter of 2019.
  • Net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB44.0 million (US$6.5 million), compared with net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB86.3 million for the second quarter of 2020, and net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB95.8 million for the third quarter of 2019.
  • Non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB31.6 million (US$4.7 million), compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB34.0 million for the second quarter of 2020, and non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB49.7 million for the third quarter of 2019.
  • Basic and diluted losses per ADS were RMB1.02 (US$0.15).
  • Non-GAAP basic and diluted losses per ADS were RMB0.73 (US$0.11).

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues were RMB6.1 million (US$0.9 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing a decrease of RMB3.7 million or 37.8% from RMB9.8 million for the third quarter of 2019 and an increase of RMB2.5 million or 69.4% from RMB3.6 million for the second quarter of 2020. Net revenues during the third quarter of 2020 primarily consisted of RMB3.3 million (EUR0.4 million) in revenue contribution from the Company’s online lottery betting and online casino in Europe through TMG, which accounted for 54.1% of total net revenues. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB6.0 million resulting from the temporary suspension of operations in Sweden in 2020, which was partially offset by an increase of RMB2.8 million in sports information services in China started in early 2020.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB56.2 million (US$8.3 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing a decrease of RMB23.0 million or 29.0% from RMB79.2 million for the third quarter of 2019, and an increase of RMB1.1 million or 2.0% from RMB55.1 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB19.0 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen and the termination of office leases in Hong Kong and Japan due to closure of subsidiaries’ local offices , a decrease of RMB10.3 million in expenses for employees as a result of decrease in headcount, a decrease of RMB6.8 million mainly in amortization associated with full impairment of acquired intangible assets in 2019, a decrease of RMB2.6 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees, a decrease of RMB2.2 million in travelling expenses, a decrease of RMB1.3 million in marketing and promotional expenses relating to a change in TMG’s marketing strategy, a decrease of RMB1.2 million in office expenses, a decrease of RMB2.2 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with the temporary suspension of its online lottery and online casino operations in Sweden, and a decrease of RMB1.7 million in platform service costs, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB18.8 million mainly in depreciation associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen, an increase of RMB4.4 million in consulting expenses, and an increase of RMB1.6 million for bad debt provision of receivables. The sequential increase was mainly due to an increase of RMB17.8 million mainly in depreciation associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen, an increase of RMB3.3 million in consulting expenses, and an increase of RMB1.8 million for bad debt provision of receivables, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB14.7 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen, a decrease of RMB6.0 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees, and a decrease of RMB0.6 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG.

Cost of services was RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing a decrease of RMB12.3 million or 76.4% from RMB16.1 million for the third quarter of 2019, and a slight decrease of RMB0.8 million or 17.4% from RMB4.6 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB6.8 million in amortization mainly associated with full impairment of acquired intangible assets in 2019, a decrease of RMB2.2 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with the temporary suspension of its online lottery and online casino operations in Sweden, a decrease of RMB1.7 million in platform service costs, and a decrease of RMB0.7 million in office expenses. The sequential decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB0.6 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB4.2 million (US$0.6 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing a decrease of RMB4.8 million or 53.3% from RMB9.0 million for the third quarter of 2019, and a slight decrease of RMB0.8 million or 16.0% from RMB5.0 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB2.8 million in expenses for employees, a decrease of RMB1.3 million in marketing and promotional expenses relating to a change in TMG’s marketing strategy, and a decrease of RMB0.5 million in travelling expenses, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB0.4 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB0.3 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees.

General and administrative expenses were RMB46.4 million (US$6.8 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing an increase of RMB3.3 million or 7.7% from RMB43.1 million for the third quarter of 2019, and an increase of RMB11.0 million or 31.1% from RMB35.4 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase of RMB19.1 million mainly in depreciation associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen, an increase of RMB4.6 million in consulting expenses, and an increase of RMB1.6 million for bad debt provision of receivables, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB10.3 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen and the termination of office leases in Hong Kong and Japan due to closure of the subsidiaries’ local offices , a decrease of RMB6.3 million in expenses for employees, a decrease of RMB3.5 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees, and a decrease of RMB1.7 million in travelling expenses. The sequential increase was mainly due to an increase of RMB18.2 million mainly in depreciation associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen, an increase of RMB3.4 million in consulting expenses, and an increase of RMB1.8 million for bad debt provision of receivables, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB7.4 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen and a decrease of RMB4.6 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees.

Service development expenses were RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million) for the third quarter of 2020, representing a decrease of RMB9.3 million or 83.8% from RMB11.1 million for the third quarter of 2019, and a decrease of RMB8.3 million or 82.2% from RMB10.1 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB8.5 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen and a decrease of RMB1.2 million in expenses for employees, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB0.5 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB7.2 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of office lease in Shenzhen and a decrease of RMB1.1 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees.

Impairments of Goodwill and Acquired Intangible assets

The impairments of goodwill and acquired intangible assets were related to the Company’s acquisition of TMG, which were triggered by TMG’s temporary suspension of its operations in Sweden.

Impairment of goodwill was RMB30.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. There was no additional impairment of goodwill for the second and third quarters of 2020 as the related goodwill and intangible assets were fully impaired as of December 31, 2019.

Operating Loss

Operating loss was RMB50.2 million (US$7.4 million) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with operating loss of RMB98.4 million for the third quarter of 2019, and operating loss of RMB52.3 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to (i) an impairment provision of RMB30.9 million provided for goodwill during the third quarter of 2019, there was no such impairment during the third quarter of 2020, and (ii) a decrease of RMB23.0 million in operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management, which was partially offset by a decrease of RMB3.7 million in revenue.

Non-GAAP operating loss was RMB37.6 million (US$5.5 million) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of RMB52.3 million for the third quarter of 2019, and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB33.7 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB20.4 million in Non-GAAP operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management, which was partially offset by a decrease of RMB3.7 million in revenue.

Net Loss Attributable to 500.com

Net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB44.0 million (US$6.5 million) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB95.8 million for the third quarter of 2019, and net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB86.3 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to (i) an impairment provision of RMB30.9 million provided for goodwill during the third quarter of 2019, there was no such impairment for the third quarter of 2020, and (ii) a decrease of RMB23.0 million in operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB3.7 million in revenue. The sequential decrease was mainly due to (i) an impairment provision of RMB33.7 million provided for long-term investment in Loto Interactive Limited during the second quarter of 2020, which was calculated based on the last reported sale price on June 30, 2020, there was no such impairment for the third quarter of 2020, (ii) a decrease of RMB6.0 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company’s employees, and (iii) an increase of RMB2.5 million in revenue.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB31.6 million (US$4.7 million) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB49.7 million for the third quarter of 2019, and non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB34.0 million for the second quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB20.4 million in Non-GAAP operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management, which was partially offset by a decrease of RMB3.7 million in revenue. The sequential decrease was mainly attributable to an increase of RMB2.5 million in revenue.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Time Deposits and Short-term Investments

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB278.4 million (US$41.0 million), restricted cash[2] of RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million), time deposit[3] of RMB0.2 million and short-term investment[4] of RMB50.0 million (US$7.4 million), compared with cash and cash equivalents of RMB295.5 million, restricted cash of RMB4.6 million, time deposits of RMB0.2 million and short-term investments of RMB50.0 million as of June 30, 2020.

Prepayments and Other Current Assets

As of September 30, 2020, the balance of prepayment and other current assets was RMB23.5 million (US$3.5 million), compared with RMB24.9 million as of June 30, 2020. The balance as of September 30, 2020 mainly included: (i) the current portion of deferred expenses of RMB3.1 million (US$0.5 million); (ii) receivables from third party payment providers of RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million); (iii) deposit receivables of RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million); (iv) receivables of consideration from disposal of subsidiaries of RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million); (v) deductible value added input tax of RMB11.7 million (US$1.7 million); and (vi) other receivables of RMB6.2 million (US$0.9 million).

Business Outlook

The Company does not expect to issue any earnings forecast until it receives clear instructions as to the resumption date of online sports lottery sales from the Ministry of Finance.

Currency Convenience Translation

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the exchange rate of RMB6.7896 to US$1.00, as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on September 30, 2020, and all translations from Renminbi to Euros were made at the exchange rate of RMB7.9038 to EUR1.00, which was the average of the month-end exchange rates as set forth in the statistical release of State Administration of Foreign Exchange at the end of each month in 2020.

About 500.com Limited

500.com Limited (NYSE: WBAI) is an online sports lottery service provider in China. The Company offers a comprehensive and integrated suite of online lottery services, information, user tools and virtual community venues to its users. 500.com was among the first companies to provide online lottery services in China, and is one of two entities that have been approved by the Ministry of Finance to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of the China Sports Lottery Administration Center, which is the government authority that is in charge of the issuance and sale of sports lottery products in China.

Safe Harbor Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, which are adjusted from results based on U.S. GAAP to exclude share-based compensation expenses in the Company’s consolidated affiliated entities. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP financial measures are set forth in table at the end of this release, which provide more details on the non-GAAP financial measures.

Non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of the Company’s continuing operations and prospects for the future. Non-GAAP financial information should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP results. In addition, calculations of this non-GAAP financial information may be different from calculations used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

[1] Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of share-based compensation expenses, impairment of acquired intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, impairment of long-term investments and deferred tax benefit relating to valuation allowance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP financial measures are set forth in the table at the end of this release.

[2] Restricted cash represents: (i) government grants received but pending final clearance; and (ii) deposits in merchant banks yet to be withdrawn.

[3] Time deposit represents deposits in commercial banks with original maturities of greater than three months but less than a year.

[4] Short-term investment represents investments in structured financial products provided by financial institutions in the PRC with an initial maturity of six months.

For more information, please contact:

500.com Limited

ir@500wan.com

Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com

In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com

 

 

 

500.com Limited
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$"), except for number of shares)

December 31,
2019

September 30,
2020

September 30,
2020

RMB

RMB

US$

Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

361,220

278,391

41,003

Restricted cash

4,576

2,437

359

Time deposits

23,849

200

29

Short-term investments

50,000

7,364

 Amounts due from related parties

10,401

560

82

Prepayments and other current assets

30,280

23,467

3,456

Total current assets

430,326

355,055

52,293

Non-current assets:

Property and equipment, net

64,112

22,828

3,362

Intangible assets, net

4,505

2,765

407

Deposits

5,388

1,516

223

Long-term investments

152,954

110,336

16,251

Right-of-use assets

36,607

6,327

932

Other non-current assets

1,887

1,664

245

Total non-current assets

265,453

145,436

21,420

TOTAL ASSETS

695,779

500,491

73,713

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Current liabilities:

 Accrued payroll and welfare payable

6,879

21

3

 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

51,398

57,157

8,418

 Income tax payable

2,213

547

81

 Operating lease liabilities – current

16,672

3,802

560

Total current liabilities

77,162

61,527

9,062

Non-current liabilities:

 Long-term payables

2,965

604

89

 Deferred tax liabilities

59

 Operating lease liabilities – non-current

31,675

2,989

440

Total non-current liabilities

34,699

3,593

529

TOTAL LIABILITIES

111,861

65,120

9,591

Redeemable noncontrolling interest 

14,849

Shareholders’ Equity:

Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share,
700,000,000 shares authorized as of  December 31, 2019
and September 30, 2020; 420,001,792 and 430,014,792
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019
and September 30, 2020, respectively

145

148

22

Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share;
300,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2019
and September 30, 2020; 10,000,099 and 99 shares issued
and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and September
30, 2020, respectively

6

3

Additional paid-in capital

2,547,293

2,583,689

380,536

Treasury shares

(143,780)

(143,780)

(21,177)

Accumulated deficit

(1,960,692)

(2,127,811)

(313,393)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

141,484

136,278

20,072

Total 500.com Limited shareholders’ equity

584,456

448,527

66,060

Noncontrolling interests

(15,387)

(13,156)

(1,938)

Total shareholders’ equity

569,069

435,371

64,122

TOTAL LIABILITIES, NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

695,779

500,491

73,713

 

 

 

500.com Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$"),
 except for number of shares, per share (or ADS) data)

 Three Months Ended 

September 30,
2019

June 30,
2020

September 30,
2020

September 30,
2020

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

Net Revenues

9,763

3,648

6,145

905

Operating costs and expenses:

    Cost of services

(16,096)

(4,616)

(3,824)

(563)

    Sales and marketing expenses

(8,980)

(4,998)

(4,158)

(612)

    General and administrative expenses

(43,080)

(35,373)

(46,401)

(6,834)

    Service development expenses

(11,072)

(10,070)

(1,840)

(271)

Total operating expenses

(79,228)

(55,057)

(56,223)

(8,280)

    Other operating income 

1,233

453

487

72

    Government grant

264

172

246

36

    Other operating expenses

465

(1,553)

(892)

(131)

    Impairment of goodwill

(30,916)

Operating loss from continuing operations

(98,419)

(52,337)

(50,237)

(7,398)

    Other expenses (income), net

(1)

1,116

(2)

    Interest income

3,289

2,554

2,225

328

    (Loss) income from equity method investments

(699)

(2,769)

4,338

639

    Impairment of long-term investments

(33,706)

249

37

Loss before income tax

(95,830)

(85,142)

(43,427)

(6,394)

    Income tax benefit

230

60

Net loss from continuing operations

(95,600)

(85,082)

(43,427)

(6,394)

    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

189

1,236

546

80

Net loss attributable to 500.com Limited

(95,789)

(86,318)

(43,973)

(6,474)

Other comprehensive loss

    Changes in unrealized gain

436

739

109

    Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

10,195

(415)

(7,661)

(1,128)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

10,195

21

(6,922)

(1,019)

Comprehensive loss

(85,405)

(85,061)

(50,349)

(7,413)

    Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Redeemable
noncontrolling interest

189

1,236

546

80

Comprehensive loss attributable to 500.com Limited

(85,594)

(86,297)

(50,895)

(7,493)

Weighted average number of  Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding:

Basic

429,912,365

430,009,704

430,014,891

430,014,891

Diluted

429,912,365

430,009,704

430,014,891

430,014,891

Losses per share attributable to 500.com Limited-Basic and Diluted

    Net loss 

(0.22)

(0.20)

(0.10)

(0.02)

Losses per ADS* attributable to 500.com Limited-Basic and Diluted

    Net loss 

(2.23)

(2.01)

(1.02)

(0.15)

* American Depositary Shares, which are traded on the NYSE. Each ADS represents ten
Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

 

 

 

500.com Limited
Reconciliation of non-GAAP results of operations measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("US$"),
except for number of shares, per share (or ADS) data)

 Three Months Ended 

September 30,
2019

June 30,
2020

September 30,
2020

September 30,
2020

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

 Unaudited 

Operating loss from continuing operations

(98,419)

(52,337)

(50,237)

(7,398)

    Adjustment for share-based compensation expenses

15,175

18,649

12,626

1,860

    Adjustment for impairment of goodwill

30,916

Adjusted operating loss from continuing operations (non-GAAP)

(52,328)

(33,688)

(37,611)

(5,538)

Net loss attributable to 500.com Limited

(95,789)

(86,318)

(43,973)

(6,474)

    Adjustment for share-based compensation expenses

15,175

18,649

12,626

1,860

    Adjustment for impairment of goodwill

30,916

    Adjustment for Impairment of long-term investments

33,706

(249)

(37)

    Adjustment for deferred tax benefit relating to valuation allowance

(60)

Adjusted net loss attributable to 500.com Limited (non-GAAP) 

(49,698)

(34,023)

(31,596)

(4,651)

Weighted average number of  Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding:

Basic

429,912,365

430,009,704

430,014,891

430,014,891

Diluted

429,912,365

430,009,704

430,014,891

430,014,891

Losses per share attributable to 500.com Limited (non-GAAP)-Basic and diluted

    Net loss (non-GAAP)

(0.12)

(0.08)

(0.07)

(0.01)

Losses per  ADS* attributable to 500.com Limited (non-GAAP)-Basic and diluted

    Net loss (non-GAAP)

(1.16)

(0.79)

(0.73)

(0.11)

* American Depositary Shares, which are traded on the NYSE. Each ADS represents ten Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

 

Related Links :

http://ir.500.com/

SINA to Hold Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders

BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2020 — SINA Corporation (the "Company" or "SINA") (Nasdaq: SINA), a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, today announced that it has called an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM"), to be held at 10:00 a.m. Beijing Time on December 23, 2020, at Room Beijing, 1/F SINA Plaza No. 8 Courtyard 10 West, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China, to consider and vote on, among other things, the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated September 28, 2020 by and between New Wave Holdings Limited ("Parent"), New Wave Mergersub Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub") and the Company, the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands in connection with the merger (the "Plan of Merger") and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, at the effective time of the merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. If completed, the merger will result in the Company becoming a privately held company and its ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. In addition, the Ordinary Shares will cease to be registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The board of directors of the Company, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of the board of directors of the Company comprised solely of independent directors unaffiliated with the buyer parties, approved the Merger Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and resolved to recommend that the Company’s shareholders vote FOR, among other things, the proposal to authorize and approve the Merger Agreement, the Plan of Merger, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

Shareholders of record as of the close of business in the Cayman Islands on November 20, 2020 will be entitled to attend and vote at the EGM.

Additional information regarding the EGM and the Merger Agreement can be found in the transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 and the proxy statement attached as Exhibit (a)-(1) thereto, as amended, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which can be obtained, along with other filings containing information about the Company, the proposed merger and related matters, without charge, from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Company’s proxy materials (including the definitive proxy statement) will be mailed to the Company’s shareholders.

SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THESE MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE PROPOSED MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.

The Company and certain of its directors and executive officers may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be "participants" in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders with respect to the proposed merger. Information regarding the persons who may be considered "participants" in the solicitation of proxies is set forth in the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement relating to the proposed merger and the definitive proxy statement attached thereto. Further information regarding persons who may be deemed participants, including any direct or indirect interests they may have, is also set forth in the definitive proxy statement.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities or a solicitation of any proxy, vote or approval with respect to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall it be a substitute for any proxy statement or other materials that have been or will be filed with or furnished to the SEC.

About SINA

SINA is a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities. Its digital media network of SINA.com (portal), SINA mobile (mobile portal and mobile apps) and Weibo (social media) enables internet users to access professional media and user generated content in multi-media formats from personal computers and mobile devices and share their interests with friends and acquaintances.

SINA.com offers distinct and targeted professional content on each of its region-specific websites and a full range of complementary offerings. SINA mobile provides news information, professional and entertainment content customized for mobile users through mobile applications and mobile portal site SINA.cn.

Weibo is a leading social media platform for people to create, distribute and discover content. Based on an open platform architecture, Weibo provides unprecedented and simple way for people and organizations to publicly express themselves in real time, interact with others on a massive global platform and stay connected with the world.

Through these properties and other product lines, SINA offers an array of online media and social media services to its users to create a rich canvas for businesses and advertisers to effectively connect and engage with their targeted audiences.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains statements that express the Company’s current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "if," "will," "expected" and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: uncertainties as to how the Company’s shareholders will vote at the meeting of shareholders; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the possibility that financing may not be available; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the SEC by the Company, as well as the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and the proxy statement filed by the Company. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date of this press release. You should not rely upon these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contact

Investor Relations
SINA Corporation
Phone: +86 10 5898 3336
Email: ir@staff.sina.com.cn

Related Links :

http://www.sina.com

Trip.com Group Ltd. to Report Third Quarter of 2020 Financial Results on December 1, 2020 U.S. Time

SHANGHAI, Nov. 20, 2020 — Trip.com Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: TCOM), a leading one-stop travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management, will announce its third quarter of 2020 results on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, U.S. Time, after the market closes.

Trip.com Group’s management team will host a conference call at 7:00PM U.S. Eastern Time on December 1, 2020 (or 8:00AM on December 2, 2020 in the Shanghai/Hong Kong Time) following the announcement.

The conference call will be available on Webcast live and replay at: http://investors.trip.com. The call will be archived for twelve months at this website.

All participants must pre-register to join this conference call using the Participant Registration link below: 
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10011064-jijA6p.html

Upon registration, each participant will receive details for this conference call, including dial-in numbers, passcode and a unique access PIN. To join the conference, please dial the number provided, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until December 9, 2020.  

The dial-in details for the replay:
International dial-in number: +61-7-3107-6325
Passcode: 10011064

About Trip.com Group Ltd.

Trip.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: TCOM) is a leading one-stop travel service provider consisting of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group enables local partners and travelers around the world to make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services, through aggregation of comprehensive travel-related information and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of mobile apps, Internet websites, and 24/7 customer service centers. Founded in 1999 and listed on Nasdaq in 2003, Trip.com Group has become one of the largest travel companies in the world in terms of gross merchandise value.

 

Related Links :

https://www.ctrip.com/