Bright Scholar Announces Unaudited Financial Results for Third Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2017

FOSHAN, China, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited ("Bright Scholar," the "Company," "we" or "our") (NYSE: BEDU), the largest operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China*, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2017.

Third Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2017 Financial Highlights (in comparison to the same period of last fiscal year)

• Revenue was RMB406.7 million, up 28.1%
• Gross profit was RMB183.8 million, up 51.5%; gross margin was 45.2%, up from 38.2%
• Operating income was RMB121.8 million, up 66.5%; operating margin was 30.0%, up from 23.1%
• Net income was RMB107.5 million, up 85.7%; adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was RMB107.5 million, up 85.7%; net margin was 26.4%%, up from 18.2%%; adjusted net margin⁽¹⁾ was 26.4%, up from 18.2%
• EPS was RMB1.05, up 150.0%; adjusted EPS⁽²⁾ was RMB1.05, up 150.0%
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽³⁾ was RMB145.2 million, up 59.3%; adjusted EBITDA margin⁽³⁾ was 35.7%, up from 28.7%

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2017 Financial Highlights (in comparison to the same period of last fiscal year)

• Revenue was RMB1,052.9 million, up 28.2%
• Gross profit was RMB399.7 million, up 55.1%; gross margin was 38.0%, up from 31.4%
• Operating income was RMB231.5 million, up 731.2%; operating margin was 22.0%, up from 3.4%
• Net income was RMB195.5 million, up from RMB6.8 million; adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was RMB195.5 million, up 91.9%; net margin was 18.6%%, up from 0.8%%; adjusted net margin⁽¹⁾ was 18.6%, up from 12.4%
• EPS was RMB1.74, up 721.4%; adjusted EPS⁽²⁾ was RMB1.74, up 145.1%
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽³⁾ was RMB296.5 million, up 72.2%; adjusted EBITDA margin⁽³⁾ was 28.2%, up from 21.0%

Mr. Junli He, Bright Scholar's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Today we announce our first quarterly earnings as an NYSE-listed public company."

We are proud to report the academic achievements of our international schools as well as bilingual schools. For our international schools, all of the 216 graduates for the 2017 class were admitted into overseas universities, 96% of students enrolled in DP, A-level, AP programs were admitted into global top 100 institutions, and 87% were admitted into global top 50 institutions, as ranked by either the QS World University Rankings or U.S. News, or world top 5 in their specialized fields.  For our bilingual schools, most also achieved historical new highs in performance in local Zhongkao with average scores significantly above other local schools.  The academic achievements demonstrated the execution of our mission to deliver quality education to students. 

We have seen robust growth in our international schools, bilingual schools and kindergartens, as well as strong earnings performance, with our revenue increasing by 28.1% for our third fiscal quarter and 28.2% for the nine months. With the addition of one kindergarten since the IPO, we had over 30,000 students and over 3,000 teachers in 52 schools as of May 31, 2017."

"Our profits have significantly increased over the period, by 85.7%, supported by a strong margin expansion at 26.4%," Mr. He continued. "We have also improved utilization of our schools, and optimized fee levels across all segments."

"We have laid down growth strategies to deliver long-term success," Mr. He added. "We will continue to expand and enhance our school network nationwide through our partnership with real estate developer Country Garden Holdings Company Limited and other third-party developers, and deepen our cooperation with world-class institutions. We will enhance our complementary education programs—after school tutoring, summer and winter camps, test preparation and college counseling. We will also selectively explore local and overseas M&A opportunities. On this front, I am very pleased to announce our investment in Can-achieve (Beijing) Education Consultants Co., Ltd., which represents a major expansion in college counseling, student recruitment for universities, test preparation and study camps. Founded in 2008, Can-achieve has operations in Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou and Hong Kong, representing over 600 prestigious overseas universities, including 273 universities in the United States and Canada, where it has the largest market share in this segment, with 23 universities in the U.S. top 50/QS 100 rankings. We invested RMB78.75 million in Can-achieve for a 21% equity stake in July 2017."

Mr. He concluded, "supported by tremendous market potential from a large population base and growing demand for K-12 private education in China, we are executing our mission to deliver world-class education to students in China and globally. With our proven growth strategies, we are confident that we can maintain and extend our market leadership, and reward students and shareholders alike with greater value."

THIRD FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MAY 31, 2017 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues

Revenues for the third fiscal quarter were RMB406.7 million, representing 28.1% increase from RMB317.4 million in the same period of last fiscal year.  

The table below sets forth a breakdown of revenues:

International Schools: Revenue for the quarter was RMB157.8 million, representing a 24.3% increase from RMB127.0 million, accounting for 38.8% of total revenues as compared to 40.0% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 18.9% increase in the average number of students from 5,464 to 6,498, and a 4.5% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB23,248 to RMB24,298 during the comparison periods.

Bilingual Schools: Revenue for the quarter was RMB126.9 million, representing a 29.4% increase from RMB98.1 million, accounting for 31.2% of total revenues as compared to 30.9% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 15.3% increase in the average number of students from 11,482 to 13,241, and a 12.2% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB8,543 to RMB9,582 during the comparison periods.

Kindergartens: Revenue for the quarter was RMB96.1 million, representing a 26.1% increase from RMB76.2 million, accounting for 23.6% of total revenues as compared to 24.0% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 14.5% increase in the average number of students from 9,262 to 10,604, and a 10.1% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB8,228 to RMB9,063 during the comparison periods.

Complementary: Revenue for the quarter was RMB25.9 million, representing a 60.9% increase from RMB16.1 million, accounting for 6.4% of total revenues as compared to 5.1% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in the revenue of élan English learning centers from RMB12.5 million to RMB24.1 million during the comparison periods.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB223.0 million, representing a 13.7% increase from RMB196.1 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a RMB17.7 million increase in staff costs as a result of an increase in the number of teachers and educational staff needed to support the expansion of our school network. The average number of our teachers and instructors increased by 9.8% from 2,870 to 3,150 during the comparison periods.

International Schools: Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB90.9 million, representing a 13.8% increase from RMB79.9 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Bilingual Schools: Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB70.9 million, representing a 13.8% increase from RMB62.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Kindergartens: Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB46.5 million, representing a 6.6% increase from RMB43.6 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Complementary: Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB14.8 million, representing a 41.9% increase from RMB10.4 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in teaching staff cost and rental cost from élan English training business.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit for the quarter was RMB183.8 million, representing a 51.5% increase from RMB121.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 45.2%, as compared to 38.2% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to the ramp up of our existing schools, increased average tuition and fees, and improved operating efficiency.

International Schools: Gross profit for the quarter was RMB67.0 million, representing a 42.1% increase from RMB47.2 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 42.4%, as compared to 37.1% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Bilingual Schools: Gross profit for the quarter was RMB56.0 million, representing a 56.4% increase from RMB35.8 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 44.1%, as compared to 36.5% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Kindergartens: Gross profit for the quarter was RMB49.7 million, representing a 52.3% increase from RMB32.6 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 51.7%, as compared to 42.8% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Complementary: Gross profit for the quarter was RMB11.1 million, representing a 95.7% increase from RMB5.7 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in the gross profit of élan English training business. Gross margin for the quarter was 42.9%, as compared to 35.2% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses ⁽⁴⁾

Total selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were RMB65.2 million, representing a 32.4% increase from RMB49.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year, accounting for 16.0% of total revenues as compared to 15.5% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an approximately RMB10.0 million in expenses incurred in connection with the Company's IPO in the third fiscal quarter of 2017.

Adjusted SG&A expenses⁽⁴⁾ for the quarter were RMB65.2 million, representing a 32.4% increase from RMB49.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year, accounting for 16.0% of total revenues as compared to 15.5% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Operating Income for the quarter was RMB121.8 million, representing a 66.5% increase from RMB73.2 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Operating margin for the quarter was 30.0%, as compared to 23.1% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income     

Net income attributed to the Company for the quarter was RMB107.5 million, representing a 85.7% increase from RMB57.9 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

Adjusted net income attributed to the Company for the quarter was RMB107.5 million, representing a 85.7% increase from RMB57.9 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Earnings per ordinary share/ADS and Adjusted Earnings per ordinary share/ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, on an as-converted basis, for the quarter was RMB1.05 and RMB1.05, respectively, as compared to RMB0.42 and RMB0.42, respectively, in the same period of last fiscal year.

Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, on an as-converted basis, for the quarter was RMB1.05 and RMB1.05, respectively, as compared to RMB0.42 and RMB0.42, respectively, in the same period of last fiscal year.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was RMB145.2 million, representing a 59.3% increase from RMB91.1 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

FIRST NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2017 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues

Revenues for the first nine months of 2017 were RMB1,052.9 million, representing 28.2% increase from RMB821.1 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

The table below sets forth a breakdown of revenues:

International Schools: Revenue for the period was RMB410.1 million, representing a 20.1% increase from RMB341.4 million, accounting for 38.9% of total revenues as compared to 41.6% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 17.0% increase in the average number of students from 5,448 to 6,372, and a 2.7% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB62,668 to RMB64,355 during the comparison periods.

Bilingual Schools: Revenue for the period was RMB330.3 million, representing a 27.0% increase from RMB260.0 million, accounting for 31.4% of total revenues as compared to 31.7% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 15.3% increase in the average number of students from 11,424 to 13,169, and a 10.2% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB22,760 to RMB25,079 during the comparison periods.

Kindergartens: Revenue for the period was RMB245.6 million, representing a 23.6% increase from RMB198.7 million, accounting for 23.3% of total revenues as compared to 24.2% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a 13.6% increase in the average number of students from 8,862 to 10,071, and a 8.8% increase in the average tuition and fees from RMB22,418 to RMB24,391 during the comparison periods.

Complementary: Revenue for the period was RMB66.9 million, representing a 218.0% increase from RMB21.0 million, accounting for 6.4% of total revenues as compared to 2.6% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in the revenue of élan English learning center from RMB14.2 million to RMB55.3 million during the comparison periods. We acquired élan English proficiency training business in January 2016.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues for the period was RMB653.2 million, representing 15.9% increase from RMB563.4 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to a RMB74.5 million increase in staff costs as a result of an increase in the number of teachers and educational staff needed to support the expansion of our school network. The average number of our teachers and instructors increased by 9.3% from 2,857 to 3,122 during the comparison periods.

International Schools: Cost of revenues for the period was RMB267.7 million, representing a 13.7% increase from RMB235.5 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Bilingual Schools: Cost of revenues for the period was RMB206.0 million, representing a 11.6% increase from RMB184.6 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Kindergartens: Cost of revenues for the period was RMB137.1 million, representing a 6.0% increase from RMB129.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Complementary: Cost of revenues for the quarter was RMB42.4 million, representing a 203.2% increase from RMB14.0 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in teaching staff cost and rental cost from élan English training business. We acquired élan English proficiency training business in January 2016.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit for the period was RMB399.7 million, representing a 55.1% increase from RMB257.7 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the period was 38.0%, as compared to 31.4% in the same period last fiscal year, primarily due to ramp up of our existing schools, increased average tuition and fees, and improved operating efficiency.

International Schools: Gross profit for the period was RMB142.3 million, representing a 34.4% increase from RMB105.9 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 34.7%, as compared to 31.0% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Bilingual Schools: Gross profit for the period was RMB124.3 million, representing a 64.8% increase from RMB75.4 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 37.6%, as compared to 29.0% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Kindergartens: Gross profit for the period was RMB108.5 million, representing a 56.6% increase from RMB69.3 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin for the quarter was 44.2%, as compared to 34.9% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Complementary: Gross profit for the period was RMB24.6 million, representing a 247.3% increase from RMB7.1 million in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in the gross profit from élan English training business. Gross margin for the quarter was 36.7%, as compared to 33.6% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses ⁽⁴⁾

Total selling, general and administrative expenses for the period were RMB173.0 million, representing a 25.9% decrease from RMB233.3 million, accounting for 16.4% of total revenues as compared to 28.4% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to the share-based compensation expense of RMB95.1 million incurred in the nine months ended May 31, 2016, partially offset by an increase in the expenses of RMB16.6 million incurred in connection with the Company's IPO during the first nine months of 2017 and the compensation and benefits we paid to additional general and administrative personnel to support our growing business in the nine months ended May 31, 2017.

Adjusted SG&A expenses⁽⁴⁾ for the period were RMB173.0 million, representing a 25.1% increase from RMB138.2 million, accounting for 16.4% of total revenues as compared to 16.8% in the same period of last fiscal year, primarily due to expenses incurred in connection with the Company's IPO and increase in staff compensation expenses.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Operating income for the period was RMB231.5 million, representing a 731.2% increase from RMB27.9 million in the same period of last fiscal year. Operating margin for the period was 22.0%, as compared to 3.4% in the same period of last fiscal year.

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income

Net income attributed to the Company for the period was RMB195.5 million as compared to RMB6.8 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Adjusted net income attributed to the Company for the period was RMB195.5 million, representing a 91.9% increase from RMB101.8 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Earnings per ordinary share/ADS and Adjusted Earnings per ordinary share/ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, on an as-converted basis, for the period was RMB1.74 and RMB1.74, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB0.28 and RMB0.28, respectively, in the same period of last fiscal year.

Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, on an as-converted basis, for the period was RMB1.74 and RMB1.74, respectively, as compared to RMB0.71 and RMB0.71, respectively, in the same period of last fiscal year.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the period was RMB296.5 million, representing a 72.2% increase from RMB172.2 million in the same period of last fiscal year.

Cash and Working Capital

As of May 31, 2017, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled RMB1,455.5 million, as compared to RMB644.1 million as of February 28, 2017.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 pm Beijing/Hong Kong Time) on July 27, 2017, to discuss its quarterly results and recent business activities.

To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time:

The Company will also broadcast a live audio webcast of the conference call. The webcast will be available at http://ir.brightscholar.com.

Following the earnings conference call, an archive of the call will be available by dialing:

STATEMENT REGARDING UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited financial information set forth above is subject to adjustments that may be identified when audit work is performed on the Company's year-end financial statements, which could result in significant differences from this unaudited financial information.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In evaluating our business, we consider and use certain non-GAAP measures, including primarily adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss), as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. 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 U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted EBITDA as income from operations (which excludes interest income, income tax benefit and expense and depreciation and amortization expenses) excluding share-based compensation expenses and adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses. We incurred share-based compensation in the 2016 fiscal year only, which was associated with the acquisition of Mr. Junli He's equity interests in Impetus in January 2016.

We present the non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. Such non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss), enable our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including depreciation expenses and share-based compensation expenses, and without considering the impact of non-operating items such as interest income and income tax benefit and expenses. We also believe that the use of the non-GAAP measure facilitate investors' assessment of our operating performance.

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Interest income, income tax benefit and expenses, depreciation expenses and share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of these non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA or adjusted net income/(loss). Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

About Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited

Bright Scholar is the largest operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China*. The Company is dedicated to providing quality international education to Chinese students and equipping them with the critical academic foundation and skillsets necessary to succeed in the pursuit of higher education overseas. It also complements its international offerings with Chinese government-mandated curriculum for students who wish to maintain the option of pursuing higher education in China. As of May 31, 2017, Bright Scholar operated 52 schools covering the breadth of K-12 academic needs of its students across seven provinces in China. In the first nine months of the 2017 school year ended May 31, 2017, Bright Scholar had an average of 29,613 students enrolled at its schools.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement 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 include, without limitation, the Company's business plans and development, can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. 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.

IR Contact:

Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited
Email:  IR@brightscholar.com

FleishmanHillard
Email: BrightScholar.ir@fleishman.com

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