Global Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of Fiscal 2021

Added 19,367 New Subscribers in 4Q21
Revenues Up 0.8% YoY to RMB302.3 million ($46.1 million)
Net Income Attributable Up 31.7% YoY to RMB127.7 million ($19.5 million)
Operating Cash Flow Up 134.6% YoY to RMB211.1 million ($32.2 million)
Conference Call to be Held on June 29, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET

HONG KONG, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Cord Blood Corporation (NYSE: CO) ("GCBC" or the "Company"), China's leading provider of cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing and stem cell storage services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2021, ended March 31, 2021.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• New subscribers increased by 4.8% year-over-year ("YoY") to 19,367, and accumulated subscriber base expanded to 901,437^[1].
• Revenues increased by 0.8% YoY to RMB302.3 million ($46.1 million), mainly due to an increase in storage fees revenues.
• Gross profit remained at RMB256.4 million ($39.1 million). Gross margin was 84.8%.
• Operating income decreased by 0.7% YoY to RMB148.2 million ($22.6 million). Operating margin was 49.0%, compared to 49.8% in the prior year period.
• Operating income before depreciation and amortization ("non-GAAP operating income"^[2]) decreased by 0.8% YoY to RMB160.4 million ($24.5 million).
• Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders increased by 31.7% to RMB127.7 million ($19.5 million), mainly due to a reduction in fair value loss of equity securities ("mark-to-market losses").
• Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 134.6% YoY to RMB211.1 million ($32.2 million), mainly due to a low base in the prior year period as a result of the impact from 2019 novel coronavirus ("COVID-19").

Full Year Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• New subscribers decreased by 14.5% YoY to 72,045 and accumulated subscriber base was 901,437^[1].
• Revenues decreased by 5.1% YoY to RMB1,159.6 million ($177.0 million).
• Gross profit decreased by 5.0% YoY to RMB980.7 million ($149.7 million).
• Operating income decreased by 2.5% YoY to RMB544.9 million ($83.2 million).
• Non-GAAP operating income^[2] decreased by 2.4% YoY to RMB594.0 million ($90.7 million).
• Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders increased by 8.0% to RMB508.2 million ($77.6 million), mainly due to an increase in fair value of equity securities ("mark-to-market gains").
• Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 1.1% YoY to RMB630.7 million ($96.3 million).

"During the fourth quarter, hospitals in our operating markets continued the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline and maintained relatively strict control over access to other services, which had an impact on our business growth. Despite these challenges, we were able to add 19,367 new subscribers in the fourth quarter", said Ms. Ting Zheng, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of GCBC. "Looking ahead, challenges remain due to ambiguity surrounding cord blood banking industry regulations and Biosecurity Law in China, as well as difficulties regarding client access and conversion due to ongoing anti-pandemic policies in hospitals. However, we believe in the gradual recovery of consumer sentiment and intend to leverage the solid foundation of our growing client base, pursue organic growth opportunities in our current markets while selectively considering new expansion opportunities to better serve our clients and diversify income sources. Additionally, favorable policy trends on increasing newborn growth rates issued by the Chinese government to encourage childbirth bode well for long term trends in our business but such measures will take time to be accepted and implemented by a new generation of expectant parents."

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

REVENUES. Revenues increased by 0.8% YoY to RMB302.3 million ($46.1 million) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, mainly due to the increase in storage fees revenues.

As of March 31, 2021, the accumulated subscriber base had expanded to 901,437^[1]. As a result, revenues generated from storage fees increased by 8.8% YoY to RMB126.7 million ($19.3 million) in the reporting quarter.

During the reporting quarter, although new subscribers increased by 4.8% YoY to 19,367, revenues generated from processing fees and other services decreased by 4.3% YoY to RMB175.6 million ($26.8 million), mainly due to the decline in average revenue contribution per subscriber as the Company introduced discounts and incentives to capture new subscribers. Revenues from processing fees and other services represented 58.1% of total revenues, compared to 61.1% in the prior year period.

GROSS PROFIT. Due to the increase in costs of raw materials, gross profit for the fourth quarter remained at RMB256.4 million ($39.1 million). Gross margin decreased to 84.8% from 85.5% in the prior year period.

OPERATING INCOME. Operating income for the reporting quarter decreased slightly by 0.7% YoY to RMB148.2 million ($22.6 million). Operating margin was 49.0% compared to 49.8% in the prior year period. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the fourth quarter were RMB12.2 million ($1.9 million), compared to RMB12.4 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating income^[2] decreased by 0.8% YoY to RMB160.4 million ($24.5 million) in the reporting quarter.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses incurred in the fourth quarter amounted to RMB5.5 million ($0.8 million), as the Company continued to devote resources towards stem cell related technology.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. During the reporting quarter, the Company continued its marketing and promotional efforts on budget. As higher performance incentives were offset by salesforce headcount reduction and tightening of promotion budgets, sales and marketing expenses decreased by 1.6% YoY to RMB59.5 million ($9.1 million). Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue was down to 19.7% from 20.2% in prior year period.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 0.4% YoY to RMB43.2 million ($6.6 million) attributable to increases in provisions for doubtful accounts and administrative staff expenses partially offset by the reduction in professional fees. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues remained at 14.3%, same as the prior year period.

OTHER INCOME.

Change in fair value of equity securities. In the reporting period, the Company recognized a mark-to-market loss of RMB4.7 million ($0.7 million), compared to a mark-to-market loss of RMB24.2 million in the prior year period. The changes were mainly attributable to the Company's investments in equity securities.

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS. Income before income tax for the fourth quarter increased by 15.9% YoY to RMB154.7 million ($23.6 million). Income tax expense for the fourth quarter was RMB24.4 million ($3.7 million). Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders for the reporting quarter increased by 31.7% YoY to RMB127.7 million ($19.5 million). Net margin for the reporting quarter improved to 42.3% from 32.3% in the prior year period.

EARNINGS PER SHARE. Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was RMB1.05 ($0.16).

Full Year Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

Total revenues for the full year of fiscal 2021 decreased by 5.1% YoY to RMB1,159.6 million ($177.0 million). The decrease was mainly due to the decline in new subscribers as various hospitals rolled out anti-pandemic measures in conjunction with the decline in newborn babies. Revenues from processing fees and other services decreased by 13.4% YoY to RMB666.7 million ($101.8 million), whereas revenues from storage fees increased by 9.1% YoY to RMB492.9 million ($75.2 million). Gross profit decreased by 5.0% YoY to RMB980.7 million ($149.7 million). Operating income decreased by 2.5% YoY to RMB544.9 million ($83.2 million). Non-GAAP operating income^[2] decreased by 2.4% YoY to RMB594.0 million ($90.7 million). Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders improved by 8.0% to RMB508.2 million ($77.6 million) as a result of changes in fair value of equity securities. Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share increased to RMB4.18 ($0.64). Net cash provided by operating activities in the full year of fiscal 2021 was RMB630.7 million ($96.3 million).

Corporate Developments

• On March 2, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") received a non-binding proposal letter (the "Alternate Ocean Offer") from Alternate Ocean Investment Company Limited ("Alternate Ocean"), pursuant to which Alternate Ocean, acting on behalf of certain funds and/or entities (the "Acquirer") that it manages and/or advises, proposed to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company for $5.00 per ordinary share in cash, subject to certain conditions.

• On March 15, 2021, the Board announced it had formed a special committee of independent directors who are not affiliated with Alternate Ocean (the "Special Committee") to evaluate the Alternate Ocean Offer. The Special Committee consists of Mr. Mark D. Chen, Dr. Ken Lu, Mr. Jack Chow, and Mr. Jacky Cheng, each of whom currently serves as an independent director on the Board, with Mr. Chen serving as the chair of the Special Committee.

• The Company cautions its shareholders and others considering trading its ordinary shares that no decisions have been made with respect to the Company's response to the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction is still subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, completion of due diligence, parties entering into definitive agreement, and/or the Acquirer and the Company each obtaining the relevant regulatory and shareholders' approval. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed, or that this or any other transaction will be approved or consummated.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, to discuss its financial performance and give a brief overview of the Company's recent developments, followed by a question-and-answer session. Interested parties can access the audio webcast through the Company's IR website at http://ir.globalcordbloodcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be accessible two hours after the conference call and available for seven days at the same URL above. Listeners can also access the call by dialing 1-646-722-4977 or 1-855-824-5644 for US callers, or +852-3027-6500 for Hong Kong callers, access code: 27000750#.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

GAAP results for the three months and year ended March 31, 2021, include non-cash items related to depreciation and amortization expenses. To supplement the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a U.S. GAAP basis, the Company has provided adjusted financial information excluding the impact of these items in this press release. The non-GAAP financial measure represents non-GAAP operating income. Such adjustment is a departure of U.S. GAAP; however, the Company's management believes that these adjusted measures provide investors with a better understanding of how the results relate to the Company's historical performance. Also, management uses non-GAAP operating income as a measurement tool for evaluating actual operating performance compared to budget and prior periods. These adjusted measures should not be considered an alternative to operating income, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures are not necessarily comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company. A reconciliation of the adjustments to U.S. GAAP results appears in exhibit 3 accompanying this press release. This additional adjusted information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP financials. The adjusted financial information that the Company provides also may differ from the adjusted information provided by other companies.

About Global Cord Blood Corporation

Global Cord Blood Corporation is the first and largest umbilical cord blood banking operator in China in terms of geographical coverage and the only cord blood banking operator with multiple licenses. Global Cord Blood Corporation provides cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing and stem cell storage services. For more information, please visit the Company's website at:

http://www.globalcordbloodcorp.com.  

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "can", "continue", "could", "estimates", "intends", "may", "plans", "potential", "predict", "should" or "will" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions, uncertainties and other factors may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The information in this press release is not intended to project future performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company does not guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company expectations are as of the date this press release is issued, and the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this press release is issued to conform these statements to actual results, unless required by law.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company's businesses and business environments. These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results of the Company's operations may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors some of which include, among other things: the effects of the current COVID-19 outbreak, including the partial lockdowns implemented in various cities in the PRC and the imposition by some hospitals in the PRC of restrictions on entrance to solely to hospital staff and patients; levels of consumer confidence in the healthcare services sector generally in the PRC as a result of the outbreak; the length of the COVID-19 outbreak and severity of such outbreak across the globe; the pace of recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak; continued compliance with government regulations regarding cord blood banking in the People's Republic of China, or PRC and any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations; changing legislation or regulatory environments in the PRC and any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations; the acceptance by subscribers of the Company's different pricing and payment options and reaction to the introduction of the Company's premium-quality pricing strategy; demographic trends in the regions of the PRC in which the Company is the exclusive licensed cord blood banking operator; labor and personnel relations; the existence of a significant shareholder able to influence and direct the corporate policies of the Company; credit risks affecting the Company's revenue and profitability; changes in the healthcare industry, including those which may result in the use of stem cell therapies becoming redundant or obsolete; the Company's ability to effectively manage its growth, including maintaining effective controls and procedures and attracting and retaining key management and personnel; changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; the availability of capital resources, including in the form of capital markets financing opportunities, in light of legislative developments in the U.S. affecting listed issuers whose independent registered public accounting firms are based in China and not subject to U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board inspections, international pressure on trade and currency against the PRC and its potential impact on the PRC consumer behavior, as well as general economic conditions, the non-binding proposal letter from Alternate Ocean and the potential transaction contemplated by such letter, and other relevant risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.

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 as of and for the period ended March 31, 2021 were made at the noon buying rate of RMB6.5518 to $1.00 on March 31, 2021 in the City of New York for cable transfers in Renminbi per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Global Cord Blood Corporation makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this press release could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, at any particular rate or at all.

For more information, please contact:

Global Cord Blood Corporation
Investor Relations Department
Tel: (+852) 3605-8180
Email: ir@globalcordbloodcorp.com

ICR, Inc.
William Zima
Tel: (+86) 10-6583-7511
U.S. Tel: (646) 405-5185
Email: William.zima@icrinc.com