China Distance Education Holdings Limited Reports Financial Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2019

BEIJING, March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 first quarter of fiscal year 2019 ended December 31, 2018.

First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial and Operational Highlights

• Net revenue increased by 18.8% to $42.6 million from $35.9 million in the prior year period.
• Total course enrollments were 1,284,000, an increase of 4.6% from the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
• Cash receipts from online course registration were $60.5 million, a 50.1% increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
• Gross profit decreased by 2.8% to $17.0 million from $17.5 million in the prior year period.
• Non-GAAP^[1] gross profit decreased by 2.9% to $17.0 million from $17.5 million in the prior year period.
• Gross margin was 39.9%, compared with 48.8% in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] gross margin was 40.0%, compared with 48.9% in the prior year period.
• Operating loss was $2.2 million, compared with operating income of $5.1 million in the prior year period.
• Non-GAAP^[1] operating loss was $1.7 million, compared with non-GAAP^[1] operating income of $5.6 million in the prior year period.
• Net income was $1.9 million, compared with net income of $94,000 in the prior year period.
• Non-GAAP^[1] net income was $2.4 million, compared with non-GAAP^[1] net income of $0.6 million in the prior year period.
• Basic and diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") were $0.057, compared with basic and diluted net income per ADS of $0.003 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Each ADS represents four ordinary shares.
• Basic and diluted non-GAAP^[1] net income per ADS were $0.073 and $0.072, respectively, compared with basic and diluted non-GAAP^[1] net income per ADS of $0.018 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
• Cash flow from operations increased by 101.6% to $26.6 million from $13.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
• Disposal of Tax School Program was completed on December 29, 2018.

Mr. Zhengdong Zhu, Chairman and CEO of CDEL, said, "In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, net revenue increased by 18.8% year-over-year, exceeding the high end of our guidance range and reflecting the resilience of our business model in the face of a softer economic environment, as professionals seek self-improvement and career advancement through continued study. As such, we have retained strong momentum in generating cash receipts from online course registration through a portfolio of course offerings across our core verticals, designed in accordance with market demand. Total cash receipts from online course registration increased by approximately 50% year-over-year in the first quarter, primarily as a result of strong cash receipt growth in our core verticals of accounting and healthcare, and more student enrollments in our longer duration premium and elite classes compared with the year-ago period.

Mr. Zhu concluded, "As China's preeminent provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients, we strive to build industry-leading education verticals that promote our lifelong learning ecosystem. With a proven business model and powerful growth initiatives in place, we look forward to continuing our relentless efforts to grow our diversified industry verticals and broaden our course offerings and services in key academic disciplines."

Mr. Mark Marostica, Co-Chief Financial Officer of CDEL, said, "While our first quarter revenue came in ahead of expectations, we recorded an operating loss in the first quarter, primarily due to the amortization expenses of intangibles arising from the acquisition of Beijing Ruida of $1.7 million, an increase in rental expenses from our new office location in Beijing, higher commissions to agents, and higher advertising and promotional expenses. Nonetheless, we are very encouraged by the strong operating cash flow in the quarter which grew over 100% year-over-year, bolstered by the robust growth in cash receipts from online course registration."

Mr. Marostica, continued, "Despite the first quarter operating loss, we believe we will see year-over-year improvement in our operating margins in fiscal year 2019 as a result of our expectation of healthy revenue growth in the fiscal year, together with the implementation of certain expense control measures. As we head into our busy enrollment season, we are focused on continuing to balance growth with a strong emphasis on profitability and expense controls."

CEO Share Purchase Plan

As announced on June 25, 2018 by the Company, Mr. Zhengdong Zhu, Chairman and CEO of CDEL, had informed the Company of his intention to use his personal funds to purchase the Company's shares for an amount up to a maximum of $25 million within one year. As of February 28, 2019, Mr. Zhu had bought a total of approximately $8.9 million of the Company's ordinary shares and ADSs pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial Results

Net Revenue. Total net revenue increased by 18.8% to $42.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $35.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Net revenue from online education services, books and reference materials, and other sources contributed 58.8%, 15.0% and 26.2%, respectively, of total net revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Online education services. Net revenue from online education services increased by 11.6% to $25.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $22.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, mainly due to revenue growth from the accounting vertical, partially offset by a decrease in revenue from the healthcare vertical. The softer growth in revenue from online education services was mainly due to the adoption of U.S. GAAP ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which impacted the timing of revenue recognition related to our premium classes. Under the accounting standards in effect in the prior period, a significant portion of revenue from premium classes related to our 2017 Intermediate and Advance Level Accounting Professional Qualifications Exams, CPA Qualification Exam and National Practicing Medical Doctor Qualification Exam was considered contingent and deferred until the release of the related exam results and the expiration of the students' right to retake the course which typically occurred in the first quarter of each fiscal year. Under the new standard, revenue related to the premium classes is recognized over the expected service period using best estimates, which results in a decrease in revenue growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Books and reference materials. Net revenue from books and reference materials increased by 169.5% to $6.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, from $2.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, mainly due to book sale revenue contributed by Beijing Ruida. 

Others. Net revenue from other sources increased by 1.0% to $11.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $11.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, primarily due to revenue from legal professional training courses contributed by Beijing Ruida. The increase in revenue from other sources was partially offset by the decrease in revenue from both business start-up training services and the sale of learning simulation software.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased by 39.3% to $25.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $18.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Non-GAAP^[1] cost of sales increased by 39.5% to $25.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $18.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to increased salaries and related expenses, increased rental and related expenses associated with the Company's new office space in Beijing and offline training courses, and expenses associated with Beijing Ruida, including amortization expenses of intangibles arising from the acquisition of Beijing Ruida.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin. Gross profit was $17.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, down 2.8% from $17.5 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] gross profit was $17.0 million, decreasing by 2.9% from $17.5 million in the prior year period. Gross margin was 39.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared with 48.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Non-GAAP^[1] gross margin was 40.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared with 48.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by 47.4% to $20.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, from $14.1 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] total operating expenses increased by 48.8% to $20.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, from $13.7 million in the prior year period.

Selling expenses. Selling expenses increased by 58.8% to $14.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $9.1 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] selling expenses increased by 59.0% to $14.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $9.1 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by higher commissions to agents, higher advertising and promotional expenses, expenses associated with Beijing Ruida, and other miscellaneous selling expenses.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 26.6% to $6.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $5.0 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] general and administrative expenses increased by 28.4% to $5.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $4.6 million in the prior year period. The increase was mainly due to the provision for doubtful debts associated with our accounting continuing education and legal education businesses, and expenses associated with Beijing Ruida.

Gain on Deconsolidation of a Subsidiary. Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary of $6.9 million related to the gain on disposal of 60% equity interest, and fair value change of remaining 40% equity interest, in Champion Tax Advisory or "Tax School Program."

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased by 41.9% to $1.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $0.7 million in the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in taxable income.

Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, net income was $1.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared with net income of $94,000 in the prior year period. Non-GAAP^[1] net income was $2.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared with non-GAAP^[1] net income of $0.6 million in the prior year period.

Operating Cash Flow. Net operating cash inflow increased by 101.6% to $26.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from $13.2 million in the prior year period. The operating cash inflow was mainly attributable to the decrease in accounts receivable and deferred tax assets, and the increase in deferred revenue generated from our professional education services segment, and amount due to related parties. The operating cash inflow was partially offset by the increase in inventories, prepayments and other current assets, other non-current assets, and the decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities, and refundable fees.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments as of December 31, 2018 increased by 10.9% to $110.5 million from $99.6 million as of September 30, 2018, mainly due to the operating cash inflow generated in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which was partially offset by the capital expenditure of $7.5 million, mainly relating to our new office space in Beijing and new office building in Xiamen, and the repayment of an offshore loan of $5.0 million.

New Revenue Accounting Standard

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606"), applying the modified retrospective method to all contracts that the performance of which were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning October 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior periods. The Company assessed variable consideration related to certain types of its online education services over the expected service period, as well as incremental commission fees of obtaining a contract which were capitalized and amortized over the expected service period. The cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard of $9.7 million was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption.

Outlook

For the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company expects to generate total net revenue in the range of $33.3 million to $34.8 million, representing year-over-year growth of approximately 12% to 17%.

For fiscal year 2019, the Company expects to generate total net revenues in the range of $208.3 million to $216.7 million, representing year-over-year growth of approximately 25% to 30%.

The above guidance reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 7, 2019 (9:00 p.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, March 7, 2019) to discuss financial results and answer questions from investors and analysts. Listeners may access the call by dialing:

A telephone replay will be available two hours after the call until March 14, 2019 by dialing:

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.cdeledu.com.

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, practical accounting training courses for college students and working professionals, as well as third-party developed online courses. 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, the outlook for the second quarter and full fiscal year 2019 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company's strategic and operational plans (in particular, the anticipated benefits of strategic growth initiatives, including the promotion of the Company's lifelong learning ecosystem, as well as cost control and year-over-year improvement of operating margins) 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: 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; 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, operating income, gross profit, cost of sales, selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, net income margin, operating margin, gross profit margin, and basic and diluted earnings per ADS and per share. 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 and liquidity by excluding share-based compensation expenses. 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 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:

(Financial Tables on Following Pages)

Note 1: Each ADS represents four ordinary shares

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