Nine Months 2021 Operating and Financial Highlights
- Total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 52.5% to RMB1,171.2 million (US$181.8 million) from RMB767.8 million in the same period of 2020.
- Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 27.4% to RMB232.4 million (US$36.1 million) from RMB182.4 million in the same period of 2020.
- Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 7.7% to RMB237.5 million (US$36.9 million) from RMB220.5 million in the same period of 2020.
- Adjusted net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 37.5% to RMB182.6 million (US$28.3 million) from RMB132.8 million in the same period of 2020.
- Total paying users for the nine months ended September 31,2021 decreased by 10.8% to 648,465 from 727,385 in the same period of 2020.
- Active broadcasters for the nine months ended September 31,2021 increased by 28.2% to 250,497 from 195,422 in the same period of 2020.
- As of September 30, 2021, the Company had RMB291.9 million (US$45.3 million) in cash and cash equivalents, which represented an increase of 29.9% from RMB224.8 million as of December 31, 2020.
Mr. Victor He, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scienjoy, commented, “Scienjoy has continued to achieve outstanding financial and operational results in the first nine months of 2021. Our revenues and adjusted net income for the nine months of 2021 are close to the full year results of fiscal year 2020, which reflect tremendous growth in our business. We have made significant progress on improving operating efficiency through refined operations and continued to invest and adopt extensive cutting-edge technologies to improve overall users’ experience. The rapid growth number of active broadcasters has proved our strong capabilities in addressing increasing demands for livestreaming. Looking forward, we are committed to building the metaverse in the livestreaming field, by using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), big data, and blockchain to upgrade the fundamental elements of livestreaming settings and expand the offerings of livestreaming content. With the continuous development and application of advanced technologies, we aim to fulfill the fast-evolving expectations of our users and broadcasters, which are building an interactive connection between users and broadcasters and customizing their own experiences with a vast variety of contents and features. We remain optimistic and believe that we are well positioned to continue to capture the opportunity in the rapidly expanding and evolving market for live entertainment mobile streaming.”
Mr. Denny Tang, Chief Financial Officer of Scienjoy, added, “We continued to deliver strong financial results in the first nine months of 2021 as we focused on investing in technologies to improve our platform and delivering the attractive experiences to our users and broadcasters. The significant increase in revenue and adjusted net income demonstrated the attractiveness of our platform. Looking ahead, we will still be dedicated to facilitating user growth, enhancing monetization and developing our technologies and ambition in building metaverse in livestreaming. We are confident that we will continue to generate significant revenue and provide greater value to our shareholders in the long term.”
Nine Months 2021 Financial Results
Total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 52.5% to RMB1,171.2 million (US$181.8 million) from RMB767.8 million in the same period of 2020, because more quality content are provided through our integrated multiple live streaming platforms including Beelive platforms we acquired in September 2020 and our ARPPU for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 70% comparing to the same period of last year, partially offset by decrease in number of paying users.
Cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 60.4% to RMB938.8 million (US$145.7 million) from RMB585.4 million in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to a 58.7%, or RMB297.0 million, year-over-year increase in the Company’s revenue sharing fees and content costs, which was consistent with the 28.2% year-over-year increase in active broadcasters as well as the growth of the Company’s overall live streaming operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. In addition, the Company incurred share based compensation of RMB3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and no such expense incurred in the same period of last year.
Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 27.4% to RMB232.4 million (US$36.1 million) from RMB182.4 million in the same period of 2020.
Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased to RMB85.6 million (US$13.3 million) from RMB41.5 million in the same period of 2020.
- Sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 kept constant at RMB3.7 million (US$0.6 million) as compared to the same period of 2020.
- General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 significantly increased to RMB38.6 million (US6.0 million) from RMB19.7 million in the same period of 2020.The increase was primarily because we had a share based compensation of RMB3.6 Million (US$0.6 million) and higher listing-related professional fees, employee salary and welfare and amortization of intangible assets as compared to the same period of 2020.
- Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 91.6% to RMB39.8 million (US$6.2 million) from RMB20.8 million in the same period of 2020. The increase was due to higher R&D headcount and the Company had share based compensation of RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million) in the first nine months ended September 30, 2021.
- Provision for doubtful accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was RMB3.4 million (US$0.5 million) as compared to a recovery for doubtful accounts of RMB2.7 million in the same period of 2020
Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 4.2% to RMB146.8 million (US$22.8 million) from RMB140.9 million in the same period of 2020.
Change in fair value of contingent consideration for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 decreased by 48.1% to RMB45.5 million (US$7.1 million) from RMB87.6 million in the same period of 2020. Change in fair value of contingent consideration is derived from the Company’s reverse recapitalization with Wealthbridge Acquisition Limited on May 7, 2020, and acquisition of BeeLive on August 10, 2020, which involved payments of future contingent consideration upon the achievement of certain financial performance targets and specific market price levels. Earn out liabilities are recorded for the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration on the merger date. The fair value of the contingent consideration is re-measured at each reporting period, and the change in fair value is recognized as either income or expense.
Change in fair value of warrants liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 amount to RMB21.8 million (US$3.4 million). The Company’s warrants assumed from SPAC acquisition that have complex terms, such as a clause in which the warrant agreements contain a cash settlement provision whereby the holders could settle the warrants for cash upon a fundamental transaction that is considered outside of the control of management are considered to be a derivative that are recorded as a liability at fair value. The warrant derivative liability is adjusted to its fair value at the end of each reporting period, with the change being recorded as other expense or gain.
Change in fair value of investment in marketable security for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 amount to RMB27.6 million (US$4.3 million) In January 2021, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Scienjoy Inc., purchased from Cross Wealth Investment Holding Limited, an entity related to two directors of the Company, 606,061 ordinary shares of Goldenbridge Acquisition Limited (“Goldenbridge”) for an aggregated consideration of US$2 million. Goldenbridge was formed as a special purpose acquisition company. The investment was classified as investment in marketable security, which is adjusted to its fair value at the end of each reporting period, with the change being recorded as other expense or gain.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 7.7% to RMB237.5 million (US$36.9 million) from RMB220.5 million in the same period of 2020.
Adjusted net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 37.5% to RMB182.6 million (US$28.3 million) from RMB132.8 million in the same period of 2020.
Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were both RMB7.73 (US$1.20). In comparison, basic and diluted net income per ordinary share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were both RMB10.14, respectively.
Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were both RMB5.94 (US$0.92). In comparison, both adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were RMB6.11.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB291.9 million (US$45.3 million) compared to RMB224.8 million as of December 31, 2020.
Business Outlook
The Company expects its total net revenues to be in the range of RMB393 million to RMB455 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. This forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change, particularly in respect to the potential impact of COVID-19 on the economy in China and other markets around the world.