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 --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 ($96.3 million).
"During the fourth quarter,hospitals in our operating markets continued the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline and maintained relatively strict control over access to other services,which had an impact on our business growth. Despite these challenges,we were able to add 19,367 new subscribers in the fourth quarter",said Ms. Ting Zheng,Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of GCBC. "Looking ahead,challenges remain due to ambiguity surrounding cord blood banking industry regulations and Biosecurity Law in China,as well as difficulties regarding client access and conversion due to ongoing anti-pandemic policies in hospitals. However,we believe in the gradual recovery of consumer sentiment and intend to leverage the solid foundation of our growing client base,pursue organic growth opportunities in our current markets while selectively considering new expansion opportunities to better serve our clients and diversify income sources. Additionally,favorable policy trends on increasing newborn growth rates issued by the Chinese government to encourage childbirth bode well for long term trends in our business but such measures will take time to be accepted and implemented by a new generation of expectant parents."
Summary – Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended March 31,2020 and 2021
Three Months Ended March 31,
YearEnded March 31,
2020
2021
2020
2021
(In thousands)
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
Revenues
299,888
302,321
46,143
1,221,460
1,159,639
176,995
Gross Profit
256,430
256,413
39,136
1,032,332
980,692
149,682
Operating Income[3]
149,339
148,243
22,627
559,033
544,870
83,162
Change in Fair Value
of Equity Securities
(24,155)
(4,722)
(721)
(13,172)
25,385
3,875
Net Income Attributable
to the Company's
Shareholders
97,007
127,734
19,497
470,717
508,247
77,573
Earnings per Share
– Basic (RMB/US$)
0.80
1.05
0.16
3.87
4.18
0.64
– Diluted (RMB/US$)
0.80
1.05
0.16
3.87
4.18
0.64
Revenues
Breakdown (%)
Processing Fees
and Other Services
61.1
%
58.1
%
63.0
%
57.5
%
Storage Fees
38.9
%
41.9
%
37.0
%
42.5
%
New Subscribers
(persons)
18,488
19,367
84,241
72,045
Total Accumulated
Subscribers
(persons)
833,094
901,437
[1]
833,437
[1]
Summary – Selected Cash Flow Statement Items
Three Months Ended March 31,
2020
2021
2020
2021
(In thousands)
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
Net cash provided by
operating activities
89,962
211,079
32,218
624,004
630,710
96,266
Net cash used in
investing activities
(1,026)
(2,791)
(426)
(146,061)
(20,107)
(3,069)
Net cash used in
financing activities
-
-
-
(4,039)
(6,074)
(927)
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,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,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,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,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#.
[1]During the three months and year ended March 31,19,367 and 72,045 new subscribers were recruited,respectively. During the three months and year ended March 31,the Company determined that the recoverability of 912 and 3,702 private cord blood units was remote and therefore,the Company terminated their subscription services according to the subscription contracts. Out of these prior private cord blood units,712 and 3,102 prior private cord blood units were being treated as if they were donated cord blood units and will be part of the Company's non-current inventories. Hence,the net accumulated subscriber base was 901,437 as of March 31,2021.
[2]See exhibit 3 to this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP operating income to exclude the non-cash items related to the depreciation and amortization expenses to the comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").
[3]The reported operating income for the three months ended March 31,2020 and 2021 included depreciation and amortization expenses related to property,plant and equipment and intangible assets of RMB12.4 million and RMB12.2 million ($1.9 million),respectively. The reported operating income for the year ended March 31,plant and equipment and intangible assets of RMB49.4 million and RMB49.1 million ($7.5 million),respectively.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
GAAP results for the three months and year ended March 31,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,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,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,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 $1.00 on March 31,2021 in the City of New York for cable transfers in Renminbi per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Global Cord Blood Corporation makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this press release could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi,at any particular rate or at all.
For more information,please contact:
Global Cord Blood Corporation
Investor Relations Department
Tel: (+852) 3605-8180
Email: ir@globalcordbloodcorp.com
ICR,Inc.
William Zima
Tel: (+86) 10-6583-7511
U.S. Tel: (646) 405-5185
Email: William.zima@icrinc.com
EXHIBIT 1
GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of March 31,2020 and 2021
March 31,
March 31,
2020
2021
RMB
RMB
US$
(in thousands except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
5,473,373
6,075,798
927,349
Accounts receivable,less allowance for
doubtful accounts (March 31,2020:
RMB111,869; March 31,2021:
RMB137,961 (US$21,057))
104,251
130,298
19,887
Inventories
43,758
44,257
6,755
Prepaid expenses and other receivables
44,785
47,788
7,294
Total current assets
5,666,167
6,298,141
961,285
Property,plant and equipment,net
522,679
498,656
76,109
Operating lease right-of-use assets
4,548
5,039
769
Non-current deposits
347,360
344,752
52,619
Non-current accounts receivable,less
allowance for doubtful accounts
(March 31,2020: RMB71,421;
March 31,2021: RMB67,095 (US$10,241))
160,031
217,208
33,152
Inventories
85,109
91,446
13,957
Intangible assets,net
92,823
88,202
13,462
Investment in equity securities at fair value
101,306
117,911
17,997
Other equity investment
189,129
189,129
28,867
Deferred tax assets
50,701
55,845
8,524
Total assets
7,219,853
7,906,329
1,206,741
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
19,992
9,479
1,447
Accrued expenses and other payables
113,989
136,448
20,825
Operating lease liabilities
1,717
1,636
250
Deferred revenue
402,751
449,359
68,586
Income tax payable
32,329
29,547
4,510
Total current liabilities
570,778
626,469
95,618
Non-current deferred revenue
2,289,762
2,392,906
365,229
Non-current operating lease liabilities
1,782
147
22
Other non-current liabilities
450,900
482,224
73,602
Deferred tax liabilities
18,140
16,132
2,462
Total liabilities
3,331,362
3,517,878
536,933
EQUITY
Shareholders' equity of Global Cord Blood Corporation
Ordinary shares
- US$0.0001 par value,250,000,000 shares authorized,
121,687,974 and 121,551,075 shares issued and outstanding
as of March 31,2020 and 2021,respectively
83
83
13
Additional paid-in capital
2,101,582
2,582
320,764
Treasury stock,at cost (March 31,2020 and 2021: 136,899
shares,respectively)
(2,815)
(2,815)
(430)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses
(94,663)
(103,179)
(15,748)
Retained earnings
1,877,940
2,386,187
364,203
Total equity attributable to Global Cord Blood
Corporation
3,882,127
4,381,858
668,802
Non-controlling interests
6,364
6,593
1,006
Total equity
3,888,491
4,388,451
669,808
Total liabilities and equity
7,741
EXHIBIT 2
GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Three Months and Year Ended March 31,2020 and 2021
Three months ended March 31,
Yearended March 31,
2020
2021
2020
2021
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
(in thousands except per share data)
Revenues
299,995
Cost of revenues
(43,458)
(45,908)
(7,007)
(189,128)
(178,947)
(27,313)
Gross profit
256,430
256,413
39,136
1,332
980,692
149,682
Operating expenses
Research and
development
(3,605)
(5,486)
(837)
(21,109)
(23,769)
(3,628)
Sales and marketing
(60,505)
(59,513)
(9,083)
(261,958)
(237,691)
(36,279)
General and
administrative
(42,981)
(43,171)
(6,589)
(190,232)
(174,362)
(26,613)
Total operating
expenses
(107,091)
(108,170)
(16,509)
(473,299)
(435,822)
(66,520)
Operating income
149,339
148,243
22,627
559,033
544,870
83,162
Other (expenses)/
income,net
Interest income
6,287
8,132
1,241
25,359
30,899
4,716
Foreign currency
exchange (losses)/
gains
(139)
(28)
(4)
(303)
155
24
Change in fair value of
equity securities
(24,875
Dividend income
-
-
-
507
1,281
196
Others
2,111
3,091
472
7,388
8,161
1,246
Total other (expenses)/
income,net
(15,896)
6,473
988
19,779
65,881
10,057
Income before
income tax
133,443
154,716
23,615
578,812
610,751
93,219
Income tax expense
(33,877)
(24,415)
(3,726)
(101,084)
(94,546)
(14,431)
Net income
99,566
130,301
19,889
477,728
516,205
78,788
Net income attributable
to non-controlling
interests
(2,559)
(2,567)
(392)
(7,011)
(7,958)
(1,215)
Net income
attributable to
Global Cord Blood
Corporation's
shareholders
97,007
127,734
19,497
470,717
508,247
77,573
Earnings per share
Attributable to
ordinary shares
- Basic
0.80
1.05
0.16
3.87
4.18
0.64
- Diluted
0.80
1.05
0.16
3.87
4.18
0.64
Other comprehensive
income/(losses),net
of nil income taxes
- Foreign currency translation
adjustments
1,875
414
63
(5,925)
(8,516)
(1,300)
Comprehensive
income
101,441
130,715
19,952
471,803
507,689
77,488
Comprehensive
income attributable
to non-controlling
interests
(2,215)
Comprehensive
income attributable
to Global Cord
Blood Corporation's
shareholders
98,882
128,148
19,560
464,792
499,731
76,273
EXHIBIT 3
GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
For the Three Months and Year Ended March 31,
Year endedMarch 31,
2020
2021
2020
2021
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
(in thousands)
GAAP amount of
operating income
149,162
Depreciation and
amortization
expenses[4]
12,409
12,171
1,858
49,449
49,090
7,493
Non-GAAP
operating income
161,748
160,414
24,485
608,482
593,960
90,655
[4]Depreciation and amortization expenses relate to property,plant and equipment and intangible assets,respectively.