Qudian Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

XIAMEN,China,Aug. 24,2021 -- Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or "the Company" or "We") (NYSE: QD),a leading technology platform empowering the enhancement of the online consumer finance experience in China,today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30,2021.

Second Quarter 2021 Operational Highlights:

Number of outstanding borrowers[1] from loan book business as of June 30,2021 decreased by 3.8% to 2.9million from 3.0million as of March 31,2021,as a result of the Company's deployment of a conservative and prudent strategy

Total outstanding loan balance from loan book business[2] decreased by13.8% toRMB3.5 billion as of June 30,compared to the outstanding balance as of March 31,2021

Amount of transactions from loan book businessfor this quarterdecreasedby 12.1% to RMB3.9 billion from the first quarter of 2021; Amount of transactions serviced on open platform for this quarter decreased by 32.5% to RMB142.0 million from the first quarter of 2021

Weighted average loan tenure for our loan book business was 4.4 months for this quarter,compared with 4.5 months in the first quarter of 2021; Weighted average loan tenure for transactions serviced on open platform was 6.2 months for this quarter,compared with 6.7 months in the first quarter of 2021

[1]Outstanding borrowers are borrowers who have outstanding loans from the Company's loan book business as of a particular date.

[2]Includes (i) off and on balance sheet loans directly or indirectly funded by our institutional funding partners or our own capital,net of cumulative write-offs and (ii) does not include auto loans from Dabai Auto business.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:

Total revenues were RMB412.1million (US$63.8 million),compared to RMB1,167.0 million from the same period of last year

Net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB269.9 million (US$41.8 million),representing an increase of 50.7% from the same period of last year,or RMB1.03 (US$0.16) per diluted ADS

Non-GAAP net incomeattributable to Qudian's shareholders[3] was RMB282.5million (US$43.7 million),representing an increase of 844.0% from the same period of last year,or RMB1.07 (US$0.17) per diluted ADS

[3]For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure,please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

"During the second quarter of 2021,we analyzed evolving market dynamics and maintained a prudent approach to our cash credit business,ultimately generating total transaction volume of approximately RMB3.9 billion during the period," said Mr. Min Luo,Founder,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qudian. "We are also delighted with WLM KIDS' steady progress. We opened two new WLM KIDS activities centers in Fuzhou and Xiamen. As of August 24,we have three WLM KIDS activities centers in operation,and we have signed the lease agreements for another 37 WLM KIDS activities centers,of which 24 WLM KIDS activities centers are currently under renovation. Going forward,we will prudently manage WLM KIDS' expansion and continue to deliver state-of-the-art extra-curriculum activities services and products to China's children and families."

"As we continued to implement stringent credit approval standards and strategically shifted toward higher-quality borrowers,our asset quality further improved and the D1 delinquency rate[4] for our loan book business decreased to below 5% at the end of the second quarter. Looking ahead,we remain dedicated to controlling credit risk in our loan book business and committed to creating and delivering value to children,families and society with our extra-curriculum activities business," said Ms. Sissi Zhu,Vice President of Investor Relations of Qudian.

[4]"D1 delinquency rate" is defined as (i)the total amount of principal and financing service fees that became overdue as of a specified date,divided by (ii)the total amount of principal and financing services fees that was due for repayment as of such date,in each case with respect to our loan book business.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Total revenueswere RMB412.1million (US$63.8 million),representing a decrease of 64.7% from RMB1,167.0 million for the second quarter of 2020.

Financing incometotaled RMB311.8 million (US$48.3 million),representing a decrease of46.3% from RMB580.9 million for the secondquarter of 2020,as a result of the decrease in the average on-balance sheet loan balance.

Loan facilitation income and other related income decreased by 95.1% to RMB12.6 million (US$1.9 million) from RMB255.1 million for the second quarter of 2020,as a result of the reduction in transaction volume of off-balance sheet loans during this quarter.

Transaction services fee and other related income increased to RMB38.5 million (US$6.0 million) from RMB4.1 million for thesecondquarter of 2020,mainly as a result of the reassessment of variable consideration.

Sales income and others decreased to RMB23.7 million (US$3.7 million) from RMB293.3 million for the second quarter of 2020,mainly due to sales related to the Wanlimu e-commerce platform,which we are in the process of winding down.

Sales commission fee decreasedby 37.0% to RMB9.1 million (US$1.4 million) from RMB14.4 million for the secondquarter of 2020,due to the decrease in the amount of merchandise credit transactions.

Total operating costs and expenses decreased by 90.9% to RMB89.3 million (US$13.8 million) from RMB982.4 million for the secondquarter of 2020.

Cost of revenuesdecreased by 82.3% to RMB64.9 million (US$10.1 million) from RMB366.4 million for the second quarter of 2020,primarily due to the decrease in costs associated with the loan book business and the decrease in cost of goods sold related to the Wanlimu e-commerce platform.

Sales and marketing expensesdecreased by 81.4% to RMB29.1 million (US$4.5 million) from RMB156.8 million for the secondquarter of 2020,primarily due to the decrease in marketing promotional expenses.

General and administrative expensesincreased by 44.8% to RMB109.1 million(US$16.9 million) fromRMB75.3 millionfor the second quarter of 2020,as a result of the increase in staff salaries primarily relating to WLM Kids business.

Research and development expensesdecreased by 30.3% to RMB39.2 million(US$6.1 million) from RMB56.3 millionfor the second quarter of 2020,as a result of the decrease in staff salaries.

Provision for receivables and other assetswas a reversal of RMB97.4 million(US$15.1 million),compared to a loss of RMB519.0 millionfor the second quarter of 2020,mainly due to the decrease in past-due on-balance sheet outstanding principal receivables compared to the second quarter of 2020.

As ofJune 30,the total balance of outstanding principal and financing service fee receivables for on-balance sheet transactions for which any installment payment was more than 30 calendar days past due wasRMB147.5 million(US$22.8 million),and the balance of allowance for principal and financing service fee receivables at the end of the period wasRMB374.3million(US$58.0 million),indicating M1+ Delinquency Coverage Ratio of 2.5x.

The following charts display the "vintage charge-off rate." Total potential receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to,with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated under the loan book business during a specified time period,the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days up to twelve months after origination,divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.

Current receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to,the actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days up to twelve months after origination,divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.

Total potential receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to,the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days up to twelve months after origination,divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.

Current receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to,the actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days up to twelve months after origination,divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.

Income from operationsincreased to RMB327.2 million(US$50.7 million) from RMB312.4 million for the second quarter of 2020.

Net income attributable to Qudian's shareholderswasRMB269.9 million(US$41.8 million),or RMB1.03 (US$0.16) per diluted ADS.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian's shareholderswasRMB282.5million (US$43.7 million),or RMB1.07 (US$0.17) per diluted ADS.

Cash Flow

As of June 30,the Company had cash and cash equivalents ofRMB3,133.6 million(US$485.3 million) and restricted cash ofRMB296.9million(US$46.0million). Restricted cash mainly represents (i) cash held by the consolidated trusts through segregated bank accounts; and (ii) security deposits held in designated bank accounts for the guarantee of off-balance sheet transactions. Such restricted cash is not available to fund the general liquidity needs of the Company.

For the second quarter of 2021,net cash provided by operating activities wasRMB570.3 million(US$88.3 million),mainly attributable to net income of RMB269.1 million (US$41.7 million). Net cash provided by investing activitieswas RMB456.8 million(US$70.7 million),mainly due to net proceeds from collection of loan principal and partially offset by net payments to originate loan principal. Net cash provided byfinancing activities was nil.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call on August 24,2021 at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (7:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time).Details for the conference call are as follows:

Title of Event:

Qudian Inc. Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

Conference ID:

9770439

Registration link:

http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/9770439

For participants who wish to join the call,please complete the online registration at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration,participants will receive the conference call access information,including participant dial-in numbers,a Direct Event Passcode,a unique Registrant ID,and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

Additionally,a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.qudian.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live call until August 31,by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States:

+1-855-452-5696 (toll-free) / +1-646-254-3697

International:

+61-2-8199-0299

Hong Kong,China:

800-963-117 (toll-free) / +852-3051-2780

Mainland,China:

400-632-2162 / 800-870-0205 (toll-free)

Passcode:

9770439

About Qudian Inc.

Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a leading technology platform empowering the enhancement of online consumer finance experience in China. The Company's mission is to use technology to make personalized credit accessible to hundreds of millions of young,mobile-active consumers in China who need access to small credit for their discretionary spending but are underserved by traditional financial institutions due to lack of traditional credit data or high cost of servicing. Qudian's credit solutions enable licensed,regulated financial institutions and ecosystem partners to offer affordable and customized loans to this young generation of consumers.

For more information,please visithttp://ir.qudian.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use adjusted net income/loss,a Non-GAAP financial measure,in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that adjusted net income/loss helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses,which are non-cash charges,and convertible bonds buyback income. We believe that adjusted net income/loss provides useful information about our operating results,enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Adjusted net income/loss is not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This Non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools,and when assessing our operating performance,cash flows or our liquidity,investors should not consider them in isolation,or as a substitute for net loss / income,cash flows provided by operating activities or other consolidated statements of operation and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure,all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure,please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated,all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate ofRMB6.4566 toUS$1.00,the noon buying rate in effect on June 30,2021in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB,as the case may be,at any particular rate or at all.

Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit,which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things,the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency,contain forward-looking statements. Qudian may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC,in its annual report to shareholders,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 Qudian'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: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development,financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for,and market acceptance of,its credit products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers,institutional funding partners,merchandise suppliers and other parties it collaborate with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Qudian's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release,and Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement,except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries,please contact:

Qudian Inc.

Tel: +86-592-596-8208

E-mail:ir@qudian.com

The Piacente Group,Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

E-mail: qudian@tpg-ir.com

The Piacente Group,Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: qudian@tpg-ir.com

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three months ended June 30,

(In thousands except for number

2020

2021

of shares and per-share data)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues:

Financing income

580,856

311,755

48,285

Sales commission fee

14,404

9,081

1,406

Sales income and others

293,292

23,655

3,664

Penalty fee

19,335

16,569

2,566

Loan facilitation income and other related income

255,063

12,565

1,946

Transaction services fee and other related income

4,098

38,462

5,957

Total revenues

1,167,048

412,087

63,824

Operating cost and expenses:

Cost of revenues

(366,381)

(64,890)

(10,050)

Sales and marketing

(156,806)

(29,140)

(4,513)

General and administrative

(75,334)

(109,112)

(16,899)

Research and development

(56,265)

(39,204)

(6,072)

Changes in guarantee liabilities and risk assurance liabilities(1)

191,420

55,624

8,615

Provision for receivables and other assets

(519,014)

97,385

15,083

Total operating cost and expenses

(982,380)

(89,337)

(13,836)

Other operating income

127,698

4,482

694

Income from operations

312,366

327,232

50,682

Interest and investment income/(loss),net

(65,758)

17,713

2,743

Foreign exchange income,net

4,960

319

49

Other income

10,059

85

14

Other expenses

(94)

(750)

(116)

Net income before income taxes

261,533

344,599

53,372

Income tax expenses

(82,371)

(75,457)

(11,687)

Net income

179,162

269,142

41,685

Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling

interest shareholders

-

(805)

(124)

Net income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s

shareholders

179,947

41,809

Earnings per share for Class A and Class B

ordinary shares:

Basic

0.71

1.07

0.17

Diluted

0.68

1.03

0.16

Earnings per ADS (1 Class A ordinary share

equals 1 ADSs):

Basic

0.71

1.07

0.17

Diluted

0.68

1.03

0.16

Weighted average number of Class A and Class B

ordinary shares outstanding:

Basic

253,724,694

253,370,503

253,503

Diluted

272,190,273

266,973,780

266,780

Other comprehensive loss:

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(10,165)

(7,087)

(1,098)

Total comprehensive income

168,997

262,055

40,587

Less: total comprenhensive loss attributable to

non-controlling interest shareholders

-

(805)

(124)

Total comprehensive income attributable to

Qudian Inc.'s shareholders

168,860

40,711

Note：

(1):The amount includes the change in fair value of the guarantee liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 815,"Derivative",and the change

in risk assurance liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 450,"Contingencies" and ASC 460,"Guarantees".

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31,

As of June 30,

(In thousands except for number

2021

2021

of shares and per-share data)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS:

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

2,187,502

3,133,623

485,336

Restricted cash

234,112

296,915

45,986

Short-term investments

5,079,154

5,024,942

778,264

Short-term loan principal and financing service fee receivables

3,515,293

3,150,299

487,919

Short-term finance lease receivables

128,830

88,805

13,754

Short-term contract assets

50,077

26,422

4,092

Other current assets

1,006,670

679,604

105,258

Total current assets

12,201,638

12,400,610

1,920,609

Non-current assets:

Long-term finance lease receivables

11,795

3,818

591

Operating lease right-of-use assets

296,253

526,259

81,507

Investment in equity method investee

381,287

367,148

56,864

Long-term investments

243,668

243,668

37,739

Property and equipment,net

359,955

436,007

67,529

Intangible assets

8,926

8,733

1,353

Long-term contract assets

10,317

6,154

953

Deferred tax assets,net

119,138

68,231

10,568

Other non-current assets

425,464

463,042

71,717

Total non-current assets

1,856,803

2,123,060

328,821

TOTAL ASSETS

14,058,441

14,523,670

2,249,430

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31,

(In thousands except for number

2021

2021

of shares and per-share data)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

RMB

RMB

US$

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Short-term lease liabilities

41,543

51,388

7,959

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

351,417

415,047

64,283

Guarantee liabilities and risk assurance liabilities(1)

21,583

3,252

504

Income tax payable

100,054

34,354

5,320

Total current liabilities

514,597

504,041

78,066

Non-current liabilities:

Deferred tax liabilities,net

18,564

12,182

1,887

Convertible senior notes

827,555

817,685

126,643

Long-term lease liabilities

152,184

369,666

57,254

Long-term borrowings and interest payables

145,312

145,312

22,506

Total non-current liabilities

1,143,615

1,344,845

208,290

Total liabilities

1,658,212

1,848,886

286,356

Shareholders' equity:

Class A Ordinary shares

132

132

20

Class B Ordinary shares

44

44

7

Treasury shares

(368,681)

(352,533)

(54,600)

Additional paid-in capital

4,014,320

4,010,672

621,174

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(49,160)

(56,247)

(8,711)

Retained earnings

8,793,741

9,063,688

1,403,786

Total Qudian Inc. shareholders' equity

12,390,396

12,665,756

1,961,676

Non-controlling interests

9,833

9,028

1,398

Total equity

12,229

12,674,784

1,963,074

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

14,430

Note:

(1) The amount includes the balance of the guarantee liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 815,and the balance of risk assurance

liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 450,"Guarantees".

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP And Non-GAAP Results

Three months ended June 30,

2020

2021

(In thousands except for number

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

of shares and per-share data)

RMB

RMB

US$

Total net income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders

179,809

Add: Share-based compensation expenses

20,269

12,505

1,937

Less: Convertible bonds buyback income

169,511

-

-

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders

29,920

282,452

43,746

Non-GAAP net income per share—basic

0.12

1.11

0.17

Non-GAAP net income per share—diluted

0.12

1.07

0.17

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

253,503

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

253,694

266,780

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