BEIJING, Nov. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. ("ChinaCache" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:CCIH), the leading total solutions provider of Internet content and application delivery services in China, today announced its unaudited condensed consolidated financial results for the third quarter of 2014.
Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2014
- Net revenues in the third quarter were RMB375.3 million (US$61.1 million), within the prior guidance range, and representing a 36.3% increase year-over-year.
- Gross profit in the third quarter was RMB113.9 million (US$18.6 million), an increase of 30.0% year-over-year.
- Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) in the third quarter was RMB36.9 million (US$6.0 million), a 29.4% increase from the prior quarter, and an increase of 847.7% year-over-year.
- Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the third quarter was RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million), compared with net income attributable to ordinary shares of RMB6.9 million in the second quarter of 2014, and net loss attributable to ordinary shares of RMB22.7 million in the corresponding period in 2013.
- Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was RMB8.9 million (US$1.5 million) in the third quarter, compared with adjusted net income (non-GAAP) of RMB11.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, and adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB16.0 million in the corresponding period in 2013.
"In the third quarter we sustained the excellent momentum established in the first half of 2014," said Mr. Song Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChinaCache. "Our growth was again led by strong demand for our advanced mobile technology and the continued adoption of CDN by leading enterprises. I'm pleased with our ability to achieve rapid growth while maintaining efficient operations and, most importantly, providing superb service and innovative solutions to our customers. During the quarter we continued to upgrade the speed and capacity of our global network by rebuilding our service nodes. We also enhanced our ability to analyze network content and performance, and we are leveraging this capability to develop value-added services for large customers. ChinaCache is at the forefront of content delivery technology and services, and we are positioned to efficiently handle the rapid growth in China's Internet traffic and deliver the finest performance for content providers and end-users."
Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results
Net revenues for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB375.3 million (US$61.1 million), representing an 8.4% sequential increase from the previous quarter, and a 36.3% increase from the corresponding period in 2013. The quarter-over-quarter growth in net revenues was primarily driven by the growth in the mobile Internet and enterprise verticals with revenues increasing by 15.6% and 17.4%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared with the previous quarter.
Cost of revenues for the third quarter of 2014 was RMB261.4 million (US$42.6 million), representing a 7.8% increase from the previous quarter, and a 39.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2013. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2014 was 30.3%, compared with 30.0% in the previous quarter, and 31.8% in the corresponding period in 2013. Non-GAAP gross margin for the third quarter of 2014, which excludes share-based compensation, was 30.4%, compared with 30.1% in the previous quarter and 32.0% in the corresponding period in 2013.
Sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB30.6 million (US$5.0 million), or 8.2% of net revenues, representing a 13.4% decrease from the previous quarter and a 1.3% increase from the corresponding period in 2013.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB42.5 million (US$6.9 million), or 11.3% of net revenues, an increase of 13.5% from the previous quarter and an 11.8% decrease from the corresponding period in 2013.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB30.0 million (US$4.9 million), or 8.0% of net revenues, remaining flat from the previous quarter and representing a 14.5% increase from the corresponding period in 2013.
Operating income was RMB10.7 million (US$1.7 million) in the third quarter of 2014, compared to RMB1.0 million in the previous quarter and an operating loss of RMB17.1 million in the corresponding period in 2013. Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes share-based compensation expense, was RMB12.6 million (US$2.0 million), compared with non-GAAP operating income of RMB4.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB12.2 million in the corresponding period in 2013. The improvement in operating income primarily reflects economies of scale.
Income tax expense was RMB2.6 million (US$0.4 million) in the third quarter of 2014, compared with income tax benefit of RMB3.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, and income tax expense of RMB3.9 million in the corresponding period in 2013.
Net income was RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million) in the third quarter of 2014, compared with net income of RMB6.9 million in the second quarter of 2014, and net loss of RMB22.7 million in the corresponding period in 2013. Basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share ("ADS") for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB0.02 (US$0.00) and RMB0.02 (US$0.00). Each ADS represents 16 ordinary shares of the Company.
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP), defined as net income before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain/(loss) and penalties on uncertain tax positions, was RMB8.9 million (US$1.5 million) in the third quarter of 2014, compared with adjusted net income (non-GAAP) of RMB11.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, and adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB16.0 million in the corresponding period in 2013. Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS in the third quarter of 2014 were RMB0.35 (US$0.06) and RMB0.34 (US$0.06), respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), defined as EBITDA excluding share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain/(loss), increased to RMB36.9 million (US$6.0 million) in the third quarter of 2014, compared with RMB28.5 million in the second quarter of 2014 and RMB3.9 million in the corresponding period in 2013.
Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB468.9 million (US$76.4 million), compared with RMB338.1 million as of December 31, 2013. In addition, the Company had an available-for-sale investment amounting to RMB25.0 million (US$4.1 million) in an RMB denominated fund, which is presented as a current asset. Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2014 were RMB104.6 million (US$17.0 million).
Fourth Quarter of 2014 Outlook
ChinaCache currently expects to generate total net revenues in the range of RMB365.0 million (US$59.5 million) to RMB370.0 million (US$60.3 million) for the fourth quarter of 2014, representing a decrease of 1.4% to 2.7% from the third quarter of 2014, and an increase of 7.6% to 9.0% from the fourth quarter of 2013. This forecast reflects ChinaCache's current view, which is subject to change.
Conference Call Information
The Company has scheduled a corresponding conference call and live webcast to discuss these results at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on November 19, 2014, which corresponds to 8:00 AM Beijing time on November 20, 2014.
The dial-in details for the live conference call are as follows:
- U.S. dial-in number: +1 (845) 675-0438
- Hong Kong dial-in number: +852 3018-6776
- International dial-in number: +65 6723-9385
- China dial-in number: 400-1200-654
- Conference ID: 29144193
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of ChinaCache's website at ir.chinacache.com.
A replay of the conference call will also be available until November 25, 2014 by dialing:
- U.S. dial-in number: +1 (855) 452-5696
- International dial-in number: +61 (2) 9003-4211
- China dial-in number: 400-632-2162
- Conference ID: 29144193
About ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd.
ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:CCIH) is the leading total solutions provider of Internet content and application delivery services in China. As a carrier-neutral service provider, ChinaCache's network in China is interconnected with networks operated by all telecom carriers, major non-carriers and local Internet service providers. With more than a decade of experience in developing solutions tailored to China's complex Internet infrastructure, ChinaCache is a partner of choice for businesses, government agencies and other enterprises to enhance the reliability and scalability of online services and applications and improve end-user experience. For more information on ChinaCache, please visit ir.chinacache.com.
*Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating its business, ChinaCache considers and uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP operating income/(loss), adjusted net income/(loss) (non-GAAP), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP). 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 U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release.
To present non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses and non-GAAP research and development expenses, the Company excludes share-based compensation expense.
To present non-GAAP gross profit, the Company excludes share-based compensation expense.
To present non-GAAP operating income/(loss), the Company excludes share-based compensation expense.
The Company defines adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain/(loss), penalties on uncertain tax positions.
The Company uses EBITDA to assist in reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, interest income, income tax expense and penalties on uncertain tax positions and depreciation and amortization. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain/(loss) that the Company does not consider reflective of its ongoing operations. The Company believes that the use of adjusted EBITDA facilitates investors' use of operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in items such as capital structure (affecting relative interest expense and share-based compensation expense), the book amortization of intangibles (affecting relative amortization expense), the age and book value of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense) and other non-cash expenses. The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA because it believes it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a measure of the financial performance of companies in its industry.
Those non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing the Company's operating performance, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net income or other consolidated income statement data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations include, but are not limited to:
- Adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the Company's cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
- They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company's working capital needs;
- They do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company's debt;
- They do not reflect income taxes or the cash requirements for any tax payments;
- Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
- While share-based compensation is a component of cost of revenues and operating expenses, the impact on the Company's financial statements compared to other companies can vary significantly due to such factors as assumed life of the options and assumed volatility of the Company's ordinary shares; and
- Other companies may calculate adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are based on the effective exchange rate of 6.1380 as of September 30, 2014.
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," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the fourth quarter of 2014 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as ChinaCache's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. ChinaCache may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. 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 statements, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies, expansion plans, the expected growth of the content and application delivery services market, the Company's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with its customers, and the general economic and business conditions in the regions where the Company provides its solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and ChinaCache undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
FINANCIAL TABLES
- Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
- Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
- Supplementary Metrics
- Reconciliations of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||
| (amounts in thousands) | |||
| As of Dec 31 | As of Sep 30 | As of Sep 30 | |
| 2013 | 2014 | 2014 | |
| RMB | RMB | US$ | |
| (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |
| ASSETS | |||
| Current assets | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 338,092 | 468,865 | 76,387 |
| Restricted Cash | 60,000 | 67,457 | 10,990 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 306,237 | 416,887 | 67,919 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 50,549 | 71,761 | 11,691 |
| Short term investments | 24,636 | 25,019 | 4,076 |
| Deferred tax assets | 7,096 | 15,260 | 2,486 |
| Amount due from a related party | 141 | -- | -- |
| Total current assets | 786,751 | 1,065,249 | 173,549 |
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property and equipment, net | 240,650 | 358,908 | 58,473 |
| Cloud infrastructure construction in progress | 12,236 | 157,752 | 25,701 |
| Intangible assets, net | 5,563 | 7,809 | 1,272 |
| Land use right, net | 50,730 | 49,955 | 8,139 |
| Long term investments | 33,690 | 43,950 | 7,160 |
| Deferred tax assets | 1,719 | 950 | 155 |
| Long term deposits and other non-current assets | 35,829 | 44,779 | 7,295 |
| Total non-current assets | 380,417 | 664,103 | 108,195 |
| Total Assets | 1,167,168 | 1,729,352 | 281,744 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Short-term loan | 60,000 | 60,000 | 9,775 |
| Accounts payable | 203,750 | 294,881 | 48,042 |
| Accrued employee benefits | 43,922 | 50,417 | 8,214 |
| Accrued expenses and other payables | 157,075 | 385,745 | 62,845 |
| Income tax payable | 10,399 | 16,586 | 2,702 |
| Liabilities for uncertain tax positions | 11,540 | 11,627 | 1,894 |
| Amounts due to related parties | 862 | 17 | 3 |
| Current portion of long term liabilities | -- | 7,850 | 1,279 |
| Deferred government grant | 24,360 | 37,360 | 6,087 |
| Total current liabilities | 511,908 | 864,483 | 140,841 |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Long-term loan | -- | 14,360 | 2,340 |
| Non-current portion of capital lease obligation | -- | 1,106 | 180 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 2,127 | 2,157 | 350 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 2,127 | 17,623 | 2,870 |
| Total Liabilities | 514,035 | 882,106 | 143,711 |
| Total Shareholders' equity | 653,133 | 847,246 | 138,033 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 1,167,168 | 1,729,352 | 281,744 |
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | ||||
| (amounts in thousands, except for number of shares, per share and per ADS data) | ||||
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||
| Sep 30, 2013 | Jun 30, 2014 | Sep 30, 2014 | Sep 30, 2014 | |
| RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |
| Net revenues | 275,392 | 346,299 | 375,258 | 61,137 |
| Cost of revenues | (187,793) | (242,444) | (261,371) | (42,582) |
| Gross profit | 87,599 | 103,855 | 113,887 | 18,555 |
| Sales & marketing expenses | (30,235) | (35,360) | (30,637) | (4,991) |
| General & administrative expenses | (48,206) | (37,466) | (42,523) | (6,928) |
| Research & development expenses | (26,228) | (30,026) | (30,035) | (4,893) |
| Operating (loss)/income | (17,070) | 1,003 | 10,692 | 1,743 |
| Interest income | 1,273 | 3,190 | 863 | 141 |
| Interest expense | (1,609) | (1,572) | (1,965) | (320) |
| Other income | 431 | 2,190 | 88 | 14 |
| Foreign exchange loss, net | (1,913) | (1,509) | (6,409) | (1,044) |
| (Loss)/income before income taxes | (18,888) | 3,302 | 3,269 | 534 |
| Income tax (expense)/benefit | (3,857) | 3,608 | (2,646) | (431) |
| Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders | (22,745) | 6,910 | 623 | 103 |
| Foreign currency translation | 337 | (121) | 1,687 | 275 |
| Unrealized holding gains arising during the period | 726 | 147 | 141 | 23 |
| Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net loss | (323) | -- | -- | -- |
| Total other comprehensive income, net of tax | 740 | 26 | 1,828 | 298 |
| Comprehensive (loss)/income | (22,005) | 6,936 | 2,451 | 401 |
| (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share: | ||||
| Basic | (0.06) | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Diluted | (0.06) | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| (Loss)/earnings per ADS*: | ||||
| Basic | (1.00) | 0.27 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Diluted | (1.00) | 0.26 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in earnings per share computation: | ||||
| Basic | 365,306,073 | 407,486,064 | 411,553,199 | 411,553,199 |
| Diluted | 365,306,073 | 419,885,015 | 422,211,476 | 422,211,476 |
| * Note 1:1 ADS = 16 shares | ||||
| Note 2: Non-GAAP Financial Measures | ||||
| Supplementary Metrics | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||
|
Jun 30, 2013 |
Sep 30, 2013 |
Dec 31, 2013 |
Mar 31, 2014 |
Jun 30, 2014 |
Sep 30, 2014 |
|
| Revenues breakdown by industry verticals | ||||||
| Internet and software | 20% | 22% | 25% | 23% | 23% | 23% |
| Mobile internet | 17% | 17% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Media and entertainment | 29% | 27% | 27% | 28% | 29% | 29% |
| E-commerce | 22% | 21% | 21% | 21% | 20% | 19% |
| Enterprises | 9% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 12% | 13% |
| Government agencies | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Capital expenditures | 28,444 | 22,689 | 32,886 | 29,728 | 58,368 | 104,588 |
| As a percentage of net revenues | 11.0% | 8.2% | 9.7% | 9.2% | 16.9% | 27.9% |
| Supplementary Metrics - Reconciliations of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures | ||||
| (amounts in thousands, except for percentages, number of shares, per share and per ADS data) | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||
| Sep 30, 2013 | Jun 30, 2014 | Sep 30, 2014 | Sep 30, 2014 | |
| RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
| Adjusted EBITDA — defined as EBITDA before share-based compensation expense, and foreign exchange loss | ||||
| Net (loss)/income | (22,745) | 6,910 | 623 | 103 |
| Depreciation | 15,258 | 21,642 | 23,707 | 3,862 |
| Amortization | 436 | 527 | 534 | 87 |
| Interest expense | 1,609 | 1,572 | 1,965 | 320 |
| Interest income | (1,273) | (3,190) | (863) | (141) |
| Income tax expense/(benefit) | 3,857 | (3,608) | 2,646 | 431 |
| Share-based compensation | 4,838 | 3,115 | 1,872 | 305 |
| Foreign exchange loss | 1,913 | 1,509 | 6,409 | 1,044 |
| Penalties on uncertain tax positions | -- | 44 | -- | -- |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 3,893 | 28,521 | 36,893 | 6,011 |
| Margin% | 1.4% | 8.2% | 9.8% | 9.8% |
| Adjusted net (loss)/income — defined as net (loss)/income before share-based compensation, foreign exchange loss and penalties on uncertain tax positions | ||||
| Net (loss)/income | (22,745) | 6,910 | 623 | 103 |
| Share-based compensation | 4,838 | 3,115 | 1,872 | 305 |
| Foreign exchange loss | 1,913 | 1,509 | 6,409 | 1,044 |
| Penalties on uncertain tax positions | -- | 44 | -- | -- |
| Adjusted net (loss)/income | (15,994) | 11,578 | 8,904 | 1,452 |
| Margin% | (5.8%) | 3.3% | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share: | ||||
| Basic | (0.04) | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Diluted | (0.04) | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| (Loss)/earnings per ADS: | ||||
| Basic | (0.70) | 0.45 | 0.35 | 0.06 |
| Diluted | (0.70) | 0.44 | 0.34 | 0.06 |
| Non-GAAP gross profit – defined as gross profit before share-based compensation expense | ||||
| Gross profit | 87,599 | 103,855 | 113,887 | 18,555 |
| Plus: Share-based compensation | 535 | 307 | 162 | 26 |
| Non-GAAP gross profit | 88,134 | 104,162 | 114,049 | 18,581 |
| Margin% | 32.0% | 30.1% | 30.4% | 30.4% |
| Non-GAAP operating expense – defined as operating expense before share-based compensation expense | ||||
| Sales & marketing expenses | 30,235 | 35,360 | 30,637 | 4,991 |
| Minus: Share-based compensation | (1,218) | (666) | (366) | (60) |
| Non-GAAP sales & marketing expenses | 29,017 | 34,694 | 30,271 | 4,931 |
| % of net revenues | 10.5% | 10.0% | 8.1% | 8.1% |
| General & administrative expenses | 48,206 | 37,466 | 42,523 | 6,928 |
| Minus: Share-based compensation | (2,162) | (1,503) | (998) | (163) |
| Non-GAAP general & administrative expenses | 46,044 | 35,963 | 41,525 | 6,765 |
| % of net revenues | 16.7% | 10.4% | 11.1% | 11.1% |
| Research & development expenses | 26,228 | 30,026 | 30,035 | 4,893 |
| Minus: Share-based compensation | (923) | (639) | (346) | (56) |
| Non-GAAP research & development expenses | 25,305 | 29,387 | 29,689 | 4,837 |
| % of net revenues | 9.2% | 8.5% | 7.9% | 7.9% |
| Non-GAAP operating (loss)/income — defined as GAAP operating (loss)/income before share-based compensation expense | ||||
| Operating (loss)/income | (17,070) | 1,003 | 10,692 | 1,743 |
| Plus: Share-based compensation | 4,838 | 3,115 | 1,872 | 305 |
| Non-GAAP operating (loss)/income | (12,232) | 4,118 | 12,564 | 2,048 |
| Margin% | (4.4%) | 1.2% | 3.3% | 3.3% |