BlueCity Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Unaudited Financial Results
BlueCity Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: BLCT) reported a 24.2% increase in fourth-quarter revenues, totaling RMB278.8 million (US$42.7 million), and a full-year revenue growth of 35.9%, reaching RMB1.03 billion (US$158.1 million). However, net loss for Q4 was RMB73.1 million (US$11.2 million), up from RMB7.2 million in 2019. Monthly active users climbed to 7.6 million, reflecting a 20.3% increase. Full-year net loss was RMB221.9 million (US$34.0 million). The company anticipates revenues between RMB1.41 billion and RMB1.46 billion in 2021.
- Fourth quarter revenues increased by 24.2% year-over-year to RMB278.8 million.
- Total revenues for 2020 reached RMB1.03 billion, up 35.9% year-over-year.
- Total paying users on Blued increased by 37.9% year-over-year to 518 thousand.
- The company expects revenue growth of 37% to 42% for the full year 2021.
- Net loss in Q4 was RMB73.1 million, significantly higher than RMB7.2 million loss in Q4 2019.
- Full year net loss of RMB221.9 million compared to RMB52.9 million in 2019.
- General and administrative expenses surged by 345.5% year-over-year.
--Fourth Quarter Revenues of RMB278.8 million, up
--Fourth Quarter Total Paying Users of 518 thousand, up
--Full Year Revenues of RMB1.03 billion, up
BEIJING, China, March 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlueCity Holdings Limited (“BlueCity” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BLCT), a leading online LGBTQ platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.
Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights
- Total revenues reached RMB278.8 million (US
$42.7 million ), an increase of24.2% from the same period in 2019. - Net loss was RMB73.1 million (US
$11.2 million ), compared with net loss of RMB7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. - Adjusted Net Loss1 (Non-GAAP) was RMB36.0 million (US
$5.5 million ), compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. - Monthly active users (“MAUs”) of BlueCity’s portfolio apps2 reached 7.6 million, an increase of
20.3% from the same period in 2019. - Total paying users3 on the Blued mobile app reached 518 thousand, an increase of
37.9% compared with 376 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Full Year 2020 Highlights
- Total revenues reached RMB1.03 billion (US
$158.1 million ), an increase of35.9% from RMB758.9 million in 2019. - Net loss was RMB221.9 million (US
$34.0 million ), compared with net loss of RMB52.9 million in 2019. - Adjusted Net Loss (Non-GAAP) was RMB39.8 million (US
$6.1 million ), compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB52.9 million in 2019.
Mr. Baoli Ma, BlueCity’s Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “2020 was a breakthrough year for BlueCity as we continued to strengthen our leadership in LGBTQ community in China and overcame the challenges associated with global operation and expansion. BlueCity’s MAUs of its portfolio apps reached 7.6 million and total revenues were RMB1.03 billion. These solid results reflected the value of our products and our growing monetization capabilities. Through our continued focus on improving our product offerings and user experience, we have fostered a greater sense of belonging in the LGBTQ community, which, in turn, solidifies our leadership position in the industry.”
Mr. Baoli Ma continued: “Meanwhile, we are pleased with the smooth integration of LESDO and Finka. Looking into 2021, we will continue to expand our user base by leveraging on our product portfolios and investing in overseas markets. Furthermore, HIV prevention and treatment in the LGBTQ community presents significant growth opportunity for our well-recognized health-related service “He Health”. As we continue to build a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment platform specifically for men, we expect “He Health” to be an engine for our next phase of growth.”
Mr. Zhiyong (Ben) Li, BlueCity’s Chief Financial Officer commented: “We achieved healthy growth in this fourth quarter, in which total paying users on Blued increased by
Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Total Revenues
Total revenues were RMB278.8 million (US
Live streaming services. Revenues from live streaming services reached RMB223.9 million (US
Membership services. Revenues from membership services reached RMB22.2 million (US
Advertising services. Revenues from advertising services reached RMB19.0 million (US
Others. Revenues from other services and merchandise sales reached RMB13.7 million (US
Total cost and expenses
- Cost of revenues. The cost of revenues was RMB209.3 million (US
$32.1 million ), representing an increase of29.0% year-over-year. The increase was primarily due to the growth of revenue-sharing costs along with the continued growth of live streaming services. - Selling and marketing expenses. Selling and marketing expenses were RMB49.7 million (US
$7.6 million ), representing an increase of56.7% year-over-year. The increase was mainly due to increased advertising and promotion expenses and staff cost. - Technology and development expenses. Technology and development expenses were RMB37.3 million (US
$5.7 million ), representing an increase of9.0% year-over-year. The increase was mainly due to the increased staff cost in technology and development personnel.
- General and administration expenses. General and administrative expenses were RMB56.5 million (US
$8.7 million ), representing an increase of345.5% year-over-year. The increase was mainly due to share-based compensation expenses, as well as the increased professional fees and staff cost.
Operating loss
Operating loss was RMB74.1 million (US
Income tax (benefits)/expenses
Income tax benefits were RMB1.9 million (US
Net loss
Net loss was RMB73.1 million (US
Adjusted net loss (Non-GAAP)4
Adjusted net loss was RMB36.0 million (US
Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and term deposits of RMB611.8 million (US
Full Year 2020 Financial Results
Total Revenues
Total revenues were RMB1.03 billion (US
Live streaming services. Revenues from live streaming services reached RMB868.9 million (US
Membership services. Revenues from membership services reached RMB71.2 million (US
Advertising services. Revenues from advertising services reached RMB45.5 million (US
Others. Revenues from other services and merchandise sales reached RMB45.7 million (US
Total cost and expenses
- Cost of revenues. The cost of revenues was RMB720.4 million (US
$110.4 million ), representing an increase of31.9% from RMB 546.2 million in 2019. The increase was primarily due to the growth of revenue-sharing costs along with the continued growth of live streaming services. - Selling and marketing expenses. Selling and marketing expenses were RMB187.3 million (US
$28.7 million ), representing an increase of56.8% from RMB119.4 million in 2019. The increase was mainly due to the increased advertising and promotion expenses and staff cost. - Technology and development expenses. Technology and development expenses were RMB149.3 million (US
$22.9 million ), representing an increase of15.1% from RMB129.7 million in 2019. The increase was mainly due to the increased staff cost in technology and development personnel, partially offset by lower content, server and bandwidth cost benefited from improved procurement efficiency. - General and administration expenses. General and administrative expenses were RMB209.1 million (US
$32.0 million ), representing an increase of755.5% from RMB 24.4 million. The increase was mainly due to share-based compensation expenses associated with the IPO, as well as the increased professional service fees and staff cost.
Operating loss
Operating loss was RMB234.7 million (US
Income tax (benefits)/expenses
Income tax benefits were RMB1.4 million (US
Net loss
Net loss was RMB221.9 million (US
Adjusted net loss (Non-GAAP)
Adjusted net loss was RMB39.8 million (US
Termination of the Family Planning Business
In March 2021, as a part of business re-organization, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved the termination of the family planning business, which contributed less than
Business Outlook
For the full year 2021, the Company expects total revenues to be between RMB1.41 billion to RMB1.46 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of
Conference Call
BlueCity’s management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on March 23, 2021, Beijing/Hong Kong Time).
Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below. Conference access information will be provided upon registration.
Participant Online Registration: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/5593197
A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until March 31, 2021. To access the replay, please reference the conference ID 5593197.
| Phone Number | |
| International | +61 2 8199-0299 |
| United States | +1 (855) 452-5696 |
| Hong Kong | +852 800963117 |
| Mainland China | +86 4006322162 +86 8008700205 |
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the company’s investors relations website at https://ir.blue-city.com/.
About BlueCity
BlueCity (NASDAQ: BLCT) is a world-leading online LGBTQ platform providing a full suite of services to foster connections and enhance the wellbeing of the LGBTQ community through its portfolio of brands. BlueCity’s mobile app Blued enables users to conveniently and safely connect with each other, express themselves and access professional health-related services. Available in 13 languages, it has more than 63 million registered users worldwide and is the largest online LGBTQ community in China, India, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. BlueCity’s portfolio of brands also includes Finka, a leading gay social networking app for a younger generation in China, and LESDO, a leading lesbian social networking app in China.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted net loss, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying financial and business trends relating to its results of operations that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in loss from operations and net loss. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about the Company’s results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of the Company’s past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company’s management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Each of the non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to its comparable GAAP measure or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the Company’s most directly comparable GAAP measures in conjunction with the non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance.
For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.
Exchange Rate
This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“USD”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.5250 to US
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 “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” and similar statements. Among other things, business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as BlueCity’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. BlueCity may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 but not limited to statements about BlueCity’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: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s ability to retain and increase the number of users, paying members and advertisers, and expand its product and service offerings; the Company’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; the Company’s expectation regarding the use of proceeds from its IPO; competition in the Company’s industry and its popularity within the LGBTQ population; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company’s industry; and the development and impacts of COVID-19. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is current as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
In China:
BlueCity Holdings Limited
Ms. Lingling Kong
Investor Relations Director
Phone: +86 10-5876-9662
Email: ir@blued.com
The Blueshirt Group
Ms. Susie Wang
Phone: +86 138-1081-7475
Email: susie@blueshirtgroup.com
In the United States:
The Blueshirt Group
Ms. Julia Qian
Phone: +1 973-619-3227
Email: Julia@blueshirtgroup.com
| BlueCity Holdings Limited | ||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2019 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 297,273,822 | 439,492,788 | 67,355,217 | |||||||
| Term deposits | 83,016,780 | 172,257,360 | 26,399,595 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,217,559 | 5,588,023 | 856,402 | |||||||
| Inventories | - | 6,853,202 | 1,050,299 | |||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | 52,485,930 | 58,629,416 | 8,985,351 | |||||||
| Total current assets | 433,994,091 | 682,820,789 | 104,646,864 | |||||||
| Non-current assets: | ||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 7,942,086 | 11,445,548 | 1,754,107 | |||||||
| Intangible assets, net | - | 52,084,512 | 7,982,301 | |||||||
| Investment securities | 23,579,048 | 50,000 | 7,663 | |||||||
| Goodwill | - | 196,002,568 | 30,038,708 | |||||||
| Other non-current assets | 1,360,429 | 2,426,128 | 371,820 | |||||||
| Total non-current assets | 32,881,563 | 262,008,756 | 40,154,599 | |||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 466,875,654 | 944,829,545 | 144,801,463 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 18,633,876 | 20,372,680 | 3,122,250 | |||||||
| Deferred revenue | 32,555,402 | 35,226,237 | 5,398,657 | |||||||
| Income tax payable | 940,080 | 2,122,765 | 325,328 | |||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 71,768,573 | 118,958,796 | 18,231,232 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | 123,897,931 | 176,680,478 | 27,077,467 | |||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | - | 10,954,883 | 1,678,909 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 123,897,931 | 187,635,361 | 28,756,376 | |||||||
| MEZZANINE EQUITY | ||||||||||
| Series A Convertible Preferred Shares | 29,751,569 | - | - | |||||||
| Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | 17,959,327 | - | - | |||||||
| Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | 483,612,008 | - | - | |||||||
| Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | 327,278,389 | - | - | |||||||
| Series C-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | 258,898,069 | - | - | |||||||
| Series D Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | 612,978,394 | - | - | |||||||
| Total mezzanine equity | 1,730,477,756 | - | - | |||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT: | ||||||||||
| Ordinary shares | 3,446 | 12,018 | 1,842 | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | - | 2,188,870,625 | 335,459,100 | |||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (41,101,943 | ) | (107,514,737 | ) | (16,477,354 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,346,401,536 | ) | (1,324,173,722 | ) | (202,938,501 | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders' deficit | (1,387,500,033 | ) | 757,194,184 | 116,045,087 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT | 466,875,654 | 944,829,545 | 144,801,463 | |||||||
| BlueCity Holdings Limited | ||||||||||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | 224,440,993 | 278,794,809 | 42,727,174 | 758,887,906 | 1,031,323,444 | 158,057,233 | ||||||||||||
| Cost and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | (162,315,433 | ) | (209,323,409 | ) | (32,080,216 | ) | (546,211,172 | ) | (720,370,586 | ) | (110,401,622 | ) | ||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | (31,694,521 | ) | (49,678,830 | ) | (7,613,614 | ) | (119,436,794 | ) | (187,281,558 | ) | (28,702,154 | ) | ||||||
| Technology and development expenses | (34,261,935 | ) | (37,347,536 | ) | (5,723,760 | ) | (129,651,820 | ) | (149,255,609 | ) | (22,874,423 | ) | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (12,691,690 | ) | (56,536,147 | ) | (8,664,544 | ) | (24,439,169 | ) | (209,086,316 | ) | (32,043,880 | ) | ||||||
| Total cost and expenses | (240,963,579 | ) | (352,885,922 | ) | (54,082,134 | ) | (819,738,955 | ) | (1,265,994,069 | ) | (194,022,079 | ) | ||||||
| Operating loss | (16,522,586 | ) | (74,091,113 | ) | (11,354,960 | ) | (60,851,049 | ) | (234,670,625 | ) | (35,964,846 | ) | ||||||
| Change in fair value of financial instruments | (1,174,920 | ) | - | - | (9,024,437 | ) | 4,857,986 | 744,519 | ||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt | 8,986,048 | - | - | 8,986,048 | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Interest income/(expenses) | 2,423,329 | (869,372 | ) | (133,237 | ) | 8,890,484 | 6,517,961 | 998,921 | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (6,288,129 | ) | (74,960,485 | ) | (11,488,197 | ) | (51,998,954 | ) | (223,294,678 | ) | (34,221,406 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax (expenses)/benefits | (930,554 | ) | 1,883,688 | 288,688 | (930,554 | ) | 1,441,814 | 220,968 | ||||||||||
| Net loss | (7,218,683 | ) | (73,076,797 | ) | (11,199,509 | ) | (52,929,508 | ) | (221,852,864 | ) | (34,000,438 | ) | ||||||
| Change in redemption value of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares | (136,565,694 | ) | - | - | (631,005,563 | ) | 244,080,678 | 37,407,000 | ||||||||||
| Net income applicable to preferred shareholders | - | - | - | - | (146,866,663 | ) | (22,508,301 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,784,377 | ) | (73,076,797 | ) | (11,199,509 | ) | (683,935,071 | ) | (124,638,849 | ) | (19,101,739 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | (7,218,683 | ) | (73,076,797 | ) | (11,199,509 | ) | (52,929,508 | ) | (221,852,864 | ) | (34,000,438 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on an available-for-sale investment, net of nil income taxes | (433,971 | ) | - | - | 1,591,098 | (3,406,863 | ) | (522,125 | ) | |||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes | 20,007,012 | (27,700,960 | ) | (4,245,358 | ) | (20,118,769 | ) | (63,005,931 | ) | (9,656,081 | ) | |||||||
| Comprehensive income/(loss) | 12,354,358 | (100,777,757 | ) | (15,444,867 | ) | (71,457,179 | ) | (288,265,658 | ) | (44,178,644 | ) | |||||||
| Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended December 31, | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (7,218,683 | ) | (73,076,797 | ) | (11,199,509 | ) | (52,929,508 | ) | (221,852,864 | ) | (34,000,438 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expenses | - | 37,111,336 | 5,687,560 | - | 186,903,430 | 28,644,204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- Cost of revenues | - | 972,763 | 149,082 | - | 11,698,603 | 1,792,889 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- Selling and marketing expenses | - | 890,690 | 136,504 | - | 16,922,885 | 2,593,546 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- Technology and development expenses | - | 186,102 | 28,521 | - | 16,737,623 | 2,565,153 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- General and administrative expenses | - | 35,061,781 | 5,373,453 | - | 141,544,319 | 21,692,616 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in fair value of financial instruments | 1,174,920 | - | - | 9,024,437 | (4,857,986 | ) | (744,519 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt | (8,986,048 | ) | - | - | (8,986,048 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net loss | (15,029,811 | ) | (35,965,461 | ) | (5,511,949 | ) | (52,891,119 | ) | (39,807,420 | ) | (6,100,753 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
___________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Adjusted Net Loss, a non-GAAP financial measure, represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in fair value of financial instruments. For further information, please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” at the bottom of this release.
2 BlueCity’s portfolio apps include Blued, LESDO and Finka. We count MAUs of LESDO and Finka into our MAUs, starting from September 2020 and December 2020, respectively, without eliminating duplicates.
3 “Total paying users” is to the total number of users who paid for virtual currency (which can be used to purchase and send virtual gifts in live streaming) and membership services. A user who makes payments for different services offered on the Company’s platform using the same registered account is counted as one paying user.
4 Adjusted net loss is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section of “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.
FAQ
What were BlueCity's fourth quarter results for 2020?
How did BlueCity's annual revenue perform in 2020?
What is the expected revenue growth for BlueCity in 2021?
Did BlueCity see an increase in its user base?
