Futu Announces First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results
Futu Holdings announced its unaudited financial results for Q1 2024, showcasing a 3.7% year-over-year revenue increase to HK$2,592.5 million. The company's paying clients surged by 23.5% to 1.89 million. However, net income saw a decline of 13.1% to HK$1,035.1 million, and gross profit dropped by 3.9% to HK$2,122.2 million. Trading volume rose by 9.5% year-over-year to HK$1.3 trillion. Despite higher costs, Futu achieved a 6.0% increase in daily average client assets to HK$480 billion and a notable 72.8% year-over-year growth in wealth management assets to HK$64.0 billion. CEO Leaf Hua Li cited strong market performance and new market expansion as key growth drivers.
- Paying clients increased by 23.5% year-over-year to 1.89 million.
- Registered clients increased by 15.4% year-over-year to 3.81 million.
- Total users increased by 12.3% year-over-year to 22.5 million.
- Client assets grew by 11.2% year-over-year to HK$517.9 billion.
- Daily average client assets rose by 6.0% year-over-year to HK$480 billion.
- Trading volume increased by 9.5% year-over-year to HK$1.3 trillion.
- Margin financing and securities lending balance increased by 8.9% year-over-year to HK$37.6 billion.
- New paying clients surged by 330.8% year-over-year to 177,000.
- Wealth management assets rose by 72.8% year-over-year to HK$64.0 billion.
- Singapore client assets grew by 25% sequentially.
- Net income decreased by 13.1% year-over-year to HK$1,035.1 million.
- Gross profit fell by 3.9% year-over-year to HK$2,122.2 million.
- Operating expenses increased by 15.6% year-over-year to HK$929.5 million.
- Interest expenses surged by 139.1% year-over-year to HK$312.8 million.
- Net income margin dropped to 39.9% from 47.7% year-over-year.
- Operating margin declined to 46.0% from 56.2% year-over-year.
- Earnings per ADS fell to HK$7.53 from HK$8.54 year-over-year.
Insights
Futu Holdings Limited's first quarter 2024 financial results present a mixed picture. On the positive side, the company saw a 3.7% year-over-year increase in total revenues to
However, despite revenue growth, Futu's net income decreased by 13.1% year-over-year to
It’s important for retail investors to note the growth in client assets and trading volumes, especially in new markets like Malaysia and Japan. These are positive indicators for future revenue potential. However, the rising costs and declining profit margins could be a cause for concern. Investors should monitor how Futu manages these expenses moving forward and whether the trend of increasing costs continues or stabilizes.
Overall, the data suggests that while Futu is expanding its client base and revenues, profitability is being impacted by increasing costs. The company's ability to control these costs while continuing to grow its client base will be important in determining its long-term financial health.
From a market perspective, Futu Holdings showed significant progress in client acquisition across various regions. The company’s strong performance in markets such as Malaysia, where it rapidly became the most downloaded financial app and Japan, where both new paying clients and average client assets saw meaningful increases, indicates that Futu's international expansion strategy is gaining traction. The tripling of new paying clients highlights the effectiveness of this strategy and points toward continued growth potential.
Moreover, the surge in U.S. trading volume by 48.1% sequentially, driven by interest in cryptocurrency and AI-themed stocks, reflects strong market sentiment and client engagement. The improved market sentiment in Hong Kong in March, contributing to the 11.2% year-over-year increase in total client assets, further underscores positive market conditions.
That said, while client growth in newer markets is impressive, the total contribution to overall client growth from Hong Kong and Singapore dipped, suggesting that the company may need to bolster its efforts in these established markets to maintain balanced growth. Additionally, the significant increase in operating expenses to support this expansion, particularly in marketing, could pressure profitability if not managed effectively.
Investors should consider the potential for sustained growth through international expansion but remain cautious about the balance between growth and cost management. The company's ability to scale efficiently in these new markets without disproportionately high expenses will be critical.
HONG KONG, May 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Futu Holdings Limited (“Futu” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FUTU), a leading tech-driven online brokerage and wealth management platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights
- Total number of paying clients1 increased
23.5% year-over-year to 1,887,270 as of March 31, 2024. - Total number of registered clients2 increased
15.4% year-over-year to 3,812,326 as of March 31, 2024. - Total number of users3 increased
12.3% year-over-year to 22.5 million as of March 31, 2024. - Total client assets increased
11.2% year-over-year to HK$517.9 billion as of March 31, 2024. - Daily average client assets were HK
$480.0 billion in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of6.0% from the same period in 2023. - Total trading volume in the first quarter of 2024 increased by
9.5% year-over-year to HK$1.3 trillion , in which trading volume for U.S. stocks was HK$1.0 trillion , trading volume for Hong Kong stocks was HK$280.4 billion , and trading volume for stocks under the Stock Connect was HK$9.5 billion . - Daily average revenue trades (DARTs)4 in the first quarter of 2024 increased
7.0% year-over-year to 549,854. - Margin financing and securities lending balance increased
8.9% year-over-year to HK$37.6 billion as of March 31, 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
- Total revenues increased
3.7% year-over-year to HK$2,592.5 million (US$331.3 million ). - Total gross profit decreased
3.9% year-over-year to HK$2,122.2 million (US$271.2 million ). - Net income decreased
13.1% year-over-year to HK$1,035.1 million (US$132.3 million ). - Non-GAAP adjusted net income5 decreased
11.6% year-over-year to HK$1,121.1 million (US$143.3 million ).
Mr. Leaf Hua Li, Futu’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “New paying clients jumped by
“In the first quarter, new paying clients from Hong Kong and Singapore both recorded strong double-digit growth sequentially, but their total contribution to overall client growth dipped to around one-third given triple-digit sequential new paying client growth in other markets. Our recent launch in Malaysia far exceeded our expectations. With industry-leading product experience and high brand recognition thanks to our presence in Singapore, we attracted over 100,000 registered clients within six weeks of brokerage business launch and became the most downloaded financial app in Malaysia. Though growth decelerated in the second quarter, we still expect robust paying client addition in Malaysia for the rest of the year. In Japan, we continued to streamline the account opening process, refine product experience and launch targeted marketing initiatives. As a result, both new paying clients and average client assets increased meaningfully. Despite rapid client base expansion, our quarterly paying client retention rate remained above
“While market depreciation of several technology names posted negative impact on client holdings, we saw exceptionally strong net asset inflow across all markets during the quarter, especially in March, when market sentiments in Hong Kong improved. Total client assets were HK
“Total trading volume increased by
“Total client assets in wealth management were HK
“We had 430 IPO distribution and IR clients, up
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Revenues
Total revenues were HK
Brokerage commission and handling charge income was HK
Interest income was HK
Other income was HK
Costs
Total costs were HK
Brokerage commission and handling charge expenses were HK
Interest expenses were HK
Processing and servicing costs were HK
Gross Profit
Total gross profit was HK
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were HK
Research and development expenses were HK
Selling and marketing expenses were HK
General and administrative expenses were HK
Income from Operations
Income from operations decreased by
Net Income
Net income decreased by
Non-GAAP adjusted net income decreased by
Net Income per ADS
Basic net income per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) was HK
Conference Call and Webcast
Futu's management will hold an earnings conference call on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 PM on the same day, Beijing/Hong Kong Time).
Please note that all participants will need to pre-register for the conference call, using the link
https://register.vevent.com/register/BId660c7b39e644d93a175d1316d925493.
It will automatically lead to the registration page of "Futu Holdings Ltd First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call", where details for RSVP are needed.
Upon registering, all participants will be provided in confirmation emails with participant dial-in numbers and personal PINs to access the conference call. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call start time using the conference access information.
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at https://ir.futuholdings.com/.
About Futu Holdings Limited
Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU) is an advanced technology company transforming the investing experience by offering fully digitalized financial services. Through its proprietary digital platforms, Futubull and moomoo, the Company provides a full range of investment services, including trade execution and clearing, margin financing and securities lending, and wealth management. The Company has embedded social media tools to create a network centered around its users and provide connectivity to users, investors, companies, analysts, media and key opinion leaders. The Company also provides corporate services, including IPO distribution, investor relations and ESOP solution services.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure 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. The Company defines non-GAAP adjusted net income as net income excluding share-based compensation expenses. The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure because it is used by the management to evaluate the operating performance and formulate business plans. Non-GAAP adjusted net income enables the management to assess the Company's operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measure facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance.
Non-GAAP adjusted net income is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using non-GAAP adjusted net income is that it does not reflect all items of expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in the business and are not reflected in the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net income. Further, the non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.
The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance.
For more information on this non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain HK dollars (“HK$”) amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from HK$ to US$ were made at the rate of HK
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 quotations from the management team of the Company, contain forward-looking statements. Futu 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 Futu'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: Futu's goal and strategies; Futu's expansion plans; Futu's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Futu's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its credit products; Futu's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers, institutional funding partners, merchandise suppliers and other parties it collaborates 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 Futu'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 Futu does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor inquiries, please contact:
Investor Relations
Futu Holdings Limited
ir@futuholdings.com
1 The number of paying clients refers to the number of clients with assets in their trading accounts with Futu.
2 The number of registered clients refers to the number of users with one or more trading accounts with Futu.
3 The number of users refers to the number of user accounts registered with Futu.
4 The number of Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) refers to the number of average trades per day that generate commissions or fees.
5 Non-GAAP adjusted net income is defined as net income excluding share-based compensation expenses.
FUTU HOLDINGS LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | ||||
2023 | 2024 | 2024 | |||
HK$ | HK$ | US$ | |||
ASSETS | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 4,937,538 | 6,643,541 | 848,917 | ||
Cash held on behalf of clients | 44,369,310 | 45,559,208 | 5,821,593 | ||
Restricted cash | 1,232 | 1,179 | 151 | ||
Term deposit | 5,540 | 5,200 | 664 | ||
Short-term investments | 3,114,613 | 3,269,084 | 417,726 | ||
Securities purchased under agreements to resell | 133,039 | 178,413 | 22,798 | ||
Loans and advances-current (net of allowance of HK | 32,528,421 | 37,592,073 | 4,803,546 | ||
Receivables: | |||||
Clients | 293,505 | 2,433,652 | 310,974 | ||
Brokers | 5,189,155 | 6,363,276 | 813,105 | ||
Clearing organizations | 4,244,793 | 2,821,118 | 360,485 | ||
Fund management companies and fund distributors | 151,691 | 222,871 | 28,479 | ||
Interest | 268,504 | 248,317 | 31,730 | ||
Prepaid assets | 54,691 | 66,737 | 8,528 | ||
Other current assets | 135,479 | 177,395 | 22,668 | ||
Total current assets | 95,427,511 | 105,582,064 | 13,491,364 | ||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 224,092 | 204,663 | 26,152 | ||
Long-term investments | 238,556 | 235,162 | 30,049 | ||
Loans and advances-non-current | 18,934 | 18,959 | 2,423 | ||
Other non-current assets | 1,226,754 | 1,290,500 | 164,901 | ||
Total non-current assets | 1,708,336 | 1,749,284 | 223,525 | ||
Total assets | 97,135,847 | 107,331,348 | 13,714,889 | ||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Amounts due to related parties | 69,018 | 130,804 | 16,714 | |||||
Payables: | ||||||||
Clients | 48,762,263 | 49,032,693 | 6,265,438 | |||||
Brokers | 15,648,286 | 24,590,217 | 3,142,158 | |||||
Clearing organizations | 24,096 | 1,729,714 | 221,024 | |||||
Fund management companies and fund distributors | 175,575 | 173,917 | 22,223 | |||||
Interest | 44,109 | 66,352 | 8,479 | |||||
Borrowings | 5,651,565 | 3,730,044 | 476,628 | |||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | - | 104,000 | 13,289 | |||||
Lease liabilities-current | 114,682 | 111,309 | 14,223 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 1,939,004 | 1,874,506 | 239,526 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 72,428,598 | 81,543,556 | 10,419,702 | |||||
Lease liabilities-non-current | 123,335 | 107,665 | 13,757 | |||||
Other non-current liabilities | 12,183 | 11,534 | 1,474 | |||||
Total non-current liabilities | 135,518 | 119,199 | 15,231 | |||||
Total liabilities | 72,564,116 | 81,662,755 | 10,434,933 | |||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Class A ordinary shares | 71 | 71 | 9 | |||||
Class B ordinary shares | 27 | 27 | 3 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 18,456,438 | 18,547,608 | 2,370,029 | |||||
Treasury Stock | (5,199,257 | ) | (5,199,257 | ) | (664,365 | ) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (49,433 | ) | (78,839 | ) | (10,074 | ) | ||
Retained earnings | 11,360,890 | 12,399,028 | 1,584,360 | |||||
Total shareholders' equity | 24,568,736 | 25,668,638 | 3,279,962 | |||||
Non-controlling interest | 2,995 | (45 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Total equity | 24,571,731 | 25,668,593 | 3,279,956 | |||||
Total liabilities and equity | 97,135,847 | 107,331,348 | 13,714,889 | |||||
FUTU HOLDINGS LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | ||||||
HK$ | HK$ | US$ | ||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Brokerage commission and handling charge income | 1,079,311 | 1,082,107 | 138,273 | |||||
Interest income | 1,294,260 | 1,354,166 | 173,036 | |||||
Other income | 126,282 | 156,186 | 19,958 | |||||
Total revenues | 2,499,853 | 2,592,459 | 331,267 | |||||
Costs | ||||||||
Brokerage commission and handling charge expenses | (72,246 | ) | (60,301 | ) | (7,705 | ) | ||
Interest expenses | (130,840 | ) | (312,842 | ) | (39,975 | ) | ||
Processing and servicing costs | (87,724 | ) | (97,103 | ) | (12,408 | ) | ||
Total costs | (290,810 | ) | (470,246 | ) | (60,088 | ) | ||
Total gross profit | 2,209,043 | 2,122,213 | 271,179 | |||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Research and development expenses | (354,899 | ) | (335,487 | ) | (42,869 | ) | ||
Selling and marketing expenses | (141,278 | ) | (292,664 | ) | (37,397 | ) | ||
General and administrative expenses | (307,893 | ) | (301,335 | ) | (38,505 | ) | ||
Total operating expenses | (804,070 | ) | (929,486 | ) | (118,771 | ) | ||
Income from Operations | 1,404,973 | 1,192,727 | 152,408 | |||||
Others, net | (7,732 | ) | 31,741 | 4,056 | ||||
Income before income tax expense and share of loss from equity method investments | 1,397,241 | 1,224,468 | 156,464 | |||||
Income tax expense | (201,701 | ) | (185,641 | ) | (23,721 | ) | ||
Share of loss from equity method investments | (3,695 | ) | (3,694 | ) | (472 | ) | ||
Net income | 1,191,845 | 1,035,133 | 132,271 | |||||
Attributable to: | ||||||||
Ordinary shareholders of the Company | 1,192,043 | 1,038,138 | 132,655 | |||||
Non-controlling interest | (198 | ) | (3,005 | ) | (384 | ) | ||
1,191,845 | 1,035,133 | 132,271 | ||||||
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company | ||||||||
Basic | 1.07 | 0.94 | 0.12 | |||||
Diluted | 1.06 | 0.93 | 0.12 | |||||
Net income per ADS | ||||||||
Basic | 8.54 | 7.53 | 0.96 | |||||
Diluted | 8.44 | 7.46 | 0.95 | |||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net income per share | ||||||||
Basic | 1,116,767,496 | 1,102,929,775 | 1,102,929,775 | |||||
Diluted | 1,129,538,989 | 1,114,429,420 | 1,114,429,420 | |||||
Net income | 1,191,845 | 1,035,133 | 132,271 | |||||
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 111,435 | (29,441 | ) | (3,762 | ) | |||
Total comprehensive income | 1,303,280 | 1,005,692 | 128,509 | |||||
Attributable to: | ||||||||
Ordinary shareholders of the Company | 1,303,475 | 1,008,732 | 128,897 | |||||
Non-controlling interests | (195 | ) | (3,040 | ) | (388 | ) | ||
1,303,280 | 1,005,692 | 128,509 | ||||||
FUTU HOLDINGS LIMITED
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS
(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | |||
HK$ | HK$ | US$ | |||
Net income | 1,191,845 | 1,035,133 | 132,271 | ||
Add: Share-based compensation expenses | 76,110 | 85,938 | 10,981 | ||
Adjusted net income | 1,267,955 | 1,121,071 | 143,252 | ||
Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items have no income tax effect.
FAQ
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