36Kr Holdings Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

36Kr Holdings Inc. (KRKR) announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023, revealing a 2.5% increase in total revenues to RMB97.0 million. The company's number of followers reached 32.1 million, and revenues from online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services showed varying growth rates.

Positive

• 36Kr saw a 2.5% increase in total revenues, driven by growth in online advertising and subscription services.
• The number of followers reached 32.1 million, demonstrating the company's strong brand presence.
• Revenues from online advertising services increased by 11.4%, reflecting the company's innovative marketing solutions.
• However, enterprise value-added services revenues decreased by 39.6%, indicating challenges due to macroeconomic factors.
• The company reported a net loss of RMB18.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to a net income of RMB2.5 million in the same period of 2022.

Negative

• Revenues from enterprise value-added services decreased by 39.6%, indicating challenges due to macroeconomic factors.
• The company reported a net loss of RMB18.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to a net income of RMB2.5 million in the same period of 2022.

BEIJING, Dec. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 36Kr Holdings Inc. ("36Kr" or the "Company" or "We") (NASDAQ: KRKR), a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Number of followers^[1] as of September 30, 2023 reached 32.1 million, an increase of 19.8% from 26.8 million as of September 30, 2022.
• Total revenues increased by 2.5% to RMB97.0 million (US$13.3 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB94.6 million in the same period of 2022.
• Revenues from online advertising services increased by 11.4% to RMB71.2 million (US$9.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB63.9 million in the same period of 2022.
• Revenues from enterprise value-added services were RMB14.2 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB23.6 million in the same period of 2022.
• Revenues from subscription services increased by 61.9% to RMB11.5 million (US$1.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB7.1 million in the same period of 2022.

[1] "Number of followers" refers to the aggregate number of followers across the official accounts we own and/or operate on various social media and online platforms, including but not limited to Weixin, Weibo, Zhihu, Toutiao, Xinhua Net, Douyin and Bilibili.

 

Selected Operating Data
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2022		2023
Online advertising services
Number of online advertising services end customers		231		215
Average revenue per online advertising services end customer (RMB'000)[2]		276.8		331.3
Enterprise value-added services
Number of enterprise value-added services end customers		93		80
Average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer (RMB'000)[3]		253.4		177.8
Subscription services
Number of individual subscribers		99		28
Average revenue per individual subscriber (RMB)[4]		5,186.8		68,675.9
Number of institutional investors		149		138
Average revenue per institutional investor (RMB'000)[5]		44.3		69.5

Mr. Dagang Feng, Co-chairman and CEO of 36Kr, commented, "We delivered another quarter of solid top-line growth in the third quarter of 2023 despite uncertainties in the macro environment. Our advertising services achieved double-digit growth year over year, and our subscription services' growth pace further accelerated, demonstrating the resilience and vitality of our businesses. We continuously enriched our content ecosystem, expanded our products and service offerings, and deepened the integration of AI applications across our various business scenarios. Underpinned by our content creation prowess and effective, omni-channel distribution matrix, the number of our followers surpassed 32 million as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 20% from a year ago. Moving forward, we will remain at the forefront of innovation and fortify our position as a leading service platform in the New Economy industry, while embracing generative AI technology's enormous potential and seizing future growth opportunities."

Ms. Lin Wei, Chief Financial Officer of 36Kr, added, "We maintained our growth trajectory in the third quarter of 2023. Total revenues increased by 2.5% year over year to RMB97.0 million, driven by a decent advertising performance as well as the robust momentum of our subscription business, which grew 11% and 62% year over year respectively. Meanwhile, our gross margin remained stable at the 56% level as we persistently optimized our cost structure and streamlined our spending. Looking ahead, we will further boost our core competitive edges, refine our AI-empowered product innovation and pursue broader monetization opportunities. We believe our peerless content, rising brand influence, and high-quality services connecting participants across the New Economy will continue to help shape the industry landscape and drive our long-term sustainable growth."

[2] Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services end customers in the same period. [3] Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services end customers in the same period. [4] Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period. [5] Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investors in the same period.

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Total revenues increased by 2.5% to RMB97.0 million (US$13.3 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB94.6 million in the same period of 2022.

• Online advertising services revenues increased by 11.4% to RMB71.2 million (US$9.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB63.9 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to more innovative marketing solutions we provided to our customers.
• Enterprise value-added services revenues decreased by 39.6% to RMB14.2 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB23.6 million in the same period of 2022, as certain of our offline events and other value-added services were negatively impacted by the macro economy challenges.
• Subscription services revenues increased by 61.9% to RMB11.5 million (US$1.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB7.1 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to our continuous efforts to offer high-quality subscription products and training programs to our subscribers.

Cost of revenues was RMB42.3 million (US$5.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB35.5 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher fulfillment costs and content costs.

Gross profit was RMB54.6 million (US$7.5 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB59.1 million in the same period of 2022. Gross profit margin was 56.3% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 62.4% in the same period of 2022.

Operating expenses were RMB77.5 million (US$10.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB62.1 million in the same period of 2022.

• Sales and marketing expenses were RMB32.4 million (US$4.4 million) in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 0.7% from RMB32.2 million in the same period of 2022. The slight increase was primarily attributable to the increase in payroll-related expenses, partially offset by the decrease in marketing related expenses.
• General and administrative expenses were RMB36.9 million (US$5.1 million) in the third quarter of 2023, a 122.6% increase compared to RMB16.6 million in the same period of 2022. The fluctuation was primarily attributable to certain one-off expenses including severance payments as we optimized our organization and office lease termination fees occurred in the quarter, as well as the increase in allowance for credit losses.
• Research and development expenses were RMB8.3 million (US$1.1 million) in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 38.1% from RMB13.4 million in the same period of 2022, as we proactively embrace AI technology and streamlined our research and development teams, resulting in a decrease in payroll-related expenses.

Share-based compensation expenses recognized in cost of revenues, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, as well as general and administrative expenses totaled RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.6 million in the same period of 2022. 

Other income was RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB5.7 million in the same period of 2022.

Income tax expenses were RMB0.02 million (US$0.002 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB0.17 million in the same period of 2022.

Net loss was RMB18.9 million (US$2.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to net income of RMB2.5 million in the same period of 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss^[6] was RMB17.5 million (US$2.4 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net income of RMB5.1 million in the same period of 2022.

Net loss attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders was RMB18.9 million (US$2.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to net income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders of RMB1.7 million in the same period of 2022.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both RMB0.452 (US$0.062) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted net income per ADS of RMB0.042 in the same period of 2022.

[6] Non-GAAP adjusted income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses

Certain Balance Sheet Items

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB116.0 million (US$15.9 million), compared to RMB136.5 million as of June 30, 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to small-sized long-term investments in certain New-Economy entities in the third quarter of 2023, as well as net cash outflow from operating activities.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on December 07, 2023 (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on December 07, 2023).

For participants who wish to join the call by phone, please access the link provided below to complete the pre-registration and dial in 5 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, each participant will receive dial-in details to join the conference call.

Event Title:	36Kr Holdings Inc. Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Pre-registration link:	https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10035361-b8fs5d.html

 

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.36kr.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week from the date of the conference, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States:	+1-855-883-1031
International:	+61-7-3107-6325
Hong Kong, China:	800-930-639
Mainland China:	400-120-9216
Replay PIN:	10035361

 

About 36Kr Holdings Inc.

36Kr Holdings Inc. is a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China with the mission of empowering New Economy participants to achieve more. The Company started its business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings, covering a variety of industries in China's New Economy with diverse distribution channels. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, the Company has expanded its offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies. The Company is supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through diverse service offerings and the significant brand influence, the Company is well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.36kr.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating its business, the Company considers and uses two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these two 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. The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the Company's management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company also believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP measures 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 these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company performance. The Company encourages investors to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted net income/(loss) before interest income, interest expenses, income tax expense/(credit), depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets.  

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations 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 at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi are made at a rate of RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on of September 29, 2023.

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," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company'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 goal and strategies; the Company's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our business and industry; the Company's expectations regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; the Company's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company's ability to provide high-quality content in a timely manner to attract and retain users; the Company's ability to retain and hire quality in-house writers and editors; the Company's ability to maintain cooperation with third-party professional content providers; the Company's ability to maintain relationship with third-party platforms; general economic and business condition in China; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company'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 the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

36Kr Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86 (10) 8965-0708
E-mail: ir@36kr.com 

Piacente Financial Communications
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com 

In the United States:

Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com  

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	June 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2023		2023		2023
	RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	98,106		65,967		9,042
Restricted cash	100		100		14
Short–term investments	38,245		49,903		6,840
Accounts receivable, net	156,858		147,260		20,184
Receivables due from related parties	320		394		54
Prepayments and other current assets	28,384		20,344		2,788
Total current assets	322,013		283,968		38,922
Non–current assets:
Property and equipment, net	2,269		6,051		829
Intangible assets, net	1,193		1,153		158
Long-term investments	139,718		149,325		20,467
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	24,547		37,603		5,154
Total non–current assets	167,727		194,132		26,608
Total assets	489,740		478,100		65,530
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	43,055		49,917		6,842
Salary and welfare payables	38,412		41,950		5,750
Taxes payable	4,740		5,062		694
Deferred revenue	27,781		24,916		3,415
Amounts due to related parties	1,067		1,225		168
Accrued liabilities and other payables	18,410		22,617		3,100
Short-term bank loan	14,950		14,950		2,049
Operating lease liabilities	34,477		7,288		999
Total current liabilities	182,892		167,925		23,017
Non-current liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities	8,667		29,529		4,047
Other non-current liabilities	394		284		39
Total non-current liabilities	9,061		29,813		4,086
Total liabilities	191,953		197,738		27,103
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares	694		694		95
Treasury stock	(11,578)		(11,578)		(1,587)
Additional paid-in capital	2,063,375		2,064,785		283,002
Accumulated deficit	(1,758,517)		(1,777,437)		(243,617)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,707)		(4,894)		(671)
Total 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s shareholders' equity	289,267		271,570		37,222
Non-controlling interests	8,520		8,792		1,205
Total shareholders' equity	297,787		280,362		38,427
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	489,740		478,100		65,530

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2022		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2022		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
	RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
Revenues:
Online advertising services	63,934		71,236		9,764		159,374		170,124		23,317
Enterprise value-added services	23,565		14,222		1,949		47,244		40,990		5,618
Subscription services	7,109		11,508		1,577		19,304		25,740		3,528
Total revenues	94,608		96,966		13,290		225,922		236,854		32,463
Cost of revenues	(35,541)		(42,339)		(5,803)		(90,222)		(112,388)		(15,404)
Gross profit	59,067		54,627		7,487		135,700		124,466		17,059
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing expenses	(32,168)		(32,384)		(4,439)		(89,267)		(97,220)		(13,325)
General and administrative expenses	(16,559)		(36,864)		(5,053)		(30,373)		(71,730)		(9,831)
Research and development expenses	(13,385)		(8,289)		(1,136)		(40,507)		(37,326)		(5,116)
Total operating expenses	(62,112)		(77,537)		(10,628)		(160,147)		(206,276)		(28,272)
Loss from operations	(3,045)		(22,910)		(3,141)		(24,447)		(81,810)		(11,213)
Other income/(expenses):
Share of (loss)/income from equity method investments	(69)		(220)		(30)		285		(527)		(72)
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary	-		3,366		461		38,019		3,366		461
Long-term investment income	-		-		-		18,464		-		-
Short-term investment income	449		251		34		1,635		1,027		141
Government grant	916		226		31		3,351		1,021		140
Others, net	4,404		401		55		7,008		5,164		708
(Loss)/income before income tax	2,655		(18,886)		(2,590)		44,315		(71,759)		(9,835)
Income tax (expenses)/credit	(166)		(17)		(2)		(171)		173		24
Net (loss)/income	2,489		(18,903)		(2,592)		44,144		(71,586)		(9,811)
Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests	(746)		(17)		(2)		(1,386)		358		49
Net (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s     ordinary shareholders	1,743		(18,920)		(2,594)		42,758		(71,228)		(9,762)
Net (loss)/income	2,489		(18,903)		(2,592)		44,144		(71,586)		(9,811)
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,916		(187)		(26)		3,748		966		132
Total other comprehensive income	1,916		(187)		(26)		3,748		966		132
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	4,405		(19,090)		(2,618)		47,892		(70,620)		(9,679)
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-      controlling interests	(746)		(17)		(2)		(1,386)		358		49
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr    Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders	3,659		(19,107)		(2,620)		46,506		(70,262)		(9,630)
Net (loss)/income per ordinary share (RMB)
Basic	0.002		(0.018)		(0.002)		0.041		(0.068)		(0.009)
Diluted	0.002		(0.018)		(0.002)		0.041		(0.068)		(0.009)
Net (loss)/income per ADS (RMB)
Basic	0.042		(0.452)		(0.062)		1.037		(1.709)		(0.234)
Diluted	0.042		(0.452)		(0.062)		1.037		(1.709)		(0.234)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in    per share calculation
Basic	1,035,476,294		1,046,515,168		1,046,515,168		1,031,290,397		1,041,904,687		1,041,904,687
Diluted	1,035,476,294		1,046,515,168		1,046,515,168		1,031,290,397		1,041,904,687		1,041,904,687
Weighted average number of ADS used in per ADS   calculation
Basic	41,419,052		41,860,607		41,860,607		41,251,616		41,676,187		41,676,187
Diluted	41,419,052		41,860,607		41,860,607		41,251,616		41,676,187		41,676,187

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2022		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2022		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2023
	RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
Net (loss)/income	2,489		(18,903)		(2,592)		44,144		(71,586)		(9,811)
Share-based compensation expenses	2,575		1,410		193		9,268		5,117		701
Non-GAAP adjusted net (loss)/income	5,064		(17,493)		(2,399)		53,412		(66,469)		(9,110)
Interest income, net	(323)		(59)		(8)		(564)		(743)		(102)
Income tax expenses	166		17		2		171		(173)		(24)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	479		564		77		1,423		1,257		172
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA	5,386		(16,971)		(2,328)		54,442		(66,128)		(9,064)

 

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SOURCE 36Kr Holdings Inc.

FAQ

What are 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s (KRKR) third quarter 2023 financial results?

36Kr Holdings Inc. (KRKR) reported a 2.5% increase in total revenues to RMB97.0 million, with varying growth rates in online advertising, enterprise value-added, and subscription services.

What was the change in the number of followers for 36Kr Holdings Inc. (KRKR)?

The number of followers reached 32.1 million, reflecting the company's strong brand presence.

What was the net loss reported by 36Kr Holdings Inc. (KRKR) in the third quarter of 2023?

The company reported a net loss of RMB18.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to a net income of RMB2.5 million in the same period of 2022.