Meten Holding Group Ltd. Announces Financial Results for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Meten Holding Group (NASDAQ: METX) reported financial results for FY2021, with revenues decreasing 18.7% to RMB729.0 million ($114.4 million) due to COVID-19 impacts and a reduction in offline learning centers. Gross profit fell 15.4% to RMB245.3 million ($38.5 million), though gross profit margin improved by 1.3 percentage points to 33.6%. The adjusted net loss increased 12.9% to RMB360.6 million ($56.6 million). The company closed 84 offline centers, reducing their total to 34, and is expanding into blockchain and cryptocurrency ventures.

Positive

• Increased gross profit margin to 33.6%, up from 32.3% year-on-year.
• Reduced operating losses to RMB365.4 million, improved from RMB400.8 million in FY2020.
• Cash and cash equivalents improved to RMB168.4 million from RMB90.1 million in the previous year.

Negative

• FY2021 revenues dropped by 18.7% year-on-year.
• General adult English language training revenues fell 47.0% to RMB176.8 million.
• Adjusted net loss grew by 12.9% compared to the prior year.

SHENZHEN, China, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meten Holding Group Ltd. ("Meten Holding Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: METX), an omnichannel training company headquartered in China providing language and workplace training services and actively developing metaverse, blockchain and cryptocurrency mining businesses, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

	FY2021
	RMB (million)	YoY (%)
Gross billings	551.3	(23.6%)
Revenues	729.0	(18.7%)
General adult English Language Training ("ELT")	176.8	(47.0%)
Online ELT	290.4	0.2%
Overseas training services	151.1	15.7%
Junior ELT	98.0	(24.8%)
Gross Profit	245.3	(15.4%)
Gross Profit Margin	33.6%	1.3 ppts
Adjusted net loss1	(360.6)	(12.9%)

¹Non-GAAP measure. For more information about non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

Highlights

• FY2021 revenue decreased 18.7% year-on-year to RMB729.0 million (US$114.4 million), primarily as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 and a reduction in the number of offline learning centers.
• FY2021 gross profit decreased 15.4% year-on-year to RMB245.3 million (US$38.5 million). Gross profit margin increased 1.3 percentage points year-on-year to 33.6%.
• As of December 31, 2021, Meten Holding Group had 34 learning centers in operation. To optimize the layout of offline centers, the Company closed another 84 offline learning centers by the end of 2021.
• FY2021 adjusted net loss increased 12.9% year-on-year to RMB360.6 million (US$56.6 million).

Alan Peng, Chief Executive Officer of Meten Holding Group commented:

"In fiscal year 2021, we significantly reduced the number of offline learning centers to effectively reduce the impact of the resurgence of COVID-19 on our business, improve the utilization of our resources, and prepare for the strategic transformation of our business. Inevitably, our financial and operational performances have been affected by the initiation of business transformation in fiscal year 2021. However, we expect these measures to significantly reduce the Company's fixed costs, improve profit margins and reduce operating risks in the long term. With an effective resource reallocation, we believe that our offline learning centers' operation performance and profitability will be significantly improved once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.

We launched a number of new businesses in fiscal year 2021, in addition to the optimization of the existing business. In fiscal year 2021, we actively kept exploring opportunities in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry and established strategic partnerships with AGM Group Holdings lnc. Meanwhile, the Company is actively seeking opportunities in mine construction, mining, and the manufacturing and sales of mining machines. In addition, the Company has entered into an agreement with industry experts in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry to establish a joint venture engaging in the research and development, production, and sales of cryptocurrency mining equipment. We believe that all of these partnerships have laid a solid foundation for the steady development of the Company's new approach in the field of Metaverse, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

We remain confident with our progress in our business transformation, and we believe we are well-positioned with multi-growth drivers. Looking forward, we will continue to execute our strategic plan and strive to generate additional revenue and create long-term shareholder value."

Operational developments

		FY2021
Student enrollments		64,067	(8.9%)
Course withdrawal rate(1) (%)		16.4%	5.4 ppts

(1) Refers to the amount of refunds issued in a specific period of time as a percentage of the sum of the amount of gross billings and the amount of refunds for such period.

	December 31, 2021
Number of self-operated learning centers	32	(69.5%)*
Number of franchised learning centers	2	(84.6%)*

(* Change compared to the previous year end)

Continued product innovation

The Company continued to invest in product development in fiscal year 2021, leveraging the several recently launched new products across both its offline and online platforms, which include three new language (Japanese, Spanish, Korean and German) products. For fiscal year 2021, the Company's revenue derived from Japanese, Spanish and Korean language training services was RMB8.0 million (US$1.3 million).

Financial results

Revenues

In fiscal year 2021, revenue amounted to RMB729.0 million (US$114.4 million), a decrease of 18.7% year-on-year from RMB897.0 million in fiscal year 2020, primarily as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 and a reduction in the number of offline learning centers.

For general adult ELT, revenues decreased 47.0% year-on-year, to RMB176.8 million (US$27.7 million) in fiscal year 2021 from RMB333.5 million in fiscal year 2020. For overseas training services, revenues increased 15.7% year-on-year, to RMB151.1 million (US$23.7 million) in fiscal year 2021 from RMB130.6 million in fiscal year 2020.

For Junior ELT, revenues decreased to RMB98.0 million (US$15.4 million) in fiscal year 2021 from RMB130.3 million in fiscal year 2020. This decrease in revenues was largely driven by the resurgence of COVID-19 and the closure of offline learning centers.

For online ELT, revenues increased 0.2% year-on-year, to RMB290.4 million (US$45.6 million) in fiscal year 2021 from RMB289.7 million in fiscal year 2020.

Cost of revenues

The Company's cost of revenues consists primarily of staff costs, property expenses, depreciation and amortization, and teaching material costs.

In fiscal year 2021, cost of revenues decreased by 20.3% to RMB483.7 million (US$75.9 million), from RMB607.1 million in fiscal year 2020. This was predominantly due to efforts to optimize costs and a reduction in the number of offline learning centers.

Gross profit

In fiscal year 2021, gross profit decreased by 15.4% to RMB245.3 million (US$38.5 million), from RMB290.0 million in fiscal year 2020.

In fiscal year 2021, gross profit margin increased by 1.3 percentage points to 33.6% from 32.3% in fiscal year 2020.

Operating expenses

In fiscal year 2021, selling and marketing expenses amounted to RMB250.9 million (US$39.4 million), a decrease of 19.2% from RMB310.4 million in fiscal year 2020, primarily as a result of reduction in the number of offline sales points. 

In fiscal year 2021, research and development expenses decreased by 42.2% year-on-year to RMB18.4 million (US$2.9 million), from RMB31.9 million in fiscal year 2020.

In fiscal year 2021, general and administrative expenses decreased by 2.0% year-on-year to RMB341.5 million (US$53.6 million), from RMB348.4million in fiscal year 2020.

Loss from operations

In fiscal year 2021, loss from operations was RMB365.4 million (US$57.3 million), compared to loss from operations of RMB400.8 million in fiscal year 2020.

Net loss

In fiscal year 2021, net loss was RMB386.3 million (US$60.6 million), compared to a net loss of RMB412.8 million in fiscal year 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents

As of December 31, 2021, Meten Holding Group had RMB168.4 million (US$26.4 million) of cash and cash equivalents, compared to RMB90.1 million as of December 31, 2020.

Outlook

The launch of the new businesses marks a strategic transformation of the Company. Currently, the Company's cryptocurrency and Metaverse education businesses are in operation and are just beginning to generate revenue. The Company expects to develop and become a Metaverse technology company in the next one to two years with the deployment of its transformation strategies.

Exchange Rate

The Company's business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi ("RMB"). This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD" or "US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to USD for fiscal year 2021 are made at the rate of RMB6.3726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on December 31, 2021, respectively. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on December 31, 2021, as the case may be, or at any other rate.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Meten Holding Group's consolidated financial results are presented in accordance with GAAP. However, to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance, Meten Holding Group adopts the following measures which are defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

• EBITDA: calculated by subtracting net interest income/loss and adding back income tax expense and non-cash expense of depreciation and amortization to a firm's net income/(loss).
• Adjusted EBITDA: calculated by removing certain one-off, irregular and/or non-recurring items from EBITDA such as offering expenses and share-based compensation expenses.
• Adjusted net (loss)/income: calculated by adding back certain one-off, irregular and/or non-recurring items to net income/loss such as offering expenses and share-based compensation expenses.

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 GAAP.

About Meten Holding Group Ltd.

Meten Holding Group Ltd., formerly known as Meten EdtechX Education Group Ltd., is an omnichannel training company headquartered in China providing language and workplace training services. In addition to its training services, Meten Holding Group actively develops metaverse, blockchain and cryptocurrency mining businesses to align with its future business development strategy. Meten Holding Group is committed to developing blockchain related businesses in North America, including cryptocurrency mining, mining farm construction, and mining pool and data center operation. Meten Holding Group actively explores metaverse business, such as Metaverse vocational education courses, with its competitive advantages and technology.

For more information, please visit: https://investor.metenedu-edtechx.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. 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 future development of and the Company's ability to succeed in its new line of business in cryptocurrency and blockchain industry; the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants; our ability to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees; our ability to continue to hire, train and retain qualified teachers; our ability to maintain and enhance our brands; our ability to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network and successfully execute our growth strategy; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the English language training sector in China; changes in our revenues and certain cost or expense items as a percentage of our revenues; the expected growth of the Chinese English language training and private education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to private educational services and providers of such services; health epidemics and other outbreaks in China; and general economic conditions in China. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. 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 duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
+1 917-609-0333
tina.xiao@ascent-ir.com

 

 

 

METEN HOLDING GROUP LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of RMB, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)
		As of December 31,
		2020		2021
		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
						Unaudited
						(Note 3(c))
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		90,115		168,404		26,426
Contract assets		6,194		5,323		835
Accounts receivable, net		27,013		44,291		6,950
Other contract costs		47,125		32,241		5,059
Prepayments and other current assets		50,658		117,735		18,475
Amounts due from related parties		7,934		7,265		1,140
Prepaid income tax		14,460		14,479		2,272
Total current assets		243,499		389,738		61,157
Non-current assets
Restricted cash		10,358		8,840		1,387
Other contract costs		9,316		11,149		1,750
Equity method investments		24,552		24,403		3,829
Property and equipment, net		146,891		85,803		13,464
Operating lease right-of-use assets		322,559		105,551		16,563
Intangible assets, net		19,337		14,675		2,303
Deferred tax assets		6,997		25,991		4,079
Goodwill		274,567		192,962		30,280
Long-term prepayments and other non-current assets		40,754		26,254		4,122
Total non-current assets		855,331		495,628		77,777
Total assets		1,098,830		885,366		138,934

 

 

 

METEN HOLDING GROUP LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(In thousands of RMB, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)
	As of December 31,
		2020		2021
		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
						Unaudited
						(Note 3(c))
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable (including amounts of    variable interest entities ("VIEs") without    recourse to the Company of RMB 9,762 and    RMB 15,881 as of December 31, 2020 and    2021, respectively)		17,013		16,164		2,536
Bank loans (including amounts of VIEs without    recourse to the Company of RMB 133,900    and RMB 6,000 as of December 31, 2020 and    2021, respectively )		133,900		6,000		942
Deferred revenue  (including amounts of VIEs    without recourse to the Company of RMB       341,934 and RMB 213,006 as of December    31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		341,934		213,006		33,425
Salary and welfare payable  (including amounts    of VIEs without recourse to the Company of    RMB 65,927 and RMB 26,075 as of    December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		67,609		27,404		4,300
Financial liabilities from contracts with    customers  (including amounts of VIEs       without recourse to the Company of RMB     384,561 and RMB 337,932  as of December    31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		384,561		337,932		53,029
Accrued expenses and other payables (including    amounts of VIEs without recourse to the    Company of RMB 43,009 and RMB 7,733 as    of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		46,030		36,575		5,739
Income taxes payable (including amounts of   VIEs without recourse to the Company of    RMB 267 and RMB 195 as of December 31,    2020 and 2021, respectively)		267		195		31
Amounts due to related parties (including    amounts of VIEs without recourse to the    Company of RMB159,739 and RMB 685,287    as of December 31, 2020 and 2021,    respectively)		50,192		41,758		6,553
Current operating lease liabilities  (including    amounts of VIEs without recourse to the    Company of RMB 131,151 and RMB 35,817    as of December 31, 2020 and 2021,    respectively)		131,151		35,817		5,620
Total current liabilities		1,172,657		714,851		112,175

 

 

 

METEN HOLDING GROUP LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(In thousands of RMB, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)
	As of December 31,
		2020		2021
		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
						Unaudited
						(Note 3(c))
Non-current liabilities
Deferred revenue (including amounts of VIEs    without recourse to the Company of RMB    46,927 and RMB 35,546 as of December 31,    2020 and 2021, respectively)		46,927		35,546		5,578
Deferred tax liabilities (including amounts of    VIEs without recourse to the Company of    RMB 7,661 and RMB 4,433 as of    December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		7,661		4,433		696
Operating lease liabilities (including amounts of    VIEs without recourse to the Company of    RMB 200,409 and RMB 59,824 as of    December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		200,409		59,824		9,388
Non-current tax payable (including amounts of    VIEs without recourse to the Company of    RMB 33,718 and RMB 34,137 as of    December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)		33,718		34,137		5,357
Total non-current liabilities		288,715		133,940		21,019
Total liabilities		1,461,372		848,791		133,194

 

 

 

METEN HOLDING GROUP LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(In thousands of RMB, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)
	As of December 31,
		2020		2021
		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
						Unaudited
						(Note 3(c))
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares (US$0.003 par value;    16,666,667 shares authorized; 1,895,819 and    11,371,444 shares issued outstanding as of    December 31, 2020 and 2021) *		37		217		34
Subscriptions receivable		-		-		-
Additional paid-in capital		557,535		1,342,769		210,710
Accumulated deficit		(936,247)		(1,320,546)		(207,222)
Total equity (deficit) attributable to    shareholders of the Company		(378,675)		22,440		3,522
Non-controlling interests		16,133		14,135		2,218
Total equity (deficit)		(362,542)		36,575		5,740
Commitments and contingencies		-		-		-
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit		1,098,830		885,366		138,934

 

 

 

METEN HOLDING GROUP LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(In thousands of RMB, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)
		Years ended December 31,
		2019		2020		2021
		RMB'000		RMB'000		RMB'000		US$'000
								Unaudited
								(Note 3(c))
Revenues		1,447,899		897,035		728,996		114,395
Cost of revenues		(755,356)		(607,077)		(483,701)		(75,903)
Gross profit		692,543		289,958		245,295		38,492
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing expenses		(437,986)		(310,433)		(250,850)		(39,364)
General and administrative expenses		(449,903)		(348,435)		(341,455)		(53,582)
Research and development expenses		(32,333)		(31,878)		(18,413)		(2,889)
Loss from operations		(227,679)		(400,788)		(365,423)		(57,343)
Other income (expenses):
Interest income		1,633		448		340		53
Interest expenses		(2,453)		(6,101)		(2,400)		(377)
Foreign currency exchange loss, net		(19)		(382)		(9,678)		(1,519)
Gains/(losses) on disposal and closure    of subsidiaries and branches		583		(31,884)		(37,829)		(5,936)
Gains on Short-term investments		-		495		-		-
Government grants		5,773		28,124		7,969		1,251
Equity in income/(loss) on equity method investments		2,658		(1,532)		(149)		(23)
Others, net		4,044		4,640		634		99
Loss before income tax		(215,460)		(406,980)		(406,536)		(63,795)
Income tax credit/(expense)		(9,608)		(5,803)		20,239		3,176
Net loss		(225,068)		(412,783)		(386,297)		(60,619)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-    controlling interests		(5,664)		(1,798)		(1,998)		(314)
Net loss attributable to shareholders    of the Company		(219,404)		(410,985)		(384,299)		(60,305)
Less: Accretion of Redeemable    Owners' Investment		-		-		-		-
Net loss available to shareholders of    the Company		(219,404)		(410,985)		(384,299)		(60,305)
Net loss		(225,068)		(412,783)		(386,297)		(60,619)
Comprehensive loss		(225,068)		(412,783)		(386,297)		(60,619)
Net loss per share
- Basic		(136.02)		(221.51)		(28.19)		(4.42)
- Diluted		(136.02)		(187.26)		(31.92)		(5.01)
Weighted average shares used in    calculating net loss per share
- Basic		1,613,054		1,855,382		13,634,847		13,634,847
- Diluted		1,613,054		2,194,735		12,040,040		12,040,040

 

 

Adjusted net income represents net income/(loss) before share-based compensation and offering expenses. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our adjusted net income for the periods indicated:

 

		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2017				2018				2019				2020				2021
		RMB				RMB				RMB				RMB				RMB			US$
		(in thousands)
Net (loss)/income			40,342				53,445				(225,068)				(412,783)				(386,297)		(60,619)
Add:
Share-based compensation expenses			7,886				7,648				96,661				52,256				23,334		3,662
Offering expenses			—				14,766				28,123				—				—		—
Warrant financing															41,118				2,404		377
Adjusted net (loss)/income			48,228				75,859				(100,284)				(319,409)				(360,559)		(56,579)

 

 

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SOURCE Meten Holding Group Ltd.

FAQ

What were Meten Holding Group's revenue figures for FY2021?

Meten Holding Group reported revenues of RMB729.0 million ($114.4 million) for FY2021, a decrease of 18.7% year-on-year.

How did COVID-19 impact Meten Holding Group's business in FY2021?

The resurgence of COVID-19 led to a reduction in offline learning centers and significantly affected revenues and enrollments.

What strategic changes is Meten Holding Group implementing?

Meten is focusing on reducing offline centers and expanding into blockchain and cryptocurrency to enhance revenue.

What was Meten Holding Group's adjusted net loss in FY2021?

The adjusted net loss for FY2021 was RMB360.6 million ($56.6 million), an increase of 12.9% year-on-year.

How has Meten Holding Group's gross profit margin changed in FY2021?

The gross profit margin increased by 1.3 percentage points to 33.6% compared to the previous fiscal year.