OneConnect Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Unaudited Financial Results
- Net loss improved with a decrease in net margin to shareholders by 5.5 percentage points to -8.8%.
- Revenue declined in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily driven by a decrease in transaction-based and support revenue.
- The company reported growth in revenue contributed by overseas customers and highlighted efforts towards profitability and cost management.
- Operating expenses decreased notably, contributing to a narrowed operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2023.
- The company emphasized its commitment to financial health and delivering value to shareholders amidst changing market conditions.
- - Revenue declined in various segments, including a significant drop in transaction-based and support revenue.
- - Gross profit decreased, with a slight decline in gross margin and non-IFRS gross margin.
- - The company reported a net loss attributable to shareholders and per ADS, albeit showing improvement compared to the prior year.
- - The decrease in revenue and operating expenses highlights challenges in revenue generation and cost management.
- - The company's financial results indicate a need for sustained efforts to boost revenue from third-party customers and improve margins.
Insights
OneConnect's financial results reflect a notable improvement in net margin to shareholders, from -14.3% to -8.8% year-over-year for the fourth quarter and from -19.5% to -9.9% for the full year. This is a positive signal for investors as it indicates the company is moving closer to profitability, a key factor for stock performance. The reduction in net loss from RMB872 million to RMB363 million year-over-year also showcases effective cost management and operational efficiency improvements.
However, the reported revenue decline of 25.6% for the fourth quarter and 17.8% for the full year raises concerns. This drop is attributed to decreased transaction-based and support revenue, which could indicate a challenging market environment or a shift in the company's business strategy. Investors should monitor whether this decline is a temporary setback or part of a larger trend that could affect future performance.
The technology-as-a-service sector in China, where OneConnect operates, is highly competitive and subject to rapid changes in technology and customer preferences. OneConnect's diversification strategy, as indicated by the revenue from third-party customers, is a important component to mitigate the risk of over-reliance on major clients like Ping An Group and Lufax. The decline in revenue from these major clients (-28.5% from Ping An Group and -39.2% from Lufax) underscores the importance of expanding the third-party customer base, which saw a smaller revenue decline of -11.5%.
OneConnect's growth in overseas business, with a 37.2% increase in revenue from overseas customers (excluding PAOB), is a positive development. This expansion can serve as a buffer against domestic market volatility and is a smart move to capture a larger share of the global fintech market. However, investors should seek clarity on the sustainability of this growth and the potential risks involved in international expansion, such as regulatory hurdles and increased competition.
The disposal of the virtual bank business to Lufax Holding Ltd for HK$933 million in cash is a strategic move that could streamline OneConnect's operations and improve its financial standing. The cash infusion from this transaction will likely enhance the company's liquidity and could be used to invest in core areas of growth. The approval by the audit committee and shareholders suggests confidence in this decision, but the closure of the deal is contingent on fulfilling certain conditions precedent.
Investors should be aware of the legal and regulatory implications of such disposals, which can impact the timeline and final terms. It is also important to consider how this divestiture aligns with OneConnect's overall strategy and whether it will lead to a more focused and profitable business model in the long run.
Net Margin to Shareholders Improved to -8.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
- Net loss attributable to shareholders was
RMB81 million , as compared toRMB177 million for the same period of the prior year. Net margin to shareholders improved by 5.5 percentage points to -8.8% as compared to -14.3% for the same period of the prior year. - Net loss per ADS, basic and diluted, was
RMB-2.24 as compared toRMB-4.80 for the same period of the prior year.
Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights
- Gross margin was
36.8% as compared to36.6% for the prior year; non- IFRS gross margin was40.3% , as compared to40.1% for the prior year. - Net loss attributable to shareholders was
RMB363 million , as compared toRMB872 million for the prior year. - Net margin attributable to shareholders improved to -
9.9% compared to -19.5% for the prior year. - Net loss per ADS, basic and diluted, was
RMB-9.99 as compared toRMB-23.90 for the prior year.
In RMB'000, except percentages | Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | ||||
YoY | YoY | |||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Revenue | ||||||
Revenue from Ping An Group | 497,524 | 695,992 | -28.5 % | 2,091,039 | 2,526,682 | -17.2 % |
Revenue from Lufax | 63,604 | 104,527 | -39.2 % | 269,073 | 459,419 | -41.4 % |
Revenue from third-party customers1 | 363,437 | 441,915 | -17.8 % | 1,307,396 | 1,477,901 | -11.5 % |
Total | 924,565 | 1,242,434 | -25.6 % | 3,667,508 | 4,464,002 | -17.8 % |
Gross profit | 358,066 | 501,070 | 1,349,405 | 1,635,016 | ||
Gross margin | 38.7 % | 40.3 % | 36.8 % | 36.6 % | ||
Non-IFRS gross margin | 42.1 % | 42.8 % | 40.3 % | 40.1 % | ||
Operating loss | (79,419) | (194,172) | (368,212) | (981,563) | ||
Operating margin | -8.6 % | -15.6 % | -10.0 % | -22.0 % | ||
Net loss attributable to shareholders | (81,349) | (177,337) | (362,715) | (872,274) | ||
Net margin to shareholders | -8.8 % | -14.3 % | -9.9 % | -19.5 % | ||
Net loss per ADS2, basic and diluted | (2.24) | (4.80) | (9.99) | (23.90) |
1 Third-party customers refer to each customer with revenue contribution of less than |
2 In RMB. Each ADS represents thirty ordinary shares. In December 2022, the Company effected an ADS ratio change to |
Chairman, CEO and CFO Comments
"In 2023, we achieved remarkable milestones in loss reduction." Mr. Chongfeng Shen, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "Net loss attributable to shareholders improved to
Mr. Chongfeng Shen further commented, "In 2023, we continued our dedication in product upgrades. In order to improve user experience and application operation effectiveness, we further broadened application scenarios by refining our algorithm, expanding our system's compatibility and optimizing our architecture structure. These efforts have been recognized. For example, our Omni-Channel Agent Solution was listed among "Excellent Cases in Fintech Innovation and Application" in the third "Jinxintong" event hosted by China Academy of Information and Communication Technology. We also won the IDC FinTech "Global Top 100 FinTech Companies" award and the KPMG "China FinTech Enterprise Excellence Award"."
"Scientific and technological revolution will continue to deepen in 2024, and AI, as a new productivity initiative, will lead the high-speed industry-wide development. We firmly believe that the financial industry will provide the best practice scenarios for "AI plus" initiatives and is strategically important in training and developing new productivity initiatives. OneConnect is committed to upgrading and transforming the financial industry with technology innovations, focusing on serving premium-plus customers and products optimization to meet financial institutions' core demands to improve operational efficiency. Supported by intelligent voice robots, Omni-channel Agent Solution, and other products designed with these new productivity initiatives, our solutions enable financial institutions to improve efficiency, enhance service quality, reduce costs and mitigate risks."
"We achieved rapid growth in overseas business, which significantly contributed to our revenue. Our revenue contributed by overseas customers (exclude contribution from Ping An OneConnect Bank (
"We are confident that the series of economic stimulus measures launched in
Mr. Yongtao Luo, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "I am pleased to share that our efforts to manage costs and drive operational efficiencies have yielded significant results, demonstrating promising path to profitability. In the fourth quarter of 2023, our net margin to shareholders improved from -
On November 13, 2023, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with Lufax Holding Ltd (the "Purchaser"), and PAOB, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in
1 Free cash equals the Company's cash and cash equivalents (exclusive of cash and cash equivalents of PAOB) plus financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. |
Revenue Breakdown
Three Months Ended | Full Year Ended December 31 | |||||
In RMB'000, except percentages | December 31 | YoY | YoY | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Technology Solution Segment3 | ||||||
Implementation | 216,357 | 316,944 | -31.7 % | 834,620 | 861,820 | -3.2 % |
Transaction-based and support revenue | ||||||
Business origination services | 23,723 | 70,515 | -66.4 % | 132,112 | 383,723 | -65.6 % |
Risk management services | 92,934 | 111,551 | -16.7 % | 320,462 | 414,849 | -22.8 % |
Operation support services | 194,189 | 274,845 | -29.3 % | 861,056 | 1,140,727 | -24.5 % |
Cloud services platform | 334,076 | 354,012 | -5.6 % | 1,245,952 | 1,315,819 | -5.3 % |
Post-implementation support services | 12,839 | 10,450 | 22.9 % | 52,012 | 50,983 | 2.0 % |
Others | 7,781 | 71,560 | -89.1 % | 75,377 | 189,541 | -60.2 % |
Sub-total for transaction-based and support revenue | 665,542 | 892,933 | -25.5 % | 2,686,971 | 3,495,642 | -23.1 % |
Sub-total | 881,899 | 1,209,877 | -27.1 % | 3,521,591 | 4,357,462 | -19.2 % |
Virtual Bank Business Segment | ||||||
Interest and commission | 42,666 | 32,557 | 31.1 % | 145,917 | 106,540 | 37.0 % |
Total | 924,565 | 1,242,434 | -25.6 % | 3,667,508 | 4,464,002 | -17.8 % |
3 Intersegment eliminations and adjustments are included under technology solution segment. |
Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by
Three Months Ended | Full Year Ended December 31 | |||||
In RMB'000, except percentages | December 31 | YoY | YoY | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Digital Banking segment | 247,109 | 370,383 | -33.3 % | 941,879 | 1,456,704 | -35.3 % |
Digital Insurance segment | 140,742 | 264,645 | -46.8 % | 657,235 | 881,702 | -25.5 % |
Gamma Platform segment | 494,048 | 574,848 | -14.1 % | 1,922,477 | 2,019,057 | -4.8 % |
Virtual Bank Business segment | 42,666 | 32,557 | 31.1 % | 145,917 | 106,540 | 37.0 % |
Total | 924,565 | 1,242,434 | -25.6 % | 3,667,508 | 4,464,002 | -17.8 % |
Revenue from Gamma Platform segment, decreased by
Revenue
Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by
Gross Profit
Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to
Operating Loss and Expenses
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to
- Research and Development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to
RMB197 million fromRMB390 million , mainly due to decreased labor cost and the Company's initiative to invest in research and development at a reasonable pace and selectively invest in profitable projects. As a percentage of revenue, research and development expenses decreased to21.3% , compared with31.4% for the same period in the prior year. - Sales and Marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to
RMB69 million , compared withRMB99 million in the prior year, mainly due to a decrease in labor cost. As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing expenses decreased to7.5% from8.0% . - General and Administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to
RMB169 million fromRMB255 million in the prior year, primarily due to stringent cost control measures and the Company's continued efforts to optimize its business processes. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to18.3% from20.6% .
Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 narrowed notably to
Net Loss Attributable to Shareholders
Net loss attributable to OneConnect's shareholders totaled
Cash Flow
For the fourth quarter of 2023, net cash generated from operating activities was
Conference Call Information
Date/Time Monday, March 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.,
Monday, March 18, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.,
Online registration https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=fcfccf38&confId=61770
The financial results and an archived transcript will be available at OneConnect's investor relations website at ir.ocft.com.
About OneConnect
OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd. is a technology-as-a-service provider for financial services industry. The Company integrates extensive financial services industry expertise with market-leading technology to provide technology applications and technology-enabled business services to financial institutions. The integrated solutions and platform the Company provides include digital banking solution, digital insurance solution and Gamma Platform, which is a technology infrastructural platform for financial institutions. The Company's solutions enable its customers' digital transformations, which help them improve efficiency, enhance service quality, and reduce costs and risks.
The Company has established long-term cooperation relationships with financial institutions to address their needs of digital transformation. The Company has also expanded its services to other participants in the value chain to support the digital transformation of financial services eco-system. In addition, the Company has successfully exported its technology solutions to overseas financial institutions.
For more information, please visit ir.ocft.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the
Use of Unaudited Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The unaudited consolidated financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Non-IFRS measures are used in gross profit and gross margin, adjusted to exclude non-cash items, which consist of amortization of intangible assets recognized in cost of revenue, depreciation of property and equipment recognized in cost of revenue, and share-based compensation expenses recognized in cost of revenue. OneConnect's management regularly review non-IFRS gross profit and non-IFRS gross margin to assess the performance of our business. By excluding non-cash items, these financial metrics allow OneConnect's management to evaluate the cash conversion of
Contacts
Investor Relations:
OCFT IR Team
OCFT_IR@ocft.com
Media Relations:
Frank Fu
pub_jryztppxcb@pingan.com.cn
ONECONNECT CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended December 31 | Full Year Ended December 31 | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | |
Revenue | 924,565 | 1,242,434 | 3,667,508 | 4,464,002 |
– Technology Solution | 881,899 | 1,209,877 | 3,521,591 | 4,357,462 |
– Virtual Bank Business | 42,666 | 32,557 | 145,917 | 106,540 |
Cost of revenue | (566,499) | (741,364) | (2,318,103) | (2,828,986) |
Gross profit | 358,066 | 501,070 | 1,349,405 | 1,635,016 |
Research and development expenses | (196,973) | (389,957) | (955,201) | (1,417,691) |
Selling and marketing expenses | (69,472) | (99,214) | (275,351) | (411,356) |
General and administrative expenses | (169,062) | (255,408) | (504,970) | (824,711) |
Net impairment losses on financial and contract assets | (11,444) | (18,566) | (53,950) | (33,639) |
Other income, gains or loss-net | 9,466 | 67,903 | 71,855 | 70,818 |
Operating loss | (79,419) | (194,172) | (368,212) | (981,563) |
Finance income | 10,001 | 5,288 | 29,580 | 14,709 |
Finance costs | (6,261) | (9,168) | (20,532) | (37,173) |
Finance income/(costs) – net | 3,740 | (3,880) | 9,048 | (22,464) |
Share of (losses)/gains of associate and joint venture – net | - | (1,550) | 4,607 | 24,852 |
Impairment charges on associate | - | (10,998) | (7,157) | (10,998) |
Loss before income tax | (75,679) | (210,600) | (361,714) | (990,173) |
Income tax (expense)/benefit | (3,019) | 13,475 | (9,762) | 62,147 |
Loss for the period | (78,698) | (197,125) | (371,476) | (928,026) |
(Loss)/profit attributable to: | ||||
– Owners of the Company | (81,349) | (177,337) | (362,715) | (872,274) |
– Non-controlling interests | 2,651 | (19,788) | (8,761) | (55,752) |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | ||||
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss | ||||
– Foreign currency translation differences | (9,602) | (6,891) | 3,880 | 69,454 |
– Changes in the fair value of debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income | (3,856) | 5,512 | 500 | 5,324 |
Item that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | ||||
– Foreign currency translation differences | (14,541) | (41,136) | 22,336 | 356,691 |
Total comprehensive loss for the period | (106,697) | (239,640) | (344,760) | (496,557) |
Total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to: | ||||
– Owners of the Company | (109,348) | (219,852) | (335,999) | (440,805) |
– Non-controlling interests | 2,651 | (19,788) | (8,761) | (55,752) |
Loss per ADS attributable to owners of the Company | ||||
(expressed in RMB per share) | ||||
– Basic and diluted | (2.24) | (4.80) | (9.99) | (23.90) |
ONECONNECT CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) | ||
December 31 | December 31 | |
2023 | 2022 | |
RMB'000 | RMB'000 | |
ASSETS | ||
Non-current assets | ||
Property and equipment | 85,076 | 151,401 |
Intangible assets | 471,371 | 570,436 |
Deferred tax assets | 768,276 | 765,959 |
Investments accounted for using the equity method | - | 199,200 |
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income | 1,372,685 | 821,110 |
Restricted cash and time deposits over three months | 5,319 | - |
Prepayments and other receivables | 6,663 | |
Total non-current assets | 2,709,390 | 2,508,106 |
Current assets | ||
Trade receivables | 710,669 | 940,989 |
Contract assets | 95,825 | 122,628 |
Prepayments and other receivables | 905,691 | 1,078,604 |
Financial assets measured at amortized cost from virtual bank | 3,081 | 44 |
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
853,453 | 1,233,431 |
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 925,204 | 690,627 |
Derivative financial assets | 38,008 | 56,363 |
Restricted cash and time deposits over three months | 447,564 | 343,814 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,379,473 | 1,907,776 |
Total current assets | 5,358,968 | 6,374,276 |
Total assets | 8,068,358 | 8,882,382 |
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||
Equity | ||
Share capital | 78 | 78 |
Shares held for share incentive scheme | (149,544) | (149,544) |
Other reserves | 10,989,851 | 10,953,072 |
Accumulated losses | (7,873,614) | (7,510,899) |
Equity attributable to equity owners of the Company | 2,966,771 | 3,292,707 |
Non-controlling interests | (18,979) | (14,652) |
Total equity | 2,947,792 | 3,278,055 |
LIABILITIES | ||
Non-current liabilities | ||
Trade and other payables | 28,283 | 132,833 |
Contract liabilities | 17,126 | 19,977 |
Deferred tax liabilities | 2,079 | 5,196 |
Total non-current liabilities | 47,488 | 158,006 |
Current liabilities | ||
Trade and other payables | 1,981,288 | 2,531,273 |
Payroll and welfare payables | 385,908 | 431,258 |
Contract liabilities | 138,563 | 166,650 |
Short-term borrowings | 251,732 | 289,062 |
Customer deposits | 2,261,214 | 1,929,183 |
Other financial liabilities from virtual bank | 54,373 | 89,327 |
Derivative financial liabilities | - | 9,568 |
Total current liabilities | 5,073,078 | 5,446,321 |
Total liabilities | 5,120,566 | 5,604,327 |
Total equity and liabilities | 8,068,358 | 8,882,382 |
ONECONNECT CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended | Full Year Ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | |
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities | 174,099 |
175,076 | (648,461) |
(745,984) |
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities | (197,255) | 340,401 | 318,634 | 1,873,169 |
Net cash used in financing activities | (32,373) | (63,366) | (213,605) | (694,066) |
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (55,529) | 452,111 | (543,432) | 433,119 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 1,451,556 | 1,455,767 | 1,907,776 | 1,399,370 |
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (16,554) |
(102) | 15,129 |
75,287 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | 1,379,473 | 1,907,776 | 1,379,473 | 1,907,776 |
ONECONNECT RECONCILIATION OF IFRS AND NON-IFRS RESULTS (Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended | Full Year Ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | |
Gross profit | 358,066 | 501,070 | 1,349,405 | 1,635,016 |
Gross margin | 38.7 % | 40.3 % | 36.8 % | 36.6 % |
Non-IFRS adjustment | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets recognized in cost of revenue | 28,397 | 32,058 | 118,359 | 152,837 |
Depreciation of property and equipment recognized in cost of revenue | 2,233 | 593 | 6,747 | 2,750 |
Share-based compensation expenses recognized in cost of revenue | 709 | (1,939) | 3,233 | – |
Non-IFRS Gross profit | 389,405 | 531,782 | 1,477,744 | 1,790,603 |
Non-IFRS Gross margin | 42.1 % | 42.8 % | 40.3 % | 40.1 % |
Source: OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd.
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SOURCE OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd.
FAQ
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