Qudian Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Qudian Inc. (NYSE: QD) reported its Q3 2024 financial results with total revenues of RMB55.0 million (US$7.8 million), an 85.9% increase from Q3 2023. The company achieved net income of RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million), compared to a net loss of RMB181.2 million in the same period last year. The last-mile delivery business, operating under the brand 'Fast Horse', generated RMB53.5 million in revenue, up from RMB28.6 million in Q3 2023. The company maintains strong liquidity with cash and cash equivalents of RMB4,847.0 million and has continued its share repurchase program, buying back 12.1 million ADSs at an average price of $2.1 per ADS.

Positive

• Revenue increased 85.9% year-over-year to RMB55.0 million
• Turned net loss into profit with net income of RMB131.9 million
• Last-mile delivery revenue grew to RMB53.5 million from RMB28.6 million YoY
• Strong cash position with RMB4,847.0 million in cash and cash equivalents
• General and administrative expenses decreased by 27.5%

Negative

• Operating loss of RMB67.0 million despite improvement from previous year
• Research and development expenses increased 29.3% YoY
• Cost of revenues increased by 5.7% YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

Qudian's Q3 2024 results show significant improvement with a notable turnaround to profitability. Total revenues increased 85.9% to RMB55.0 million, driven by growth in the last-mile delivery business, which contributed RMB53.5 million. The company achieved a net income of RMB131.9 million, compared to a loss of RMB181.2 million in the same period last year.

The balance sheet remains robust with RMB4.85 billion in cash and equivalents. Operating efficiency improved with a 27.5% reduction in G&A expenses. The company's strategic pivot to last-mile delivery services is gaining traction in Australia and New Zealand, while maintaining an active share repurchase program with US$25.3 million worth of ADSs bought at an average price of $2.1 per ADS.

Logistics Industry Expert

The expansion of Qudian's "Fast Horse" last-mile delivery service represents a strategic pivot into the lucrative cross-border e-commerce logistics sector. The 87% year-over-year revenue growth in this segment to RMB53.5 million demonstrates strong market acceptance in Australia and New Zealand. The focus on these markets is particularly shrewd given their high e-commerce penetration rates and growing cross-border trade with Asia.

The increased R&D investment, up 29.3%, suggests commitment to technological infrastructure development, important for competing in the modern logistics space. The reduction in professional services fees indicates the transition from planning to execution phase, a positive signal for operational efficiency.

XIAMEN, China, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or "the Company" or "We") (NYSE: QD), a consumer-oriented technology company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

• Total revenues were RMB55.0 million (US$7.8 million), compared to RMB29.6 million for the same period of last year
• Net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million), compared to net loss of RMB181.2 million for the same period of last year; net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.71 (US$0.10) for the third quarter of 2024
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million), compared to Non-GAAP net loss of RMB179.8 million for the same period of last year. We exclude share-based compensation expenses from our non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.71 (US$0.10) for the third quarter of 2024

The Company's last-mile delivery business continued to make steady progress in 2024, which generated approximately RMB53.5 million in revenue in the third quarter of 2024, compared to RMB28.6 million for the third quarter of 2023. Moving forward, the Company expects to remain steadfast in its commitment to executing its business transition and simultaneously maintaining prudent cash management to safeguard its balance sheet.

Third Quarter Financial Results

Sales income and others increased by 85.9% to RMB55.0 million (US$7.8 million) from RMB29.6 million for the third quarter of 2023, which was primarily attributable to the increase in sales income generated from last-mile delivery business.

Total operating costs and expenses decreased to RMB122.0 million (US$17.4 million) from RMB141.1 million for the third quarter of 2023.

Cost of revenues increased by 5.7% to RMB48.9 million (US$7.0 million) from RMB46.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to the increase in service cost related to last-mile delivery business.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 27.5% to RMB58.6 million (US$8.3 million) from RMB80.8 million for the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to the reduce in professional services fees after the Company completed research and consultation for last-mile delivery business in its early stage.

Research and development expenses increased by 29.3% to RMB14.6 million (US$2.1 million) from RMB11.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to the increase in staff salaries as the Company continues to explore new business opportunities.

Loss from operations was RMB67.0 million (US$9.5 million), compared to RMB100.8 million for the third quarter of 2023.

Interest and investment income, net was RMB228.4 million (US$32.6 million), compared to interest and investment loss of RMB7.1 million for the third quarter of 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of income from investments in the third quarter of 2024.

Gain on derivative instrument was RMB30.2 million (US$4.3 million), compared to loss on derivative instrument of RMB108.0 million for the third quarter of 2023, mainly attributable to the increase in quoted price of the underlying equity securities relating to the derivative instruments we held.

Net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million), compared to net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders of RMB181.2 million in the third quarter of 2023. Net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.71 (US$0.10).

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million), compared to Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders of RMB179.8 in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.71 (US$0.10).

Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB4,847.0 million (US$690.7 million) and restricted cash of RMB779.5 million (US$111.1 million). Restricted cash mainly represents security deposits held in designated bank accounts for the guarantee of short-term borrowings. Such restricted cash is not available to fund the general liquidity needs of the Company.

For the third quarter of 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was RMB679.9 million (US$96.9 million), mainly due to the net proceeds from redemption of time and structured deposit. Net cash used in investing activities was RMB541.8 million (US$77.2 million), mainly due to payments of deposit pledged as collateral for derivative instrument. Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB638.0 million (US$90.9 million), mainly due to the proceeds from short-term borrowings and partially offset by the repurchase of ordinary shares.

Last-mile Delivery Business

In response to the surging demand for cross-border e-commerce transactions, the Company has proactively sought innovative logistic services and solutions to meet global consumers' expectations for swift and top-tier delivery services. In December 2022, the Company launched its last-mile delivery services under the brand name of "Fast Horse." The business was initially launched on a trial basis and has gradually achieved meaningful scale in Australia during the second quarter of 2023. As of the date of this release, the Company's last-mile delivery service is available in Australia and New Zealand.

Update on Share Repurchase

Our Board approved a share repurchase program in March 2024 to purchase up to US$300 million worth of Class A ordinary shares or ADSs in the next 36 months starting from June 13, 2024. From the launch of the share repurchase program on June 13, 2024 to November 18, 2024, the Company has in aggregate purchased 12.1 million ADSs in the open market for a total amount of approximately US$25.3 million (an average price of $2.1 per ADS) pursuant to the share repurchase program.

As of November 18, 2024, the Company had in aggregate purchased 166.4 million ADSs for a total amount of approximately US$719.5 million (an average price of $4.3 per ADS).

About Qudian Inc.

Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a consumer-oriented technology company. The Company historically focused on providing credit solutions to consumers. Qudian is exploring innovative logistics services to satisfy consumers' demand for e-commerce transactions by leveraging its technology capabilities.

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

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders, a Non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. We believe that Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders provides useful information about our operating results, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders 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 an analytical tool, and when assessing our operating performance, cash flows or our liquidity, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss /income, cash flows provided by operating activities or other consolidated statements of operation and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation 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 ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.0176 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on September 30, 2024, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

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 expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency, contain forward-looking statements. Qudian 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 Qudian'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: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers, business partners 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 Qudian'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 Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:
Qudian Inc.
Tel: +86-592-596-8208
E-mail: ir@qudian.com

 

 

QUDIAN INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Three months ended September 30,
(In thousands except for number		2023		2024
of shares and per-share data)				(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
		RMB		RMB		US$
Revenues:
Sales income and others		29,598		55,015		7,840
Total revenues		29,598		55,015		7,840
Operating cost and expenses:
Cost of revenues		(46,279)		(48,913)		(6,970)
Sales and marketing		-		(2,123)		(303)
General and administrative		(80,796)		(58,580)		(8,348)
Research and development		(11,277)		(14,576)		(2,077)
Expected credit (loss)/reversal for receivables and other assets		(3,974)		2,798		399
Impairment gain/(loss) from other assets		1,258		(604)		(86)
Total operating cost and expenses		(141,068)		(121,998)		(17,385)
Other operating income		10,668		-		-
Loss from operations		(100,802)		(66,983)		(9,545)
Interest and investment (loss)/income, net		(7,099)		228,420		32,550
Gain/(Loss) from equity method investments		1,010		(1,390)		(198)
(Loss)/Gain on derivative instruments		(107,969)		30,246		4,310
Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net		274		(7,898)		(1,125)
Other income		10,694		2,030		289
Other expenses		(2,157)		(13,809)		(1,968)
Net (loss)/income before income taxes		(206,049)		170,616		24,313
Income tax expenses		24,821		(38,702)		(5,515)
Net (loss)/income		(181,228)		131,914		18,798
Net (loss)/income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders		(181,228)		131,914		18,798
(Loss)/Earnings per share for Class A and Class B ordinary shares:
Basic		(0.84)		0.73		0.10
Diluted		(0.84)		0.71		0.10
(Loss)/Earnings per ADS (1 Class A ordinary share equals 1 ADSs):
Basic		(0.84)		0.73		0.10
Diluted		(0.84)		0.71		0.10
Weighted average number of Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding:
Basic		214,666,223		180,111,125		180,111,125
Diluted		214,666,223		185,092,607		185,092,607
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,471)		(60,991)		(8,691)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income		(182,699)		70,923		10,107
Total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders		(182,699)		70,923		10,107

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
			As of June 30,		As of September 30,
(In thousands except for number			2024		2024
of shares and per-share data)					(Unaudited)	(Unaudited)
			RMB		RMB	US$
ASSETS:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			4,849,019		4,847,011	690,694
Restricted cash			51,984		779,529	111,082
Time and structured deposit			2,948,606		1,988,626	283,377
Short-term investments			1,091,177		485,814	69,228
Accounts receivables			39,418		38,492	5,485
Other current assets			615,275		2,104,961	299,955
Total current assets			9,595,479		10,244,433	1,459,821
Non-current assets:
Right-of-use assets			163,246		163,539	23,304
Investment in equity method investee			150,691		148,701	21,190
Long-term investments			210,448		83,987	11,968
Property and equipment, net			1,410,125		1,450,975	206,762
Intangible assets			2,764		1,668	238
Other non-current assets			469,476		459,272	65,446
Total non-current assets			2,406,750		2,308,142	328,908
TOTAL ASSETS			12,002,229		12,552,575	1,788,729
QUDIAN INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
			As of June 30,		As of September 30,
(In thousands except for number			2024		2024
of shares and per-share data)					(Unaudited)	(Unaudited)
			RMB		RMB	US$
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and interest payables			-		720,000	102,599
Short-term lease liabilities			19,789		19,853	2,829
Derivative instruments-liability			248,228		85,795	12,226
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			202,856		188,209	26,820
Income tax payable			25,947		33,728	4,806
Total current liabilities			496,820		1,047,585	149,280
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term lease liabilities			51,432		51,661	7,362
Total non-current liabilities			51,432		51,661	7,362
Total liabilities			548,252		1,099,246	156,642
Shareholders' equity:
Class A Ordinary shares			132		132	19
Class B Ordinary shares			44		44	6
Treasury shares			(1,196,636)		(1,263,641)	(180,067)
Additional paid-in capital			4,031,438		4,026,876	573,825
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			14,434		(46,556)	(6,634)
Retained earnings			8,604,565		8,736,474	1,244,938
Total shareholders' equity			11,453,977		11,453,329	1,632,087
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY			12,002,229		12,552,575	1,788,729

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP And Non-GAAP Results
			Three months ended September 30,
			2023		2024
(In thousands except for number					(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
of shares and per-share data)			RMB		RMB		US$
Total net (loss)/income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders			(181,228)		131,914		18,798
Add: Share-based compensation expenses			1,432		-		-
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders			(179,796)		131,914		18,798
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income per share—basic			(0.84)		0.73		0.10
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income per share—diluted			(0.84)		0.71		0.10
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			214,666,223		180,111,125		180,111,125
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted			214,666,223		185,092,607		185,092,607

 

 

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SOURCE Qudian Inc.

FAQ

What was Qudian's (QD) revenue in Q3 2024?

Qudian's total revenue in Q3 2024 was RMB55.0 million (US$7.8 million), representing an 85.9% increase from Q3 2023.

How much profit did Qudian (QD) make in Q3 2024?

Qudian reported net income of RMB131.9 million (US$18.8 million) in Q3 2024, compared to a net loss of RMB181.2 million in Q3 2023.

How much revenue did Qudian's (QD) Fast Horse delivery business generate in Q3 2024?

Qudian's Fast Horse last-mile delivery business generated RMB53.5 million in revenue during Q3 2024, up from RMB28.6 million in Q3 2023.

What is Qudian's (QD) cash position as of September 30, 2024?

As of September 30, 2024, Qudian had cash and cash equivalents of RMB4,847.0 million (US$690.7 million) and restricted cash of RMB779.5 million.