4.5 Billion Parcels Expanded Market Share to 20.4%
ZTO Express reported strong first-quarter 2021 results with revenues of RMB6,472.5 million, a 65.3% increase year-over-year. Adjusted net income rose 23.1% to RMB781.6 million, exceeding expectations. Parcel volume surged 88.5% to 4.475 billion, boosting market share to 20.4%. Despite a 12.4% decline in average selling price, improved operational efficiency led to a 168.3% jump in cash flow from operations, totaling RMB477 million. The company maintains its annual parcel volume guidance between 22.95 billion to 23.80 billion, indicating robust growth potential.
- Adjusted net income increased 23.1% to RMB781.6 million.
- Revenues rose 65.3% year-over-year to RMB6,472.5 million.
- Parcel volume grew 88.5%, reaching 4.475 billion parcels.
- Market share expanded to 20.4%, a gain of 1.5 percentage points.
- Cash flow from operations surged 168.3% to RMB477 million.
- Average selling price declined by 12.4%, impacting revenue per parcel.
- Gross margin decreased from 20.9% to 16.9% due to intense price competition.
Adjusted Net Income Increased
ZTO Reports First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results
SHANGHAI, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021[1]. The Company delivered a parcel volume growth of
First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights
- Revenues were RMB6,472.5 million (US
$987.9 million ), an increase of65.3% from RMB3,915.9 million in the same period of 2020. - Gross profit was RMB1,096.5 million (US
$167.4 million ), an increase of33.9% from RMB818.7 million in the same period of 2020. - Net income was RMB533.5 million (US
$81.4 million ), an increase of43.8% from RMB371.0 million in the same period of 2020. - Adjusted EBITDA[2] was RMB1,468.1 million (US
$224.1 million ), an increase of25.1% from RMB1,173.4 million in the same period of 2020. - Adjusted net income[3] was RMB781.6 million (US
$119.3 million ), an increase of23.1% from RMB635.1 million in the same period of 2020. - Basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share ("ADS"[4]) were RMB0.64 (US
$0.10) , an increase of33.3% from RMB0.48 in the same period of 2020. - Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share[5] attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.94 (US
$0.14) , an increase of14.6% from RMB0.82 in the same period of 2020. - Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB477.0 million (US
$72.8 million ), compared with RMB177.8 million in the same period of 2020.
Operational Highlights for First Quarter 2021
- Parcel volume was 4,475 million, an increase of
88.5% from 2,374 million in the same period of 2020. - Number of pickup/delivery outlets was approximately 30,000 as of March 31, 2021.
- Number of direct network partners was over 5,350 as of March 31, 2021.
- Number of line-haul vehicles was over 10,450 as of March 31, 2021, which included over 10,050 self-owned vehicles and approximately 400 vehicles owned and operated by Tonglu Tongze Logistics Ltd., a transportation operator that works exclusively for ZTO.
- Out of the over 10,050 self-owned trucks, over 8,100 were high capacity 15 to 17-meter-long models as of March 31, 2021, compared to approximately 7,900 as of December 31, 2020.
- Number of line-haul routes between sorting hubs was over 3,650 as of March 31, 2021, compared to over 3,600 as of December 31, 2020.
- Number of sorting hubs was 95 as of March 31, 2021, among which 84 are operated by the Company and 11 by the Company's network partners.
(1) An investor relations presentation accompanies this earnings release and can be found at http://zto.investorroom.com. |
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expenses and income tax expenses, and further adjusted to exclude the shared-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as the gain on disposal of equity investment and subsidiary which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations. |
(3) Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before share-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as gain on disposal of equity investment and subsidiary in which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations. |
(4) One ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. |
(5) Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure. It is defined as adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted shares, respectively. |
Mr. Meisong Lai, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZTO, commented, "For the first quarter, China's express delivery industry benefited from the steady recovery and growth of domestic economy and achieved a
Mr. Lai added, "The competitive dynamics of China's express delivery industry continued to evolve. While profit level declined for the industry due to price competition that remained intense, those with stronger capacity and more stable partner network delivered better performance results. Since its early years, ZTO has devoted resources towards continuous development of infrastructure and cultivation of trust and loyalty by its network partners. Relying on our leading throughput capability and effective incentive policies across our network, we achieved healthy levels of market share expansion and earnings as we remained number one in customer satisfaction ranking. We firmly believe, our consistent strategy and execution through high quality of service backed by leading scale and efficiency will provide the winning edge going forward."
Ms. Huiping Yan, Chief Financial Officer of ZTO, commented, "We achieved RMB 782 million adjusted net profit that increased
Ms. Yan added, "Cash flow from operating activities increased
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||
Express delivery services | 3,406,410 | 87.0 | 5,672,809 | 865,840 | 87.6 | ||||||
Freight forwarding services | 295,476 | 7.5 | 492,986 | 75,244 | 7.6 | ||||||
Sale of accessories | 177,025 | 4.5 | 260,179 | 39,711 | 4.0 | ||||||
Others | 36,978 | 1.0 | 46,563 | 7,107 | 0.8 | ||||||
Total revenues | 3,915,889 | 100.0 | 6,472,537 | 987,902 | 100.0 |
Total Revenues were RMB6,472.5 million (US
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
RMB | % of | RMB | US$ | % of | |||||||
revenues | revenues | ||||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||
Line-haul transportation cost | 1,297,417 | 33.1 | 2,533,913 | 386,751 | 39.1 | ||||||
Sorting hub cost | 965,756 | 24.7 | 1,511,370 | 230,680 | 23.4 | ||||||
Freight forwarding cost | 287,613 | 7.3 | 436,393 | 66,607 | 6.7 | ||||||
Cost of accessories sold | 74,475 | 1.9 | 74,575 | 11,382 | 1.2 | ||||||
Other costs | 471,968 | 12.1 | 819,753 | 125,118 | 12.7 | ||||||
Total cost of revenues | 3,097,229 | 79.1 | 5,376,004 | 820,538 | 83.1 |
Total cost of revenues was RMB5,376.0 million (US
Line haul transportation cost was RMB2,533.9 million (US
Sorting hub operating cost was RMB1,511.4 million (US
Cost of accessories sold was RMB74.6 million (US
Other costs were RMB819.8 million (US
Gross Profit was RMB1,096.5 million (US
Total Operating Expenses were RMB463.7 million (US
Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB620.2 million (US
Other operating income, net was RMB156.6 million (US
Income from operations was RMB632.9 million (US
Interest income was RMB75.5 million (US
Interest expenses was RMB15.6 million (US
Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments was RMB15.8 million (US
Income tax expenses were RMB149.6 million (US
Net income was RMB533.5 million (US
Basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.64 (US
Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.94 (US
Adjusted net income was RMB781.6 million (US
EBITDA was RMB1,220.1 million (US
Adjusted EBITDA was RMB1,468.1 million (US
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB477.0 million (US
Business Outlook
The Company makes no changes to its previously stated annual volume guidance. Based on the current market conditions and current operations, the Company's parcel volume for 2021 is expected to be in the range of 22.95 billion to 23.80 billion, representing a
Company Share Purchase
On November 15, 2018, the Company announced a share repurchase program whereby ZTO was authorized to repurchase its own Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US
Exchange Rate
This announcement contains translation of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the exchange rate of RMB6.5518 to US
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating ZTO's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.
Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to its U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.
The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share help identify underlying trends in ZTO's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the expenses and gains that the Company includes in income from operations and net income. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by ZTO's management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of the Company's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to ZTO's data. ZTO encourages investors and others to review the Company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Conference Call Information
ZTO's management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (8:30 AM Beijing Time on May 20, 2021).
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
United States: | 1-888-317-6003 |
Hong Kong: | 852-5808-1995 |
Mainland China: | 4001-206-115 |
Singapore: | 800-120-5863 |
International: | 1-412-317-6061 |
Passcode: | 8671970 |
Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call.
A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until May 26, 2021:
United States: | 1-877-344-7529 |
International: | 1-412-317-0088 |
Passcode: | 10155754 |
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://zto.investorroom.com.
About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK:2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.
ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.
For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the Company's unaudited results for the first quarter of 2021, ZTO management quotes and the Company's financial outlook.
These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of its control. The Company's actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the first quarter 2021 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, the Company may not meet its financial outlook included in this news release and may be unable to grow its business in the manner planned. The Company may also modify its strategy for growth. In addition, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from what it currently anticipates, including those relating to the development of the e-commerce industry in China, its significant reliance on the Alibaba ecosystem, risks associated with its network partners and their employees and personnel, intense competition which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and market share, any service disruption of the Company's sorting hubs or the outlets operated by its network partners or its technology system. For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Comprehensive Income Data: | ||||||
Three Months Ended Mar 31, | ||||||
2020 | 2021 | |||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||
Revenues | 3,915,889 | 6,472,537 | 987,902 | |||
Cost of revenues | (3,097,229) | (5,376,004) | (820,538) | |||
Gross profit | 818,660 | 1,096,533 | 167,364 | |||
Operating (expenses)/income: | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | (560,051) | (620,224) | (94,665) | |||
Other operating income, net | 113,403 | 156,571 | 23,897 | |||
Total operating expenses | (446,648) | (463,653) | (70,768) | |||
Income from operations | 372,012 | 632,880 | 96,596 | |||
Other income/(expenses): | ||||||
Interest income | 126,227 | 75,482 | 11,521 | |||
Interest expense | (291) | (15,582) | (2,378) | |||
Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments | - | 15,799 | 2,411 | |||
Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss), before tax | 16,453 | (333) | (51) | |||
Income before income tax, and share of loss in equity method | 514,401 | 708,246 | 108,099 | |||
Income tax expense | (129,772) | (149,638) | (22,839) | |||
Share of loss in equity method investments | (13,656) | (25,082) | (3,828) | |||
Net income | 370,973 | 533,526 | 81,432 | |||
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 3,727 | 99 | 15 | |||
Net income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. | 374,700 | 533,625 | 81,447 | |||
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders | 374,700 | 533,625 | 81,447 | |||
Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders | ||||||
Basic | 0.48 | 0.64 | 0.10 | |||
Diluted | 0.48 | 0.64 | 0.10 | |||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share/ADS | ||||||
Basic | 782,354,037 | 828,504,517 | 828,504,517 | |||
Diluted | 782,553,924 | 828,504,517 | 828,504,517 | |||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax of nil: | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 176,926 | 17,911 | 2,734 | |||
Comprehensive income | 547,899 | 551,437 | 84,166 | |||
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 3,727 | 99 | 15 | |||
Comprehensive income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. | 551,626 | 551,536 | 84,181 |
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets Data: | ||||||
As of | ||||||
December 31, | March 31, 2021 | |||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
(in thousands) | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 14,212,778 | 11,074,124 | 1,690,241 | |||
Restricted cash | 133,196 | 404,048 | 61,670 | |||
Accounts receivable, net | 746,013 | 721,511 | 110,124 | |||
Financing receivables | 492,159 | 531,534 | 81,128 | |||
Short-term investment | 3,690,402 | 5,528,308 | 843,785 | |||
Inventories | 53,070 | 51,833 | 7,911 | |||
Advances to suppliers | 589,042 | 635,302 | 96,966 | |||
Prepayments and other current assets | 2,334,688 | 2,520,114 | 384,645 | |||
Amounts due from related parties | 73,278 | 55,078 | 8,407 | |||
Total current assets | 22,324,626 | 21,521,852 | 3,284,877 | |||
Investments in equity investee | 3,224,463 | 3,231,216 | 493,180 | |||
Property and equipment, net | 18,565,161 | 19,286,227 | 2,943,653 | |||
Land use rights, net | 4,360,673 | 4,740,924 | 723,606 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 41,832 | 40,282 | 6,148 | |||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 876,259 | 871,501 | 133,017 | |||
Goodwill | 4,241,541 | 4,241,541 | 647,386 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 720,561 | 988,442 | 150,866 | |||
Long-term investment | 1,842,000 | 1,974,680 | 301,395 | |||
Long-term financing receivables | 1,970,340 | 1,947,143 | 297,192 | |||
Other non-current assets | 537,294 | 756,104 | 115,404 | |||
Amounts due from related parties-non current | 500,000 | 512,000 | 78,146 | |||
TOTAL ASSETS | 59,204,750 | 60,111,912 | 9,174,870 | |||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Short-term bank borrowing | 1,432,929 | 2,914,791 | 444,884 | |||
Accounts payable | 1,635,888 | 1,551,327 | 236,779 | |||
Notes payable | 326,200 | 100,980 | 15,413 | |||
Advances from customers | 1,119,666 | 1,196,208 | 182,577 | |||
Income tax payable | 48,628 | - | - | |||
Amounts due to related parties | 16,655 | 36,382 | 5,553 | |||
Operating lease Liabilities | 246,394 | 240,127 | 36,651 | |||
Acquisition consideration payable | 22,942 | 22,942 | 3,502 | |||
Dividends payable | 11,198 | 1,365,307 | 208,387 | |||
Other current liabilities | 4,487,084 | 3,869,612 | 590,615 | |||
Total current liabilities | 9,347,584 | 11,297,676 | 1,724,361 | |||
Non-current operating lease Liabilities | 502,481 | 520,760 | 79,484 | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | 254,987 | 246,297 | 37,592 | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 10,105,052 | 12,064,733 | 1,841,437 | |||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Ordinary shares (US | 553 | 553 | 84 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 30,613,948 | 29,499,693 | 4,502,533 | |||
Treasury shares, at cost | (2,578,870) | (3,056,574) | (466,524) | |||
Retained earnings | 21,038,753 | 21,541,857 | 3,287,930 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (95,571) | (77,660) | (11,853) | |||
ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. shareholders' equity | 48,978,813 | 47,907,869 | 7,312,170 | |||
Noncontrolling interests | 120,885 | 139,310 | 21,263 | |||
Total Equity | 49,099,698 | 48,047,179 | 7,333,433 | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | 59,204,750 | 60,111,912 | 9,174,870 |
Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Data: | |||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2020 | 2021 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 177,791 | 476,952 | 72,797 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (714,703) | (4,371,990) | (667,296) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 297,654 | 993,968 | 151,709 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 17,315 | 33,268 | 5,078 | ||||
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (221,943) | (2,867,802) | (437,712) | ||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 5,277,414 | 14,360,092 | 2,191,778 | ||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | 5,055,471 | 11,492,290 | 1,754,066 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:
As of | |||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 5,020,188 | 11,074,124 | 1,690,241 | ||||
Restricted cash,current | 21,169 | 404,048 | 61,670 | ||||
Restricted cash,non-current | 14,114 | 14,118 | 2,155 | ||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 5,055,471 | 11,492,290 | 1,754,066 |
Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results | ||||||
Three Months Ended Dec 31, | ||||||
2020 | 2021 | |||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||
Net income | 370,973 | 533,526 | 81,432 | |||
Add: | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense (1) | 264,154 | 248,027 | 37,856 | |||
Adjusted net income | 635,127 | 781,553 | 119,288 | |||
Net income | 370,973 | 533,526 | 81,432 | |||
Add: | ||||||
Depreciation | 392,580 | 495,708 | 75,660 | |||
Amortization | 15,648 | 25,651 | 3,915 | |||
Interest expenses | 291 | 15,582 | 2,378 | |||
Income tax expenses | 129,772 | 149,638 | 22,839 | |||
EBITDA | 909,264 | 1,220,105 | 186,224 | |||
Add: | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 264,154 | 248,027 | 37,856 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,173,418 | 1,468,132 | 224,080 | |||
(1) Net of income taxes of nil |
| ||||||
Three Months Ended Dec 31, | ||||||
2020 | 2021 | |||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||||
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders | 374,700 | 533,625 | 81,447 | |||
Add: | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense (1) | 264,154 | 248,027 | 37,856 | |||
Adjusted Net income attributable to ordinary | 638,854 | 781,652 | 119,303 | |||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share/ADS | ||||||
Basic | 782,354,037 | 828,504,517 | 828,504,517 | |||
Diluted | 782,553,924 | 828,504,517 | 828,504,517 | |||
Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders | ||||||
Basic | 0.48 | 0.64 | 0.10 | |||
Diluted | 0.48 | 0.64 | 0.10 | |||
Adjusted net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders | ||||||
Basic | 0.82 | 0.94 | 0.14 | |||
Diluted | 0.82 | 0.94 | 0.14 | |||
(1) Net of income taxes of nil |
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
Investor Relations
E-mail: ir@zto.com
Phone: +86 21 5980 4508
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SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
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