EX-99.2 3 tm2422147d1_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.

 

Under our weighted voting rights structure, our share capital comprises Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share entitles the holder to exercise one vote, and each Class B ordinary share entitles the holder to exercise 10 votes, respectively, on all matters that require a shareholder’s vote. Shareholders and prospective investors should be aware of the potential risks of investing in a company with a weighted voting rights structure. Our American depositary shares, each representing one of our Class A ordinary shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol ZTO.

 

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

中通快遞(開曼)有限公司

(A company controlled through weighted voting rights and incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 2057)

 

INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024

 

The Board of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. is pleased to announce the unaudited interim consolidated results of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2024, together with the comparative figures for the corresponding period in 2023, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These interim results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2024 have been reviewed by the Auditor in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Review Engagements 2410 “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of Entity” issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

1

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2024   Change (%) 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     
   (RMB in thousands, except percentages and
per share data)
 
Revenues   18,723,563    20,685,970    10.5%
Cost of Revenues   (12,895,730)   (14,063,408)   9.1%
Gross Profit   5,827,833    6,622,562    13.6%
Net income   4,195,034    4,061,744    (3.2)%
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   4,211,540    4,037,848    (4.1)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures:               
EBITDA(1)   6,761,106    7,034,205    4.0%
Adjusted EBITDA(2)   7,016,846    8,000,042    14.0%
Adjusted net income(3)   4,450,774    5,029,768    13.0%
Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders(4)   4,467,280    5,005,872    12.1%
Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders(5)               
Basic   5.52    6.21    12.5%
Diluted   5.40    6.06    12.2%

 

 

(1)EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expenses and income tax expenses which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations.

 

(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 impairment of investment in equity investees, gain/ loss on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries 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 impairment of investment in equity investees, gain/loss on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries and corresponding tax impact in which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations.

 

(4)Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure. It is defined as net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Group excluding shared-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as impairment of investment in equity investees, gain/loss on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations.

 

(5)Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS 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 ADS, respectively.

 

2

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating the Company’s operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

 

We believe that such Non-GAAP measures help identify underlying trends in the Company’s business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the related expenses and gains that the Company includes in income from operations and net income, and 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 the Company’s management in its financial and operational decision-making.

 

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders 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. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders 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 the Company’s data. The Company encourages investors and others to review the Company’s financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

 

3

 

The following table sets forth unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results for the period indicated.

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   (in thousands, except for
share and per share data)
 
Net income   4,195,034    4,061,744    558,915 
Add:               
Share-based compensation expense(1)   254,976    305,155    41,991 
Impairment of investment in equity investees(1)       672,816    92,583 
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries, net of income taxes   764    (9,947)   (1,369)
                
Adjusted net income   4,450,774    5,029,768    692,120 
                
Net income   4,195,034    4,061,744    558,915 
Add:               
Depreciation   1,322,968    1,473,049    202,698 
Amortization   68,584    68,325    9,402 
Interest expenses   143,928    199,771    27,489 
Income tax expenses   1,030,592    1,231,316    169,435 
                
EBITDA   6,761,106    7,034,205    967,939 
                
Add:               
Share-based compensation expense   254,976    305,155    41,991 
Impairment of investment in equity investees       672,816    92,583 
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries   764    (12,134)   (1,670)
                
Adjusted EBITDA   7,016,846    8,000,042    1,100,843 

 

(1)Net of income taxes of nil

 

4

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   (in thousands, except for
share and per share data)
 
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   4,211,540    4,037,848    555,627 
Add:               
Share-based compensation expense(1)   254,976    305,155    41,991 
Impairment of investment in equity investees(1)       672,816    92,583 
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries, net of income taxes   764    (9,947)   (1,369)
                
Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   4,467,280    5,005,872    688,832 
                
Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share/ADS               
Basic   808,916,820    805,806,731    805,806,731 
Diluted   840,125,888    838,836,131    838,836,131 
                
Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders               
Basic   5.21    5.01    0.69 
Diluted   5.10    4.90    0.67 
                
Adjusted net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders               
Basic   5.52    6.21    0.85 
Diluted   5.40    6.06    0.83 

 

(1)Net of income taxes of nil

 

BUSINESS REVIEW AND OUTLOOK

 

Business Review during the Reporting Period

 

We are a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. We provide domestic and international express delivery services as well as other value-added logistics services through our extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

 

In the first half of 2024, we achieved solid financial and operating results as we continue to improve operational efficiency and emphasize profitable growth amidst intensified industry competition. Our revenue increased by 10.5% from RMB18,723.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB20,686.0 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to an increase in express delivery demand driven by the growth of online consumption penetration and our mix shift towards higher-value customers.

 

5

 

 

Core Express Delivery Business

 

We derive a substantial part of our revenues from express delivery services that we provide to our network partners, which mainly include parcel sorting and line-haul transportation. We charge our network partners a network transit fee for each parcel that is processed through our network. In addition, we also directly provide express delivery services to certain enterprise customers, including vertical e-commerce and traditional merchants, in connection with the delivery of their products to end consumers as well as associated reverse logistic services. We also generate revenues from the sale of ancillary materials, such as portable barcode readers, thermal paper and ZTO-branded packing materials and uniforms, to our network partners.

 

We determine the level of pricing of our network transit fee based on the operating costs of our business while also considering other factors, including market conditions and competition as well as our service quality. The network transit fees we charge our network partners are primarily measured by (i) a fixed amount for a waybill attached to each parcel and (ii) a variable amount per parcel for sorting and line-haul transportation based on the parcel weight and route distance. The delivery service fees we charge the enterprise customers are also based on parcel weight and route distance.

 

Our network partners generally charge each parcel sender a delivery services fee directly. They have full discretion over the pricing of their services after taking into consideration certain of their costs, including the network transit fees we charge them and other factors, including market conditions and competition as well as their service quality. There has historically been decline in the delivery services fees charged by our network partners to parcel senders partially due to decreasing unit operational costs and market competition. We have been able to adjust the level of network transit fees based on market conditions and our operating costs.

 

Ecosystem of Integrated Solutions

 

We aim to become an integrated logistics service provider. Building on our core express delivery business, we are expanding our service offerings with a goal to build an ecosystem of express delivery, less-than-truckload (LTL), cross-border, warehousing, aviation, cold chain and commerce solutions. The expansion of our business channels enables us to capture diversified demand. We provide LTL logistics services with a focus on heavy cargo and international express delivery services in Southeast Asia, Africa and other countries; cross border including freight forwarding services; we also provide customers with integrated logistics solutions for warehousing, distribution and transportation.

 

Logistics Network and Infrastructure

 

Network base

 

We operate a highly scalable and flexible network partnership model to buttress the significant growth of e-commerce in China. We pride ourselves in having established a solid and cohesive network base that covers 99% of cities and counties across China. As of June 30, 2024, we had over 6,000 direct network partners operating over 31,000 pickup and delivery outlets and over 110,000 last-mile posts nationwide.

 

6

 

We continuously seek to expand our network by connecting with new qualified network partners. We provide training to new partners to ensure quality of performance. We also support our network partners in their construction of last-mile posts, including to the countryside and rural areas, to enhance our last-mile presence and market penetration. Leveraging our experience and resources, we support the upgrading of their throughput capacity as well, which strengthens our service capabilities, sustains our competitiveness and fuels our long-term growth.

 

Logistics Infrastructure

 

Our expansive service network is supported by our mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting infrastructure. As of June 30, 2024, our logistics infrastructure network comprised 96 sorting hubs with 515 automation lines and over 3,800 line-haul routes serviced by approximately 10,000 self-owned line-haul trucks, out of which more than 9,200 were high capacity 15 to 17-meter-long models.

 

To increase our parcel handling capacity and our ability to handle volume surges, we continuously invest in our logistical infrastructure of sorting hubs and line-haul fleets to effectively address logistical bottlenecks. Our automated sorting lines are a result of our continuous adoption of new technology solutions in automation hardware and software to increase operating efficiency. We also control the route planning and vehicle dispatch of our entire line-haul transportation network. Leveraging our technological know-how, we have systematically introduced mechanisms to increase the fleet load rates and transportation efficiency as parcel volume increased.

 

Technology Infrastructure

 

Our self-developed and centralized Zhongtian system is the technology backbone for the efficient management of our complex network operations and delivery services. It has over hundreds of modules with numerous functionalities and features covering all scenarios of our business and operations, including our operational management, network management, settlement, finance and other integrated systems and mobile apps connecting our network partners.

 

For instance, we have developed a suite of technologies and proprietary algorithms for real-time monitoring, order dispatchment and forecasting to support the high-throughput processing of over 100 million orders per day. Utilizing the accumulated big data of parcel traffic and volume, our intelligent routing algorithms are able to dynamically model and predict future parcel volume, and adjust manpower and transport resource allocation to achieve optimal transportation time and costs. We have also implemented key checkpoints throughout the service value chain aimed at the timely identification and rectification of logistical bottlenecks, so as to ensure the smooth end-to-end operation of our express delivery services.

 

The continuous digitization and intelligentization of our operations enable us to address mismatch between volume and delivery capacity, which optimizes dispatch schedules and improves order fulfilment rate, all while lowering our operating costs. Our continued efforts in upgrading our technology infrastructure to promote intelligent logistics have contributed to the decrease in our combined unit cost of sorting and transportation for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

 

7

 

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)

 

The express delivery industry plays a critical role in reducing distribution costs and supporting the development of many related industries; it enables consumers to buy more and better products at lower cost; it helps merchants to reduce costs while improving efficiency and creating value; it improves the distribution of products and reduces logistics cost across the whole country, making manufacturing and agricultural industries more competitive.

 

ZTO has been proactively contributing to sustainable development for the benefit of our society and environment, while constantly enhancing corporate governance capability in areas such as compliance operations and risk control. Over the past twenty years, ZTO has evolved from serving ourselves to serving people and now to serving society, by continuing to build a platform that is increasingly beneficial to society, ZTO has accumulated more resources, connected and empowered more people, and achieved integrated development, cooperation and win-win together with all kinds of partners. As its express delivery business matures, ZTO is actively building an expansive ecosystem that will transform us into a comprehensive logistics supplier that will help the whole society reduce logistics costs. ZTO has taken the initiative to fulfill its social responsibilities, for instance by working to develop a more “green” express delivery service, guaranteeing safety, helping with economic development, and creating more value for society.

 

The Company has published our annual ESG reports since 2019, detailing our key initiatives and development in areas pertaining to environmental, social and corporate governance issues. The ESG reports are available at http://zto.investorroom.com/.

 

Important Events after the Reporting Period

 

Save as disclosed in this announcement, no significant events affecting the Group have occurred since the end of the Reporting Period and up to the date of this announcement.

 

Business Outlook

 

Since its establishment in 2002, ZTO has always adhered to the philosophy of shared-success, paid attention to infrastructure development and their efficient utilization to establish our competitive advantage, and we have consistently stay relevant in promoting fair and equitable sharing of burden and benefits amongst all participants of our business endeavors. Our leading position at present in the express delivery industry in terms of service quality, scale and profitability is the result of the common goal and concerted win-win cooperation by everyone under the ZTO brand.

 

Looking ahead, we are confident in the growth prospects of China’s express delivery industry. Staying practical and improving digitization and data-driven process improvements will continuously enhance ZTO’s competitive edge; altruistic service mindset will propel us to grow our business big and strong as well as to take on greater responsibility towards the country and the society; the balanced approach and increases in service quality, scale and reach plus higher earnings will bring about meaningful payback to everyone who participates, supports and invests in us.

 

Based on current market and operating conditions, the Company maintains its previously stated annual guidance. Parcel volume for 2024 is expected to be in the range of 34.73 billion to 35.64 billion, representing a 15% to 18% increase year over year. Such estimates represent management’s current and preliminary view, which are subject to change.

 

8

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Revenues

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2024   % of
revenues 
 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    
   (RMB in thousands, except percentages) 
Revenues:    
Express delivery services     17,387,187       19,116,095       92.4  
Freight forwarding services     431,597       435,989       2.1  
Sale of accessories     836,616       1,065,484       5.2  
Others     68,163       68,402       0.3  
                         
Total revenues     18,723,563       20,685,970       100  

 

Core Express Delivery Business

 

Revenues from our core express delivery business increased by 10.7% from RMB18,292.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB20,250.0 million for the same period in 2024 as a result of a 11.8% growth of parcel volume and stable parcel unit price. A substantial part of such revenue is derived from services provided to our network partners, which mainly include parcel sorting and line-haul transportation. We charge our network partners a network transit fee for each parcel that is processed through our network. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, such fees represented 88.3% of our total revenue from express delivery services. The remaining portion of our revenue from express delivery services was derived from enterprise customers, including vertical e-commerce and traditional merchants, in connection with the delivery of their products to end consumers. KA revenue including delivery fees from direct sales organizations, established to serve core express KA customers, increased by 26.2% as a result of expanded higher-value platform customers.

 

Freight Forwarding Services

 

We provide freight forwarding services through the acquired business of China Oriental Express Co., Ltd., a major freight forwarding and international logistics service provider in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, revenue from such services increased by 1.0% compared to the same period in 2023.

 

Sale of Accessories and Others

 

Revenue from sale of accessories, largely consisted of sales of thermal paper used for digital waybills’ printing. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, revenue from sale of accessories and others increased by 27.4% compared to the same period in 2023. Other revenues were mainly derived from financing services.

 

9

 

Cost of Revenues

 

The following table sets forth the components of our cost of revenues, in absolute amounts and as percentages of our revenues for the periods indicated:

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2024   % of
revenues 
 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    
   (RMB in thousands, except percentages) 
Line-haul transportation cost   6,381,652    6,654,616    32.2 
Sorting hub operating cost   3,948,037    4,395,871    21.3 
Freight forwarding cost   405,244    405,106    2.0 
Cost of accessories sold   234,128    293,140    1.4 
Other costs   1,926,669    2,314,675    11.1 
                
Total cost of revenues   12,895,730    14,063,408    68.0 

 

Total cost of revenues increased by 9.1% from RMB12,895.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB14,063.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

·Line haul transportation cost was RMB6,654.6 million, an increase of 4.3% from RMB6,381.7 million in the same period of 2023. The unit transportation cost decreased by 6.7% or 3 cents mainly attributable to better economies of scale, optimized line-haul route planning and improved load rate.

 

·Sorting hub operating cost was RMB4,395.9 million, an increase of 11.3% from RMB3,948.0 million in the same period of 2023. The increase primarily consisted of (i) RMB223.4 million increase in labor-associated costs, a net result of wage increases partially offset by automation-driven efficiency improvements and (ii) RMB155.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization costs associated with expansion of automation equipment and facility upgrades to further improve the transit efficiency. As of June 30, 2024, 515 sets of automated sorting equipment were in service, compared to 460 sets as of June 30, 2023, which enhanced overall sorting operational efficiencies.

 

·Freight forwarding cost was RMB405.1 million, representing a decrease by RMB0.1 million compared with RMB405.2 million in the same period of 2023.

 

·Cost of accessories sold was RMB293.1 million, representing an increase by 25.2% compared with RMB234.1 million in the same period of 2023.

 

·Other costs were RMB2,314.7 million, an increase of 20.1% from RMB1,926.7 million in the same period of 2023. The increase was mainly driven by RMB462.6 million increase in costs associated with serving higher-value enterprise customers, level of which is consistent with related revenue increases.

 

10

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit increased by 13.6% from RMB5,827.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB6,622.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our gross profit margin increased to 32.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from 31.1% for the same period of 2023.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses increased by 14.2% to RMB1,140.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from RMB998.6 million for the same period of 2023.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 15.4% from RMB1,291.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB1,489.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase primarily consisted of (i) RMB78.4 million in headquarters facility expenses, (ii) RMB70.0 million increase in compensation and benefit expenses, and (iii) RMB31.6 million depreciation and amortization costs associated with administrative equipment and facilities.

 

Other operating income, net. Our net other operating income increased by 19.3% from RMB292.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB349.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Other operating income mainly consisted of (i) RMB266.1 million of government subsidies and tax rebates, and (ii) RMB82.9 million of rental and other income.

 

Income from Operations

 

Our income from operations was RMB5,481.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 13.5% from RMB4,829.2 million for the same period last year. Operating margin rate increased to 26.5% from 25.8% in the same period last year.

 

Other Income and Expense

 

Interest income. Our interest income increased by 105.8% from RMB259.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB533.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

Interest expense. Our interest expense increased by 38.8% from RMB143.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB199.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments. Our gain from fair value changes of financial instruments was RMB97.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared with a gain of RMB207.2 million in the same period last year. Such gain or loss from fair value changes of the financial instruments are quoted by commercial banks according to market-based estimation of future redemption prices.

 

11

 

Impairment of investment in equity investee. Our impairment of investment in equity investee was RMB672.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, mainly due to the following (i) in the first quarter of 2024, Alibaba Group Holding Limited initiated a tender offer to purchase all the outstanding shares of Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited (“Cainiao”). The Company has accepted this offer and the deal was closed subsequently in July. The offer price to all shares held by the Company was below the carrying amount, hence a RMB479.9 million impairment of investment was reported during the Reporting Period, and (ii) RMB192.9 million was a provision for impairment charge related to the Company’s investment in Zhejiang Yizhan Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yizhan”), a subsidiary of Cainiao.

 

Foreign currency exchange gain. Our foreign currency exchange gain decreased by 71.0% from RMB70.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB20.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, mainly due to the appreciation of the onshore U.S. dollar denominated bank deposits against the Chinese Renminbi.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our income tax expense increased by 19.5% from RMB1,030.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB1,231.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Overall income tax rate increased by 3.6 percentage points during the Reporting Period compared to the same period last year, mainly due to (i) RMB98.0 million accrual of withholding tax on distributable earnings planned for dividend payment to ZTO Express (Hong Kong) Limited attributable for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and (ii) RMB479.9 million and RMB192.9 million impairment losses on investment in Cainiao and Yizhan, respectively, which is non-deductible.

 

Net Income

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net income decreased by 3.2% from RMB4.2 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB4.1 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

Future Plans for Material Investments or Capital Asset

 

As of June 30, 2024, we did not have detailed future plans for material investments or capital assets.

 

Gearing Ratio

 

As of June 30, 2024, our gearing ratio was 33.1%, compared to 31.9% as of December 31, 2023, calculated by dividing total liabilities by total assets.

 

12

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal sources of liquidity have been proceeds from cash flows from operating activities and financing activities. As of June 30, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were RMB10,542.1 million, RMB22.3 million, and RMB9,898.8 million, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use or have maturities of three months or less when purchased. Restricted cash represents secured deposits held in designated bank accounts for issuance of bank acceptance notes, settlement of derivatives and commencement of construction. Short-term investments consist primarily of dual currency notes and deposits, investments in fixed deposits with maturities between three months and one year and wealth management products which we have the intent and the ability to hold to maturity within one year. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 87.7% of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were held by subsidiaries and affiliated entities incorporated in China, and approximately 76.5% of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were denominated in Renminbi.

 

As of June 30, 2024, we had outstanding principal amount of bank borrowings of RMB10,390.8 million (as of December 31, 2023: RMB7,766.0 million). The weighted average interest rate of borrowings drawn was 1.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. All of the bank borrowings of the Group were denominated in RMB and were at fixed interest rate.

 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations are sufficient to fund our operating activities, capital expenditures and other obligations for at least the next 12 months. However, we may decide to enhance our liquidity position or increase our cash reserve for future expansions and acquisitions through additional financing activities. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our existing shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that may restrict our operations and ability to make distributions. However, financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Although we consolidate the results of our consolidated affiliated entities, we only have access to the assets or earnings of our consolidated affiliated entities through the Contractual Arrangements.

 

Significant Investments

 

We did not make or hold any significant investments during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

13

 

Material Acquisitions and Disposals

 

During the Reporting Period, we did not conduct any material acquisitions or disposals of subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures.

 

Pledge of Assets

 

As of June 30, 2024, we did not pledge any assets of the Group.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

Our revenues, expenses and assets and liabilities are mainly denominated in Renminbi. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk. To date, we have entered into some hedging transactions, such as foreign currency deposits, foreign currency forward contract and options, to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.

 

The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

 

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

 

As of June 30, 2024, we had RMB4,743.3 million of cash and cash equivalent, restricted cash and short-term investment that were denominated in U.S. dollars. If Renminbi had appreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, it would result in a decrease of RMB431.2 million in our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investment.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates, or we may suffer losses in principal if we have to sell securities which have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. We have not been, and do not expect to be, exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure.

 

14

 

Contingent Liabilities

 

We had no material contingent liabilities as of June 30, 2024.

 

Capital Expenditures and Capital Commitment

 

In connection with the purchases of property and equipment, purchases of land use rights and the expansion of our self-owned truck fleet and upgrade of our equipment and facilities, we incurred capital expenditures of an aggregate of approximately RMB3.0 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (six months ended June 30, 2023: RMB4.5 billion). We intend to fund our future capital expenditures with our existing cash balance and other financing alternatives. We will continue to make capital expenditures to support the growth of our business.

 

Our capital commitments primarily relate to commitments on construction of office building, sorting hubs and warehouse facilities. Our capital commitments as of June 30, 2024 amounted to RMB4.4 billion. All of these capital commitments will be fulfilled based on the construction progress.

 

Employees and Remuneration

 

As of June 30, 2024, we had a total of 23,906 employees. The following table sets out the breakdown of our own employees by function as of June 30, 2024:

 

 

Functional Area

  Number of
Employees
  

 

% of Total

 
Sorting   7,608    31.8 
Transportation   3,578    15.0 
Management and Administration   4,569    19.1 
Operation Support & Customer Service   6,460    27.0 
Technology and Engineering   1,327    5.6 
Sales and Marketing   364    1.5
           

Total

   23,906    100.0 

 

In addition to our employees, our workforce also includes over 60,000 outsourced workers, as of June 30, 2024. Our network partners hire their own employees according to their operational needs.

 

We believe we offer our employees competitive compensation packages and a merit-based work environment that encourages initiative, and as a result, we have generally been able to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain a stable core management team.

 

Our total remuneration cost of employees of the Group without share based compensation incurred from the six months ended June 30, 2024 was RMB1,717.8 million, as compared to RMB1,576.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

15

 

As required by PRC regulations, we participate in various government statutory employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds, namely a pension contribution plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan, and a housing provident fund. We are required under PRC law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.

 

We enter into standard labor agreements with our employees and, in addition, enter into confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our key employees. The non-compete restricted period typically expires two years after the termination of employment, and we agree to compensate the key employee with a certain percentage of his or her pre-departure salary during the restricted period.

 

We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any major labor disputes during the Reporting Period.

 

We have been continuously investing in training and education programs for employees. We provide formal and comprehensive company-level and department-level training to our new employees, followed by on-the-job training. We also provide training and development programs to our employees from time to time to ensure their awareness and compliance with our various policies and procedures. Some of the training is conducted jointly by departments serving different functions but working with or supporting each other in our day-to-day operations.

 

The Company had in place the 2016 Plan and the cash incentive scheme through ZTO ES. On March 19, 2024, the Board approved and adopted the 2024 Plan effective in March 2024, which does not involve the issue of new shares of the Company. Further details in respect of the 2016 Plan, the 2024 Plan and the cash incentive scheme through ZTO ES are set out in the annual report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Compliance with the CG Code

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and up to the date of this announcement, the Company has complied with all the code provisions as set forth in Part 2 of the CG Code, save for the following.

 

Pursuant to code provision C.2.1 of the CG Code, companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are expected to comply with, but may choose to deviate from the requirement that the responsibilities between the chairperson and the chief executive officer should be segregated and should not be performed by the same individual. We do not have a separate chairman and chief executive officer and Mr. Meisong LAI currently performs these two roles. The Board believes that vesting the roles of both chairperson and chief executive officer in the same person has the benefit of ensuring consistent leadership within the Group and enables more effective and efficient overall strategic planning for the Group.

 

16

 

The Board considers that the balance of power and authority for the present arrangement will not be impaired and this structure will enable the Company to make and implement decisions promptly and effectively. The Board will continue to review and consider splitting the roles of chairman of the Board and the chief executive officer of the Company if and when it is appropriate taking into account the circumstances of the Group as a whole.

 

Compliance with the Model Code

 

The Company has adopted the Code for Dealings in Securities by Management (the “Code”), with terms no less exacting than the Model Code, as its own securities dealing code to regulate all dealings by Directors and relevant employees of securities in the Company and other matters covered by the Code.

 

On April 26, 2023, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange granted a waiver to the Company from strict compliance with Rules A.1, A.3(a) and B.8 of the Model Code in relation to the proposed Rule 10b5-1 trading plan entered into by Mr. Jilei WANG.

 

Specific enquiry has been made of all the Directors and the relevant employees and they have confirmed that they have complied with the Code and the Model Code during the Reporting Period and up to the date of this announcement.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Company has established an audit committee in compliance with Rule 3.21 of the Listing Rules and the CG Code. The Audit Committee consists of two independent non-executive Directors, namely Mr. Herman YU, Mr. Qin Charles HUANG and a non-executive Director, namely Mr. Xing LIU. Mr. Herman YU is the chairman of the Audit Committee. We have determined that Mr. Herman YU, Mr. Xing LIU and Mr. Qin Charles HUANG each satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. We have determined that Mr. Herman YU (being our independent non-executive Director with the appropriate professional qualifications) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and as the chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

·appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

·reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

·discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

·reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors their annual audit plan, including the timing and scope of audit activities, and monitor such plan’s progress and results during the year;

 

·reviewing with management, the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal auditing department, the information which is required to be reported by the independent auditor;

 

17

 

·resolving all disagreements between the Company’s independent auditors and management regarding financial reporting;

 

·reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

·reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

·meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and

 

·monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed the unaudited condensed consolidated interim results of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and has met with the independent auditor of the Company, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. The Audit Committee has also discussed matters with respect to the accounting policies and practices adopted by the Company and internal control and financial reporting matters with senior management members of the Company. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2024 have been reviewed by the Auditor in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Review Engagements 2410 “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity” issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Purchase, Sale or Redemption of the Company’s Listed Securities

 

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any of the Company’s securities listed (including sale of treasury shares as defined under the Lisiting Rules) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange or NYSE during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company did not hold any treasury shares as defined under the Lisiting Rules as at June 30, 2024.

 

Interim Dividend

 

The Board has approved an interim dividend of US$0.35 per ADS and ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2024, to holders of its ordinary shares and ADSs as of the close of business on September 10, 2024. The dividend payment represents a 40% dividend payout ratio. For holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, in order to qualify for entitlement to the dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2024 (Hong Kong Time). The payment date is expected to be October 10, 2024 for holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, and October 17, 2024 for holders of ADSs.

 

18

 

Use of proceeds from the Notes Offering

 

In August 2022, we completed an offering of US$1 billion in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). The 2027 Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2023. The 2027 Notes will mature on September 1, 2027, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Holders may convert the 2027 Notes at any time prior to the close of business on the fifth scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, the Company’s ADSs, each currently representing one Class A ordinary share, or a combination of cash and ADSs, at its election. As disclosed in the announcement dated August 25, 2022 issued by the Company in connection with the Notes Offering, the Company has entered into capped call transactions with an affiliate of the initial purchaser and another financial institution in connection with the pricing of the 2027 Notes. The cap price of the capped call transactions is initially US$36.48 per ADS, and is subject to adjustment under the terms of the capped call transactions. The 2027 Notes have been offered to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

As disclosed in the Company’s announcements dated August 24, 2022 and August 25, 2022, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2027 Notes in the amount of US$54 million to pay the costs of the capped call transactions. We received proceeds of approximately US$930.3 million net of issuance cost paid and capped call option. The Company planned to use the remainder of the net proceeds for (i) enhancement of the scale and capability of our logistics operations; (ii) investment in the logistics ecosystem; and (iii) working capital and other general corporate purposes. For further details, please refer to the announcements of the Company dated August 24 and 25, 2022.

 

As of June 30, 2024, we had utilized the above net proceeds as intended as to (i) US$282.1 million for enhancement of the scale and capability of our logistics operations; (ii) US$7.0 million for investment in the logistics ecosystem; and (iii) US$641.2 million for working capital and other general corporate purposes. All the net proceeds from the offering of the 2027 Notes have been utilized as of June 30, 2024.

 

19

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND JUNE 30, 2024

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

   Notes   As of
December 31,
2023
   As of June 30, 2024 
      RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Audited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
               (Note 2(d)) 
Assets                    
Current assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents        12,333,884    10,542,131    1,450,646 
Restricted cash        686,568    22,253    3,062 
Accounts receivable, net   3    572,558    687,792    94,643 
Financing receivables, net        1,135,445    1,070,565    147,315 
Short-term investment        7,454,633    9,898,796    1,362,120 
Inventories        28,074    28,095    3,866 
Advances to suppliers        821,942    860,573    118,419 
Prepayments and other current assets        3,772,377    4,657,146    640,845 
Amounts due from related parties   9    148,067    170,038    23,398 
                     
Total current assets        26,953,548    27,937,389    3,844,314 
                     
Investments in equity investees        3,455,119    2,095,453    288,344 
Property and equipment, net   4    32,181,025    33,180,203    4,565,748 
Land use rights, net        5,637,101    5,780,463    795,418 
Intangible assets, net        23,240    20,141    2,771 
Operating lease right-of-use assets        672,193    521,130    71,710 
Goodwill        4,241,541    4,241,541    583,655 
Deferred tax assets        879,772    846,558    116,490 
Long-term investment        12,170,881    14,034,434    1,931,202 
Long-term financing receivables, net        964,780    1,000,306    137,647 
Other non-current assets        701,758    931,597    128,192 
Amounts due from related parties-non current   9    584,263    514,583    70,809 
                     
TOTAL ASSETS        88,465,221    91,103,798    12,536,300 
                     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                    
Current liabilities                    
Short-term bank borrowings        7,765,990    10,390,800    1,429,822 
Accounts payable   5    2,557,010    2,200,315    302,773 
Advances from customers        1,745,727    1,643,280    226,123 
Income tax payable        333,257    317,156    43,642 
Amounts due to related parties   9    234,683    154,446    21,252 
Operating lease liabilities, current        186,253    154,257    21,226 
Dividends payable        1,548    20,616    2,837 
Other current liabilities        7,236,716    7,208,199    991,881 

 

20

 

   Notes   As of
December 31,
2023
   As of June 30, 2024 
      RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Audited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
               (Note 2(d)) 
Total current liabilities        20,061,184    22,089,069    3,039,556 
Non-current operating lease liabilities        455,879    328,909    45,259 
Deferred tax liabilities        638,200    495,408    68,170 
Convertible senior notes        7,029,550    7,216,538    993,029 
                     

TOTAL LIABILITIES

        28,184,813    30,129,924    4,146,014 
                     

Shareholders’ equity

                    
Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized; 812,866,663 shares issued and 804,719,252 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023; 812,866,663 shares issued and 806,668,101 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024)   10     525    525    72 
Additional paid-in capital        24,201,745    24,477,250    3,368,182 
Treasury shares, at cost (3,000,000 and 2,256,634 shares as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively)        (510,986)   (377,156)   (51,898)
Retained earnings        36,301,185    36,634,344    5,041,054 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (190,724)   (308,284)   (42,421)
                     
ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. shareholders’ equity        59,801,745    60,426,679    8,314,989 
Non-controlling interests        478,663    547,195    75,297 
                     

Total Equity

        60,280,408    60,973,874    8,390,286 
                     

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

        88,465,221    91,103,798    12,536,300 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

21

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2024

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

       Six months ended June 30, 
   Notes    2023   2024 
      RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
               (Note 2(d)) 

Revenues (including related party revenue of RMB413,092 and RMB111,354 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively)

   2(e)   18,723,563    20,685,970    2,846,484 
Cost of revenues (including related party cost of revenues of RMB798,204 and RMB608,562 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively)        (12,895,730)   (14,063,408)   (1,935,189)
                     
Gross profit        5,827,833    6,622,562    911,295 
Operating (expenses)/income                    

Selling, general and administrative

        (1,291,214)   (1,489,619)   (204,978)
Other operating income, net        292,598    348,955    48,018 
                     

Total operating expenses

        (998,616)   

 (1,140,664)

    (156,960)
                     

Income from operations

        4,829,217    5,481,898    754,335 
Other income/(expenses)                    
Interest income        259,020    533,098    73,357 
Interest expense        (143,928)   (199,771)   (27,489)
Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments        207,213    97,582    13,428 
(Loss)/gain on disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries        (764)   12,134    1,670 
Impairment of investment in equity investee            (672,816)   (92,583)
Foreign currency exchange gain        70,921    20,562    2,829 

 

22

 

       Six months ended June 30, 
   Notes    2023   2024 
      RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
                   (Note 2(d)) 
Income before income tax and share of gain in equity method investments        5,221,679    5,272,687    725,547 
Income tax expense   6    (1,030,592)   (1,231,316)   (169,435)
Share of gain in equity method investments        3,947    20,373    2,803 
                     
Net income        4,195,034    4,061,744    558,915 
Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests        16,506    (23,896)   (3,288)
                     
Net income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.        4,211,540    4,037,848    555,627 
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders        4,211,540    4,037,848    555,627 
                     
Net earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders   8                
Basic        5.21    5.01    0.69 
Diluted        5.10    4.90    0.67 
                     
Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share                    
Basic        808,916,820    805,806,731    805,806,731 
Diluted        840,125,888    838,836,131    838,836,131 
                     
Net income         4,195,034    4,061,744    558,915 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of nil                    
Foreign currency translation adjustment        (141,897)   (117,560)   (16,177)
                     
Comprehensive income        4,053,137    3,944,184    542,738 
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests        16,506    (23,896)   (3,288)
                     
Comprehensive income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.        4,069,643    3,920,288    539,450 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

23

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2024

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

   ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. Shareholders’ Equity 
   Ordinary shares   Additional
paid-in
capital
   Treasury
shares,
at cost
   Retained
earnings
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss)/income
   Total   Non-
controlling
interests
   Total Equity 
   Number of
outstanding
shares
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Balance at January 1, 2023 (Audited)  809,247,109   535   26,717,727   (2,062,530)  29,459,491   (86,672)  54,028,551   443,919   54,472,470 
Net income              4,211,540      4,211,540   (16,506)  4,195,034 
Foreign currency translation adjustments                 (141,897)  (141,897)     (141,897)
Share-based compensation and ordinary shares issued for share-based compensation (Note 7)  1,413,219      230,587   97,169   (72,780)     254,976      254,976 
Acquisition of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries        (64,711)           (64,711)     (64,711)
Decrease of non-controlling interests from disposal of subsidiaries                       (94)  (94)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest holders                       1,930   1,930 
Repurchase of ordinary shares (Note 10)  (1,912,982)        (328,232)        (328,232)     (328,232)
Cancellation of ordinary shares     (7)  (447,126)  1,721,346   (1,274,213)            
Distribution of dividends (Note 11)        (2,055,723)           (2,055,723)     (2,055,723)
                                     
Balance at June 30, 2023 (Unaudited)  808,747,346   528   24,380,754   (572,247)  32,324,038   (228,569)  55,904,504   429,249   56,333,753 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

24

 

 

 

    ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. Shareholders’ Equity  
    Ordinary shares   Additional
paid-in
capital
  Treasury
shares,
at cost
   Retained 
earnings
  Accumulated
other comprehensive
(loss)/income
  Total   Non-
controlling
interests
  Total
Equity
 
    Number of
outstanding
shares
  RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB  
Balance at January 1, 2024 (Audited)     804,719,252     525     24,201,745     (510,986 )   36,301,185     (190,724 )   59,801,745     478,663     60,280,408  
Net income                     4,037,848         4,037,848     23,896     4,061,744  
Foreign currency translation adjustments                         (117,560 )   (117,560 )       (117,560 )
Share-based compensation and ordinary shares issued for share- based compensation (Note 7)     1,948,849         275,498     133,830     (104,173 )       305,155         305,155  
Acquisition of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries             7                 7     (10 )   (3 )
Decrease of non-controlling interests from disposal of subsidiaries                                 (2,630 )   (2,630 )
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest holders                                 47,276     47,276  
Distribution of dividends (Note 11)                     (3,600,516 )       (3,600,516 )       (3,600,516 )
Balance at June 30, 2024 (Unaudited)     806,668,101     525     24,477,250     (377,156 )   36,634,344     (308,284 )   60,426,679     547,195     60,973,874  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

25

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2024

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

    Six months ended June 30,  
    2023     2024  
    RMB     RMB     US$  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
                (Note 2(d))  
Cash flows from operating activities                        
Net cash provided by operating activities   6,499,578       5,511,115       758,355  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities                        
Purchases of property and equipment     (4,447,207 )     (2,646,799 )     (364,212 )
Purchases of land use rights     (55,248 )     (322,230 )     (44,340 )
Investments in equity investees           (51,444 )     (7,079 )
Purchases of short-term investment     (5,681,940 )     (8,019,733 )     (1,103,552 )
Maturity of short-term investment     3,770,911       6,477,127       891,282  
Purchases of long-term investment     (4,375,101 )     (3,435,647 )     (472,761 )
Maturity of long-term investment     890,811       736,137       101,296  
Net cash received from disposal of equity investees and subsidiaries     123,591       114,958       15,819  
Loan to employees     (28,140 )     (65,340 )     (8,991 )
Repayments of loan to employees     135,242       59,811       8,230  
Others     258,921       108,219       14,892  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities     (9,408,160 )     (7,044,941 )     (969,416 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities                        
Proceeds from short-term borrowings      5,913,060        11,560,800        1,590,819  
Repayment of short-term borrowings     (4,623,564 )     (8,935,990 )     (1,229,633 )
Repurchase of ordinary shares     (287,835 )            
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest shareholder     1,930       2,060       283  
Payment of dividends     (2,072,509 )     (3,600,362 )     (495,426 )
Others     (64,805 )            
                         
Net cash used in financing activities     (1,133,723 )     (973,492 )     (133,957 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     95,934       35,077       4,827  
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (3,946,371 )     (2,472,241 )     (340,191 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period                        
    12,603,087       13,051,310       1,795,920  
                       
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period     8,656,716       10,579,069       1,455,729  

 

26

 

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 statement of cash flows.

 

   As of June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   RMB   US$  
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  
         (Note 2(d)) 
Cash and cash equivalents   7,781,443    10,542,131    1,450,646 
Restricted cash   851,899    22,253    3,062 
Restricted cash, non-current (1)   23,374    14,685    2,021 
                
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows   8,656,716    10,579,069    1,455,729 

 

Note: (1)     The non-current restricted cash is included in other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

27

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2024

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

 

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands on April 8, 2015. ZTO, its subsidiaries and its variable interest entity and subsidiaries of variable interest entity (“VIE”) (collectively also referred to as the “Group”) are principally engaged in express delivery services in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) through a nationwide network partner model.

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted consistent with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments as necessary for the fair statement of the Group’s financial position as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared with the presumption that users of the condensed consolidated financial statements have read or have access to the audited consolidated financial statements for the preceding fiscal years. Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2023. The accounting policies applied are consistent with those of the audited consolidated financial statements for the preceding fiscal year. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period.

 

(b)Principles of consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIE. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

The Group evaluates the need to consolidate its VIE of which the Group is the primary beneficiary. In determining whether the Group is the primary beneficiary, the Group considers if the Group (1) has power to direct the activities that most significantly affects the economic performance of the VIE, and (2) The obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If deemed the primary beneficiary, the Group consolidates the VIE.

 

The Group believes that there are no assets held in the consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIE, except for registered capital and the PRC statutory reserves. As the consolidated VIE is incorporated as a limited liability company under the PRC Company Law, creditors of the VIE do not have recourse to the general credit of the Group for any of the liabilities of the consolidated VIE.

 

Relevant PRC laws and regulations restrict the VIE from transferring a portion of their net assets, equivalent to the balance of its statutory reserve and its share capital, to the Group in the form of loans and advances or cash dividends.

 

28

 

(c)Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The Group bases its estimates on historical experience and other relevant factors.

 

(d)Convenience translation

 

The Group’s business is primarily conducted in the PRC and almost all of the Group’s revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the then current exchange rates, solely for the convenience of the readers outside the PRC. Translations of the condensed consolidated balance sheet, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB7.2672 representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the

 

U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 28, 2024. No representation was made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on June 30, 2024, or at any other rate.

 

(e)Revenue recognition

 

Disaggregation of revenue

 

   Six months ended June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   %   RMB   US$    % 
   (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     
Express delivery services   17,387,187    92.9    19,116,095    2,630,462    92.4 
Freight forwarding services   431,597    2.3    435,989    59,994    2.1 
Sale of accessories   836,616    4.5    1,065,484    146,615    5.2 
Others   68,163    0.3    68,402    9,413    0.3 
                          
Total revenues   18,723,563    100.0    20,685,970    2,846,484    100.0 

 

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Contract assets include billed and unbilled receivables resulting from in-transit parcels, which were recorded in accounts receivable and not material as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

 

Contract liabilities consist of advance payments as well as deferred revenue, which were recorded in advances from customers and not material as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

 

(f)Income taxes

 

As part of the process of preparing financial statements, the Group is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Group accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating losses are carried forward by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years when the reported amounts of the asset or liability are expected to be recovered or settled, respectively. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Group recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.

 

29

 

According to ASC 740-270 Interim Reporting, an estimated annual effective tax rate (AETR) on full year estimated ordinary income should first be determined by the Group and the estimated AETR is then applied to year-to-date ordinary income to compute the interim tax provision on ordinary income.

 

(g)Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the periods.

 

Diluted earnings per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised or converted into ordinary shares, which consist of the ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible senior notes (using the if-converted method). Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per ordinary share if their effects would be anti-dilutive.

 

On October 27, 2016, the Group’s shareholders voted in favor of a proposal to adopt a dual-class share structure, pursuant to which the Group’s authorized share capital were reclassified and redesignated into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Both Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are entitled to the same dividend right, as such, this dual class share structure has no impact to the earnings per share calculation. Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are the same for each Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.

 

3.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

 

    As of
December 31,
2023
    As of June 30, 2024  
    RMB     RMB     US$  
    (Audited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Accounts receivable, gross   613,541     738,088     101,564  
Less: Allowance for credit losses   (40,983 )   (50,296 )   (6,921 )
                   
Total   572,558     687,792     94,643  

 

The following is an analysis of accounts receivables by age, presented based on the invoice date, which approximated the revenue recognition date.

 

    As of
December 31,
2023
    As of June 30, 2024  
    RMB     RMB     US$  
    (Audited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Within 6 months   450,769     606,696     83,484  
Between 6 months and 1 year   57,615     38,209     5,258  
Between 1 year and 2 years   49,726     36,948     5,084  
More than 2 years   55,431     56,235     7,738  
                   
Accounts receivable, gross   613,541     738,088     101,564  

 

30

 

4.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment, net consist of the following:

 

    As of
December 31,
2023
    As of June 30, 2024  
    RMB     RMB     US$  
    (Audited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Buildings   21,731,960     22,312,557     3,070,310  
Machinery and equipment   8,861,939     9,389,627     1,292,056  
Leasehold improvements   1,085,101     1,164,632     160,259  
Vehicles   5,642,905     5,531,688     761,186  
Furniture, office and electric equipment   922,797     977,166     134,462  
                   
Total   38,244,702     39,375,670     5,418,273  
Construction in progress   4,929,745     5,998,150     825,373  
Accumulated depreciation   (10,916,806 )   (12,121,695 )   (1,668,001 )
Impairment   (76,616 )   (71,922 )   (9,897 )
                   
Property and equipment, net   32,181,025     33,180,203     4,565,748  

 

Depreciation expenses were RMB1,322,968 (unaudited) and RMB1,473,049 (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Loss on disposal of property and equipment were RMB5,217 (unaudited) and RMB58,070 (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

 

The Company recorded impairment charges of RMB69,997 (unaudited) and RMB22,582 (unaudited), related to property and equipment that were expected to be disposed of before the end of their estimated useful lives for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

 

5.ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

An aging analysis of the accounts payable as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, based on the invoice date or inception date at the end of the reporting period, is as follows:

 

    As of December 31,
2023
    As of June 30, 2024  
    RMB     RMB     US$  
    (Audited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Within 6 months   2,548,617     2,189,748     301,319  
Between 6 months and 1 year   4,789     7,654     1,053  
Between 1 year and 2 years   1,366     1,441     198  
More than 2 years   2,238     1,472     203  
                   
Total   2,557,010     2,200,315     302,773  

 

31

 

6.INCOME TAX

 

The current and deferred portion of income tax expenses included in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, which were substantially attributable to the Group’s subsidiaries are as follows:

 

    Six months ended June 30,  
    2023     2024        
  RMB     RMB     US$  
  (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Current tax expenses   1,159,643     1,319,902     181,625  
Deferred tax   (129,051 )   (88,586 )   (12,190 )
                   
Total   1,030,592     1,231,316     169,435  

 

The effective tax rate is based on expected income and statutory tax rates. For interim financial reporting, the Group estimates the annual effective tax rate based on projected accounting incomes for the full year and records a quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the guidance on accounting for income taxes in a period. As the year progresses, the Group refines the estimates of the year’s taxable income as new information becomes available. This continual estimation process often results in a change to the expected effective tax rate for the year. When this occurs, the Group adjusts the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date provision reflects the expected annual tax rate.

 

The Group’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024 were 19.74% (unaudited) and 23.35% (unaudited), respectively.

 

7.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Employee Share Holding Platform

 

In June 2016, the Group established an employee share holding platform (the “Share Holding Platform”). ZTO Es Holding Limited (“ZTO ES”), a British Virgin Islands company was established as a holding vehicle for the Group’s Share Holding Platform. Four limited liability partnerships (“LLPs”) were established in the PRC as the shareholders of ZTO ES. ZTO ES and the LLPs have no activities other than administering the plan and does not have employees.

 

On June 28, 2016, the Group issued 16 million ordinary shares to ZTO ES. All shareholder rights associated with these 16 million ordinary shares including but not limited to voting right and dividend right were waived until such time when the economic interests in the ordinary shares are granted to the employees, through transfer of interests in the LLPs. The recipient of limited partnership interests is entitled to indirectly all of the economic rights associated with the underlying ordinary shares of the Group and accordingly, at the direction of the employee, ZTO ES will sell the Group’s ordinary shares held in connection with the limited partnership interest owned by the employee and remit the proceeds to the employee. The other shareholder’s rights associated with the Group’s ordinary shares held by the partnership may be exercised by the general partner of these LLPs. The Group referred to these limited partner’s partnership interests as ordinary share units and five ordinary share units correspond to the indirect economic interest in one ordinary share of the Group.

 

In March 2023 and 2024, 4,386,320 and 6,027,415 ordinary share units corresponding to 877,264 and 1,205,483 Company’s ordinary shares were granted to certain officers and employees, respectively. The consideration was nil for both of grants. These share awards vested and exercised immediately upon grant. The Group recorded the share-based compensation of RMB158,278 (unaudited) and RMB183,175 (unaudited) based on the market price at US$26.27 and US$21.02 of ordinary shares on the grant date for six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

 

32

 

2016 Share Incentive Plan

 

In June 2016, the Board also approved the 2016 share incentive plan (the “2016 Share Incentive Plan”) in order to provide appropriate incentives to directors, executive officers and other employees of the Group. The 2016 Share Incentive Plan were amended and restated in September 2016, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2016 Plan is initially 3,000,000, plus an annual increase, by an amount equal to the least of (i) 0.5% of the total number of shares issued and outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year; (ii) 3,000,000 shares or (iii) such number of shares as may be determined by the Board.

 

With effect from May 1, 2023, the Company will no longer further increase the scheme limit of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan for the remaining term of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan, and the scheme limit of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan will be capped at the existing size of the share award pool as at December 31, 2022, i.e. 21,000,000 shares; options and awards under the 2016 Share Incentive Plan will be satisfied by the existing shares of the Company issued and reserved for the administration of the 2016 Share Incentive Plan and no new shares will be issued for the share award grants made or to be made pursuant to the 2016 Share Incentive Plan.

 

Restricted share units

 

In March 2023 and 2024, the Group granted 535,955 and 743,366 restricted share units (“RSU”) at par value to certain director, executive offices and employees pursuant to the 2016 Share Incentive Plan. These grants are vested immediately upon grant. The Group recorded the share-based compensation of RMB96,698 (unaudited) and RMB112,956 (unaudited) based on the market price of ordinary shares at US$26.27 and US$21.02 on the grant date for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

 

2024 Share Incentive Plan

 

In March 2024, the Board approved the 2024 share incentive plan (the “2024 Share Incentive Plan”) in order to provide appropriate incentives to directors, employees, and consultants of the Group, pursuant to which the maximum number of shares of the Group underlying the awards to be granted under the 2024 Plan shall be 30,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, subject to adjustment and/or update by the Board.

 

Share Options

 

On March 22, 2024, the Group granted 916,200 share options to certain director, executive offices and employees pursuant to the 2024 Share Incentive Plan. The exercise price is US$21.88. The options will be vested 33%, 33% and 34% on each of three anniversary dates from the grant date, respectively. The options have a contractual term of ten years.

 

The closing price of the Group’s shares immediately before March 22, 2024, the date of grant, was US$21.67 per share. The weighted-average grant date fair value for options granted to directors and employees during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was US$6.7 per share, computed using the binomial option pricing model. The binomial option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility and the expected price multiple at which employees are likely to exercise stock options. Expected volatilities are based on the average historical equity volatility of the Group. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

33

 

The fair value of stock options was estimated using the following significant assumptions:

 

   2024 
Spot price (US$)   21.02 
Exercise price (US$)   21.88 
Life of option        10 years 
Risk free rate   4.22%
Expected volatility   35.00%
Dividend yield   2.95%
Post-vesting forfeiture rate   5.55%~6.39%
Exercise multiple        1.5x~2.0x 

 

The following table summarized the Group’s share option activity under the option plans:

 

       Weighted   Weighted     
       Average   Average     
       Exercise   Remaining   Aggregate 
       Price   Contractual   Intrinsic 
   Number of   US$   Life   Value 
   Options   per share   Years   US$ 
Share options outstanding as of January 1, 2024            
Granted   916,200                
Exercised                   
Forfeited                   
Share options outstanding as of June 30, 2024   916,200    21.88    9.73     
Share options exercisable as of June 30, 2024   916,200    21.88    9.73     

 

The total share-based compensation expenses relating to these options was RMB9,024 (unaudited) during the six months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, there was RMB35,480 (unaudited) of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.73 years.

 

34

 

 

8.EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the periods presented are calculated as follows:

 

    Six months ended June 30, 
   2023   2024  
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Numerator:               

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic

   4,211,540    4,037,848    555,627 
Plus: Interest expense of convertible senior notes   73,406    74,977    10,317 
                

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders – diluted

   4,284,946    4,112,825    565,944 
                
Shares (Denominator):               

Weight average ordinary shares outstanding – basic

   808,916,820    805,806,731    805,806,731 
Plus: Dilutive effect of convertible senior notes   31,209,068    33,029,400    33,029,400 
                

Weight average ordinary shares outstanding – diluted

   840,125,888    838,836,131    838,836,131 
                

Earnings per share – basic

   5.21    5.01    0.69 
Earnings per share – diluted   5.10    4.90    0.67 

 

5,147,411 and 3,941,928 ordinary shares transferred to ZTO ES were considered issued but not outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively, and therefore not included in the calculation of basic and dilutive earnings per share.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Group had share options which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effects would have been anti-dilutive. All outstanding share options are anti-dilutive.

 

9.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group:

 

Name of related parties  Relationship with the Group
    
Shanghai Mingyu Barcode Technology Ltd.  Controlled by brother of chairman of the Company
    
ZTO Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries  The Group’s equity investee
    
ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries  The Group’s equity investee
    
ZTO Yunleng Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries  The Group’s equity investee
    
Zhejiang Tongyu Intelligent Industry Development Co., Ltd.  The Group’s equity investee
    
Zhongkuai (Tonglu) Future City Industrial Development Co., Ltd  Controlled by chairman of the Company
    
Tonglu Antong Management LLP and its subsidiaries  The Group’s equity investee
    
Mr. Jilei Wang  Director and Vice President of Infrastructure Management

 

35

 

  (a)The Group entered into the following transactions with its related parties:

 

   Six months ended June 30, 
   2023   2024 
Transactions  RMB  

RMB

  

US$

 
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Revenues:               
Transportation revenue from ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   281,841    79,969    11,004 
Express delivery service revenue derived from Tonglu Antong Management LLP and its subsidiaries   108,331         
Others   22,920    31,385    4,319 
                
    413,092    111,354    15,323 

Cost of revenues:

               
Transportation service fees paid to ZTO Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   539,484    366,360    50,413 
Transportation service fees paid to ZTO Yunleng Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   50,142    61,331    8,439 
Transportation service fees paid to ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   28,835    782    108 
Purchases of supplies from Shanghai Mingyu Barcode Technology Ltd.   164,332    161,415    22,211 
Others   15,411    18,674    2,570 
                
    798,204    608,562    83,741 

Other operating income:

               
Rental income from ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   27,374    39,948    5,497 
Rental income from ZTO Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   28,675    26,501    3,647 
Others   1,446    2,190    302 
                
    57,495    68,639    9,446 

Other income:

               
Interest Income derived from Zhongkuai (Tonglu) Future City Industrial Development Co., Ltd   16,982    10,928    1,504 
Others   5,515    4,645    639 
                
    22,497    15,573    2,143 

 

36

 

  (b)The Group had the following balances with its related parties:

 

   As of         
   December 31,   As of June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Audited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Amounts due to related parties               
Shanghai Mingyu Barcode Technology Ltd.   28,924    30,290    4,168 
ZTO Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   149,495    86,727    11,934 
Zhongtong Yunleng Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., LTD and its subsidiaries   14,988    15,041    2,070 
ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   16,415    12,952    1,782 
Others   24,861    9,436    1,298 
Total   234,683    154,446    21,252 

 

Amounts due to related parties mainly consisted of accounts payable to related parties for transportation, waybill material and deposits as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

Trade related amounts due to related parties are normally settled within one year.

 

   As of         
   December 31,   As of June 30, 
   2023   2024 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Audited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Amounts due from related parties               
ZTO Cloud Warehouse Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries (1)   72,377    75,906    10,445 
ZTO Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (2)   69,881    5,664    779 
Zhongtong Yunleng Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries   1,169    1,184    163 
Zhejiang Tongyu Intelligent Industry Development Co., Ltd.(3)       84,700    11,655 
Others   4,640    2,584    356 
                
Total   148,067    170,038    23,398 
                
Amounts due from related parties-non current               
Zhongkuai (Tonglu) Future City Industrial Development Co., Ltd (4)   502,083    514,583    70,809 
Zhejiang Tongyu Intelligent Industry Development Co., Ltd. (3)   82,180         
                
Total   584,263    514,583    70,809 

 

37

 

(1)The amount comprised the three-month factoring loan to this related party with 6.96% annualized interest rate, accounts receivable generated from the express delivery service provided by the Company and other receivables generated from the property leasing service provided by the Company. The balance of loan was RMB33,040 and RMB36,040 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

(2)The amount comprised the three-to-nine-month factoring loan to this related party and its subsidiaries with 6.96% annualized interest rate and other receivables generated from the property leasing service provided by the Company. The balance of loan was RMB66,860 and RMB1,200 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

(3)The amount comprised a three-year loan to this related party with 7.2% annualized interest rate. The balance of principal was RMB70,000 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

(4)The amount comprised a loan to this related party with 5.0% annualized interest rate for a term of 36 months from December 4, 2023 to December 3, 2026. This loan is an extension of the original three-year loan with 7.2% annualized interest rate. Mr. Jilei Wang, the Director of the Company, is the guarantor of this extended loan. The balance of principal was RMB500,000 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024 and interest receivable was RMB2,083 and RMB14,583 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

Trade related amounts due from related parties are normally settled within one year.

 

10.REPURCHASE OF ORDINARY SHARES

 

The Board has approved its share repurchase program in November 2018 and made subsequent modifications, whereby the latest modification increased the aggregate value of shares that may be repurchased to US$2.0 billion and extended the effective time through June 30, 2025. The Company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash balance. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 42,501,328 ADSs at an average purchase price of US$25.01 under the said share repurchase program, including repurchase commissions.

 

11.DIVIDENDS

 

On March 14, 2023, a dividend in respect of the year ended December 31, 2022 of US$0.37 per ordinary share, in an aggregate amount of US$299,319 (RMB2,055,723), had been approved by the board of directors of the Company. The Company has paid US$299,318 during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

On March 19, 2024, a dividend in respect of the year ended December 31, 2023 of US$0.62 per ordinary share, in an aggregate amount of US$500,134 (RMB3,600,516), had been approved by the board of directors of the Company. The Company has paid US$497,518 during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

The above dividends in respect of the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 were paid to shareholders of record as of designated record dates.

 

On August 20, 2024, the board of directors has approved an interim dividend of US$0.35 per ADS and ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2024, to holders of its ordinary shares and ADSs as of the close of business on September 10, 2024.

 

38

 

PUBLICATION OF THE INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT AND INTERIM REPORT

 

This interim results announcement is published on the websites of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (http://www.hkexnews.hk) and the Company (https://zto.investorroom.com/). The interim report of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2024 will be made available for review on the same websites in due course.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

In this announcement, the following expressions shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

 

“2016 Plan”  the Company’s share incentive plan adopted in June 2016 as amended from time to time
    
“2024 Plan”  the Company’s share incentive plan adopted on March 19, 2024 as amended from time to time
    
“ADS(s)”  American depositary share(s) (each representing one Class A ordinary share of the Company)
    
“associate(s)”  has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules
    
“Audit Committee”  the audit committee of the Board
    
“Auditor”  Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the independent auditor of the Company
    
“Board”  the board of Directors
    
“CG Code”  the Corporate Governance Code as set out in Appendix C1 to the Listing Rules
    
“China” or “PRC”  the People’s Republic of China
    
“Class A ordinary shares”  Class A ordinary shares of the share capital of the Company with a par value of US$0.0001 each, giving a holder of a Class A ordinary share one vote per share on any resolution tabled at the Company’s general meeting
    
“Class B ordinary shares”  Class B ordinary shares of the share capital of the Company with a par value of US$0.0001 each, conferring weighted voting rights in the Company such that a holder of a Class B ordinary share is entitled to 10 votes per share on any resolution tabled at the Company’s general meeting

 

39

 

“Company” or “ZTO”   ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc., a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on April 8, 2015 as an exempted company and, where the context requires, its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities from time to time
    
“Contractual Arrangements”  variable interest entity structure and, where the context requires, the agreements underlying the structure, which the Company relies on to provide mail delivery services in China mainly through its consolidated affiliated entities and subsidiaries
    
“Director(s)”  the director(s) of the Company
    
“ESG”  environmental, social and governance
    
“Group”, “the Group”, “we” or “us”  the Company and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities from time to time
    
“Hong Kong” or “HK”  the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
    
“Hong Kong Stock Exchange”  The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
    
“Listing Rules”  the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
    
“Model Code”  the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers set out in Appendix C3 to the Listing Rules
    
“NYSE”  New York Stock Exchange
    
“ordinary share(s)”  Class A and Class B ordinary share(s) of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share
    
“Reporting Period”  the six months ended June 30, 2024
    
“RMB” or “Renminbi”  Renminbi yuan, the lawful currency of China
    
“Share(s)”  the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares in the share capital of the Company, as the context so requires

 

40

 

“Shareholder(s)”  holder(s) of the Share(s)
    
“subsidiary(ies)”  has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules
    
“U.S.”  the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction
    
“US$” or “U.S. dollars”  United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States
    
“U.S. GAAP”  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
    
“weighted voting right” or “WVR”  has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules
    
“ZTO ES”  Zto Es Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands
    
“%”  per cent

 

  By order of the Board
  ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
  Meisong LAI
  Chairman

 

Hong Kong, August 21, 2024

 

As at the date of this announcement, the board of directors of the Company comprises Mr. Meisong LAI as the chairman and executive director, Mr. Jilei WANG and Mr. Hongqun HU as executive directors, Mr. Xing LIU and Mr. Xudong CHEN as non-executive directors, Mr. Frank Zhen WEI, Mr. Qin Charles HUANG, Mr. Herman YU, Mr. Tsun-Ming (Daniel) KAO and Ms. Fang XIE as independent non-executive directors.

 

41