EX-99.1 2 ambo-20210907xex99d1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Ambow Education Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

BEIJING, September 20, 2021 -- Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (“Ambow” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: AMBO), a leading cross-border career educational and technology service provider, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021.

“In the second quarter of 2021, we remained focused on technology-driven educational and career enhancement services, embracing the national strategy of improving collaborative and coordinated development across education, talents and industry and promoting high-quality economic growth," noted Dr. Jin Huang, Ambow's President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re pleased to report solid financial performance and further improved operating efficiency in the second quarter, highlighted by a 10.8% year-over-year growth in net revenues and an increase in gross margin of 530 basis points year-over-year to 44.1%.”

“Additionally, during the quarter, we made a number of strides that helped to expand our role as a leading innovator in the Chinese career education market. Building on our 20-year proven track record in the vocational and technical education sector, in June we cooperated with Nanchang Vocational University, one of the 15 first batch of undergraduate vocational education pilot schools in China, to co-found the Smart Manufacturing Modern Industrial College, underscoring China’s pilot program for the integration between industry and education. Meanwhile, we formed a strategic cooperation with the Talent Exchange Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to strengthen international communication in various information technology-related disciplines. More excitingly, in July we launched an open education platform, OOOK, which incorporates our in-house developed technologies, enabling teachers to provide high-quality, cross-device live and recorded courses with immersive and interactive learning experiences. Notably, with its groundbreaking technology and solutions, OOOK won the ‘2021 Best Product Technology Innovation’ award at the 10th Annual China Finance Summit.”

“Moving into the second half of 2021, we remain committed to delivering innovative educational products and services that will be at the forefront of the industry by continuingly capitalizing on technology trends. We are confident that our strategic efforts will continue to drive the long-term growth of our overall business,” concluded Dr. Huang.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2021 increased by 10.8% to RMB 172.3 million (US$ 26.7 million) from RMB 155.5 million (US$ 22.0 million) in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to the full business recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gross profit for the second quarter of 2021 increased by 25.7% to RMB 75.9 million (US$ 11.8 million) from RMB 60.4 million (US$ 8.5 million) in the same period of 2020. Gross profit margin was 44.1%, compared with 38.8% for the first second quarter of 2020. The increases in gross profit and margin were mainly attributable to faster growth of net revenues in the period.
Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2021 decreased by 7.8% to RMB 55.6 million (US$ 8.6 million) from RMB 60.3 million (US$ 8.5 million) in the same period of 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to stringent expense controls to improve operating efficiency.
Operating income for the second quarter of 2021 was RMB 20.3 million (US$ 3.1 million), compared to operating income of RMB 0.1 million (US$ 0.02 million) in the same period of 2020.
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 22.4 million (US$ 3.5 million), or RMB 0.48 (US$ 0.07) per basic and diluted share, compared with a net income of RMB 4.8 million (US$ 0.7 million), or RMB 0.11 (US$ 0.02) per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2020.
As of June 30, 2021, Ambow maintained strong cash resources of RMB 257.7 million (US$ 39.9 million), comprised of cash and cash equivalents of RMB 168.4 million (US$ 26.1 million), short-term investments of RMB 87.6 million (US$ 13.5 million) and restricted cash of RMB 1.7 million (US$ 0.3 million).

First Six Months 2021 Financial Highlights

Net revenues for the first six months of 2021 increased by 22.9% to RMB 301.9 million (US$ 46.8 million) from RMB 245.7 million (US$ 34.8 million) in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to the full business recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and higher revenue contribution from our new U.S. business.


Gross profit for the first six months of 2021 increased by 67.5% to RMB 120.6 million (US$ 18.7 million) from RMB 72.0 million (US$ 10.2 million) in the same period of 2020. Gross profit margin was 39.9%, compared with 29.3% in the same period of 2020. The increases in gross profit and margin were mainly attributable to faster growth of net revenues in the period.
Operating expenses for the first six months of 2021 slightly increased by 3.9% to RMB 115.4 million (US$ 17.9 million) from RMB 111.1 million (US$ 15.7 million) in the same period of 2020.
Operating income for the six months of 2021 was RMB 5.2 million (US$ 0.8 million), compared to operating loss of RMB 39.2 million (US$ 5.5 million) in the same period of 2020.
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 8.1 million (US$ 1.3 million), or RMB 0.17 (US$ 0.03) per basic and diluted share, compared with a net income of RMB 10.8 million (US$ 1.5 million), or RMB 0.25 (US$ 0.04) per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2020. Excluding the one-time gain from bargain purchase of NewSchool of Architecture and Design, LLC of RMB 40.3 million (US$ 5.7 million), net loss for the first six months of 2020 was RMB 29.5 million (US$ 4.2 million) or RMB 0.68 (US$ 0.10) per basic and diluted share.

The Company's financial and operating results for the second quarter and first half of 2021 can also be found on its Current Report on Form 6-K to be furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

Regulatory Policy Update

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated an amendment to the Implementation Rules of the Law for Promoting Private Education on April 7, 2021, which has been effective since September 1, 2021 (the “Implementation Rules”). The Implementation Rules stipulated, among other provisions, that (1) sponsors of private schools may choose to establish schools as either non-profit or for-profit schools, but nine-year compulsory education schools cannot be operated as for-profit schools; (2) foreign-invested enterprises established in China and social organizations whose actual controllers are foreign parties shall not sponsor, participate in or actually control private schools that provide compulsory education; (3) group-based education organizations shall not control non-profit private schools through mergers and acquisitions, franchise agreements and contractual arrangements; and (4) related party transactions entered into by private schools shall be open, fair and just, and shall not harm national interests, school interests, or student or teacher interests. The Company is assessing the impact of the Implementation Rules and formulating different scenarios as compliance measures.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts translated from RMB to U.S. dollars for the second quarter and first half of 2021 are based on the effective exchange rate of 6.4566 as of June 30, 2021; all amounts translated from RMB to U.S. dollars for the second quarter and first half of 2020 are based on the effective exchange rate of 7.0651 as of June 30, 2020; all amounts translated from RMB to U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2020 are based on the effective exchange rate of 6.5250 as of December 31, 2020. The exchange rates were according to the middle rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. Fluctuations in financial highlights are based on RMB amounts.

About Ambow Education Holding Ltd.

Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a leading cross-border career educational and technology service provider, offering high-quality, individualized services and products. With its extensive network of regional service hubs complemented by a dynamic proprietary learning platform and distributors, Ambow provides its services and products to students in China and United States of America.

Follow us on Twitter: @Ambow_Education

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Ambow’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Ambow may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements, including but


not limited to the following: the Company’s goals and strategies, expansion plans, the expected growth of the content and application delivery services market, the Company’s expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with its customers, and the general economic and business conditions in the regions where the Company provides its solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Ambow undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.

Tel: +86-10-6206-8000

The Piacente Group | Investor Relations

Tel: +1-212-481-2050 or +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com


AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

As of June 30,

As of December 31,

2021

2020

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

26,086

 

168,424

 

118,821

Restricted cash

 

256

 

1,650

 

824

Short-term investments, available for sale

 

13,266

 

85,652

 

117,854

Short-term investments, held to maturity

 

310

 

2,000

 

45,000

Accounts receivable, net

 

3,289

 

21,234

 

20,972

Amounts due from related parties

 

501

 

3,235

 

3,024

Prepaid and other current assets, net

 

18,858

 

121,757

 

117,634

Total current assets

 

62,566

 

403,952

 

424,129

Non-current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Property and equipment, net

 

21,989

 

141,972

 

144,492

Land use rights, net

 

262

 

1,693

 

1,715

Intangible assets, net

 

8,403

 

54,252

 

54,808

Goodwill

 

3,982

 

25,710

 

25,710

Deferred tax assets, net

 

883

 

5,704

 

6,338

Operating lease right-of-use asset

 

35,522

 

229,353

 

247,608

Finance lease right-of-use asset

 

860

 

5,550

 

5,850

Other non-current assets

 

21,805

 

140,786

 

139,067

Total non-current assets

 

93,706

 

605,020

 

625,588

Total assets

 

156,272

 

1,008,972

 

1,049,717

LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Short-term borrowings *

 

3,020

 

19,498

 

10,000

Deferred revenue *

 

21,106

 

136,274

 

163,699

Accounts payable *

 

3,320

 

21,425

 

19,423

Accrued and other liabilities *

 

31,473

 

203,207

 

209,590

Income taxes payable, current *

 

28,669

 

185,105

 

184,638

Amounts due to related parties *

 

429

 

2,771

 

2,543

Operating lease liability, current *

 

7,620

 

49,198

 

53,702

Total current liabilities

 

95,637

 

617,478

 

643,595

Non-current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Long-term borrowing

 

 

 

9,594

Other non-current liabilities *

 

47

 

304

 

292

Income taxes payable, non-current *

 

5,316

 

34,322

 

34,763

Operating lease liability, non-current *

 

32,196

 

207,877

 

220,319

Total non-current liabilities

 

37,559

 

242,503

 

264,968

Total liabilities

 

133,196

 

859,981

 

908,563

EQUITY

 

  

 

  

 

  

Preferred shares

 

  

 

  

 

  

(US$0.003 par value;1,666,667 shares authorized, nil issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

 

 

 

Class A Ordinary shares

 

  

 

  

 

  

(US$0.003 par value; 66,666,667 and 66,666,667 shares authorized, 41,948,276 and 41,923,276 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)

 

123

 

794

 

794

Class C Ordinary shares

 

  

 

  

 

  

(US$0.003 par value; 8,333,333 and 8,333,333 shares authorized, 4,708,415 and 4,708,415 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)

 

14

 

90

 

90

Additional paid-in capital

 

549,130

 

3,545,512

 

3,545,073

Statutory reserve

 

652

 

4,210

 

4,210

Accumulated deficit

 

(528,302)

 

(3,411,035)

 

(3,419,146)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,844

 

11,907

 

12,101

Total Ambow Education Holding Ltd.’s equity

 

23,461

 

151,478

 

143,122

Non-controlling interests

 

(385)

 

(2,487)

 

(1,968)

Total equity

 

23,076

 

148,991

 

141,154

Total liabilities and equity

 

156,272

 

1,008,972

 

1,049,717


*All of the VIE's assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company's general assets.


AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

For the six months ended June 30,

For the three months ended June 30,

2021

2021

2020

2021

2021

2020

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

NET REVENUES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Educational program and services

 

46,635

 

301,104

 

245,659

 

26,576

 

171,590

 

155,392

Intelligent program and services

 

116

 

752

 

83

 

102

 

661

 

71

Total net revenues

 

46,751

 

301,856

 

245,742

 

26,678

 

172,251

 

155,463

COST OF REVENUES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Educational program and services

 

(27,782)

 

(179,375)

 

(172,324)

 

(14,797)

 

(95,536)

 

(94,891)

Intelligent program and services

 

(299)

 

(1,930)

 

(1,458)

 

(122)

 

(786)

 

(160)

Total cost of revenues

 

(28,081)

 

(181,305)

 

(173,782)

 

(14,919)

 

(96,322)

 

(95,051)

GROSS PROFIT

 

18,670

 

120,551

 

71,960

 

11,759

 

75,929

 

60,412

Operating expenses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Selling and marketing

 

(3,782)

 

(24,422)

 

(24,206)

 

(2,079)

 

(13,422)

 

(13,657)

General and administrative

 

(13,220)

 

(85,357)

 

(84,243)

 

(5,949)

 

(38,412)

 

(45,042)

Research and development

 

(868)

 

(5,602)

 

(2,698)

 

(582)

 

(3,757)

 

(1,567)

Total operating expenses

 

(17,870)

 

(115,381)

 

(111,147)

 

(8,610)

 

(55,591)

 

(60,266)

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

800

 

5,170

 

(39,187)

 

3,149

 

20,338

 

146

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest income

 

621

 

4,008

 

4,135

 

302

 

1,948

 

2,145

Foreign exchange gain (loss), net

 

31

 

203

 

35

 

(2)

 

(12)

 

9

Other (loss) income, net

 

(183)

 

(1,180)

 

1,552

 

(37)

 

(240)

 

146

Gain from deregistration of subsidiaries

 

205

 

1,325

 

3,897

 

183

 

1,181

 

3,897

Gain on the bargain purchase

 

 

 

40,273

 

 

 

Gain on sale of investment available for sale

 

189

 

1,221

 

1,056

 

73

 

474

 

530

Total other income

 

863

 

5,577

 

50,948

 

519

 

3,351

 

6,727

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX AND NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

1,663

 

10,747

 

11,761

 

3,668

 

23,689

 

6,873

Income tax expense

 

(489)

 

(3,155)

 

(1,623)

 

(236)

 

(1,526)

 

(2,362)

NET INCOME

 

1,174

 

7,592

 

10,138

 

3,432

 

22,163

 

4,511

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

(80)

 

(519)

 

(708)

 

(43)

 

(277)

 

(296)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS

 

1,254

 

8,111

 

10,846

 

3,475

 

22,440

 

4,807

NET INCOME

 

1,174

 

7,592

 

10,138

 

3,432

 

22,163

 

4,511

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(65)

 

(417)

 

8,328

 

(82)

 

(532)

 

7,895

Unrealized gains on short-term investments

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Unrealized holding gains arising during period

 

166

 

1,075

 

940

 

76

 

493

 

499

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

 

132

 

852

 

668

 

48

 

308

 

381

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(31)

 

(194)

 

8,600

 

(54)

 

(347)

 

8,013

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

1,143

 

7,398

 

18,738

 

3,378

 

21,816

 

12,524

Net income per share – basic and diluted

 

0.03

 

0.17

 

0.25

 

0.07

 

0.48

 

0.11

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic and diluted net income per share

 

46,642,280

 

46,642,280

 

43,577,168

 

46,648,495

 

46,648,495

 

43,583,418


AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

Attributable to Ambow Education Holding Ltd.’s Equity

    

    

    

    

Accumulated

Class A Ordinary

Class C Ordinary

Additional

other

Non-

shares

shares

paid-in

Statutory

Accumulated

comprehensive

controlling

Total

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

capital

    

reserves

    

deficit

    

income

    

interest

    

Equity

 

 

RMB

 

 

RMB

 

RMB

 

RMB

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance as of January 1, 2021

 

41,923,276

 

794

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,545,073

 

4,210

 

(3,419,146)

 

12,101

 

(1,968)

 

141,154

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

 

219

Issuance of ordinary shares for restricted stock award

 

12,500

 

0

 

 

 

(0)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

115

 

 

115

Unrealized gain on investment, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

 

38

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,329)

 

 

(242)

 

(14,571)

Balance as of March 31, 2021

 

41,935,776

 

794

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,545,292

 

4,210

 

(3,433,475)

 

12,254

 

(2,210)

 

126,955

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

220

Issuance of ordinary shares for restricted stock award

 

12,500

 

0

 

 

 

(0)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(532)

 

 

(532)

Unrealized gain on investment, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

185

 

 

185

Net income/(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,440

 

 

(277)

 

22,163

Balance as of June 30, 2021

 

41,948,276

 

794

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,545,512

 

4,210

 

(3,411,035)

 

11,907

 

(2,487)

 

148,991

Balance as of January 1, 2020

 

38,858,199

 

730

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,508,745

 

20,185

 

(3,371,815)

 

6,341

 

(680)

 

163,596

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

238

 

 

 

 

 

238

Issuance of ordinary shares for restricted stock award

 

12,500

 

0

 

 

 

(0)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

433

 

 

433

Unrealized gain on investment, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

154

 

 

154

Impact on adoption of ASC 326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(594)

 

 

 

(594)

Net income/(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,039

 

 

(412)

 

5,627

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

38,870,699

 

730

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,508,983

 

20,185

 

(3,366,370)

 

6,928

 

(1,092)

 

169,454

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

242

 

 

 

 

 

242

Issuance of ordinary shares for restricted stock award

 

12,500

 

1

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,895

 

 

7,895

Unrealized gain on investment, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

 

118

Deregistration of subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15,473)

 

15,473

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,807

 

 

(296)

 

4,511

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

38,883,199

 

731

 

4,708,415

 

90

 

3,509,224

 

4,712

 

(3,346,090)

 

14,941

 

(1,388)

 

182,220


Discussion of Segment Operations

(All amounts in thousands)

For the six months ended June 30,

For the three months ended June 30,

2021

2021

2020

2021

2021

2020

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

NET REVENUES

K-12 Schools

 

27,205

 

175,650

 

126,800

 

16,223

 

104,748

 

85,389

CP&CE Programs

 

19,546

 

126,206

 

118,942

 

10,455

 

67,503

 

70,074

Total net revenues

 

46,751

 

301,856

 

245,742

 

26,678

 

172,251

 

155,463

COST OF REVENUES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

K-12 Schools

 

(15,161)

 

(97,886)

 

(74,542)

 

(8,100)

 

(52,297)

 

(41,113)

CP&CE Programs

 

(12,920)

 

(83,419)

 

(99,240)

 

(6,819)

 

(44,025)

 

(53,938)

Total cost of revenues

 

(28,081)

 

(181,305)

 

(173,782)

 

(14,919)

 

(96,322)

 

(95,051)

GROSS PROFIT

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

K-12 Schools

 

12,044

 

77,764

 

52,258

 

8,123

 

52,451

 

44,276

CP&CE Programs

 

6,626

 

42,787

 

19,702

 

3,636

 

23,478

 

16,136

Total gross profit

 

18,670

 

120,551

 

71,960

 

11,759

 

75,929

 

60,412