EX-99.1 2 ea174621ex99-1_clpsinc.htm PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

 

CLPS Incorporation Reports Financial Results for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2023

 

Hong Kong, March 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CLPS Incorporation (the “Company” or “CLPS”) (Nasdaq: CLPS), today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended December 31, 2022, or the first half of the Company’s fiscal year 2023.

 

During this period, the global economy and international affair conditions have changed considerably, including the Federal Reserve interest rate hikes and changes in China’s COVID conditions and policies, among others. This unprecedented chain of events had impacted both the macro and micro economies. The Company experienced direct and indirect effects on its business development, including the impact of exchange rate fluctuation between the RMB and the U.S. dollar since we are reporting in U.S. dollar term.

 

The sluggish global economic growth partly caused by COVID-19 had impacted CLPS’ clients in core markets, such as banking and e-commerce. Short term effects include clients cutting their budgets and reducing demand for IT services, which lessened the business growth opportunity for CLPS during the first half of fiscal year 2023. In addition, as part of China’s COVID-19 national epidemic prevention policy, the affected employees of CLPS were isolated, and those who were symptomatic could not work, leading to an increase in costs and a slowdown in revenue growth. In spite of this challenge, the Company responded by strengthening its client relationships, refining its management, expanding its client base actively, and providing support for its affected employees.

 

As a result of rapid industry development and economic structure changes, IT professionals became more in demand, which pushed up compensation costs. Through the Talent Creation Program and Talent Development Program, CLPS was able to integrate education, training, and delivery, easing the pressure of this challenge.

 

Through the development of its own technologies, extensive research, and understanding the needs of its clients, the Company has built a strong reputation in the industry, gained competitiveness, and boosted its bargaining power over the years.

 

First Half of Fiscal 2023 Highlights (all results compared to the six months ended December 31, 2021)

 

Revenues increased by 1.1% to $76.8 million from $75.9 million.

 

Revenue from wealth management area increased by 24.3% to $18.8 million from $15.1 million.

 

Revenue from automotive area increased by 29.7% to $6.5 million from $5.0 million.

 

Revenue from the U.S. and Japan increased by 72.4% and 155.7%.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 29.9% to $17.2 million from $13.2 million.

 

Mr. Raymond Lin, Chief Executive Officer of CLPS, commented, “In the first half of fiscal year 2023, we maintained continued revenue growth and are well positioned to executing on our strategy to deliver solid financial performance for the rest of the fiscal year and beyond. We remained strong across our key markets, thanks to the trust and satisfaction our clients placed in us.

 

As we sustained our competitive position in banking area, we also achieved growth in other core markets driven by the increased demand for IT services. The Company’s capability in the automotive area makes us a reliable partner in China’s burgeoning market for smart electric vehicles. Likewise, we continued to put our wealth management expertise to work, an area that remains lucrative in the financial industry and one in which several international banks have begun to navigate. Our global expansion strategy continued to pay off. In particular, our revenues from the U.S. and Japan increased by 72.4% and 155.7%, respectively.

 

 

 

 

In 2022, we faced challenges due to macroeconomic factors, which we expect will cause some short-term headwinds this year. However, we recognize the opportunity in putting digital transformation initiatives at the forefront of our clients’ strategy, and we are always ready to assist them in accelerating their business interactions and operations. CLPS is fully committed to delivering innovative products suited to the needs of our clients to offer them a full range of integrated services for their respective businesses, as well as enabling them to take digital transformation forward and achieve agile business management.”

 

Ms. Rui Yang, Chief Financial Officer of CLPS, commented, “CLPS ended the first half of fiscal year 2023 financial results on a solid note. Despite the effects of currency fluctuation in RMB against the U.S. dollar, we delivered a sustained revenue growth of 9.7% year-over-year. In light of the volatile market, we continued to exercise prudence by strengthening our cash position. Our net cash provided by operating activities was up by 29.9% to $17.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to $13.2 million in prior year period. Furthermore, we are pleased that we generated a net income of $1.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, from a net loss of $1.9 million in the second half of fiscal 2022. We also kicked off 2023 on a high note with CLPS’s first special cash dividend payout. The Board also intends to declare dividend in the future depending on the Company’s financial performance and results of operation. Despite the short-term challenges we faced, we remained confident in our ability to achieve continued growth and maximum shareholder value over the long term.”

 

First Half of Fiscal year 2023 Financial Results

 

Revenues

 

In the first half of fiscal 2023, revenues increased by $0.9 million, or 1.1%, to $76.8 million from $75.9 million in the prior year period. This increase in revenue was mainly due to an increase in revenue from IT consulting services.

 

Revenues by Service

 

Revenue from IT consulting services increased by $0.8 million, or 1.2%, to $72.8 million in the first half of fiscal year 2023 from $72.0 million in the prior year period. Revenue from IT consulting services accounted for 94.9% of total revenue, compared to 94.8% in the prior year period. The increase was due to the increased demand from existing and new clients, and our improved service delivery capability.

 

Revenue from customized IT solution services decreased by $0.1 million, or 2.3%, to $3.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2023 from $3.3 million in the prior year period. Revenue from IT solution services accounted for 4.1% of total revenue, compared to 4.3% in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to the effect of currency fluctuation in RMB against the U.S. dollar.

 

Revenue from other services increased by $0.1 million, or 11.4%, to $0.8 million in the first half of fiscal year 2023 from $0.7 million in the prior year period. Revenue from other services accounted for 1.0% of total revenue, compared to 0.9% in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the increased demand for other services, including non-IT consulting service.

 

Revenues by Operational Areas

 

Revenue from banking area decreased by $2.9 million, or 8.2%, to $32.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, from $35.1 million in the prior year period. Revenue from banking area accounted for 42.0% and 46.2% of total revenues in the first half of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Revenue from wealth management area increased by $3.7 million, or 24.3%, to $18.8 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, from $15.1 million in the prior year period. Revenue from wealth management area accounted for 24.5% and 19.9% of total revenues in the first half of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Revenue from e-Commerce area decreased by $0.7 million, or 4.8%, to $13.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, from $14.4 million in the prior year period. Revenue from e-Commerce area accounted for 17.9% and 19.0% of total revenues in the first half of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

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Revenue from automotive area increased by $1.5 million, or 29.7%, to $6.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, from $5.0 million in the prior year period. Revenue from automotive area accounted for 8.5% and 6.6% of total revenues in the first half of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Revenues by Geography

 

Revenue generated outside of Mainland China was $7.2 million in the first half of fiscal year 2023, compared to $7.7 million in the same period of the previous year.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit was $18.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to $22.3 million in the prior year period.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 17.5%, to $2.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2023 from $2.3 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total revenues, selling and marketing expenses increased to 3.5% in the first half of fiscal 2023 compared to 3.0% in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the sales and marketing personnel-related expenses.

 

Research and development expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 4.4%, to $4.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2023 from $4.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total revenues, research and development expenses increased to 5.7% in the first half of fiscal 2023 compared to 5.5% in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the increased research and development personnel related expenses which enabled the Company’s continued R&D efforts in new products such as CAKU 2.0 and new generation of loan system.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.5 million, or 16.6%, to $10.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2023 from $9.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 13.9% in the first half of fiscal 2023 compared to 12.1% in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to hiring of management-level employees to further drive our growth in the overseas market, the year-over-year increase in employee salary, and the increase in depreciation and amortization resulting from the acquisition of fixed assets in Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income was $1.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to $7.6 million in the same period of the previous year.

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

Total other income, net of other expenses was $0.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to $0.2 million total other expenses, net of other income in the prior year period.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income taxes decreased by $0.7 million to $0.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2023 from $0.9 million in the same period of the previous year, mainly due to the decrease in income before taxes.

 

Net Income

 

Net income was $1.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2023, compared to $6.5 million in the prior year period.

 

Net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders in the first half of fiscal 2023 was $1.3 million, compared to $6.3 million in the prior year period.

 

Cash Flow

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $37.6 million compared to $18.4 million as of June 30, 2022.

 

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Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $17.2 million. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.2 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $2.5 million. The effect of exchange rate change on cash was approximately positive $0.3 million. The Company believes that its current cash position and cash flow from operations are sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months.

 

Financial Outlook

 

Undeterred by the short-term challenges mentioned above, we remain confident about our long-term business growth. For fiscal year 2023, the Company expects, considering our financial numbers could be affected by the floating exchange rate, and absent material acquisitions or non-recurring transactions, total sales growth was adjusted in the range of approximately 5% to 10%, and net income growth in the range of approximately 7% to 12% compared to fiscal year 2022 financial results.

 

This forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary views, which are subject to change and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to various risks and uncertainties facing the Company’s business and operations as identified in its public filings.

 

Exchange Rate

 

The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity as of December 31, 2022, were translated at 6.8972 RMB to 1.00 USD compared to 6.6981 RMB to 1.00 USD as of June 30, 2022. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to the income statements accounts for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were 6.9789 RMB to 1.00 USD and 6.4316 RMB to 1.00 USD, respectively. The change in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar may affect our financial results reported in the U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operation.

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will hold a conference call at 8:30 am ET on March 3, 2023 to discuss first half of fiscal 2023 results. Listeners may access the call by dialing:

 

U.S. Toll-Free:   +1-877-423-9813
U.S. Local /International: +1-201-689-8573
Mainland China: 400 120 2840
Hong Kong: 800 965 561

 

You may also click this Call me™ link, which will be available 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time for instant telephone access.

 

To access the live webcast of the conference call, please visit this link. The live and archived webcast will also be available through the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.clpsglobal.com.

 

A replay of the call will be available through March 17, 2023 by dialing:

 

U.S. Toll-Free:   +1-844-512-2921
U.S. Local/International: +1-412-317-6671
Passcode: 13736594

 

About CLPS Incorporation

 

Headquartered in Hong Kong, CLPS Incorporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CLPS) is a global leading information technology (“IT”), consulting and solutions service provider focusing on the banking, insurance and financial sectors. The Company serves as an IT solutions provider to a growing network of clients in the global financial industry, including large financial institutions in the US, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, and their PRC-based IT centers. The Company maintains 19 delivery and/or research & development centers to serve different customers in various geographic locations. Mainland China centers are located in Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Hainan. The remaining nine global centers are located in Hong Kong SAR, USA, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, India, the Philippines and Vietnam. For further information regarding the Company, please visit: https://ir.clpsglobal.com/, or follow CLPS on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain of the statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the Company’s control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All such statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s financial and operational performance in the first half of fiscal 2023, its expectations of the Company’s future performance, its preliminary outlook and guidance offered in this presentation, as well as the risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s most recently filed SEC reports and filings. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), except that the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, consolidated statements of cash flows, and the detailed notes have not been presented. The Company uses non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders, and basic and diluted non-GAAP net income per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP operating income is operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP operating margin is non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of revenues. Non-GAAP net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders is net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. Basic and diluted non-GAAP net income per share is non-GAAP net income attributable to common shareholders divided by weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of share-based compensation expenses clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measure for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measure is useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of non-cash share-based compensation expenses, which have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company’s net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similar titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors to carefully consider its results under GAAP, as well as its supplemental non-GAAP information and the reconciliation between these presentations, to more fully understand its business. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results” near the end of this release.

 

Contact:

 

CLPS Incorporation

Rhon Galicha

Investor Relations Office

Phone: +86-182-2192-5378

Email: ir@clpsglobal.com

 

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CLPS INCORPORATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 (Amounts in U.S. dollars (“$”), except for number of shares)

 

   As of 
   December 31,
2022
(Unaudited)
   June 30,
2022
(Audited)
 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   37,551,244    18,396,987 
Accounts receivable, net   45,048,831    53,769,887 
Prepayments, deposits and other assets, net   2,963,071    4,215,414 
Amounts due from related parties   429,369    377,642 
Total Current Assets   85,992,515    76,759,930 
Non-Current assets:          
Property and equipment, net   20,430,216    20,601,098 
Intangible assets, net   920,605    970,044 
Goodwill   2,412,933    2,363,841 
Long-term investments   566,522    610,386 
Prepayments, deposits and other assets, net   289,422    248,456 
Deferred tax assets, net   305,258    327,040 
Operating lease right-of-use assets   1,282,906    - 
Total Assets   112,200,377    101,880,795 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Bank loans   16,592,357    14,474,363 
Accounts payable   397,437    343,597 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   363,782    352,402 
Tax payables   2,505,813    2,355,066 
Contract liabilities   2,247,687    587,140 
Salaries and benefits payable   14,928,223    12,203,933 
Amount due to related parties   37,034    66,884 
Operating lease liabilities, current   1,033,044    - 
Total Current Liabilities   38,105,377    30,383,385 
Non-Current liabilities:          
Deferred tax liabilities   142,921    150,547 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current   375,636    - 
Other non-current liabilities   3,202,410    3,546,263 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   41,826,344    34,080,195 
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Shareholders’ Equity          
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 23,626,122 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022;  22,444,822 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022   2,363    2,244 
Additional paid-in capital   57,648,162    55,705,209 
Statutory reserves   6,498,218    5,071,876 
Retained earnings   6,138,216    6,323,792 
Accumulated other comprehensive losses   (1,261,753)   (550,248)
Total CLPS Incorporation’s Shareholders’ Equity   69,025,206    66,552,873 
Noncontrolling Interests   1,348,827    1,247,727 
Total Shareholders’ Equity   70,374,033    67,800,600 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   112,200,377    101,880,795 

 

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CLPS INCORPORATION 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED statements

 

of INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(Amounts in U.S. dollars (“$”), except for number of shares)

 

   For the six months ended
December 31,
 
   2022   2021 
         
Revenues   76,760,811    75,921,605 
Less: Cost of revenues (note 1)   (58,299,928)   (53,609,609)
Gross profit   18,460,883    22,311,996 
           
Operating income (expenses):          
Selling and marketing expenses (note 1)   2,684,075    2,284,404 
Research and development expenses   4,359,214    4,175,373 
General and administrative expenses (note 1)   10,694,588    9,168,389 
Subsidies and other operating income   (620,702)   (878,083)
Total operating expenses   17,117,175    14,750,083 
Income from operations   1,343,708    7,561,913 
Other income   399,917    295,704 
Other expenses   (183,695)   (475,269)
Income before income tax and share of  income (loss) in equity investees   1,559,930    7,382,348 
Provision for income taxes   185,196    864,921 
Income before share of income (loss) in equity investees   1,374,734    6,517,427 
Share of income (loss) in equity investees, net of tax   22,577    (47,082)
Net income   1,397,311    6,470,345 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   129,881    207,881 
Net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders   1,267,430    6,262,464 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss)          
           
Foreign currency translation (loss) income   (746,569)   500,376 
Less: foreign currency translation (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest   (35,064)   15,308 
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders   (711,505)   485,068 
           
Comprehensive income attributable to          
CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders   555,925    6,747,532 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests   94,817    223,189 
Comprehensive income   650,742    6,970,721 
           
Basic earnings per common share*   0.05    0.31 
Weighted average number of share outstanding – basic   23,626,122    20,374,035 
Diluted earnings per common share*   0.05    0.31 
Weighted average number of share outstanding – diluted   23,643,457    20,457,630 

 

Note:

 

(1)Includes share-based compensation expenses as follows:

 

Cost of revenues   11,071    22,923 
Selling and marketing expenses   60,091    109,375 
General and administrative expenses   1,871,910    2,335,803 
    1,943,072    2,468,101 

 

*The shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance.

 

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CLPS INCORPORATION

 

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS

 

(Amounts in U.S. dollars (“$”), except for number of shares)

 

   For the six months ended
December 31,
 
   2022   2021 
         
Cost of revenues   58,299,928    53,609,609 
Less: share-based compensation expenses   11,071    22,923 
Non-GAAP cost of revenues   58,288,857    53,586,686 
           
Selling and marketing expenses   2,684,075    2,284,404 
Less: share-based compensation expenses   60,091    109,375 
           
Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses   2,623,984    2,175,029 
           
General and administrative expenses   10,694,588    9,168,389 
Less: share-based compensation expenses   1,871,910    2,335,803 
Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses   8,822,678    6,832,586 
           
Operating income   1,343,708    7,561,913 
Add: share-based compensation expenses   1,943,072    2,468,101 
Non-GAAP operating income   3,286,780    10,030,014 
           
Operating Margin   1.8%   10.0%
Add: share-based compensation expenses   2.5%   3.2%
Non-GAAP operating margin   4.3%   13.2%
           
Net income   1,397,311    6,470,345 
Add: share-based compensation expenses   1,943,072    2,468,101 
Non-GAAP net income   3,340,383    8,938,446 
           
Net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders   1,267,430    6,262,464 
Add: share-based compensation expenses   1,943,072    2,468,101 
Non-GAAP net income attributable to CLPS Incorporation’s shareholders   3,210,502    8,730,565 
           
Weighted average number of share outstanding used in computing GAAP and non-GAAP basic earnings   23,626,122    20,374,035 
GAAP basic earnings per common share   0.05    0.31 
Add: share-based compensation expenses   0.09    0.12 
Non-GAAP basic earnings per common share   0.14    0.43 
           
Weighted average number of share outstanding used in computing GAAP diluted earnings   23,643,457    20,457,630 
Weighted average number of share outstanding used in computing non-GAAP diluted earnings   23,643,457    20,457,630 
           
GAAP diluted earnings per common share   0.05    0.31 
Add: share-based compensation expenses   0.09    0.12 
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share   0.14    0.43 

 

 

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