BEIJING, Sept. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pintec Technology Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: PT) (“PINTEC” or the “Company”), a leading independent technology platform enabling financial services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
First Half 2020 Financial HighlightsTotal revenues decreased by 65.0% to RMB251.6million (US$35.6million) from RMB719.7 million in the same period of 2019.
Gross profit was RMB42.7 million (US$6.0 million) compared to RMB296.9 million in the same period of 2019. Gross margin was 17.0% compared to 41.3% in the same period of 2019.
Operating loss was RMB100.0 million (US$14.2 million) compared to operating income of RMB73.6 million in the same period of 2019.
Net loss was RMB104.2 million (US$14.7 million) compared to net income of RMB81.2 million in the same period of 2019.
Adjusted net loss¹ was RMB96.9 million (US$13.7 million) compared to adjusted net income of RMB111.1 million in the same period of 2019.
First Half 2020 Operating HighlightsTotal loans facilitated decreased by 82.8% to RMB1.2 billion (US$171 million) from RMB6.8 billion in the same period of 2019.
Loan outstanding balance decreased by 60.6% to RMB1.3 billion (US$180 million) as of June 30, 2020, from RMB3.3 billion as of December 31, 2019.
The following table provides delinquency rates by balance for all loans facilitated by the Company as of the dates indicated:
Mr. Victor Li, Chief Executive Officer of PINTEC, commented, “In response to the challenges that we faced in 2019 and the first half of 2020, we decided to shift our business focus by providing an increasing number of digital-centric services. As such, we have divided our businesses into digital technical services and digital operation services, which include our licensed financial services. During the period, we began developing supply chain financing systems for our clients in China. Meanwhile, in Australia, we started providing corporate and consumer credit solutions for more institutional partners. Additionally, we initiated our robotic process automation services for a world class stock exchange. We also continued to advance our partnerships both domestically and abroad by helping our partners upgrade their credit processes, augment their operational efficiencies, and accelerate their digitization efforts. For digital operation services, we remained focused on growing our revenues and refining our organizational structure, marketing strategies and product matrix during the period. In recognition of China’s current lending environment, we are now in the process of gradually winding down a significant portion of our technical services using risk-sharing model, which is in line with our strategic pivot. While this decision has undoubtedly impacted our revenue generation capabilities in the short term, we believe that it will ultimately help to bolster the sustainability of our growth over the long term. Looking ahead, we remain confident that our significant competitive advantages in technological innovation, financial services, and partnerships will allow us to not only maintain our business resiliency throughout the remainder of 2020, but also reenter a new growth cycle in the coming year.”Mr. Steven Sim, Chief Financial Officer of PINTEC, stated, “We implemented a series of adjustments in the first half of 2020 as a result of the changes in market conditions and industry regulations. Consequently, in order to gradually winding down our services using risk-sharing model, we have decreased our activity with funding partners who require us to share risks since 2020. During the second quarter of 2020, for example, we reduced our M1+ delinquency rate compared to the first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2019. Meanwhile, we also reduced our cost on guarantee liabilities by 47% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter in the same year. As we continue to augment our digital technical services revenues and prioritize the prudent management of costs to ensure our healthy growth and expansion, we expect to return to profitability in 2021.”First Half 2020 Financial ResultsTotal Revenues

Total revenues in the first half of 2020 decreased by 65.0% to RMB251.6 million (US$35.6 million) from RMB719.7 million in the same period of 2019.Revenues from technical service fees in the first half of 2020 decreased by 66.0% to RMB212.1 million (US$30.0 million) from RMB624.0 million in the same period of 2019. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease in off-balance sheet loans facilitated in the first half of 2020.
Revenues from installment service fees in the first half of 2020 decreased by 57.5% to RMB34.8 million (US$4.9 million) from RMB82.0 million in the same period of 2019. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease in the Company’s on-book installment loan volume during the first half of 2020.
Revenues from wealth management service fees in the first half of 2020 decreased by 66.0% to RMB4.7 million (US$0.7 million) from RMB13.7 million in the same period of 2019.
Cost of RevenuesCost of revenues in the first half of 2020 decreased by 50.6% to RMB208.9 million (US$29.6 million) from RMB422.8 million in the same period of 2019. This decrease was mainly attributable to (1) the decrease in service cost charged by Jimu Group as our cooperation model with Jimu Group changed from a model where Jimu Group provided credit enhancement for the borrowers to a model where we provided credit enhancement to the borrowers on our own from April 2019, and (2) the decrease in origination and servicing cost primarily due to reduced user acquisition costs as a result of decrease in loan volume facilitated; partially offset by (1) the increase in provisions for credit loss of on-book loans due to the impact of COVID-19 and resulting decline in asset quality and increase in M3+ delinquency rates by balance in the period as well as (2) the increased costs on guarantee liabilities for off-book loans in the period. Cost on guarantee liabilities significantly increased due to the fact that most services using risk-sharing model started from May 2019, while loan quality has continuously deteriorated since the second half of 2019. Nevertheless, as a result of the Company’s commitment to gradually stopping providing any guarantee in 2020, the cost on phasing out guarantees and costs on guarantee liabilities have decreased on a sequential basis since the second half of 2019. Delinquency rates have also improved significantly since the second quarter of 2020.Gross ProfitGross profit in the first half of 2020 decreased to RMB42.7 million (US$6.0 million) from RMB296.9 million in the same period of 2019. Gross margin in the first half of 2020 was 17.0% compared to 41.3% in the same period of 2019.Operating ExpensesTotal operating expenses in the first half of 2020 decreased by 36.1% to RMB142.7 million (US$20.2 million) from RMB223.3 million in the same period of 2019. The Company has continued to optimize and refine its organizational structure, marketing strategies and product matrix since the beginning of 2020.Sales and marketing expenses in the first half of 2020 decreased by 41.1% to RMB24.9 million (US$3.5 million) from RMB42.2 million in the same period of 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by the decrease in staff cost, promotion expense and share-based compensation. Staff cost decreased due to adjustments to the Company’s employee structure. Promotion expense decreased due to our reduction of online advertisement expenditure. Share-based compensation decreased due to most of the share-based compensations are amortized in prior years.
General and administrative expenses in the first half of 2020 decreased by 31.6% to RMB93.0 million (US$13.2 million) from RMB136.0 million in the same period of 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by the decrease in share-based compensation as well as the decrease in staff cost. Bad debt expenses also decreased in the period, which was mainly due to the decrease in provision for bad debts as a result of the decreases in both loan balance and accounts receivable balance for technical service fees.
Research and development expenses in the first half of 2020 decreased by 44.9% to RMB24.8 million (US$3.5 million) from RMB45.1 million in the same period of 2019, primarily driven by the decrease in staff cost due to the optimization of personnel structure.
Operating Income/LossOperating loss in the first half of 2020 was RMB100.0 million (US$14.2 million) compared to operating income of RMB73.6 million in the same period of 2019.Net Income/LossNet loss in the first half of 2020 was RMB104.2 million (US$14.7 million) compared to net income of RMB81.2 million in the same period of 2019.Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders in the first half of 2020 was RMB104.3 million (US$14.8 million) compared to net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB81.2 million in the same period of 2019.Adjusted net loss in the first half of 2020 was RMB96.9 million (US$13.7 million) compared to adjusted net income of RMB111.1 million in the same period of 2019.Net Income/loss per ShareBasic and diluted net loss per ordinary share in the first half of 2020 were both RMB0.35 (US$0.05). Basic and diluted net loss per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) in the first half of 2020 were both RMB2.45 (US$0.35). Each ADS represents seven of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares.Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share in the first half of 2020 were both RMB0.33 (US$0.05). Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the first half of 2020 were both RMB2.29 (US$0.32).Balance SheetThe Company had combined cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term restricted cash of RMB588.5 million (US$83.3 million) as of June 30, 2020, compared to RMB580.9 million as of December 31, 2019.The Company’s total net financing receivables, including short-term and long-term receivables, decreased by 83.1% to RMB75.9 million (US$10.7 million) as of June 30, 2020, from RMB449.5 million as of December 31, 2019, mainly due to the lower volume of the Company’s on-book loan business.Correction of previously issued unreviewed and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statementsThe Company filed the Form 6-K on June 29, 2020 to partially correct the Form 6-Ks furnished on September 24, 2019 and December 13, 2019 respectively regarding the unreviewed and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2019.Conference Call InformationThe Company’s management team will hold a Direct Event conference call on Monday, September 21, 2020, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time (or 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Details for the conference call are as follows:Due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19, operator assisted conference calls are not available at the moment. All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique access PIN, which can be used to join the conference call.
The replay will be accessible through September 29, 2020, by dialing the following numbers:A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.pintec.com/.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn evaluating its business, the Company considers and uses adjusted net income/loss as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company defines adjusted net income/loss as net income/loss excluding share-based compensation expenses.The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure can help management evaluate the Company’s operating performance and formulate business plans. Adjusted net income/loss enables management to assess operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses. The Company also believes that this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by management in their financial and operational decision-making.This non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as an analytical tool. One of the key limitations of using adjusted net income/loss is that it does not reflect all items of income and expenses that affect the Company’s operations. The company will continue to incur share-based compensation expenses in its business, which are reflected in the presentation of its adjusted net income/loss. Further, this non-GAAP financial measure may differ from non-GAAP financial information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore its comparability may be limited.The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, net income/loss, which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance. The Company encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.Exchange RateThis announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“USD”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB7.0651 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 30, 2020, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred to could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in 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,” “target,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as PINTEC’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. PINTEC may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company’s limited operating history, regulatory uncertainties relating to online consumer finance in China, the Company’s reliance on Jimu Group for a significant portion of its funding and the need to further diversify its financial partners, the Company’s reliance on a limited number of business partners, the impact of current or future PRC laws or regulations on wealth management financial products, publicity regarding the consumer finance industry and the evolving regulatory environment governing this industry in China, and the Company’s ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain the listing of its ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing criteria. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors 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 the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.About PINTECPintec is a leading independent technology platform enabling financial services in China. By connecting business and financial partners on its open platform, Pintec enables them to provide financial services to end users efficiently and effectively. The Company offers its partners a full suite of customized solutions, ranging from digital retail lending, digital business lending, robotic process automation, to wealth management and insurance products. Leveraging its scalable and reliable technology infrastructure, Pintec serves a wide range of industry verticals covering online travel, e-commerce, telecommunications, online education, SaaS platforms, financial technology, internet search, and online classifieds and listings, as well as various types of financial partners including banks, brokers, insurance companies, investment funds and trusts, consumer finance companies and other similar institutions. For more information, please visit ir.pintec.com.For further information, please contact:Joyce Tang
Pintec Technology Holdings Ltd.
Phone: +1-646-308-1622
E-mail: [email protected]


^{________________________________1} Adjusted net income/(loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, representing net income/(loss) before share-based compensation expenses. For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section of “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Statement” and the tables captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this release.

Bay Street News