Global Cord Blood Corporation Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2019

1Q19 Added 20,601 New Subscribers
Revenues Increased to RMB233.8 Million ($35.3 Million)
Operating
Income Up 15.0% YoY to RMB95.4 Million ($14.4 Million)
Non-GAAP Operating Income Up 17.7% YoY to RMB108.6 Million ($16.4 Million)
Conference Call to be Held on August 24, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. ET

HONG KONG, Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Cord Blood Corporation (NYSE: CO) ("GCBC" or the "Company"), China's leading provider of cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing and stem cell storage services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 ended June 30, 2018.

First Quarter of Fiscal 2019 Highlights

    --  Revenues increased to RMB233.8 million ($35.3 million) from RMB224.2
        million in the prior year period.
    --  New subscribers and accumulated subscriber base were 20,601 and
        682,081([1]), respectively.
    --  Gross profit increased to RMB190.7 million ($28.8 million) from RMB179.4
        million in the prior year period. Gross margin increased to 81.5% from
        80.0% in the prior year period.
    --  Operating income increased by 15.0% year-over-year ("YoY") to RMB95.4
        million ($14.4 million).
    --  Operating income before depreciation and amortization and share-based
        compensation expense([2]) ("non-GAAP operating income") increased by
        17.7% YoY to RMB108.6 million ($16.4 million). No share-based
        compensation expense was recorded in the reporting quarter.
    --  Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders increased by 6.4%
        YoY to RMB73.5 million ($11.1 million), after taking into account the
        unrealized holding loss of RMB9.3 million ($1.4 million) for equity
        securities following the adoption of a new accounting standard([3]).

"In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded 20,601 new subscribers, in line with our quarterly target. Despite the difficulty in client conversion as consumer spending became more conservative in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty, we are delighted to see new subscriber numbers stabilizing at current levels." said Ms. Ting Zheng, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of GCBC. "As we sail through the storm, we will remain focused on penetrating our existing markets as well as searching for business development opportunities in the hematopoietic cord blood industry value chain domestically and abroad, aiming to provide additional cord blood related healthcare and treatment services to our clients."

Summary - First Quarter Ended June 30, 2017 and 2018


                                                 Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                 ---------------------------

                                                                2017                   2018
                                                                ----                   ----

    (in thousands)                           RMB                             RMB            US$

    Revenues                                                 224,222                233,821     35,336

    Gross Profit                                             179,440                190,663     28,814

    Operating Income[4]                                       82,961                 95,442     14,424

    Interest Expense                                         (3,257)                     -         -

    Net Income Attributable to the Company's                  69,135                 73,542     11,114
      Shareholders

    Earnings per Ordinary Share[5] (RMB/US$)

      - Basic                                                   0.62                   0.61       0.09

      - Diluted                                                 0.62                   0.61       0.09


    Revenue Breakdown (%)

    Processing Fees and

      Other Services                                           65.6%                 61.3%

    Storage Fees                                               34.4%                 38.7%


    New Subscribers (persons)                                 22,523                 20,601

    Total Accumulated Subscribers (persons)                  597,175             682,081[1]

Summary - Selected Cash Flow Statement Items


                                              Three Months Ended June 30,
                                              ---------------------------

                                                             2017                 2018
                                                             ----                 ----

    (in thousands)                                  RMB                   RMB          US$

    Net cash provided by operating activities             226,417              175,317        26,493

    Net cash used in investing activities                (10,663)             (7,126)      (1,077)

    Net cash provided by financing activities                   -                   -            -

First Quarter of Fiscal 2019 Financial Results

REVENUES. Revenues increased to RMB233.8 million ($35.3 million) in the first quarter fiscal 2019 from RMB224.2 million in the prior year period. The increase was mostly driven by the enlarged client base.

As the accumulated subscriber base grew to 682,081([1]) by the end of June 2018, revenues generated from storage fees increased by 17.1% YoY to RMB90.4 million ($13.7 million) in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Storage fee revenues accounted for 38.7% of total revenues.

Revenues generated from processing fees and other services in the reporting quarter were RMB143.4 million ($21.6 million) compared to RMB147.0 million in the prior year period, as recruitment of new subscribers became more difficult under challenging conditions in the reporting quarter. Revenues generated from processing fees accounted for 61.3% of total revenues.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the reporting quarter increased by 6.3% YoY to RMB190.7 million ($28.8 million). Gross margin improved to 81.5% from 80.0% in the prior year period. Gross margin improvement was led by a rising contribution from storage fees and the implementation of cost saving measures.

OPERATING INCOME. Operating income for the reporting quarter increased by 15.0% YoY to RMB95.4 million ($14.4 million), contributed by the enhanced gross margin and lower operating expenses resulting from cost control measures. Operating margin increased by 3.8 percentage points to 40.8% in the reporting quarter. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the reporting quarter were RMB13.1 million ($2.0 million) compared to RMB12.8 million in the prior year period. No share-based compensation expense was recorded in the reporting quarter compared to a RMB3.4 million reversal of share-based compensation expense in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating income([2]) amounted to RMB108.6 million ($16.4 million), representing a 17.7% increase year-over-year.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the reporting quarter amounted to RMB51.4 million ($7.8 million) compared to RMB43.5 million in the prior year period because the reversal of share-based compensation expense resulted in lower sales and marketing expense in the prior year period. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues were 22.0%.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the reporting quarter decreased to RMB41.0 million ($6.2 million) from RMB50.4 million in the prior year period due to the absence of share-based compensation expense. General and administrative expenses as the percentage of revenues was 17.5%.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES.

Interest Expense. No interest expense occurred in the reporting period whereas RMB3.3 million interest expense related to convertible notes, which were fully converted in April 2017, was recorded in the prior year period.

Unrealized holding loss for equity securities. In the first quarter fiscal 2019, RMB9.3 million ($1.4 million) unrealized holding loss for equity securities was recognized as other expenses under the new accounting standard, whereas such loss was recorded as other comprehensive loss in prior year period.([3])

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS. As a result of the increase in operating income and the absence of interest expense, offset by the unrealized holding loss for equity securities under the new accounting presentation, income before income tax for the reporting quarter increased to RMB91.0 million ($13.8 million). Income tax expense for the reporting quarter was RMB16.5 million ($2.5 million). Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders for the reporting quarter increased to RMB73.5 million ($11.1 million) from RMB69.1 million in the prior year period. Net margin for the first quarter fiscal 2019 improved to 31.5% from 30.8% in the prior year period.

EARNINGS PER SHARE. Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share for the first quarter fiscal 2019 was RMB0.61 ($0.09).

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Friday, August 24, 2018 to discuss its financial performance and give a brief overview of the Company's recent developments, followed by a question and answer session. Interested parties can access the audio webcast through the Company's IR website at http://ir.globalcordbloodcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be accessible two hours after the conference call and available for three weeks at the same URL above. Listeners can also access the call by dialing 1-855-824-5644 or 1-646-722-4977 for US callers, or +852-3027-6500 for Hong Kong callers, access code: 24554221#.


    [1] During the three months ended June 30, 2018, 20,601 new subscribers were recruited. The Company reclassified 138 private cord blood units as donated cord
    blood units during the three months ended June 30, 2018 after the Company determined that the recoverability of these prior private cord blood banking subscribers
    was low. Therefore, the Company terminated their subscription services according to the subscription contracts and these units are being treated as if they were
    donated cord blood units and will be part of the Company's non-current inventories. Hence, the net accumulated subscriber base was 682,081 as of June 30, 2018.


    [2] See exhibit 3 of this press release for a reconciliation of operating income to exclude the non-cash items related to the depreciation and amortization and share-
    based compensation expenses to the comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").


    [3] Unrealized holding loss for equity securities was recognized as other expenses instead of other comprehensive losses as practiced previously because of the
    adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 in the reporting quarter. During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, unrealized holding loss for
    equity securities was RMB11.9 million and RMB9.3 million ($1.4 million) respectively.


    [4] The reported operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 included the following:

        (i) Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 were RMB12.8 million and RMB13.1
             million ($2.0 million), respectively; and

        (ii) During the three months ended June 30, 2017, a net reversal of RMB3.4 million in share-based compensation expense
             related to the restricted share units ("RSUs") scheme was recorded whereas no such expense or reversal was recorded in the current period since the RSUs
             were fully vested in the quarter ended March 31, 2018.


    [5] Taking into account the 7,080,000 shares (related to the RSU scheme) issued and deposited to a trust sponsored and funded by the Company, in addition to
    113,524,742 outstanding shares for the three months ended June 30, 2017, basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share would be RMB0.59 for the three months
    ended June 30, 2017.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

GAAP results for the three months ended June 30, 2018 include non-cash items related to the depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expenses. To supplement the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a U.S. GAAP basis, the Company has provided adjusted financial information excluding the impact of these items in this press release. The non-GAAP financial measure represents non-GAAP operating income. Such adjustment is a departure of U.S. GAAP; however, the Company's management believes that these adjusted measures provide investors with a better understanding of how the results relate to the Company's historical performance. Also, management uses non-GAAP operating income as a measurement tool for evaluating actual operating performance compared to budget and prior periods. These adjusted measures should not be considered an alternative to operating income, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures are not necessarily comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company. A reconciliation of the adjustments to U.S. GAAP results appears in exhibit 3 accompanying this press release. This additional adjusted information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP financials. The adjusted financial information that the Company provides also may differ from the adjusted information provided by other companies.

About Global Cord Blood Corporation

Global Cord Blood Corporation is the first and largest umbilical cord blood banking operator in China in terms of geographical coverage and the only cord blood banking operator with multiple licenses. Under current PRC government regulations, only one licensed cord blood banking operator is permitted to operate in each licensed region and no new licenses will be granted before 2020 in addition to the seven licenses authorized as of today. Global Cord Blood Corporation provides cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing, and stem cell storage services. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.globalcordbloodcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "can", "continue", "could", "estimates", "intends", "may", "plans", "potential", "predict", "should" or "will" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions, uncertainties and other factors may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The information in this press release is not intended to project future performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company does not guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company expectations are as of the date this press release is issued, and the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this press release is issued to conform these statements to actual results, unless required by law.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company's businesses and business environments. These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results of the Company's operations may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors some of which include, among other things: continued compliance with government regulations regarding cord blood banking in the People's Republic of China, or PRC and any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations; changing legislation or regulatory environments (including the relaxation of China's one child policy) in the PRC and any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts its operations; the acceptance by subscribers of the Company's different pricing and payment options and reaction to the introduction of the Company's premium-quality pricing strategy; demographic trends in the regions of the PRC in which the Company is the exclusive licensed cord blood banking operator; labor and personnel relations; the existence of a significant shareholder able to influence and direct the corporate policies of the Company; credit risks affecting the Company's revenue and profitability; changes in the healthcare industry, including those which may result in the use of stem cell therapies becoming redundant or obsolete; the Company's ability to effectively manage its growth, including implementing effective controls and procedures and attracting and retaining key management and personnel; changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; the availability of capital resources, including in the form of capital markets financing opportunities, in light of industry developments affecting issuers that have pursued a "reverse merger" with an operating company based in China, the presence of a new majority shareholder, international pressure on trade and currency against the PRC and its potential impact on the PRC consumer behavior, as well as general economic conditions; and other relevant risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars as of and for the period ending June 30, 2018 were made at the noon buying rate of RMB6.6171 to $1.00 on June 29, 2018 in the City of New York for cable transfers in Renminbi per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Global Cord Blood Corporation makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this press release could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, at any particular rate or at all.

For more information, please contact:

Global Cord Blood Corporation
Investor Relations Department
Tel: (+852) 3605-8180
Email: ir@globalcordbloodcorp.com

ICR, Inc.
William Zima
Tel: (+86) 10-6583-7511
U.S. Tel: (646) 405-5185
Email: William.zima@icrinc.com

EXHIBIT 1


                                                                   GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION

                                                          UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                  As of March 31 and June 30, 2018
                                                                  --------------------------------



                                                                                                  March 31,                June 30,

                                                                                                                2018                     2018

                                                                                                     RMB                      RMB             US$

                                                                                          (in thousands except share data)

    ASSETS

    Current assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                              4,250,610                4,423,165        668,444

    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful

      accounts (March 31, 2018: RMB58,227;

      June 30, 2018: RMB64,340 (US$9,723))                                                                   107,818                  104,583         15,805

    Inventories                                                                                               27,718                   37,494          5,665

    Prepaid expenses and other receivables                                                                    22,276                   22,828          3,449
                                                                                                              ------                   ------          -----

    Total current assets                                                                                   4,408,422                4,588,070        693,363

    Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                       552,960                  548,803         82,938

    Non-current deposits                                                                                     233,115                  243,789         36,842

    Non-current accounts receivable, less allowance

      for doubtful accounts (March 31, 2018: RMB69,713;

      June 30, 2018: RMB71,764 (US$10,845))                                                                  101,809                   97,658         14,759

    Inventories                                                                                               71,758                   72,945         11,024

    Intangible assets, net                                                                                   102,065                  100,910         15,250

    Investment in equity securities                                                                          153,882                  152,571         23,057

    Other investment                                                                                         189,129                  189,129         28,582

    Deferred tax assets                                                                                       31,295                   34,194          5,168
                                                                                                              ------                   ------          -----

    Total assets                                                                                           5,844,435                6,028,069        910,983
                                                                                                           =========                =========        =======


    LIABILITIES

    Current liabilities

    Accounts payable                                                                                          11,372                   15,729          2,377

    Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                       73,023                   79,780         12,056

    Dividend payable                                                                                               -                  63,610          9,613

    Deferred revenue                                                                                         366,373                  368,291         55,657

    Income tax payable                                                                                        17,407                   17,177          2,596
                                                                                                              ------                   ------          -----

    Total current liabilities                                                                                468,175                  544,587         82,299

    Non-current deferred revenue                                                                           1,874,014                1,934,510        292,350

    Other non-current liabilities                                                                            362,876                  375,540         56,753

    Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                  20,628                   20,390          3,081


    Total liabilities                                                                                      2,725,693                2,875,027        434,483
                                                                                                           ---------                ---------        -------


    EQUITY

    Shareholders' equity of Global Cord Blood Corporation

    Ordinary shares

    -      US$0.0001 par value, 250,000,000 shares                                                                83                       83             13
            authorized, 120,961,641 shares issued and
            120,824,742 shares outstanding as of March
            31, and June 30, 2018

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                             2,053,866                2,053,866        310,387

    Treasury stock, at cost (March 31 and June 30,

    2018: 136,899 shares, respectively)                                                                      (2,815)                 (2,815)         (425)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                    (54,654)                (94,090)      (14,219)

    Retained earnings                                                                                      1,116,873                1,189,641        179,783
                                                                                                           ---------                ---------        -------

    Total equity attributable to Global Cord Blood

      Corporation                                                                                          3,113,353                3,146,685        475,539

    Non-controlling interests                                                                                  5,389                    6,357            961
                                                                                                               -----                    -----            ---

    Total equity                                                                                           3,118,742                3,153,042        476,500
                                                                                                           ---------                ---------        -------

    Total liabilities and equity                                                                           5,844,435                6,028,069        910,983
                                                                                                           ---------                ---------        -------

EXHIBIT 2


                                                              GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION

                                           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                                                    For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2018
                                                    -------------------------------------------------


                                                          Three months ended June 30,
                                                          ---------------------------

                                                                         2017                                    2018
                                                                         ----                                    ----

                                                                RMB                                   RMB             US$

                                                     (in thousands except per share data)


    Revenues                                                          224,222                                 233,821         35,336

    Direct costs                                                     (44,782)                               (43,158)       (6,522)
                                                                      -------                                 -------         ------

    Gross profit                                                      179,440                                 190,663         28,814

    Operating expenses

    Research and development                                          (2,679)                                (2,791)         (422)

    Sales and marketing                                              (43,450)                               (51,415)       (7,770)

    General and administrative                                       (50,350)                               (41,015)       (6,198)
                                                                      -------                                 -------         ------

    Total operating expenses                                         (96,479)                               (95,221)      (14,390)
                                                                      -------                                 -------        -------

    Operating income                                                   82,961                                  95,442         14,424
                                                                       ------                                  ------         ------

    Other income/(expenses), net

    Interest income                                                     4,827                                   5,698            861

    Interest expense                                                  (3,257)                                      -             -

    Foreign currency exchange gains/
     (losses)                                                               1                                    (26)           (4)

    Unrealized holding loss for
     equity securities                                                      -                                (9,321)       (1,409)

    Others                                                              1,149                                   (759)         (115)
                                                                        -----                                    ----           ----

    Total other income/(expenses),
     net                                                                2,720                                 (4,408)         (667)
                                                                        -----                                  ------           ----

    Income before income tax                                           85,681                                  91,034         13,757

    Income tax expense                                               (15,721)                               (16,524)       (2,497)
                                                                      -------                                 -------         ------

    Net income                                                         69,960                                  74,510         11,260

    Net income attributable to non-
     controlling interests                                              (825)                                  (968)         (146)
                                                                         ----                                    ----           ----

    Net income attributable to Global Cord

      Blood Corporation's shareholders                                 69,135                                  73,542         11,114
                                                                       ======                                  ======         ======


    Earnings per share:

    Attributable to ordinary shares

      - Basic                                                            0.62                                    0.61           0.09
                                                                         ====                                    ====           ====

      - Diluted                                                          0.62                                    0.61           0.09
                                                                         ====                                    ====           ====


    Other comprehensive (losses)/income,
       net of nil income taxes

    -  Foreign currency translation
     adjustments                                                     (11,731)                                 22,880          3,458

    -   Unrealized holding losses in

    available-for-sale equity
     securities                                                      (11,925)                                      -             -
                                                                      -------                                     ---           ---

    Total other comprehensive
     (losses)/income                                                 (23,656)                                 22,880          3,458
                                                                      -------                                  ------          -----

    Comprehensive income                                               46,304                                  97,390         14,718
                                                                       ======                                  ======         ======


    Comprehensive income attributable to

      non-controlling interests                                         (825)                                  (968)         (146)
                                                                         ----                                    ----           ----

    Comprehensive income attributable to

    Global Cord Blood Corporation's
     shareholders                                                      45,479                                  96,422         14,572
                                                                       ======                                  ======         ======

EXHIBIT 3


                                 GLOBAL CORD BLOOD CORPORATION

                          RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME

                       For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2018
                       -------------------------------------------------


                        Three months ended June 30,
                        ---------------------------

                                      2017                                  2018
                                      ----                                  ----

                              RMB                                   RMB          US$

                             (in thousands)


    GAAP amount of
     operating income               82,961                                95,442     14,424


    Depreciation and
     amortization
     expenses[6]                    12,752                                13,145      1,987


    Share-based
     compensation
     expense[7]                    (3,438)                                    -         -
                                    ------                                   ---       ---


    Non-GAAP operating
     income                         92,275                               108,587     16,411
                                    ------                               -------     ------


    [6] Depreciation and amortization
     expenses relate to property, plant
     and equipment and intangible
     assets respectively.


    [7] Share-based compensation
     expense relates to the Company's
     RSU scheme of which the shares
     have been fully vested in the
     quarter ended March 31, 2018,
     accordingly there will be no
     share-based compensation expense
     relating to those RSUs amortized
     in future periods.

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