China Customer Relations Centers, Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Second Half and Fiscal Year of 2019

TAI'AN, China, May 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China Customer Relations Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRC) ("CCRC" or the "Company"), a leading call center business process outsourcing ("BPO") service provider in China, today announced its financial results for the six and twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Second Half of 2019 Highlights (all comparisons to prior year unless noted)

    --  Revenues increased by 32.8% to a Company record of $100.13 million
        driven by continued expansion of business.
    --  Gross profit increased by 8.7% to $20.25 million. Gross margin was
        20.2%, compared to 24.7% for the same period of the prior year.
    --  Operating income increased by 42.7% to $7.26 million. Operating margin
        increased by 0.5 percentage point to 7.3%.
    --  Net income attributable to common shareholders increased by 58.7% to
        $8.07 million.
    --  EPS attributable to common shareholders was $0.44, compared to $0.28 for
        the same period of the prior year.

Mr. Gary Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CCRC, commented, "We saw a strong uptick in our business through the second half of 2019, leading to increases in revenues of 32.8% year-over-year and 36.7% sequentially, thanks to increased sales volume at some of the key existing customers as well as contributions from new customers. Both operating and net margins for the second half of 2019 also increased year-over-year."

Fiscal Year 2019 Highlights

    --  Revenues increased by 22.6% to $173.41 million driven by continued
        expansion of business.
    --  Gross profit increased by 0.1% to $38.90 million. Gross margin was
        22.4%, compared to 27.5% for 2018,
    --  Operating income decreased by 28.2% to $12.59 million. Operating margin
        was 7.3%, compared to 12.4% for 2018.
    --  Net income attributable to common shareholders decreased by 18.9% to
        $13.06 million.
    --  EPS attributable to common shareholders was $0.71, compared to $0.88 for
        2018.
    --  As of December 31, 2019, the Company had service capacity of 22,360
        seats, compared to 18,384 seats at the end of 2018.

"Looking forward, despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year that caused disruption and deemed to take a toll on China's economy and our business, we believe our well diversified customer base and strong market position will continue to drive long-term growth and generate significant returns for shareholders," concluded Mr. Wang.

Second Half of 2019 Financial Results (Unaudited)


                                                             For the Six Months Ended December 31,




     
              ($ millions, except per share data)    2019             2018                 
        
        % Change




     Revenues                                       $100.13           $75.40                              32.8%



     Gross profit                                    $20.25           $18.63                               8.7%



     Gross margin                                     20.2%           24.7%                        
      -4.5 pp



     Operating income                                 $7.26            $5.09                              42.7%



     Operating margin                                  7.3%            6.8%                         
      0.5 pp



     Net income attributable to CCRC                  $8.07            $5.08                              58.7%



     EPS - basic and diluted                          $0.44            $0.28                              57.1%

Revenues

For the six months ended December 31, 2019, revenues increased by $24.74 million, or 32.8%, to $100.13 million from $75.40 million for the same period of the prior year. We continued to see strong demand for our business from existing BPO clients as well as new clients during the six months ended December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had call centers located in Shandong Province, Jiangsu Province, Henan Province, Guangdong Province, Yunnan Province, Hubei Province, Sichuan Province, Hebei Province, Anhui Province, Heilongjiang Province, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jiangxi Province and Chongqing City, with a capacity approximately of 22,360 seats which compared to 21,216 seats as of June 30, 2019.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of salaries, payroll taxes and employee benefits costs of our customer service associates and other operations personnel. Cost of revenues also includes direct communications costs, rent expense, IT costs, and facilities support expenses. Cost of revenues increased by $23.12 million, or 40.7%, to $79.88 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $56.76 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues was 79.8% for the six months ended December 31, 2019, compared to 75.3% for the same period of the prior year.

Gross profit and gross margin

Gross profit increased by $1.62 million, or 8.7%, to $20.25 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $18.63 million for the same period of the prior year. Gross margin decreased by 4.5 percentage points to 20.2% for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from 24.7% for the same period of the prior year. The decrease in gross margin was related to increased employees' compensation and benefits.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative employee-related expenses, professional fees, travel costs, research and development costs, and other corporate expenses. SG&A expenses decreased by $0.55 million, or 4.1%, to $12.99 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $13.54 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses decreased from 18.0% for the six months ended December 31, 2018 to 13.0% for the six months ended December 31, 2019.

Operating income and operating margin

Income from operations increased by $2.17 million, or 42.7%, to $7.26 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $5.09 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in operating income was related to increased gross profit as well as decreased SG&A expenses. Operating margin was 7.3% for the six months ended December 31, 2019, compared to 6.8% for the same period of the prior year.

Other income

We recognized government grants, which are discretionary and unpredictable in nature, of $1.27 million during the six months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $1.14 million recognized during the same period of the prior year. Total other income, net of other expenses, increased by $1.06 million, or 88.0%, to $2.27 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $1.21 million for the same period of the prior year.

Income before provision for income taxes

Income before provision for income taxes increased by $3.24 million, or 51.4%, to $9.54 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $6.30 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in income before provision for income taxes was due to increased operating income and total other income.

Income taxes

Provision for income taxes was $1.43 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $1.10 million for the same period of the prior year.

Net income and earnings per share

Net income increased by $2.91 million, or 56.0%, to $8.11 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019 from $5.20 million for the same period of the prior year. After deducting net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net income attributable to common shareholders was $8.07 million, or $0.44 per basic and diluted share, for the six months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $5.08 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of the prior year.

Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Results


                                                               For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,




     
                ($ millions, except per share data)    2019          2018                               % Change




     Revenues                                         $173.41       $141.43                                  22.6%



     Gross profit                                      $38.90        $38.87                                   0.1%



     Gross margin                                       22.4%        27.5%                             
     -5.1 pp



     Operating income                                  $12.59        $17.54                                 -28.2%



     Operating margin                                    7.3%        12.4%                             
     -5.1 pp



     Net income attributable to CCRC                   $13.06        $16.09                                 -18.9%



     EPS - basic and diluted                            $0.71         $0.88                                 -19.3%

Revenues

For the year of 2019, revenues increased by $31.98 million, or 22.6%, to $173.41 million from $141.43 million for 2018. We continued to see strong demand for our business from existing BPO clients as well as new clients during 2019. Inbound calling, outbound calling, and other services accounted for 44%, 34%, and 22% of total revenues for 2019, compared to 49%, 30%, and 21% of total revenues for 2018, respectively.

During 2019, the Company generated revenue from over 160 customers, including the subsidiaries of China Mobile, Didi Chuxing (a mobile taxi-calling company), Ping An Insurance, Haier, and HiSense. We also signed outsourcing contracts with some of China's largest banks, based upon assets held, including China Construction Bank, China CITIC Bank, and China Merchants Bank, and we also signed outsourcing contracts with Qunar, SF Express, and subsidiaries of China's online retailer, Alibaba Group (including Taobao, Tmall, and Alipay).

As of December 31, 2019,the Company had a capacity approximately of 22,360 seats which compared to 18,384 seats at the end of 2018.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues increased by $31.94 million, or 31.1%, to $134.50 million for 2019 from $102.57 million for 2018. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues was 77.6% for 2019, compared to 72.5% for 2018.

Gross profit and gross margin

Gross profit increased by $0.03 million, or 0.1%, to $38.90 million for 2019 from $38.87 million for 2018. Gross margin decreased by 5.0 percentage points to 22.4% for 2019 from 27.5% for 2018. The decrease in gross margin was related to increased employees' compensation and benefits.

Selling, general and administrative expense

SG&A expenses increased by $4.99 million, or 23.4%, to $26.32 million for 2019 from $21.33 million for 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily related to higher payroll and bonus expenses paid to the administrative and research personnel and the management team. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses was 15.2% for 2019, compared to 15.1% for 2018.

Operating income and operating margin

Income from operations decreased by $4.95 million, or 28.2%, to $12.59 million for 2019 from $17.54 million for 2018. Operating margin was 7.3% for 2019, compared to 12.4% for 2018. The decrease in operating margin was mainly due to decreased gross margin as above explained.

Other income

We recognized government grants, which are discretionary and unpredictable in nature, of $1.83 million in 2019, compared to $1.71 million recognized in 2018. Government grants as a percentage of net income were 13.9% for 2019, compared to 10.5% for 2018. Total other income, net of other expenses, increased by $1.25 million to $2.98 million for 2019 from $1.73 million for 2018.

Income before provision for income taxes

Income before provision for income taxes decreased by $3.70 million, or 19.2%, to $15.57 million for 2019 from $19.27 million for 2018. The decrease in income before provision for income taxes was mainly due to decreased operating income and partially offset by increased total other income.

Income taxes

Provision for income taxes was $2.39 million for 2019, compared to $2.97 million for 2018.

Net income and earnings per share

Net income decreased by $3.13 million, or 19.2%, to $13.17 million for 2019 from $16.3 million for 2018. After deducting net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net income attributable to common shareholders was $13.06 million, or $0.71 per basic and diluted share, for 2019, compared to $16.09 million, or $0.88 per basic and diluted share, for 2018.

Financial Conditions

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had cash of $25.33 million, compared to $24.42 million at December 31, 2018. Total working capital was $47.50 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to $41.05 million at the end of 2018.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.21 million for 2019, compared to $12.14 million for 2018. Net cash used in investing activities was $4.46 million for 2019, compared to $4.75 million for 2018. Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.54 million for 2019, compared net cash used in financing activities of $0.09 million for 2018.

Recent Development

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China starting from the beginning of 2020 has posed limitations to the Company's normal operating routine. The Company followed the restrictive measures implemented in China, by suspending onsite operation and having employees work remotely until late March 2020, when the Company started to gradually resume normal operation. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect the Company's business operations, financial condition and operating results for 2020, including but not limited to material negative impact to the Company's total revenues, slower collection of accounts receivables and significant impairment to the Company's equity investments. Due to the high uncertainty of the evolving situation, the Company has limited visibility on the full impact brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related financial impact cannot be estimated at this time.

Notice

Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, certain percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the financial statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press release may not sum due to rounding.

About China Customer Relations Centers, Inc.

The Company is a leading BPO service provider in China focusing on the complex, voice-based and online-based segments of customer care services, including:

    --  customer relationship management;
    --  technical support;
    --  sales;
    --  customer retention;
    --  marketing surveys; and
    --  research.

The Company's service is currently delivered from call centers located in Provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hubei, Sichuan, Hebei, Anhui, Xinjiang, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, and Chongqing, with a capacity of approximately 22,360 seats. More information about the Company can be found at: www.ccrc.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may," "will," "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Specifically, the Company's statements regarding its: 1) the impact of COVID-19; and 2) continued growth, shareholder returns and business outlook, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the call center business process outsourcing market in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward?looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

For more information, please contact:

Tony Tian, CFA
Weitian Group LLC
Email: ttian@weitianco.com
Phone: +1-732-910-9692




                                    
              
            CHINA CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                  
              
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME




                                                                 
              
                For The Years Ended December 31,



                                                           2019                                   2018                                 2017

                                                                                                                                      ---




     Revenues, net                                               $
              173,409,113                             $
           141,433,641  $
            88,971,787



     Cost of revenues                                                      134,504,540                                      102,567,896            65,562,563




     
                Gross profit                                              38,904,573                                       38,865,745            23,409,224



     Operating expenses:


      Selling, general & administrative
       expenses                                                              26,318,771                                       21,329,908            14,766,524




     Total operating expenses                                               26,318,771                                       21,329,908            14,766,524



                   Income from operations                                    12,585,802                                       17,535,837             8,642,700




     Interest expense                                                        (190,808)                                       (404,958)              (1,609)



     Government grants                                                       1,825,402                                        1,709,297             1,885,340



     Other income                                                            1,547,788                                          552,205               175,995



     Other expense                                                           (202,688)                                       (124,370)            (331,641)




     Total other income                                                      2,979,694                                        1,732,174             1,728,085



                   Income before provision for income
                    taxes                                                    15,565,496                                       19,268,011            10,370,785



     Income tax provision                                                    2,391,371                                        2,966,880             1,255,654




     
                Net income                                                13,174,125                                       16,301,131             9,115,131


      Less: net income attributable to
       noncontrolling interest                                                  118,114                                          208,593               341,672



                   Net income attributable to
                    China Customer Relations
                    Centers, Inc.                                  $
              13,056,011                                       16,092,538             8,773,459

                                                                                                                                                           ===



                   Comprehensive income



     Net income                                                   $
              13,174,125                              $
           16,301,131   $
            9,115,131


      Other comprehensive income (loss)


      Foreign currency translation
       adjustment                                                             (828,331)                                     (2,741,283)            2,141,796



                   Total Comprehensive income                                12,345,794                                       13,559,848            11,256,927


      Less: Comprehensive income
       attributable to noncontrolling
       interest                                                                 109,238                                          140,467               401,324



                   Comprehensive income
                    attributable to China
                    Customer Relations
                    Centers, Inc.                                  $
              12,236,556                              $
           13,419,381  $
            10,855,603

                                                                                                                                                           ===



                   Earnings per share attributable to
                    China Customer Relations Centers,
                    Inc.



     Basic                                                              $
              0.71                                 $
              0.88      $
              0.48

                                                                                                                                                           ===


     Diluted                                                            $
              0.71                                 $
              0.88      $
              0.48

                                                                                                                                                           ===

                   Weighted average common shares
                    outstanding



     Basic                                                                  18,329,600                                       18,329,600            18,329,600



     Diluted                                                                18,329,600                                       18,329,600            18,329,600




                                 
            
            CHINA CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                             
          
                CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




                                                               December 31,                                December?31,


                                                                       2019                                         2018

                                                                                                                    ---



                      
              
              ASSETS




      Cash and cash equivalents                                               $
              25,328,486                             $
            24,419,912



     Accounts receivable, net                                                          42,606,485                                       30,050,506



     Prepayments                                                                        2,396,646                                        1,689,835


      Prepayment, related party                                                             90,429                                           91,618


      Due from related party, current                                                                                    199,994



     Income taxes recoverable                                                             712,459                                          527,995



     Other current assets                                                               3,408,704                                        1,959,923




     Total current assets                                                              74,543,209                                       58,939,783




     Equity investments                                                                 3,446,346                                        3,491,653


      Property and equipment, net                                                       10,115,782                                        8,290,460



     Deferred tax assets                                                                  242,863                                          486,009


      Due from related party, non-
       current                                                                             215,307


      Operating lease right-of-use
       assets                                                                            9,827,114


      Operating lease right-of-use
       assets - related party                                                              172,121




     Total non-current assets                                                          24,019,533                                       12,268,122




     Total assets                                                            $
              98,562,742                             $
            71,207,905

                                                                                                                                                 ===



                   LIABILITIES AND EQUITY


      Accounts payable                                                         $
              2,602,972                                $
            610,724


      Accounts payable -related parties                                                    149,658                                          162,112


      Accrued liabilities and other
       payables                                                                          4,641,892                                        5,673,159



     Deferred revenue                                                                     456,331                                          361,636



     Wages payable                                                                     10,472,596                                        7,082,138



     Income taxes payable                                                                 452,961                                          364,157


      Operating lease liabilities,
       current                                                                           3,797,069


      Operating lease liabilities -
       related party, current                                                              163,995



     Short term loans                                                                   4,306,138                                        3,635,623



      Total current liabilities                                                         27,043,612                                       17,889,549



      Operating lease liabilities, non-
       current                                                                           6,068,702



      Total non-current liabilities                                                      6,068,702




     Total liabilities                                                                 33,112,314                                       17,889,549




     Equity


      Common shares, $0.001 par value,
       100,000,000 shares authorized,
       18,329,600 shares issued and
       outstanding as of December 31,
       2019 and December 31, 2018                                                           18,330                                           18,330


      Additional paid-in capital                                                        15,074,267                                       11,202,396



     Retained earnings                                                                 47,347,781                                       40,065,822



     Statutory reserves                                                                 5,818,330                                        3,916,149


      Accumulated other comprehensive
       loss                                                                            (3,411,744)                                     (2,592,289)



      Total China Customer Relations
       Centers, Inc. shareholders' equity                                               64,846,964                                       52,610,408



     Noncontrolling interest                                                              603,464                                          707,948




     Total equity                                                                      65,450,428                                       53,318,356



      Total liabilities and
       equity                                                                 $
              98,562,742                             $
            71,207,905

                                                                                                                                                 ===




                                        
              
                CHINA CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                 
              
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS




                                                                             
              
                For The Years Ended December 31,



                                                                         2018                                  2018                              2017

                                                                                                                                                ---




     
                Cash flows from operating activities



     Net income                                                                $
              13,174,125                             $
         16,301,131                $
           9,115,131


      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
       provided by operating activities:



     Depreciation                                                                         3,404,912                                     2,635,242                         1,852,152



     Allowance for doubtful accounts                                                                                   952,439                            429,803



     Loss on disposal of property and equipment                                              19,091                                        34,166                             2,416



     Deferred income taxes                                                                  238,883                                     (196,909)                        (230,043)



     Non-cash lease expense                                        3,501,753



     Changes in assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                               (13,057,615)                                  (7,937,804)                      (9,269,755)



     Prepayments                                                                        (2,097,963)                                    (887,778)                      (1,313,830)



     Prepayment, related party                                                                                        (95,244)



     Other current assets                                                               (1,510,847)                                    (970,199)                           25,925



     Operating lease liabilities                                 (3,037,030)



     Accounts payable                                                                     2,017,431                                       147,818                         (505,372)



     Accounts payable - related parties                                                    (10,440)                                      122,630                          (88,136)



     Wages payable                                                                        3,511,093                                     1,884,440                         2,393,214



     Income taxes recoverable                                                             (192,965)                                    (548,893)



     Income taxes payable                                                                    94,336                                     (153,896)                        (386,825)



     Deferred revenue                                                                       100,245                                     (221,771)                         (38,813)



     Accrued liabilities and other payables                                               (941,772)                                    1,077,098                         1,016,373



                   Net cash provided by operating activities                               5,213,237                                    12,142,470                         3,002,240



                   Cash flows from investing activities



     Purchase of property and equipment                                                 (4,481,450)                                  (4,768,139)                      (2,082,719)


      Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                            36,693                                         9,197                               108



     Payments for equity investments                                                                                   (1,461)                       (3,509,404)



     Repayments from third party                                                                                                                         233,596



     Advance to related parties                                                           (214,111)                                    (105,827)                          (7,400)



     Repayment from related parties                                                         198,017                                       117,802



                   Net cash used in investing activities                                 (4,460,851)                                  (4,748,428)                      (5,365,819)



                   Cash flows from financing activities


      Contribution from noncontrolling investor in
       subsidiary                                                                                                                                         353,581


      Dividend distributed to noncontrolling investor in
       subsidiary                                                                          (213,722)                                    (355,232)



     Repayments to related parties                                                                                                                     (473,914)



     Borrowings from short term loans                                                     4,452,368                                     3,891,596                         3,780,490



     Repayment of short term loans                                                      (3,694,345)                                  (3,625,448)



                   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                       544,301                                      (89,084)                        3,660,157


                   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash
                    equivalents and restricted cash                                        (388,113)                                  (1,513,411)                          884,519



                   Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted
                    cash                                                                     908,574                                     5,791,547                         2,181,097


                   Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning
                    of the year                                                           24,419,912                                    18,628,365                        16,447,268



                   Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash,
                    end of the year                                             $
              25,328,486                             $
         24,419,912               $
           18,628,365

                                                                                                                                                                                 ===

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SOURCE China Customer Relations Centers, Inc.