Leju Reports First Half Year 2020 Results

BEIJING, Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju" or the "Company") (NYSE: LEJU), a leading online-to-offline ("O2O") real estate services provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

First Half 2020 Financial Highlights

    --  Total revenues were $279.7 million, relatively flat compared to $280.4
        million for the same period of 2019.

- Revenues from e-commerce services decreased by 2% year-on-year to $205.4 million.
- Revenues from online advertising services increased by 5% year-on-year to $73.9 million.

    --  Income from operations was $1.2 million, compared to a loss from
        operations of $7.1 million for the same period of 2019.
    --  Non-GAAP([1]) income from operations was $8.3 million, compared to $0.4
        million for the same period of 2019.
    --  Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $1.5
        million, or $0.01 per diluted American depositary share ("ADS"),
        compared to a net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited
        shareholders of $4.1 million, or $0.03 loss per diluted ADS, for the
        same period of 2019.
    --  Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders
        was $7.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted ADS, an increase of 306% from
        $1.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2019.


            
              [1] Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju
    shareholders, 
            (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which
    excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation
    expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and
    Non-GAAP Results" below for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release.

"Against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic, Leju delivered solid results for the first half of 2020 with steady revenue and increased profit," said Mr. Geoffrey He, Leju's Chief Executive Officer. "Due to the impact of the pandemic, we have seen strong interest in Leju's innovative offerings as real estate developers increasingly value and utilize online marketing services amidst the challenging market environment. In addition, we recently announced an exclusive strategic cooperation with Suning, which will further strengthen the development of an online closed-loop transaction model through the combination of vertical platforms and professional e-commerce platforms. Meanwhile, we recently announced a strategic cooperation between E-House (China) Enterprise Holdings Limited, Alibaba Group Holding Limited and Leju to build an online real estate marketing and transaction platform. Leju will become the service provider for digital marketing and operation on the platform, which will greatly enhance the company's core value and expand its business scale in the future."

"Looking to the second half of this year, through our in-depth cooperation with Alibaba and Suning, Leju will further improve our platform, continuously expand our market reach and product innovation, and provide leading online integrated marketing solutions for the property industry. We will also further optimize our operations and management and improve operational efficiency to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the company."

First Half 2020 Results

Total revenues were $279.7 million, relatively flat compared to $280.4 million for the same period of 2019. Total revenues demonstrated in RMB were RMB1,973.7 million, an increase of 4% from RMB1,906.9 million for the same period of 2019.

Revenues from e-commerce services were $205.4 million, a slight decrease of 2% from $209.2 million for the same period of 2019, mainly due to devaluation of the RMB. Revenues from e-commerce services demonstrated in RMB were RMB1,449.7 million, an increase of 2% from RMB1,422.8 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to an increase in the number of discount coupons redeemed, partially offset by a decrease in the average price per discount coupon redeemed.

Revenues from online advertising services were $73.9 million, an increase of 5% from $70.3 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to an increase in property developers' demand for online advertising.

Revenues from listing services were $0.3 million, a decrease of 60% from $0.9 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to a decrease in secondary real estate brokers' demand.

Cost of revenues was $41.1 million, a decrease of 2% from $41.8 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to decreased editorial personnel related costs, partially offset by increased cost of advertising resources purchased from media platforms.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $237.7 million, a decrease of 3% from $246.0 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to decreased expenses related to the Company's e-commerce business.

Income from operations was $1.2 million, compared to loss from operations of $7.1 million for the same period of 2019. Non-GAAP income from operations was $8.3 million, compared to $0.4 million for the same period of 2019.

Net income was $1.9 million, compared to net loss of $3.9 million for the same period of 2019. Non-GAAP net income was $7.6 million, an increase of 284% from $2.0 million for the same period of 2019.

Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $1.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of $4.1 million, or $0.03 loss per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2019. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $7.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted ADS, an increase of 306% from $1.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2019.

Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2020, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balance was $258.2 million.

First half 2020 net cash provided by operating activities was $101.1 million, primarily comprised of non-GAAP net income of $7.6 million, an increase in advance from customer of $70.7 million, an increase in amounts due to related parties of $49.7 million and a decrease in customer deposits of $31.1million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and contract assets of $47.0 million and a decrease in other payables of $23.7 million.

Business Outlook

The Company estimates that its total revenues for the second half of 2020 will be approximately $480 million to $500 million, which would represent an increase of approximately 16% to 21% from $412.2 million in the same period of 2019. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Board of Directors Changes

The Company also announced that Mr. Martin Chi Ping Lau has resigned as a director of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Board has appointed Ms. Juhong Chen as the new director to replace Mr. Lau, effective August 18, 2020.

Ms. Juhong Chen currently serves as a Vice President of Tencent. She joined Tencent in 2006 as the editor-in-chief of QQ.com and general manager of its integrated information departments. In 2014, Ms. Chen was promoted to Vice President of Tencent responsible for QQ.com, Tencent News, Tencent Sports and other businesses. Ms. Chen holds a Bachelor's degree of Arts from Wuhan University with a major in journalism.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Martin Chi Ping Lau for his dedication and valuable contributions over the past few years," said Mr. Xin Zhou, Leju's Executive Chairman. "We also look forward to working with Ms. Juhong Chen. We believe she is a great addition to our board of directors, and we are confident that Leju will benefit from her experience and contributions."

Conference Call Information

Leju's management will host an earnings conference call on August 20, 2020 at 7 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time).

Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 10 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions.

PRE-REGISTER LINK: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/6956248

CONFERENCE ID: 6956248

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until August 28, 2020:



              U.S./International:                             +1-855-452-5696



              Hong Kong:                           
              800-963-117



              Mainland China:                      
              400-632-2162



              Passcode:                                               6956248

Additionally, a live and archived webcast will be available at http://ir.leju.com.

About Leju

Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju") (NYSE: LEJU) is a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, offering real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services. Leju's integrated online platform comprises various mobile applications along with local websites covering more than 380 cities, enhanced by complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to the Company's own websites, Leju operates the real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA Corporation, and maintains a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited. For more information about Leju, please visit http://ir.leju.com.

Safe Harbor: Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains 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," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Leju may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Leju's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in China's real estate market; the highly regulated nature of, and government measures affecting, the real estate and internet industries in China; Leju's ability to compete successfully against current and future competitors; its ability to continue to develop and expand its content, service offerings and features, and to develop or incorporate the technologies that support them; its limited operating history and lack of experience as a stand-alone public company, given its carve-out from E-House and prior reliance on E-House for various corporate services; its reliance on SINA and others with which it has developed, or may develop in the future, strategic partnerships; substantial revenue contribution from a limited number of real estate markets; complexities resulting from its ongoing relationships with E-House, due to E-House's status as a principal shareholder of Leju; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry of Leju. 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 current as of the date of the 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 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Leju's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Leju believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information to investors regarding its operating performance by excluding share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, which may not be indicative of Leju's operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to Leju's historical performance and assist its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions may continue to exist in Leju's business for the foreseeable future. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables provide more details on the reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Ms. Christina Wu
Leju Holdings Limited
Phone: +86 (10) 5895-1062
E-mail: ir@leju.com

Philip Lisio
Foote Group
Phone: +86 135-0116-6560
E-mail: phil@thefootegroup.com


                                                                                  
       
                LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                                                            
       
         UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                              
         
             (In thousands of U.S. dollars)




                                                                                                                                      December 31,                June 30,


                                                                                                                                              2019           2020




             
                ASSETS



             
                Current assets



             Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                              159,012                  254,175



             Restricted cash                                                                                                                                                  3,997



             Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                               147,638                  190,416



             Contract assets                                                                                                                            830                    1,659



             Marketable securities                                                                                                                    3,438                    3,504



             Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                5,436                    5,177



             Customer deposits                                                                                                                       57,174                   26,075



             Amounts due from related parties                                                                                                         9,673                    1,400




             
                Total current assets                                                                                                      383,201                  486,403



             Property and equipment, net                                                                                                             18,108                   16,241



             Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                  45,581                   39,619



             Right-of-use assets                                                                                                                     26,776                   25,721



             Investment in affiliates                                                                                                                    53                       30



             Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                     49,311                   48,591



             Other non-current assets                                                                                                                 1,450                    1,385




             
                Total assets                                                                                                              524,480                  617,990






             
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



             
                Current liabilities



             Accounts payable                                                                                                                         1,523                    5,472



             Accrued payroll and welfare expenses                                                                                                    32,787                   26,498



             Income tax payable                                                                                                                      56,691                   56,520



             Other tax payable                                                                                                                       20,056                   20,759



             Amounts due to related parties                                                                                                           4,407                   54,100



             Advances from customers                                                                                                                 34,246                  104,896



             Lease liabilities, current                                                                                                               5,189                    5,521



             Accrued marketing and advertising expenses                                                                                              49,830                   35,544



             Other current liabilities                                                                                                               32,784                   23,298




             
                Total current liabilities                                                                                                 237,513                  332,608



             Lease liabilities, non-current                                                                                                          22,866                   21,491



             Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                                11,742                   11,570



             
                Total liabilities                                                                                                         272,121                  365,669




             
                Shareholders' Equity



             Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value): 1,000,000,000 shares                                                                                   136                      136
      authorized, 135,812,719 and 135,973,615 shares issued and
      outstanding, as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020,
      respectively



             Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                             796,192                  797,294



             Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                  (517,303)               (515,811)



             Subscription receivables                                                                                                                                          (20)



             Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                  (23,624)                (26,934)



             
                Total Leju Holdings Limited shareholders' equity                                                                          255,401                  254,665



             Non-controlling interests                                                                                                              (3,042)                 (2,344)




             
                Total equity                                                                                                              252,359                  252,321




             
                TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                                                                              524,480                  617,990


                                                                                               
              
                LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                                                             
              
                UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                                       
              
                (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per share data)




                                                                                                                                                                     Six months ended


                                                                                                                                                        
              
         June 30,


                                                                                                                                                                                 2019        2020




     Revenues



         E-commerce                                                                                                                                                          209,214     205,448



         Online advertising                                                                                                                                                   70,332      73,929



         Listing                                                                                                                                                                 852         339




     
                Total net revenues                                                                                                                                         280,398     279,716



     Cost of revenues                                                                                                                                                       (41,831)   (41,138)



     Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                                                                                          (246,017)  (237,670)



     Other operating income, net                                                                                                                                                 368         245




     
                Income (loss) from operations                                                                                                                              (7,082)      1,153



     Interest income, net                                                                                                                                                        585         699



     Other income, net                                                                                                                                                         1,293         713



     
                Income (loss) before taxes and loss from equity



     
                   in affiliates                                                                                                                                           (5,204)      2,565



     Income tax benefits/(expenses)                                                                                                                                            1,307       (618)




     
                Income (loss) before loss from equity in affiliates                                                                                                        (3,897)      1,947



     Loss from equity in affiliates                                                                                                                                             (26)       (22)




     
                Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                          (3,923)      1,925



     Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests                                                                                                                  216         433




     
                Income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings



     
                   Limited shareholders                                                                                                                                    (4,139)      1,492






     
                Earnings (loss) per ADS:



     Basic                                                                                                                                                                    (0.03)       0.01



     Diluted                                                                                                                                                                  (0.03)       0.01



     
                Shares used in computation of earnings (loss) per ADS:



     Basic                                                                                                                                                               135,763,962 135,891,617



     Diluted                                                                                                                                                             135,763,962 136,039,569





     The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") amounts into reporting currency USD amounts is based on the rate of USD1



     = RMB7.0795 on June 30, 2020 and USD1 = RMB7.0562 for the six months ended June 30, 2020


                                                                             
              
                LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                                          
              
             UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS


                                                                           
           
                (In thousands of U.S. dollars)




                                                                                                                                                Six months ended


                                                                                                                                                    June 30,


                                                                                                                                                            2019     2020






     
                Net income (loss)                                                                                                                     (3,923)   1,925



     Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of nil



         Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                                                          (471) (3,279)






     
                Comprehensive loss                                                                                                                    (4,394) (1,354)





     Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling



        interest                                                                                                                                            216      464






     
                Comprehensive loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited



     
                   shareholders                                                                                                                       (4,610) (1,818)


                                                                                                 
              
                LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                                                                 
              
                Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results


                                                                           
              
                (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per ADS data)




                                                                                                                                                                        Six months ended


                                                                                                                                                                  
       
          June 30,


                                                                                                                                                                                    2019        2020






     
                GAAP income (loss) from operations                                                                                                                            (7,082)      1,153



     Share-based compensation expense                                                                                                                                             1,171       1,236



     Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business



          acquisitions                                                                                                                                                            6,306       5,901




     
                Non-GAAP income from operations                                                                                                                                   395       8,290






     
                GAAP net income (loss)                                                                                                                                        (3,923)      1,925



     Share-based compensation expense                                                                                                                                             1,171       1,236



     Amortization of intangible assets resulting from                                                                                                                             6,306       5,901



          business acquisitions



     Income tax benefit:



        Current



        Deferred[2]                                                                                                                                                             (1,576)    (1,476)




     
                Non-GAAP net income                                                                                                                                             1,978       7,586






     
                Net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited                                                                                                       (4,139)      1,492



     
                     shareholders



     Share-based compensation expense (net of non-controlling                                                                                                                     1,171       1,236



          interests)



     Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business



          acquisitions (net of non-controlling interests)                                                                                                                         6,306       5,901



     Income tax benefit:



        Current



        Deferred                                                                                                                                                                (1,576)    (1,476)




     
                Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings



     
                     Limited shareholders                                                                                                                                       1,762       7,153






     GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - basic                                                                                                                                      (0.03)       0.01






     GAAP net income (loss) per ADS - diluted                                                                                                                                    (0.03)       0.01






     Non-GAAP net income per ADS - basic                                                                                                                                           0.01        0.05






     Non-GAAP net income per ADS - diluted                                                                                                                                         0.01        0.05






     Shares used in calculating basic GAAP/non-GAAP net income



          (loss) attributable to shareholders per ADS                                                                                                                       135,763,962 135,891,617






     Shares used in calculating diluted GAAP net income (loss)



          attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders per ADS                                                                                                        135,763,962 136,039,569






     Shares used in calculating diluted non-GAAP net income



          attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders per ADS                                                                                                        135,766,869 136,039,569






     
                [2]Amount represents the realization of deferred tax liabilities recognized for the temporary difference between the tax



     basis of intangible assets recognized from acquisitions and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The



     income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense is nil.


                                                                          
      
      LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED


                                                                         
      
      SELECTED OPERATING DATA




                                                                                                                Six months ended


                                                                                                       
          
     June 30,


                                                                                                         2019                2020




           
                Operating data for e-commerce services



           Number of discount coupons issued to prospective purchasers
      (number of transactions)
                                                                                                                94,369            94,215



           Number of discount coupons redeemed (number of transactions)                                        55,794            67,268

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SOURCE Leju Holdings Limited