VNET Reports Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

BEIJING, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VNET Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VNET) ("VNET" or the "Company"), a leading carrier- and cloud-neutral internet data center services provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

"Throughout 2023, we strongly executed our effective dual-core strategy amid the steady economic recovery, ending the year on a solid note," said Jeff Dong, Chief Executive Officer of VNET. "We extended our track record of timely, high-quality deliveries with 8,321 self-built cabinets delivered, meeting our 2023 target, with our overall utilization rate increasing to 59.0% compared with 55.0% one year ago. We also effectively leveraged advanced technology and IDC resources to develop reliable solutions for the increasing demand driven by AI applications in various industries. Heading into 2024, we will continue to build on our core capabilities to capture opportunities arising from AI development and facilitate digital transformation across a broad spectrum of verticals."

Qiyu Wang, Chief Financial Officer of VNET, commented, "We delivered robust 2023 results through our strategic focus on high-quality revenues. Our fourth quarter net revenues reached RMB1.90 billion and adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.8% year-over-year to RMB440.2 million. For the full year, our net revenues increased by 4.9% year-over-year to RMB7.41 billion and adjusted EBITDA improved by 8.9% to RMB2.04 billion. We have also made meaningful strides in refinancing projects recently, completing the US$299 million strategic investment from SDHG in December, as well as the repurchase payment of US$600 million relating to our Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 in February 2024. Looking ahead, we will remain committed to creating long-term, sustainable value for all of our stakeholders."

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

    --  Net revenues increased to RMB1.90 billion (US$267.4 million) from
        RMB1.88 billion in the same period of 2022.
    --  Adjusted cash gross profit (non-GAAP) increased to RMB741.7 million
        (US$104.5 million) from RMB740.1 million in the same period of 2022.
        Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) was 39.1%, compared with 39.4% in
        the same period of 2022.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased by 3.8% to RMB440.2 million
        (US$62.0 million) from RMB424.3 million in the same period of 2022.
        Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 23.2%, compared with 22.6% in the
        same period of 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights

    --  Net revenues increased by 4.9% to RMB7.41 billion (US$1.04 billion) from
        RMB7.07 billion in the full year of 2022.
    --  Adjusted cash gross profit (non-GAAP) increased by 4.6% to RMB2.98
        billion (US$419.3 million) from RMB2.85 billion in the full year of
        2022. Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) was 40.2%, compared to 40.3%
        in the full year of 2022.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased by 8.9% to RMB2.04 billion
        (US$287.2 million) from RMB1.87 billion in the full year of 2022.
        Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 27.5%, compared with 26.5% in the
        full year of 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Operational Highlights

    --  Total cabinets under management were 93,597 as of December 31, 2023,
        compared with 88,922 as of September 30, 2023 and 87,322 as of December
        31, 2022.
    --  Cabinets utilized by customers increased by 2,827 in the fourth quarter
        of 2023 and reached 55,235 as of December 31, 2023, compared with 52,408
        as of September 30, 2023 and 48,016 as of December 31, 2022.
    --  Overall utilization rate of cabinets([1] )was 59.0% as of December 31,
        2023, compared with 58.9% as of September 30, 2023 and 55.0% as of
        December 31, 2022.
    --  Retail IDC MRR([2]) per cabinet was RMB9,477 in the fourth quarter of
        2023, compared with RMB9,495 in the third quarter of 2023 and RMB9,371
        in the fourth quarter of 2022.


     [1] The overall utilization rate is calculated by dividing the number of customer-utilized cabinets by the total cabinets under management at the end of the period.



     [2] Retail IDC MRR refers to Monthly Recurring Revenues for the retail IDC business.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

NET REVENUES: Net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB1.90 billion (US$267.4 million), representing an increase of 0.9% from RMB1.88 billion in the same period of 2022. The year-over-year increase was mainly driven by the continued growth of our core businesses.

GROSS PROFIT: Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB290.9 million (US$41.0 million), compared with RMB328.4 million in the same period of 2022. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 15.3%, compared with 17.5% in the same period of 2022. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses as additional data centers were put into service during the past quarters.

ADJUSTED CASH GROSS PROFIT (non-GAAP), which excludes depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation expenses, was RMB741.7 million (US$104.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB740.1 million in the same period of 2022. Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 39.1%, compared with 39.4% in the same period of 2022.

OPERATING EXPENSES: Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB2.50 billion (US$352.5 million), compared with RMB345.7 million in the same period of 2022. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to impairment of long-lived assets of RMB506.7 million (US$71.4 million), impairment of goodwill of RMB1.36 billion (US$192.1 million) and allowance of loan receivables of RMB287.9 million (US$40.6 million). Excluding the impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of goodwill and allowance of loan receivables, total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB343.7 million (US$48.4 million).

Sales and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB73.3 million (US$10.3 million), compared with RMB76.4 million in the same period of 2022.

Research and development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB80.7 million (US$11.4 million), compared with RMB84.1 million in the same period of 2022.

General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB148.5 million (US$20.9 million), compared with RMB156.2 million in the same period of 2022.

Impairment of long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB506.7 million (US$71.4 million). As a result of the weaker-than-expected operations of several data centers and our preemptive plan to consolidate several data centers, the impairment of long-lived assets was recorded based on the Company's assessment, which was the excess of the carrying amount of the asset groups over their fair value.

Impairment of goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.36 billion (US$192.1 million), which represented the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value.

ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES (non-GAAP), which exclude share-based compensation expenses, compensation for postcombination employment in an acquisition, allowance of loan receivables, impairment of long-lived assets and impairment of goodwill were RMB334.2 million (US$47.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB355.4 million in the same period of 2022. As a percentage of net revenues, adjusted operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were 17.6%, compared with 18.9% in the same period of 2022.

ADJUSTED EBITDA (non-GAAP): Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB440.2 million (US$62.0 million), representing an increase of 3.8% from RMB424.3 million in the same period of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 23.2%, compared with 22.6% in the same period of 2022.

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VNET GROUP, INC.: Net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.44 billion (US$344.1 million), compared with a net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. of RMB64.2 million in the same period of 2022.

LOSS PER SHARE: Basic and diluted loss per share in the fourth quarter of 2023 were both RMB2.65 (US$0.37), equivalent to both RMB15.88 (US$2.22) per American depositary share ("ADS"). Each ADS represents six Class A ordinary shares. Diluted loss per share is calculated using adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding.

As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments was RMB5.46 billion (US$768.4 million).

Net cash generated from operating activities, in the fourth quarter of 2023, was RMB730.7 million (US$102.9 million), compared with RMB407.5 million in the same period of 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

NET REVENUES: Net revenues in the full year of 2023 increased by 4.9% to RMB7.41 billion (US$1.04 billion) from RMB7.07 billion in the full year of 2022.

GROSS PROFIT: Gross profit in the full year of 2023 was RMB1.29 billion (US$182.0 million), representing a decrease of 4.8 % from RMB1.36 billion in the full year of 2022. Gross margin in the full year of 2023 was 17.4%, compared to 19.2% in the full year of 2022. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses as additional data centers were put into service during the past quarters.

ADJUSTED CASH GROSS PROFIT (non-GAAP), which excludes depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation expenses, was RMB2.98 billion (US$419.3 million) in the full year of 2023, compared to RMB2.85 billion in the full year of 2022. Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) in the full year of 2023 was 40.2%, compared to 40.3% in the full year of 2022.

OPERATING EXPENSES: Total operating expenses in the full year of 2023 were RMB3.26 billion (US$459.6 million), compared to RMB1.24 billion in the full year of 2022. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to impairment of long-lived assets of RMB506.7 million (US$71.4 million), impairment of goodwill of RMB1.36 billion (US$192.1 million) and allowance of loan receivables of RMB287.9 million (US$40.6 million). Excluding the impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of goodwill and allowance of loan receivables, total operating expenses in the full year of 2023 were RMB1.10 billion (US$155.6 million).

Sales and marketing expenses in the full year of 2023 were RMB266.2 million (US$37.5 million), compared to RMB311.9 million in the full year of 2022.

Research and development expenses in the full year of 2023 were RMB322.2 million (US$45.4 million), compared to RMB306.8 million in the full year of 2022.

General and administrative expenses in the full year of 2023 were RMB541.9 million (US$76.3 million), compared to RMB642.9 million in the full year of 2022.

Impairment of long-lived assets in the full year of 2023 was RMB506.7 million (US$71.4 million). As a result of the weaker-than-expected operations of several data centers and our preemptive plan to consolidate several data centers, the impairment of long-lived assets was recorded based on the Company's assessment, which was the excess of the carrying amount of the asset groups over their fair value.

Impairment of goodwill in the full year of 2023 was RMB1.36 billion (US$192.1 million), which represented the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value.

ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES (non-GAAP), which exclude share-based compensation expenses, compensation for postcombination employment in an acquisition, allowance of loan receivables, impairment of long-lived assets and impairment of goodwill, were RMB1.07 billion (US$150.6 million) in the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1.08 billion in the full year of 2022. As a percentage of net revenues, adjusted operating expenses in the full year of 2023 were 14.4%, compared to 15.3% in the full year of 2022.

ADJUSTED EBITDA (non-GAAP): Adjusted EBITDA in the full year of 2023 was RMB2.04 billion (US$287.2 million), representing an increase of 8.9% from RMB1.87 billion in the full year of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) in the full year of 2023 was 27.5%, compared to 26.5% in the full year of 2022.

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VNET GROUP, INC.: Net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. in the full year of 2023 was RMB2.64 billion (US$372.4 million), compared to a net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. of RMB776.0 million in the full year of 2022. Net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. in the full year of 2023 included impairment of long-lived assets of RMB506.7 million (US$71.4 million) and impairment of goodwill of RMB1.36 billion (US$192.1 million).

LOSS PER SHARE: Basic and diluted loss per share in the full year of 2023 were both RMB2.93 (US$0.41), equivalent to both RMB17.58 (US$2.46) per American depositary share ("ADS"). Each ADS represents six Class A ordinary shares. Diluted loss per share is calculated using adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding.

Net cash generated from operating activities, in the full year of 2023, was RMB2.06 billion (US$290.6 million), compared to RMB2.60 billion in the full year of 2022.

Business Outlook

For the full year of 2024, the Company currently expects total net revenues to be between RMB7,800 million to RMB8,000 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 5.2% to 7.9%, and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to be in the range of RMB 2,220 million to RMB2,280 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 8.9% to 11.8%.

The forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and its operational conditions, and is subject to change.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, or 9:00 AM Beijing Time on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete the online registration process and dial in 5 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time.

Event Title: VNET Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI01afd4eb10454db2896df1e2811701fa

Upon registration, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers by location, a personal PIN and an email with further detailed instructions, which will be used to join the conference call.

A simultaneous audio webcast and replay of the conference call will be accessible on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.vnet.com.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

In evaluating its business, VNET considers and uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance: adjusted cash gross profit, adjusted cash gross margin, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin. 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 U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" set forth at the end of this press release.

The non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, U.S. GAAP results. In addition, the Company's calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB7.0999 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on December 29, 2023, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.

Statement Regarding Unaudited Condensed Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set forth above is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited condensed financial information.

About VNET

VNET Group, Inc. is a leading carrier- and cloud-neutral internet data center services provider in China. VNET provides hosting and related services, including IDC services, cloud services, and business VPN services to improve the reliability, security, and speed of its customers'' internet infrastructure. Customers may locate their servers and equipment in VNET's data centers and connect to China's internet backbone. VNET operates in more than 30 cities throughout China, servicing a diversified and loyal base of over 7,500 hosting and related enterprise customers that span numerous industries ranging from internet companies to government entities and blue-chip enterprises to small- to mid-sized enterprises.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "target," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement as well as VNET's strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. VNET may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports 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 VNET's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: VNET's goals and strategies; VNET's liquidity conditions; VNET's expansion plans; the expected growth of the data center services market; expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, VNET's services; VNET's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers; VNET's plans to invest in research and development to enhance its solution and service offerings; and general economic and business conditions in the regions where VNET provides solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in VNET's reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and VNET undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact:

Xinyuan Liu
Tel: +86 10 8456 2121
Email: ir@vnet.com


                                                           
              
                 VNET GROUP, INC.


                                                     
              
                 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                   
              
                 (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"))


                                                                                                                                As of                          As of


                   December 31, 2022                                                                                           December 31, 2023


                                                                                                                                 RMB                      RMB                US$



     
                 Assets



     
                 Current assets:



      Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                            2,661,321                2,243,537             315,996



      Restricted cash                                                                                                        327,673                2,854,568             402,057



      Accounts and notes receivable, net                                                                                   1,763,693                1,715,975             241,690



      Short-term investments                                                                                                       -                 356,820              50,257



      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                            2,147,500                2,375,341             334,560



      Amounts due from related parties                                                                                       152,089                  277,237              39,048



     
                 Total current assets                                                                                    7,052,276                9,823,478           1,383,608





     
                 Non-current assets:



      Property and equipment, net                                                                                         11,964,498               13,024,393           1,834,447



      Intangible assets, net                                                                                               1,497,131                1,383,406             194,849



      Land use rights, net                                                                                                   576,020                  602,503              84,861



      Operating lease right-of-use assets, net                                                                             3,503,925                4,012,329             565,125



      Goodwill                                                                                                             1,364,191



      Restricted cash                                                                                                            500                      882                 124



      Deferred tax assets, net                                                                                               196,098                  247,644              34,880



      Long-term investments, net                                                                                             242,194                  757,949             106,755



      Other non-current assets                                                                                               551,572                  533,319              75,116



     
                 Total non-current assets                                                                               19,896,129               20,562,425           2,896,157



     
                 Total assets                                                                                           26,948,405               30,385,903           4,279,765





     
                 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity



     
                 Current liabilities:



      Short-term bank borrowings                                                                                                   -                  30,000               4,225



      Accounts and notes payable                                                                                             713,628                  696,177              98,054



      Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                  2,410,479                2,783,102             391,992



      Advances from customers                                                                                              1,157,963                1,605,247             226,094



      Deferred revenue                                                                                                        95,078                   95,477              13,448



      Income taxes payable                                                                                                    42,017                   35,197               4,957



      Amounts due to related parties                                                                                           6,928                  356,080              50,153



      Current portion of long-term borrowings                                                                                484,020                  723,325             101,878



      Current portion of finance lease liabilities                                                                           206,260                  115,806              16,311



      Current portion of deferred government grants                                                                            3,646                    8,062               1,136



      Current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                         674,288                  780,164             109,884



      Convertible promissory notes                                                                                           537,778                4,208,495             592,754



     
                 Total current liabilities                                                                               6,332,085               11,437,132           1,610,886





     
                 Non-current liabilities:



      Long-term borrowings                                                                                                 3,049,856                5,113,521             720,224



      Convertible promissory notes                                                                                         5,859,259                1,769,946             249,292



      Derivative liability                                                                                                         -                 188,706              26,579



      Non-current portion of finance lease liabilities                                                                     1,047,640                1,159,525             163,316



      Unrecognized tax benefits                                                                                               87,174                   98,457              13,867



      Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                               682,580                  688,362              96,954



      Deferred government grants                                                                                               2,672                  145,112              20,439



      Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                   2,905,283                3,270,759             460,677



     
                 Total non-current liabilities                                                                          13,634,464               12,434,388           1,751,348





     
                 Shareholders' equity



      Ordinary shares                                                                                                             60                      107                  15



      Additional paid-in capital                                                                                          15,239,926               17,291,312           2,435,430



      Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss?                                                                           11,022                 (14,343)            (2,020)



      Statutory reserves                                                                                                      77,996                   80,615              11,354



      Accumulated deficit                                                                                                (8,369,868)            (11,016,323)        (1,551,617)



      Treasury stock                                                                                                       (349,523)               (326,953)           (46,050)



     
                 Total VNET Group, Inc. shareholders' equity                                                             6,609,613                6,014,415             847,112



      Noncontrolling interest                                                                                                372,243                  499,968              70,419



     
                 Total shareholders' equity                                                                              6,981,856                6,514,383             917,531



     
                 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                             26,948,405               30,385,903           4,279,765


                                                                                                                                     
              
                 VNET GROUP, INC.


                                                                                                                           
              
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                                                                       
         
     (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$") except for number of shares and per share data)




                                                                                                                                                      
              
                 Three months ended                                                                       Twelve months ended


                                                                                                                         December 31, 2022                               September 30, 2023                                      December 31, 2023              December 31, 2022                       December 31, 2023


                                                                                                                                 RMB                                             RMB                                       RMB                           US$                RMB                     RMB                         US$



               Net revenues                                                                                                     1,880,673                                         1,886,924                           1,898,480                        267,395                 7,065,232          7,412,930                    1,044,089



               Cost of revenues                                                                                               (1,552,298)                                      (1,580,446)                        (1,607,602)                     (226,426)              (5,706,976)       (6,120,445)                   (862,047)



              
                 Gross profit                                                                                          328,375                                           306,478                             290,878                         40,969                 1,358,256          1,292,485                      182,042





              
                 Operating income (expenses)



               Other operating income                                                                                              12,965                                            26,706                              32,293                          4,548                    60,013            106,273                       14,968



               Sales and marketing expenses                                                                                      (76,363)                                         (64,077)                           (73,286)                      (10,322)                (311,917)         (266,207)                    (37,494)



               Research and development expenses                                                                                 (84,137)                                         (80,673)                           (80,671)                      (11,362)                (306,842)         (322,220)                    (45,384)



               General and administrative expenses                                                                              (156,228)                                        (137,931)                          (148,455)                      (20,909)                (642,945)         (541,850)                    (76,318)



               Allowance for doubtful debt                                                                                       (41,983)                                         (18,316)                          (361,471)                      (50,912)                 (35,409)         (368,505)                    (51,903)



               Impairment of long-lived assets                                                                                          -                                                                           (506,686)                      (71,365)                                  (506,686)                    (71,365)



               Impairment of goodwill                                                                                                   -                                                                         (1,364,191)                     (192,142)                                (1,364,191)                   (192,142)



              
                 Total operating expenses                                                                            (345,746)                                        (274,291)                        (2,502,467)                     (352,464)              (1,237,100)       (3,263,386)                   (459,638)





              
                 Operating (loss) profit                                                                              (17,371)                                           32,187                         (2,211,589)                     (311,495)                  121,156        (1,970,901)                   (277,596)



               Interest income                                                                                                      8,756                                            12,887                              13,196                          1,859                    31,574             41,802                        5,888



               Interest expense                                                                                                  (72,923)                                         (91,800)                           (78,877)                      (11,110)                (273,305)         (312,172)                    (43,969)



               Impairment of long-term investment                                                                                       -                                         (11,115)                               (51)                           (7)                                   (11,166)                     (1,573)



               Other income                                                                                                         6,872                                             7,536                               4,452                            627                    17,328             27,344                        3,851



               Other expenses                                                                                                    (22,380)                                         (10,975)                            (1,199)                         (169)                 (26,599)          (16,086)                     (2,266)



               Changes in the fair value of financial liabilities                                                                (48,510)                                              266                           (187,648)                      (26,430)                   22,626          (165,930)                    (23,371)



               Foreign exchange gain (loss)                                                                                        89,048                                            24,606                              89,426                         12,595                 (523,235)          (78,965)                    (11,122)



              
                 Loss before income taxes and (loss) gain from                                                        (56,508)                                         (36,408)                        (2,372,290)                     (334,130)                (630,455)       (2,486,074)                   (350,158)
     equity method investments



               Income tax expenses                                                                                                  (101)                                          (6,317)                           (50,626)                       (7,131)                (133,464)         (114,374)                    (16,109)



               (Loss) gain from equity method investments                                                                           (828)                                            2,842                               (372)                          (52)                    1,925              3,279                          462



              
                 Net loss                                                                                             (57,437)                                         (39,883)                        (2,423,288)                     (341,313)                (761,994)       (2,597,169)                   (365,805)



               Net profit attributable to noncontrolling interest                                                                 (6,807)                                         (10,579)                           (19,500)                       (2,747)                 (13,958)          (46,667)                     (6,573)



              
                 Net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc.                                                            (64,244)                                         (50,462)                        (2,442,788)                     (344,060)                (775,952)       (2,643,836)                   (372,378)





               Loss per share



               Basic                                                                                                               (0.07)                                           (0.06)                             (2.65)                        (0.37)                   (0.87)            (2.93)                      (0.41)



               Diluted                                                                                                             (0.07)                                           (0.06)                             (2.65)                        (0.37)                   (0.87)            (2.93)                      (0.41)



               Shares used in loss per share computation



               Basic*                                                                                                         888,327,554                                       889,058,872                         923,034,050                    923,034,050               886,817,620        901,143,138                  901,143,138



               Diluted*                                                                                                       888,327,554                                       889,058,872                         923,034,050                    923,034,050               886,817,620        901,143,138                  901,143,138





              Loss per ADS (6 ordinary shares equal to 1 ADS)



              Basic                                                                                                                (0.42)                                           (0.36)                            (15.88)                        (2.22)                   (5.22)           (17.58)                      (2.46)



              Diluted                                                                                                              (0.42)                                           (0.36)                            (15.88)                        (2.22)                   (5.22)           (17.58)                      (2.46)





               * Shares used in loss per share/ADS computation were computed under weighted average method.


                                                                                                                                                    
              
                 VNET GROUP, INC.


                                                                                                                                      
              
                 RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS


                                                                                                                            
              
                 (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"))




                                                                                                                                                               
              
                 Three months ended                                                         
              
                 Twelve months ended


                                                                                                                                December 31, 2022                                September 30, 2023                                 December 31, 2023               December 31, 2022                                        December 31, 2023


                                                                                                                                        RMB                                              RMB                                  RMB                           US$                 RMB                                     RMB                          US$



               Gross profit                                                                                                              328,375                                            306,478                        290,878                         40,969                  1,358,256                          1,292,485                       182,042



               Plus: depreciation and amortization*                                                                                      409,825                                            431,933                        450,859                         63,502                  1,487,438                          1,684,842                       237,305



               Plus: share-based compensation expenses                                                                                     1,893                                                                                                                                      563



              
                 Adjusted cash gross profit                                                                                   740,093                                            738,411                        741,737                        104,471                  2,846,257                          2,977,327                       419,347



              
                
                   Adjusted cash gross margin                                                                     39.4 %                                            39.1 %                        39.1 %                        39.1 %                    40.3 %                            40.2 %                       40.2 %





               Operating expenses                                                                                                      (345,746)                                         (274,291)                   (2,502,467)                     (352,465)               (1,237,100)                       (3,263,386)                    (459,638)



               Plus: share-based compensation expenses                                                                                   (9,684)                                             9,475                          9,479                          1,335                    117,607                             35,296                         4,971



               Plus: compensation for postcombination                                                                                          -                                                                                                                                  37,398
    employment in an acquisition



               Plus: allowance of loan receivables                                                                                             -                                                                         287,900                         40,550                                                      287,900                        40,550



               Plus: impairment of long-lived assets                                                                                           -                                                                         506,686                         71,365                                                      506,686                        71,365



               Plus: impairment of goodwill                                                                                                    -                                                                       1,364,191                        192,142                                                    1,364,191                       192,142



              
                 Adjusted operating expenses                                                                                (355,430)                                         (264,816)                     (334,211)                      (47,073)               (1,082,095)                       (1,069,313)                    (150,610)





               Operating (loss) profit                                                                                                  (17,371)                                            32,187                    (2,211,589)                     (311,495)                   121,156                        (1,970,901)                    (277,596)



               Plus: depreciation and amortization*                                                                                      449,469                                            466,285                        483,579                         68,111                  1,595,942                          1,816,228                       255,810



               Plus: share-based compensation expenses                                                                                   (7,791)                                             9,475                          9,479                          1,335                    118,170                             35,296                         4,971



               Plus: compensation for postcombination                                                                                          -                                                                                                                                  37,398
    employment in an acquisition



               Plus: allowance of loan receivables                                                                                             -                                                                         287,900                         40,550                                                      287,900                        40,550



               Plus: impairment of long-lived assets                                                                                           -                                                                         506,686                         71,365                                                      506,686                        71,365



               Plus: impairment of goodwill                                                                                                    -                                                                       1,364,191                        192,142                                                    1,364,191                       192,142



              
                 Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                              424,307                                            507,947                        440,246                         62,008                  1,872,666                          2,039,400                       287,242



              
                
                   Adjusted EBITDA margin                                                                         22.6 %                                            26.9 %                        23.2 %                        23.2 %                    26.5 %                            27.5 %                       27.5 %





              * Before the deduction of government grants for three months ended September 30, 2023, three months ended December 31, 2023 and twelve months ended December 31, 2023.


                                                                                                                
              
                 VNET GROUP, INC.


                                                                                                  
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


                                                                                         
              
                (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"))




                                                                                                                                                                                                 
     
        Three months ended


                                                                                                                                                                               December 31, 2022     September 30,
                                                                                                                                                                                                          2023                           December 31, 2023


                                                                                                                                                                                       RMB                 RMB                     RMB                           US$



              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES



               Net loss                                                                                                                                                                (57,437)          (39,883)         (2,423,288)                     (341,313)



              
                 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities:



                   Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                        449,469            461,603              481,067                         67,757



                   Share-based compensation expenses                                                                                                                                    (7,791)             9,475                9,479                          1,335



                   Others                                                                                                                                                               131,774            130,633            2,333,785                        328,707



              
                 Changes in operating assets and liabilities



                   Accounts and notes receivable                                                                                                                                      (109,803)          (70,896)             311,035                         43,808



                   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                            175,880           (48,380)             (9,076)                       (1,278)



                   Accounts and notes payable                                                                                                                                            65,879             21,763             (76,250)                      (10,740)



                   Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                                                                 (53,481)          (54,577)              68,523                          9,651



                   Deferred revenue                                                                                                                                                       (774)            36,008             (24,005)                       (3,381)



                   Advances from customers                                                                                                                                             (46,355)           124,816               31,500                          4,437



                   Others                                                                                                                                                             (139,873)         (116,249)              27,910                          3,930



              
                 Net cash generated from operating activities                                                                                                                407,488            454,313              730,680                        102,913





              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES



               Purchases of property and equipment                                                                                                                                    (898,459)         (946,444)         (1,017,474)                     (143,308)



               Purchases of intangible assets                                                                                                                                          (17,132)          (18,228)            (20,188)                       (2,843)



               (Payments for) proceeds from investments                                                                                                                               (209,998)           144,516            (346,056)                      (48,741)



               (Payments for) proceeds from other investing activities                                                                                                                (207,794)            70,010             (18,217)                       (2,566)



              
                 Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                                   (1,333,383)         (750,146)         (1,401,935)                     (197,458)





              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES



               Proceeds from bank borrowings                                                                                                                                            156,912            756,101              638,706                         89,960



               Repayments of bank borrowings                                                                                                                                           (56,390)          (78,050)            (85,640)                      (12,062)



               Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares                                                                                                                                      -                             2,120,243                        298,630



               Repayments of 2025 Convertible Notes                                                                                                                                           -         (148,842)



               Payments for finance lease                                                                                                                                                63,068           (30,366)            (28,482)                       (4,012)



               Proceeds from other financing activities                                                                                                                                   9,500            216,711              112,846                         15,894



              
                 Net cash generated from financing activities                                                                                                                173,090            715,554            2,757,673                        388,410





              
                 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash                                                                                                      (13,774)          (12,476)            (11,645)                       (1,640)
    equivalents and restricted cash



              
                 Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and                                                                                                     (766,579)           407,245            2,074,773                        292,225
    restricted cash



              
                 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period                                                                                         3,756,073          2,616,969            3,024,214                        425,952



              
                 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period                                                                                               2,989,494          3,024,214            5,098,987                        718,177

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SOURCE VNET Group, Inc.