VNET Reports Unaudited Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

BEIJING, Aug. 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

"We delivered another solid quarter through continued strong execution of our effective dual-core development strategy," said Josh Sheng Chen, Founder, Executive Chairperson and interim Chief Executive Officer of VNET. "The wholesale IDC business remained our key growth driver, highlighted by three new orders totaling 235MW for our Ulanqab IDC Campus in the Greater Beijing Area. Climbing utilization rates and a high pre-commitment rate for capacity under construction demonstrate our reliable, high-quality IDC services' enduring customer appeal in the competitive market. Furthermore, we advanced our AI data center development with steady progress on our green, high-tech Ulanqab IDC Campus, enabling us to seamlessly meet the increasing AI-driven demand. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen our innovative service offerings, vast high-power density resources and diverse AI-related capabilities to drive our healthy development and create value for all of our stakeholders."

Qiyu Wang, Chief Financial Officer of VNET, commented, "In the second quarter, we remained focused on high-quality revenue businesses while enhancing efficiency and profitability, tactics that continued to yield positive outcomes. Our total net revenues increased by 9.4% year over year to RMB1.99 billion, mainly driven by wholesale revenue growth of 81% year over year, while operating expenses decreased by 7.7% year over year and 36.8% quarter over quarter. Our adjusted EBITDA also grew by 7.3% year over year to RMB573.8 million. In addition, we recorded a net income of RMB71.8 million in the second quarter, a significant improvement from the net loss of RMB159.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, representing a quarter over quarter increase of RMB230.9 million, thanks to our consistent operational improvements. Supported by our robust business fundamentals and healthy cash position, we will continue to invest in our core capabilities and AI-driven opportunities, propelling high-quality, sustainable growth."

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

    --  Total net revenues increased by 9.4% to RMB1.99 billion (US$274.4
        million) from RMB1.82 billion in the same period of 2023.
        --  Net revenues from the IDC business([1]) increased by 12.1% to
            RMB1.37 billion (US$188.1 million) from RMB1.22 billion in the same
            period of 2023.
            --  Net revenues from the wholesale IDC business ("wholesale
                revenues") increased by 81.0% to RMB402.0 million (US$55.3
                million) from RMB222.1 million in the same period of 2023.
            --  Net revenues from the retail IDC business ("retail revenues")
                decreased by 3.2% to RMB964.8 million (US$132.8 million) from
                RMB996.6 million in the same period of 2023.
        --  Net revenues from the non-IDC business([2]) increased by 4.0% to
            RMB627.0 million (US$86.3 million) from RMB603.1 million in the same
            period of 2023.
    --  Adjusted cash gross profit (non-GAAP) increased by 6.0% to RMB787.3
        million (US$108.3 million) from RMB742.9 million in the same period of
        2023. Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) was 39.5%, compared with
        40.8% in the same period of 2023.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased by 7.3% to RMB573.8 million
        (US$79.0 million) from RMB535.0 million in the same period of 2023.
        Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 28.8%, compared with 29.4% in the
        same period of 2023.
    --  Net income increased by RMB309.4 million and RMB230.9 million to RMB71.8
        million (US$9.9 million) in the second quarter, compared with a net loss
        of RMB237.6 million in the same period of 2023 and a net loss of
        RMB159.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, respectively.

Second Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights

Wholesale IDC Business([3])

    --  Capacity in service was 332MW as of June 30, 2024, compared with 332MW
        as of March 31, 2024, and 224MW as of June 30, 2023. Capacity under
        construction was 279MW as of June 30, 2024.
    --  Capacity utilized by customers reached 252MW as of June 30, 2024,
        compared with 236MW as of March 31, 2024, and 142MW as of June 30, 2023.
        The sequential increase during the second quarter of 2024 was 16MW,
        which was mainly contributed by E-JS Campus 02 C data center.
    --  Utilization rate([4]) of wholesale capacity was 75.9% as of June 30,
        2024, compared with 71.0% as of March 31, 2024, and 63.4% as of June 30,
        2023.
        --  Utilization rate of mature wholesale capacity([5]) was 94.9% as of
            June 30, 2024, compared with 94.6% as of March 31, 2024, and 94.2%
            as of June 30, 2023.
        --  Utilization rate of ramp-up wholesale capacity([6]) was 45.7% as of
            June 30, 2024, compared with 33.6% as of March 31, 2024, and 39.9%
            as of June 30, 2023.
    --  Total capacity committed([7]) was 326MW as of June 30, 2024, compared
        with 326MW as of March 31, 2024, and 194MW as of June 30, 2023.
    --  Commitment rate([8]) for capacity in service was 98.1% as of June 30,
        2024, compared with 98.1% as of March 31, 2024 and 86.7% as of June 30,
        2023.
    --  Total capacity pre-committed([9]) was 238MW and pre-commitment
        rate([10]) for capacity under construction was 85.5% as of June 30,
        2024.

Retail IDC Business([11])

    --  Capacity in service was 52,177 cabinets as of June 30, 2024, compared
        with 52,068 cabinets as of March 31, 2024, and 53,702 cabinets as of
        June 30, 2023.
    --  Capacity utilized by customers reached 33,253 cabinets as of June 30,
        2024, compared with 33,312 cabinets as of March 31, 2024, and 33,320
        cabinets as of June 30, 2023.
    --  Utilization rate of retail capacity was 63.7% as of June 30, 2024,
        compared with 64.0% as of March 31, 2024, and 62.0% as of June 30, 2023.
        --  Utilization rate of mature retail capacity([12]) was 72.5% as of
            June 30, 2024, compared with 72.8% as of March 31, 2024, and 73.5%
            as of June 30, 2023.
        --  Utilization rate of ramp-up retail capacity([13]) was 12.7% as of
            June 30, 2024, compared with 13.0% as of March 31, 2024, and 16.3%
            as of June 30, 2023.
    --  Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) per retail cabinet was RMB8,753 in the
        second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB8,742 in the first quarter of
        2024 and RMB8,931 in the second quarter of 2023.




     
     [1] IDC business refers to managed hosting services, consisting of the wholesale IDC business and the retail IDC business. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, our IDC business was subdivided into wholesale IDC business and retail IDC business according to the nature and scale of our data center projects. Prior to 2024, the subdivision was based on customer contract types.



     
     [2] Non-IDC business consists of cloud services and VPN services.



     
     [3] For wholesale IDC business, certain projects hosted in our E-JS02 data center with an aggregate of 27MW capacity were excluded and are expected to be continuously excluded from in-service wholesale due to pending commercial discussion with the client. Such projects were included as in-service wholesale from the first quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2023, given that such projects had been delivered to the client based on the terms of the MOU.



     
     [4] Utilization rate is calculated by dividing capacity utilized by customers by the capacity in service.



     
     [5] Mature wholesale capacity refers to wholesale data centers in which utilization rate is at or above 80%.



     
     [6] Ramp-up wholesale capacity refers to wholesale data centers in which utilization rate is below 80%.



     
     [7] Total capacity committed is the capacity committed to customers pursuant to customer agreements remaining in effect.



     
     [8] Commitment rate is calculated by total capacity committed divided by total capacity in service.



     
     [9] Total capacity pre-committed is the capacity under construction which is pre-committed to customers pursuant to customer agreements remaining in effect.



     
     [10] Pre-commitment rate is calculated by total capacity pre-committed divided by total capacity under construction.


        [11] For retail IDC business, since the first quarter of 2024, we have excluded a certain number of reserved cabinets from the capacity in service. Reserved cabinets refer to those that have not been utilized on a large scale, those that are planned to be closed, or those that are planned to be further upgraded. As of June 30, 2023, March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, 4,426, 4,426, and 4,150 reserved cabinets, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of utilization rate of retail IDC
         business capacity.



     
     [12] Mature retail capacity refers to retail data centers that came into service prior to the past 24 months.



     
     [13] Ramp-up retail capacity refers to retail data centers that came into service within the past 24 months, or mature retail data centers that have undergone improvements within the past 24 months.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

TOTAL NET REVENUES: Total net revenues in the second quarter of 2024 were RMB1.99 billion (US$274.4 million), representing an increase of 9.4% from RMB1.82 billion in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly driven by the continued growth of our wholesale IDC business.

Net revenues from IDC business increased by 12.1% to RMB1.37 billion (US$188.1 million) from RMB1.22 billion in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly driven by an increase in wholesale revenues and partially offset by a decrease in retail revenues.

    --  Wholesale revenues increased by 81.0% to RMB402.0 million (US$55.3
        million) from RMB222.1 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Retail revenues decreased to RMB964.8 million (US$132.8 million) from
        RMB996.6 million in the same period of 2023.

Net revenues from non-IDC business increased by 4.0% to RMB627.0 million (US$86.3 million) from RMB603.1 million in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was driven by cloud and VPN businesses.

GROSS PROFIT: Gross profit in the second quarter of 2024 was RMB424.9 million (US$58.5 million), representing an increase of 24.0% from RMB342.7 million in the same period of 2023. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2024 was 21.3%, compared with 18.8% in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to a reduction in depreciation expense due to the change in the estimated useful lives of property and equipment starting from January 1, 2024.

ADJUSTED CASH GROSS PROFIT (non-GAAP), which excludes depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation expenses, was RMB787.3 million (US$108.3 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB742.9 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted cash gross margin (non-GAAP) in the second quarter of 2024 was 39.5%, compared with 40.8% in the same period of 2023.

OPERATING EXPENSES: Total operating expenses in the second quarter of 2024 were RMB230.3 million (US$31.7 million), compared with RMB249.5 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a decrease in professional service fees and personnel costs.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB58.2 million (US$8.0 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB63.1 million in the same period of 2023.

Research and development expenses were RMB62.0 million (US$8.5 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB81.1 million in the same period of 2023.

General and administrative expenses were RMB107.3 million (US$14.8 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB128.0 million in the same period of 2023.

ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES (non-GAAP), which exclude share-based compensation expenses, were RMB243.2 million (US$33.5 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB241.5 million in the same period of 2023. As a percentage of total net revenues, adjusted operating expenses (non-GAAP) in the second quarter of 2024 were 12.2%, compared with 13.3% in the same period of 2023.

ADJUSTED EBITDA (non-GAAP): Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2024 was RMB573.8 million (US$79.0 million), representing an increase of 7.3% from RMB535.0 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) in the second quarter of 2024 was 28.8%, compared with 29.4% in the same period of 2023.

NET INCOME/LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VNET GROUP, INC.: Net income attributable to VNET Group, Inc. in the second quarter of 2024 was RMB63.7 million (US$8.8 million), compared with a net loss attributable to VNET Group, Inc. of RMB232.9 million in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to our consistent operational improvement and decreases in sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and foreign exchange loss.

EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic and diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2024 were both RMB0.04 (US$0.01), equivalent to both RMB0.24 (US$0.06) per American depositary share ("ADS"). Each ADS represents six Class A ordinary shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding.

LIQUIDITY: As of June 30, 2024, the aggregate amount of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments was RMB2.22 billion (US$306.0 million).

Total short-term debt consisting of short-term bank borrowings and the current portion of long-term borrowings was RMB1.67 billion (US$230.1 million). Total long-term debt was RMB8.45 billion (US$1.16 billion), comprised of long-term borrowings of RMB6.67 billion (US$917.7 million) and convertible promissory notes of RMB1.78 billion (US$245.1 million).

Net cash generated from operating activities in the second quarter of 2024 was RMB405.2 million (US$55.8 million), compared with RMB423.5 million in the same period of 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company obtained new debt financing, refinancing facilities and other financings of RMB1.45 billion (US$199.3 million).

Business Outlook

The Company expects total net revenues for 2024 to be between RMB7,800 million to RMB8,000 million, representing year-over-year growth of 5.2% to 7.9%, and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to be in the range of RMB2,220 million to RMB2,280 million, representing year-over-year growth of 8.9% to 11.8%. The above outlook remains unchanged from the previously provided estimates.

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 Tuesday, August 27, 2024, or 9:00 AM Beijing Time on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

For participants who wish to join the call, please access the links provided below to complete the online registration process.

English line:
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10041484-y4obcl.html

Chinese line (listen-only mode):
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10041485-qdkvjp.html

Participants can choose between the English and Chinese options for pre-registration above. Please note that the Chinese option will be in listen-only mode. Upon registration, each participant will receive an email containing details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, a conference call passcode and a unique access PIN, which will be used to join the conference call.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.vnet.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through September 4, 2024, by dialing the following numbers:



     US/Canada:                 1 855 883 1031



     Mainland China:              400 1209 216



     Hong Kong, China:             800 930 639



     International:                 +61 7 3107
                                           6325



     Replay PIN (English line):       10041484



     Replay PIN (Chinese line):       10041485

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 RMB7.2672 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 28, 2024, 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, 2023                                                                                        June 30, 2024


                                                                                                                              RMB                  RMB                US$



     
                 Assets



     
                 Current assets:



      Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                         2,243,537            1,796,105             247,152



      Restricted cash                                                                                                   2,854,568              338,846              46,627



      Accounts and notes receivable, net                                                                                1,715,975            1,802,572             248,042



      Short-term investments                                                                                              356,820               87,871              12,091



      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                         2,375,341            2,673,585             367,898



      Amounts due from related parties                                                                                    277,237              345,408              47,530



     
                 Total current assets                                                                                 9,823,478            7,044,387             969,340





     
                 Non-current assets:



      Property and equipment, net                                                                                      13,024,393           14,281,580           1,965,211



      Intangible assets, net                                                                                            1,383,406            1,340,625             184,476



      Land use rights, net                                                                                                602,503              593,309              81,642



      Operating lease right-of-use assets, net                                                                          4,012,329            4,384,000             603,258



      Restricted cash                                                                                                         882                  882                 121



      Deferred tax assets, net                                                                                            247,644              285,199              39,245



      Long-term investments, net                                                                                          757,949              816,423             112,344



      Other non-current assets                                                                                            533,319              372,144              51,209



     
                 Total non-current assets                                                                            20,562,425           22,074,162           3,037,506



     
                 Total assets                                                                                        30,385,903           29,118,549           4,006,846





     
                 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity



     
                 Current liabilities:



      Short-term bank borrowings                                                                                           30,000              562,270              77,371



      Accounts and notes payable                                                                                          696,177              726,827             100,015



      Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                               2,783,102            2,717,898             373,995



      Advances from customers                                                                                           1,605,247            1,530,852             210,652



      Deferred revenue                                                                                                     95,477               87,103              11,986



      Income taxes payable                                                                                                 35,197               61,930               8,522



      Amounts due to related parties                                                                                      356,080              379,070              52,162



      Current portion of long-term borrowings                                                                             723,325            1,110,202             152,769



      Current portion of finance lease liabilities                                                                        115,806               95,687              13,167



      Current portion of deferred government grants                                                                         8,062               10,311               1,419



      Current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                      780,164              860,446             118,401



      Convertible promissory notes                                                                                      4,208,495



     
                 Total current liabilities                                                                           11,437,132            8,142,596           1,120,459





     
                 Non-current liabilities:



      Long-term borrowings                                                                                              5,113,521            6,668,842             917,663



      Convertible promissory notes                                                                                      1,769,946            1,781,082             245,085



      Non-current portion of finance lease liabilities                                                                  1,159,525            1,142,194             157,171



      Unrecognized tax benefits                                                                                            98,457               98,457              13,548



      Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                            688,362              698,162              96,070



      Deferred government grants                                                                                          145,112              260,876              35,898



      Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                3,270,759            3,596,438             494,886



      Derivative liability                                                                                                188,706              185,297              25,498



     
                 Total non-current liabilities                                                                       12,434,388           14,431,348           1,985,819





     
                 Shareholders' equity



      Ordinary shares                                                                                                         107                  109                  15



      Additional paid-in capital                                                                                       17,291,312           17,260,924           2,375,182



      Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                               (14,343)            (20,084)            (2,764)



      Statutory reserves                                                                                                   80,615               80,615              11,093



      Accumulated deficit                                                                                            (11,016,323)        (11,139,653)        (1,532,867)



      Treasury stock                                                                                                    (326,953)           (173,427)           (23,864)



     
                 Total VNET Group, Inc. shareholders' equity                                                          6,014,415            6,008,484             826,795



      Noncontrolling interest                                                                                             499,968              536,121              73,773



     
                 Total shareholders' equity                                                                           6,514,383            6,544,605             900,568



     
                 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                          30,385,903           29,118,549           4,006,846


                                                                                                                                               
              
                 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                                                         
              
                Six months ended


                                                                                                                                             June 30, 2023                                March 31, 2024                                       June 30, 2024                 June 30, 2023                                         June 30, 2024


                                                                                                                                                   RMB                                          RMB                                      RMB                        US$                RMB                                  RMB                        US$



               Net revenues                                                                                                                     1,821,744                                      1,898,126                            1,993,760                     274,351               3,627,526                         3,891,886                     535,541



               Cost of revenues                                                                                                               (1,478,995)                                   (1,487,405)                         (1,568,865)                  (215,883)            (2,932,397)                      (3,056,270)                  (420,557)



              
                 Gross profit                                                                                                          342,749                                        410,721                              424,895                      58,468                 695,129                           835,616                     114,984





              
                 Operating income (expenses)



               Operating income                                                                                                                    13,895                                          3,949                                                                                 47,274                             3,949                         543



               Sales and marketing expenses                                                                                                      (63,068)                                      (71,743)                            (58,225)                    (8,012)              (128,844)                        (129,968)                   (17,884)



               Research and development expenses                                                                                                 (81,126)                                      (75,389)                            (61,998)                    (8,531)              (160,876)                        (137,387)                   (18,905)



               General and administrative expenses                                                                                              (128,017)                                     (226,297)                           (107,297)                   (14,765)              (255,464)                        (333,594)                   (45,904)



               Reversal of (allowance for) doubtful debt                                                                                            8,833                                          5,175                              (2,753)                      (379)                 11,282                             2,422                         333



              
                 Total operating expenses                                                                                            (249,483)                                     (364,305)                           (230,273)                   (31,687)              (486,628)                        (594,578)                   (81,817)





              
                 Operating profit                                                                                                       93,266                                         46,416                              194,622                      26,781                 208,501                           241,038                      33,167



               Interest income                                                                                                                     10,038                                         12,129                                5,449                         750                  15,719                            17,578                       2,419



               Interest expense                                                                                                                  (71,709)                                     (137,682)                            (92,172)                   (12,683)              (141,495)                        (229,854)                   (31,629)



               Other income                                                                                                                        14,192                                          4,814                               30,475                       4,193                  15,356                            35,289                       4,856



               Other expenses                                                                                                                       (320)                                       (1,422)                             (6,900)                      (949)                (3,912)                          (8,322)                    (1,145)



               Changes in the fair value of financial liabilities                                                                                     154                                          3,858                                  712                          98                  21,452                             4,570                         629



               Foreign exchange loss                                                                                                            (271,630)                                      (28,361)                             (4,387)                      (604)              (192,997)                         (32,748)                    (4,506)



              
                 (Loss) income before income taxes                                                                                   (226,009)                                     (100,248)                             127,799                      17,586                (77,376)                           27,551                       3,791
     and gain from equity method investments



               Income tax expenses                                                                                                               (12,545)                                      (61,384)                            (59,149)                    (8,139)               (57,431)                        (120,533)                   (16,586)



               Gain from equity method investments                                                                                                    983                                          2,606                                3,199                         440                     809                             5,805                         799



              
                 Net (loss) income                                                                                                   (237,571)                                     (159,026)                              71,849                       9,887               (133,998)                         (87,177)                   (11,996)



               Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest                                                                            4,692                                       (27,979)                             (8,174)                    (1,125)               (16,588)                         (36,153)                    (4,975)



              
                 Net (loss) income attributable to the VNET Group, Inc.                                                              (232,879)                                     (187,005)                              63,675                       8,762               (150,586)                        (123,330)                   (16,971)





               (Loss) earnings per share



               Basic                                                                                                                               (0.26)                                        (0.12)                                0.04                        0.01                  (0.17)                           (0.08)                     (0.01)



               Diluted                                                                                                                             (0.26)                                        (0.12)                                0.04                        0.01                  (0.19)                           (0.08)                     (0.01)



               Shares used in (loss) earnings per share
    computation



               Basic*                                                                                                                         888,705,981                                  1,568,300,360                        1,594,662,099               1,594,662,099             888,555,145                     1,581,481,229               1,581,481,229



               Diluted*                                                                                                                       888,705,981                                  1,568,300,360                        1,595,517,338               1,595,517,338             905,386,636                     1,581,481,229               1,581,481,229





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



              Basic                                                                                                                                (1.56)                                        (0.72)                                0.24                        0.06                  (1.02)                           (0.48)                     (0.06)



              Diluted                                                                                                                              (1.56)                                        (0.72)                                0.24                        0.06                  (1.14)                           (0.48)                     (0.06)





               * Shares used in (loss) earnings 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                                                                         Six months ended


                                                                June 30, 2023                               March 31, 2024                                    June 30, 2024             June 30, 2023                                       June 30, 2024


                                                                      RMB                                         RMB                                   RMB                      US$              RMB                                RMB                       US$



      Gross profit                                                   342,749                                       410,721                           424,895                    58,468               695,129                         835,616                    114,985



      Plus: depreciation and amortization                            400,173                                       352,604                           364,616                    50,173               802,050                         717,220                     98,693



      Plus: share-based compensation expenses                              -                                        2,190                           (2,190)                    (301)



     
                 Adjusted cash gross profit                        742,922                                       765,515                           787,321                   108,340             1,497,179                       1,552,836                    213,678



     
                
                   Adjusted cash gross margin          40.8 %                                       40.3 %                           39.5 %                   39.5 %               41.3 %                         39.9 %                    39.9 %





      Operating expenses                                           (249,483)                                    (364,305)                        (230,273)                 (31,687)            (486,628)                      (594,578)                  (81,817)



      Plus: share-based compensation expenses                          8,006                                       111,681                          (12,962)                  (1,784)               16,342                          98,719                     13,584



     
                 Adjusted operating expenses                     (241,477)                                    (252,624)                        (243,235)                 (33,471)            (470,286)                      (495,859)                  (68,233)





      Operating profit                                                93,266                                        46,416                           194,622                    26,781               208,501                         241,038                     33,168



      Plus: depreciation and amortization                            433,735                                       379,551                           394,334                    54,262               866,364                         773,885                    106,490



      Plus: share-based compensation expenses                          8,006                                       113,871                          (15,152)                  (2,085)               16,342                          98,719                     13,584



     
                 Adjusted EBITDA                                   535,007                                       539,838                           573,804                    78,958             1,091,207                       1,113,642                    153,242



     
                
                   Adjusted EBITDA margin              29.4 %                                       28.4 %                           28.8 %                   28.8 %               30.1 %                         28.6 %                    28.6 %


                                                                                                                        
              
                 VNET GROUP, INC.


                                                                                                         
              
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


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




                                                                                                                                                                                                        
     
            Three months ended


                                                                                                                                                                                          June 30, 2023     March 31, 2024                          June 30, 2024


                                                                                                                                                                                                RMB               RMB                         RMB                       US$



              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES



               Net (loss) income                                                                                                                                                             (237,571)          (159,026)                 71,849                      9,887



              
                 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash generated from operating activities:



                   Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                               433,015             377,086                 388,711                     53,488



                   Share-based compensation expenses                                                                                                                                             8,006             113,871                (15,152)                   (2,085)



                   Others                                                                                                                                                                      357,787             137,297                 101,890                     14,021



              
                 Changes in operating assets and liabilities



                   Accounts and notes receivable                                                                                                                                                 8,388           (226,973)                142,469                     19,604



                   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                                    70,627            (44,104)               (79,893)                  (10,993)



                   Accounts and notes payable                                                                                                                                                   33,434              77,668                (47,018)                   (6,470)



                   Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                                                                         (5,950)             56,105                (61,463)                   (8,458)



                   Deferred revenue                                                                                                                                                           (35,743)              5,626                (14,000)                   (1,926)



                   Advances from customers                                                                                                                                                   (114,977)           (11,090)               (63,305)                   (8,711)



                   Others                                                                                                                                                                     (93,540)           (58,873)               (18,884)                   (2,599)



              
                 Net cash generated from operating activities                                                                                                                       423,476             267,587                 405,204                     55,758





              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES



               Purchases of property and equipment                                                                                                                                           (394,812)        (1,005,368)              (998,489)                 (137,397)



               Purchases of intangible assets                                                                                                                                                 (10,178)            (5,965)                (7,594)                   (1,045)



               (Payments for) proceeds from investments                                                                                                                                      (655,815)            359,239               (138,224)                  (19,020)



               Proceeds from other investing activities                                                                                                                                          9,295               1,154                 117,209                     16,128



              
                 Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                                          (1,051,510)          (650,940)            (1,027,098)                 (141,334)





              
                 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES



               Proceeds from bank borrowings                                                                                                                                                   169,204           1,156,279                 690,848                     95,064



               Repayments of bank borrowings                                                                                                                                                  (55,865)           (51,441)              (533,324)                  (73,388)



               Repurchase of 2025 Convertible Notes                                                                                                                                          (380,333)



               Repurchase of 2026 Convertible Notes                                                                                                                                                  -        (4,262,340)



               Payments for finance leases                                                                                                                                                    (67,172)           (39,602)                (9,586)                   (1,319)



               Proceeds from other financing activities                                                                                                                                        285,013             591,446                 516,493                     71,072



              
                 Net cash (used in) generated from financing activities                                                                                                            (49,153)        (2,605,658)                664,431                     91,429





              
                 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash                                                                                                               51,314            (20,050)                  3,370                        464
     equivalents and restricted cash



              
                 Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and                                                                                                            (625,873)        (3,009,061)                 45,907                      6,317
     restricted cash



              
                 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at                                                                                                                    3,242,842           5,098,987               2,089,926                    287,583


              
                 beginning of period



              
                 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period                                                                                                      2,616,969           2,089,926               2,135,833                    293,900

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vnet-reports-unaudited-second-quarter-2024-financial-results-302231598.html

SOURCE VNET Group, Inc.