ZTO Reports Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Robust Profitability amidst Consumption Mix-shift
Adjusted Net Income Grew 2.0% to RMB2.4 Billion
Parcel Volume Increased 15.9% to 8.7 Billion

SHANGHAI, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024([1]). The Company grew parcel volume by 15.9% year over year while maintaining high quality of service and customer satisfaction. Adjusted net income increased 2.0%([2]) to reach RMB2,387.3 million. Cash generated from operating activities was RMB3,112.0 million.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

    --  Revenues were RMB10,675.0 million (US$1,521.2 million), an increase of
        17.6% from RMB9,075.9 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Gross profit was RMB3,334.8 million (US$475.2 million), an increase of
        23.2% from RMB2,706.4 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Net income was RMB2,379.0 million (US$339.0 million), an increase of
        1.3% from RMB2,349.6 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA([3]) was RMB3,739.5 million (US$532.9 million), an
        increase of 8.7% from RMB3,438.6 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Adjusted net income was RMB2,387.3 million (US$340.2 million), an
        increase of 2.0% from RMB2,340.7 million in the same period of 2023.
    --  Basic and diluted net earnings per American depositary share
        ("ADS"([4])) were RMB2.98 (US$0.42) and RMB2.90 (US$0.41), an increase
        of 2.4% and 2.1% from RMB2.91 and RMB2.84 in the same period of 2023,
        respectively.
    --  Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share
        attributable to ordinary shareholders([5]) were RMB2.99 (US$0.43) and
        RMB2.91 (US$0.41), an increase of 3.5% and 2.8% from RMB2.89 and RMB2.83
        in the same period of 2023, respectively.
    --  Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB3,112.0 million
        (US$443.5 million), compared with RMB2,938.1 million in the same period
        of 2023.

Operational Highlights for Third Quarter 2024

    --  Parcel volume was 8,723 million, an increase of 15.9% from 7,523 million
        in the same period of 2023.
    --  Number of pickup/delivery outlets was over 31,000 as of September 30,
        2024.
    --  Number of direct network partners was over 6,000 as of September 30,
        2024.
    --  Number of self-owned line-haul vehicles was over 10,000 as of September
        30, 2024.
    --  Out of the over 10,000 self-owned trucks, over 9,700 were high capacity
        15 to 17-meter-long models as of September 30, 2024, compared to over
        9,300 as of September 30, 2023.
    --  Number of line-haul routes between sorting hubs was over 3,900 as of
        September 30, 2024, compared to over 3,800 as of September 30, 2023.
    --  Number of sorting hubs was 95 as of September 30, 2024, among which 91
        are operated by the Company and 4 by the Company's network partners.


     (1)   An investor relations presentation accompanies this earnings release and can be found at http://zto.investorroom.com.


      (2)   Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before share-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as impairment of investments in equity investees, gain/(loss) on disposal of equity investment and subsidiary and corresponding tax impact which management aims to better
       represent the underlying business operations.


      (3)   Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expenses and income tax expenses, and further adjusted to exclude the shared-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as impairment of investments in equity investees, gain/(loss) on
       disposal of equity investment and subsidiary which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations.



     (4)   One ADS represents one Class A ordinary share.



     (5)   Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure. It is defined as adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted American depositary shares, respectively.

Mr. Meisong Lai, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZTO, commented, "During the third quarter, ZTO maintained high quality of services and customer satisfaction, and achieved 8.72 billion of parcel volume and 2.39 billion of adjusted net income. Our retail volume increased by over 40% year over year for the quarter as we systematically improved cooperations with various ecommerce platforms for reverse logistics, remote area delivery and premium services. Our strategy to improve volume mix has generated very positive contributions to both revenue and operating margin."

Mr. Lai added, "For nearly a decade since ZTO took the number one position in the industry, volume leadership has always been one of our key priorities. The recent stimulus policies by the central government sent a very strong signal for its commitment to support China's economic recovery and long-term growth. In the meantime, the downgrade of consumer spending may still be present for a while before an economic turnaround takes place. Volume leadership is the cornerstone of our business. We are setting plans in motion to maintain high quality of services and customer satisfaction, to regain market share and widen our leadership in parcel volume while achieving a reasonable level of earnings."

Ms. Huiping Yan, Chief Financial Officer of ZTO, commented, "ZTO's core express ASP increased 1.8% for this quarter thanks to continued improvements in key accounts' mix offsetting negative impact from lower per parcel weight and volume incentive increases. Combined unit sorting and transportation costs decreased 8.4%, or 6 cents benefiting from sustained productivity gain initiatives. SG&A as a percentage of revenue remained stable at approximately 5%. Cash flow from operating activities was 3.1 billion, and capital spending was 1.8 billion."

Ms. Yan added, "The express delivery industry experienced high growth contrary to the soft macroeconomic conditions. We have guided down our annual volume targets based on the visibility we have for the year. The increasing proportion of low-value ecommerce packages presented new challenges to the execution of our overall strategy to achieve continuous and simultaneous growth or improvements in quality of services, volume market share and profit. We are making modifications to rebalance our resource allocation as well as key network pricing approaches to regain volume growth momentum and expand our existing market share lead. Our quality of earnings will remain intact, and we are confident in maintaining our leadership in profitability in the industry."

Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results


                                                     Three Months Ended September 30,                                                                Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                            2023                                                          2024                                  2023                                                        2024


                                        RMB       %                        RMB             US$                      %                  RMB                 %                         RMB        US$              %


                                                                                      
           
       (in thousands, except percentages)



     Express delivery services   8,341,620     91.9                   9,812,807        1,398,314                    91.9            25,728,807               92.6                   28,928,902   4,122,336         92.2



     Freight forwarding services   238,565      2.6                     240,491           34,270                     2.3               670,162                2.4                      676,480      96,398          2.2



     Sale of accessories           460,870      5.1                     588,233           83,823                     5.5             1,297,486                4.7                    1,653,717     235,653          5.3



     Others                         34,863      0.4                      33,517            4,775                     0.3               103,026                0.3                      101,919      14,522          0.3



     
                Total revenues 9,075,918    100.0                  10,675,048        1,521,182                   100.0            27,799,481              100.0                   31,361,018   4,468,909        100.0

Total Revenues were RMB10,675.0 million (US$1,521.2 million), an increase of 17.6% from RMB9,075.9 million in the same period of 2023. Revenue from the core express delivery business increased by 18.1% compared to the same period of 2023 driven by a 15.9% growth in parcel volume and a 1.8% increase in unit price. KA revenue including delivery fees from direct sales organizations, established to serve core express KA customers, increased by 122.1% as the proportion of higher-valued parcels such as returned parcels from e-commerce platforms continued to increase. Revenue from freight forwarding services increased by 0.8% compared to the same period of 2023. Revenue from sales of accessories, largely consisted of sales of thermal paper used for digital waybills' printing, increased by 27.6%. Other revenues were derived mainly from financing services.


                                                                       Three Months Ended September 30,                                                                               Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                                              2023                                                                                      2024                     2023                                                        2024


                                              RMB              % of                                           RMB                    US$                     % of       RMB              % of                         RMB        US$              % of


                                           revenues revenues revenues                        revenues


                                                                                                        
              
     (in thousands, except percentages)



     Line-haul transportation cost       3,245,767               35.8                                    3,398,007                 484,212                      31.8  9,627,419               34.6                   10,052,623   1,432,487           32.1



     Sorting hub operating cost          2,048,438               22.6                                    2,224,206                 316,947                      20.8  5,996,475               21.6                    6,620,077     943,353           21.1



     Freight forwarding cost               221,742                2.4                                      226,111                  32,221                       2.1    626,986                2.3                      631,217      89,948            2.0



     Cost of accessories sold              117,036                1.3                                      161,648                  23,035                       1.5    351,164                1.3                      454,788      64,807            1.5



     Other costs                           736,491                8.1                                    1,330,265                 189,560                      12.6  2,663,160                9.5                    3,644,940     519,400           11.5


                   Total cost of revenues 6,369,474               70.2                                    7,340,237               1,045,975                      68.8 19,265,204               69.3                   21,403,645   3,049,995           68.2

Total cost of revenues was RMB7,340.2 million (US$1,046.0 million), an increase of 15.2% from RMB6,369.5 million in the same period last year.

Line-haul transportation cost was RMB3,398.0 million (US$484.2 million), an increase of 4.7% from RMB3,245.8 million in the same period last year. The unit transportation cost decreased 9.7% or 4 cents mainly attributable to better economies of scale and improved load rate through more effective route planning.

Sorting hub operating cost was RMB2,224.2 million (US$316.9 million), an increase of 8.6% from RMB2,048.4 million in the same period last year. The increase primarily consisted of (i) RMB108.0 million (US$15.4 million) increase in labor-associated costs, a net result of wage increases partially offset by automation-driven efficiency improvements and (ii) RMB74.9 million (US$10.7 million) increase in depreciation and amortization costs associated with expansion of automation equipment and facility upgrades to further improve the transit efficiency. With standardization in operating procedures, effective performance evaluation system, sorting hub operating cost per unit decreased 6.4% or 2 cents. As of September 30, 2024, there were 535 sets of automated sorting equipment in service, compared to 482 sets as of September 30, 2023.

Cost of accessories sold was RMB161.6 million (US$23.0 million), increased 38.1% compared with RMB117.0 million in the same period last year.

Other costs were RMB1,330.3 million (US$189.6 million), increased 80.6% from RMB736.5 million in the same period last year, included costs for serving higher-valued enterprise customers which increased by RMB546.8 million (US$77.9 million).

Gross Profit was RMB3,334.8 million (US$475.2 million), increased by 23.2% from RMB2,706.4 million in the same period last year. Gross margin rate improved to 31.2% from 29.8% in the same period last year.

Total Operating Expenses were RMB493.0 million (US$70.3 million), compared to RMB282.8 million in the same period last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB544.6 million (US$77.6 million), increased by 25.6% from RMB433.7 million in the same period last year, mainly due to (i) RMB74.1 million (US$10.6 million) change in credit loss provision for financing services, and (ii) disposal losses of RMB41.1 million (US$5.9 million) on fixed assets.

Other operating income, net was RMB51.6 million (US$7.3 million), compared to RMB150.9 million in the same period last year. Other operating income mainly consisted of (i) RMB43.4 million (US$6.2 million) of rental income, and (ii) RMB8.2 million (US$1.2 million) of government subsidies and tax rebates.

Income from operations was RMB2,841.8 million (US$405.0 million), an increase of 17.3% from RMB2,423.6 million for the same period last year. Operating margin rate decreased to 26.6% from 26.7% in the same period last year.

Interest income was RMB238.5 million (US$34.0 million), compared with RMB246.4 million in the same period last year.

Interest expenses was RMB66.4 million (US$9.5 million), compared with RMB83.8 million in the same period last year.

Loss from fair value changes of financial instruments was RMB62.7 million (US$8.9 million), compared with a gain of RMB8.6 million in the same period last year. The large swing in USD and RMB exchange rate near quarter end caused a RMB94.9 million (US$13.5 million) unrealized foreign exchange loss related to cash management products.

Income tax expenses were RMB555.0 million (US$79.1 million) compared to RMB271.4 million in the same period last year. In the third quarter of 2023, Shanghai Zhongtongji Network Technology Co., Ltd.(?????????????), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, received an income tax refund of RMB207.1 million for being a "Key Software Enterprise" for the tax year 2022.

Net income was RMB2,379.0 million (US$339.0 million), which increased by 1.3% from RMB2,349.6 million in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB2.98 (US$0.42) and RMB2.90 (US$0.41), compared to basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB2.91 and RMB2.84 in the same period last year, respectively.

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB2.99 (US$0.43) and RMB2.91 (US$0.41), compared with RMB2.89 and RMB2.83 in the same period last year, respectively.

Adjusted net income was RMB2,387.3 million (US$340.2 million), compared with RMB2,340.7 million during the same period last year.

EBITDA([1]) was RMB3,731.3 million (US$531.7 million), compared with RMB3,449.5 million in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA was RMB3,729.5 million (US$532.8million), compared to RMB3,438.6 million in the same period last year.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB3,112.0 million (US$443.5 million), compared with RMB2,938.1 million in the same period last year.



     (1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expenses and income tax expenses which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations.

Business Outlook

Based on current market and operating conditions, the Company revises its previously stated annual guidance. Parcel volume for 2024 is expected to be in the range of 33.7 billion to 33.9 billion, representing a 11.6% to 12.3% increase year over year. Such estimates represent management's current and preliminary view, which are subject to change.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translation of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the exchange rate of RMB7.0176 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on September 30, 2024 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Systems.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating ZTO's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to its U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company believes that such Non-GAAP measures help identify underlying trends in ZTO's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the related expenses and gains that the Company includes in income from operations and net income. The Company believes that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by ZTO's management in its financial and operational decision-making.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of the Company's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to ZTO's data. ZTO encourages investors and others to review the Company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Conference Call Information

ZTO's management team will host an earnings conference call at 7:30 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 (8:30 AM Beijing Time on November 20, 2024).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:



              United States:                         1-888-317-6003



              Hong Kong:                             800-963-976



              Mainland China:                        4001-206-115



              Singapore:                             800-120-5863



              International:                         1-412-317-6061



              Passcode:                                     0501133

Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until November 26, 2024:



              United States:                    1-877-344-7529



              International:                    1-412-317-0088



              Passcode:                                1609584

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://zto.investorroom.com.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK:2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and other similar expressions. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. ZTO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of the HKEX, 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 but not limited to statements about ZTO's beliefs, plans, 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: risks relating to the development of the e-commerce and express delivery industries in China; its significant reliance on certain third-party e-commerce platforms; risks associated with its network partners and their employees and personnel; intense competition which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and market share; any service disruption of the Company's sorting hubs or the outlets operated by its network partners or its technology system; ZTO's ability to build its brand and withstand negative publicity, or other favorable government policies. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ZTO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date of this announcement, and ZTO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.



     
                UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA





     
                Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Comprehensive Income Data:




                                                                                            Three Months Ended September 30,                                                           Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                                                                       2023                                                2024                               2023                                           2024


                                                                                        RMB                   RMB                             US$                               RMB                              RMB             US$


                                                                                                       
              
              (in thousands, except for share and per share data)



     Revenues                                                                    9,075,918             10,675,048                        1,521,182                         27,799,481                        31,361,018        4,468,909



     Cost of revenues                                                          (6,369,474)           (7,340,237)                     (1,045,975)                      (19,265,204)                     (21,403,645)     (3,049,995)



     Gross profit                                                                2,706,444              3,334,811                          475,207                          8,534,277                         9,957,373        1,418,914



     Operating (expenses)/income:



     Selling, general and administrative                                         (433,682)             (544,573)                        (77,601)                       (1,724,896)                      (2,034,192)       (289,870)



     Other operating income, net                                                   150,850                 51,552                            7,346                            443,448                           400,507           57,072



     Total operating expenses                                                    (282,832)             (493,021)                        (70,255)                       (1,281,448)                      (1,633,685)       (232,798)



     Income from operations                                                      2,423,612              2,841,790                          404,952                          7,252,829                         8,323,688        1,186,116



     Other income/(expenses):



     Interest income                                                               246,362                238,510                           33,987                            505,382                           771,608          109,953



     Interest expense                                                             (83,801)              (66,364)                         (9,457)                         (227,729)                        (266,135)        (37,924)



     Gain/(loss) from fair value changes of



     financial instruments                                                           8,551               (62,699)                         (8,935)                           215,764                            34,883            4,971



     Gain/(loss) on disposal of equity investees,



     subsidiary and others                                                          10,838                (1,440)                           (205)                            10,074                            10,694            1,524



     Impairment of investments in equity investees                                       -                                                                                                                (672,816)        (95,876)



     Foreign currency exchange gain before tax                                       4,650               (38,174)                         (5,440)                            75,571                          (17,612)         (2,510)



     Income before income tax, and share of



     loss in equity method investments                                           2,610,212              2,911,623                          414,902                          7,831,891                         8,184,310        1,166,254



     Income tax expense                                                          (271,387)             (554,959)                        (79,081)                       (1,301,979)                      (1,786,275)       (254,542)



     Share of gain in equity method investments                                     10,785                 22,378                            3,189                             14,732                            42,751            6,092



     Net income                                                                  2,349,610              2,379,042                          339,010                          6,544,644                         6,440,786          917,804



     Net (income)/loss attributable to non-



     controlling interests                                                         (4,452)                17,255                            2,459                             12,054                           (6,641)           (946)



     Net income attributable to ZTO Express



     (Cayman) Inc.                                                               2,345,158              2,396,297                          341,469                          6,556,698                         6,434,145          916,858



     Net income attributable to ordinary



     shareholders                                                                2,345,158              2,396,297                          341,469                          6,556,698                         6,434,145          916,858



     Net earnings per share attributed to



     ordinary shareholders



     Basic                                                                            2.91                   2.98                             0.42                               8.11                              7.99             1.14



     Diluted                                                                          2.84                   2.90                             0.41                               7.94                              7.80             1.11



     Weighted average shares used in



     calculating net earnings per ordinary



     share/ADS



     Basic                                                                     807,081,026            804,565,579                      804,565,579                        808,298,164                       805,388,468      805,388,468



     Diluted                                                                   838,290,093            838,131,679                      838,131,679                        839,507,232                       838,954,568      838,954,568



     Net income                                                                  2,349,610              2,379,042                          339,010                          6,544,644                         6,440,786          917,804



     Other comprehensive income/(loss),



     net of tax of nil:



     Foreign currency translation adjustment                                      (32,832)               137,698                           19,622                          (174,729)                           20,138            2,870



     Comprehensive income                                                        2,316,778              2,516,740                          358,632                          6,369,915                         6,460,924          920,674



     Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to



     non-controlling interests                                                     (4,452)                17,255                            2,459                             12,054                           (6,641)           (946)



     Comprehensive income attributable to ZTO



     Express (Cayman) Inc.                                                       2,312,326              2,533,995                          361,091                          6,381,969                         6,454,283          919,728



            
                Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:


                                                                                               
         
                As of


                                                                                     December 31,                                      September
                                                                                                                                            30,


                                                                                             2023                                                  2024


                                                                                          RMB                              RMB                        US$


                                                                                                  (in thousands, except for share data)



            
                ASSETS



            
                Current assets:



            Cash and cash equivalents                                                 12,333,884                    11,703,151                   1,667,686



            Restricted cash                                                              686,568                        32,350                       4,610



            Accounts receivable, net                                                     572,558                       782,772                     111,544



            Financing receivables                                                      1,135,445                     1,272,992                     181,400



            Short-term investment                                                      7,454,633                    11,213,470                   1,597,907



            Inventories                                                                   28,074                        27,651                       3,940



            Advances to suppliers                                                        821,942                       862,789                     122,946



            Prepayments and other current assets                                       3,772,377                     4,162,249                     593,116



            Amounts due from related parties                                             148,067                        99,206                      14,137



            
                Total current assets                                         26,953,548                    30,156,630                   4,297,286



            Investments in equity investees                                            3,455,119                     2,092,880                     298,233



            Property and equipment, net                                               32,181,025                    33,591,675                   4,786,775



            Land use rights, net                                                       5,637,101                     6,097,476                     868,883



            Intangible assets, net                                                        23,240                        18,592                       2,649



            Operating lease right-of-use assets                                          672,193                       573,209                      81,682



            Goodwill                                                                   4,241,541                     4,241,541                     604,415



            Deferred tax assets                                                          879,772                       711,368                     101,369



            Long-term investment                                                      12,170,881                    13,511,938                   1,925,436



            Long-term financing receivables                                              964,780                       850,440                     121,187



            Other non-current assets                                                     701,758                       953,451                     135,866



            Amounts due from related parties-non current                                 584,263                       520,833                      74,218



            
                TOTAL ASSETS                                                 88,465,221                    93,320,033                  13,297,999



            
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



            
                Current liabilities



            Short-term bank borrowing                                                  7,765,990                    10,770,422                   1,534,773



            Accounts payable                                                           2,557,010                     2,112,632                     301,048



            Advances from customers                                                    1,745,727                     1,662,922                     236,964



            Income tax payable                                                           333,257                       316,260                      45,067



            Amounts due to related parties                                               234,683                       154,447                      22,009



            Operating lease liabilities                                                  186,253                       166,392                      23,711



            Dividends payable                                                              1,548                     1,993,865                     284,123



            Convertible bond                                                                                        6,979,057                     994,508



            Other current liabilities                                                  7,236,716                     7,126,793                   1,015,558



            
                Total current liabilities                                    20,061,184                    31,282,790                   4,457,761



            Non-current operating lease liabilities                                      455,879                       374,057                      53,303



            Deferred tax liabilities                                                     638,200                       541,115                      77,108



            Convertible bond                                                           7,029,550



            
                TOTAL LIABILITIES                                            28,184,813                    32,197,962                   4,588,172



            
                Shareholders' equity



            Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized;
      812,866,663 shares issued and 804,719,252 shares outstanding as of



            December 31, 2023; 810,339,182 shares issued and 804,140,620 shares



            outstanding as of September 30, 2024)                                            525                           523                          75



            Additional paid-in capital                                                24,201,745                    24,383,137                   3,474,569



            Treasury shares, at cost                                                   (510,986)                    (337,541)                   (48,099)



            Retained earnings                                                         36,301,185                    36,715,863                   5,231,969



            Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                       (190,724)                    (170,586)                   (24,308)



            
                ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. shareholders' equity               59,801,745                    60,591,396                   8,634,206



            Noncontrolling interests                                                     478,663                       530,675                      75,621



            
                Total Equity                                                 60,280,408                    61,122,071                   8,709,827



            
                TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                 88,465,221                    93,320,033                  13,297,999



     
                Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Data:




                                                                                 Three Months Ended                                            Nine Months Ended
                                                                                    September 30,                                                 September 30,


                                                                            2023                           2024                       2023                                    2024


                                                                             RMB            RMB               US$                       RMB                       RMB             US$


                                                                                                    
     
             (in thousands)



     Net cash provided by operating activities                        2,938,104       3,111,972            443,452                  9,437,682                  8,623,087        1,228,780



     Net cash used in investing activities                          (4,025,760)    (1,910,131)         (272,191)              (13,433,920)               (8,955,072)     (1,276,088)



     Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities              2,529,988          10,183              1,451                  1,396,265                  (963,309)       (137,270)



     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash



     equivalents and restricted cash                                      9,459        (43,349)           (6,176)                   105,393                    (8,272)         (1,178)



     Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents



     and restricted cash                                              1,451,791       1,168,675            166,536                (2,494,580)               (1,303,566)       (185,756)



     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at



     beginning of period                                              8,656,716      10,579,069          1,507,505                 12,603,087                 13,051,310        1,859,797



     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of



     period                                                          10,108,507      11,747,744          1,674,041                 10,108,507                 11,747,744        1,674,041

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:


                                                                     
     
     As of


                                                       September 30,                        September 30,


                                                                2023                                       2024


                                                            RMB                    RMB                        US$


                                                                               (in
                                                                                thousands)



     Cash and cash equivalents                            9,284,625             11,703,151               1,667,686



     Restricted cash, current                               793,037                 32,350                   4,610



     Restricted cash, non-current                            30,845                 12,243                   1,745



     Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash    10,108,507             11,747,744               1,674,041



     
                Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results




                                                                          Three Months Ended September
                                                                                          30,                                                                       Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                                                     2023                                                2024                              2023                                     2024


                                                                      RMB                 RMB                               US$                              RMB                          RMB           US$


                                                                                          
              (in thousands, except for share and per share data)



     Net income                                                2,349,610            2,379,042                            339,010                         6,544,644                     6,440,786        917,804



     Add:



     Share-based compensation expense (1)                              -               6,769                                965                           254,976                       311,924         44,449



     Impairment of investments in equity investees (1)                 -                                                                                                             672,816         95,876



     (Gain)/loss on disposal of equity investees



     and subsidiary, net of income taxes                         (8,866)               1,440                                205                           (8,102)                      (8,507)       (1,212)



     Adjusted net income                                       2,340,744            2,387,251                            340,180                         6,791,518                     7,417,019      1,056,917





     Net income                                                2,349,610            2,379,042                            339,010                         6,544,644                     6,440,786        917,804



     Add:



     Depreciation                                                712,734              695,241                             99,071                         2,035,702                     2,168,290        308,979



     Amortization                                                 31,951               35,709                              5,088                           100,535                       104,034         14,825



     Interest expenses                                            83,801               66,364                              9,457                           227,729                       266,135         37,924



     Income tax expenses                                         271,387              554,959                             79,081                         1,301,979                     1,786,275        254,542



     EBITDA                                                    3,449,483            3,731,315                            531,707                        10,210,589                    10,765,520      1,534,074





     Add:



     Share-based compensation expense                                  -               6,769                                965                           254,976                       311,924         44,449



     Impairment of investments in equity investees                     -                                                                                                             672,816         95,876



     (Gain)/loss on disposal of equity investees



     and subsidiary                                             (10,838)               1,440                                205                          (10,074)                     (10,694)       (1,524)



     Adjusted EBITDA                                           3,438,645            3,739,524                            532,877                        10,455,491                    11,739,566      1,672,875





     (1) Net of income taxes of nil



     
                Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results




                                                                            Three Months Ended                                                                 Nine
            Months Ended
                                                                               September 30,                                                                         September 30,


                                                                       2023                                        2024                               2023                                 2024


                                                                        RMB            RMB                            US$                               RMB                        RMB         US$


                                                                                       
           (in thousands, except for share and per share data)



     Net income attributable to ordinary



     shareholders                                                2,345,158       2,396,297                         341,469                          6,556,698                   6,434,145      916,858



     Add:



     Share-based compensation expense (1)                                -          6,769                             965                            254,976                     311,924       44,449



     Impairment of investments in equity



     investees (1)                                                       -                                                                                                    672,816       95,876



     (Gain)/loss on disposal of equity investees



     and subsidiary, net of income taxes                           (8,866)          1,440                             205                            (8,102)                    (8,507)     (1,212)



     Adjusted Net income attributable to



     ordinary shareholders                                       2,336,292       2,404,506                         342,639                          6,803,572                   7,410,378    1,055,971





     Weighted average shares used in



     calculating net earnings per ordinary



     share/ADS



     Basic                                                     807,081,026     804,565,579                     804,565,579                        808,298,164                 805,388,468  805,388,468



     Diluted                                                   838,290,093     838,131,679                     838,131,679                        839,507,232                 838,954,568  838,954,568





     Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to



     ordinary shareholders



     Basic                                                            2.91            2.98                            0.42                               8.11                        7.99         1.14



     Diluted                                                          2.84            2.90                            0.41                               7.94                        7.80         1.11





     Adjusted net earnings per share/ADS



     attributable to ordinary shareholders



     Basic                                                            2.89            2.99                            0.43                               8.42                        9.20         1.31



     Diluted                                                          2.83            2.91                            0.41                               8.24                        8.96         1.28





      (1) Net of income taxes of nil

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: ir@zto.com

Phone: +86 21 5980 4508

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SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.