Qudian Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2019 Unaudited Financial Results

Qudian Inc. (“Qudian” or the “Company”) (NYSE: QD), a leading technology platform empowering the enhancement of online consumer finance experience in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2019.

Third Quarter 2019 Operational Highlights:

• Total number of registered users as of Sep 30, 2019 reached 78.3 million, representing an increase of 11.8% from Sep 30, 2018
• Number of outstanding borrowers^[1] from loan book business and transaction services business as of Sep 30, 2019 increased by 3.4% to 6.3 million from 6.1 million as of June 30, 2019
• Cumulative number of borrowers^[2] from loan book business and transaction services business as of Sep 30, 2019 increased by 3.6% to 19.0 million from June 30, 2019
• New active borrowers^[3] from loan book business and transaction services business for this quarter increased by 15.2% to 669,111 from 580,727 for the third quarter of 2018 as a result of incremental user growth driven by transaction services business
• Total outstanding loan balance including transaction services business^[4]as of Sep 30, 2019 increased by 151.2% to RMB38.4 billion from Sep 30, 2018
• Weighted average loan tenure for our loan book business was 10.4 months for this quarter, compared with 8.4 months for the second quarter of 2019; Weighted average loan tenure for transactions serviced on open-platform was 13.0 months for this quarter, compared with 14.1 months for the second quarter of 2019
• Cumulative number of users for transactions serviced on open-platform as of Sep 30, 2019 increased by 153.3% to 1,057,497 from June 30, 2019 Cumulative amount of transactions serviced on open-platform in 2019 was RMB15.7 billion as of Sep 30, 2019

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights:

• Total revenues were RMB2,590.9 million (US$362.5 million), increased by 34.3% from same period last year, primarily due to the ramp up of the open-platform initiative
  • Loan facilitation income and other related income increased by 72.6% year-on-year to RMB583.3 million (US$81.6 million) from RMB337.9 million for the same period last year
  • Transaction services fee and other related income which relate to transaction services and traffic referral services provided by our open-platform, substantially increased to RMB993.3 million (US$139.0 million) from nil for the same period last year
  • Financing income decreased by 16.9% to RMB797.9 million (US$111.6 million) from RMB960.2 million for the same period last year as a result of a decrease in average on-balance sheet loan balance
• Net income increased by 52.6% year-on-year to RMB1,043.4 million (US$146.0 million), or RMB3.29 (US$0.46) per diluted ADS
• Non-GAAP net income^[5] increased by 52.9% year-on-year to RMB1,061.8million (US$148.6 million), or RMB3.34 (US$0.47) per diluted ADS

“The third quarter marks our successful evolution to a balance sheet independent, technology services fee driven business. Our transaction services fee overtook as the largest in revenue scale and delivered staggering 150% growth from the previous quarter,” said Mr. Min Luo, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qudian.

“In the face of a complex and evolving regulatory framework over the past several years we have proven our ability to lead and innovate, creating China’s leading regulatory compliant fintech company. Our past efforts in full compliance with Circular 141, restrained use of micro lending license, complete avoidance of P2P business model, 100% institutional funding base, disciplined approach to collection and respect of our customers’ data privacy have all cumulated to our open platform solution. Our open platform where the licensed and regulated financial institutions lend and assume borrowers risk while QD provides a full suite of transaction services using cutting edge technologies to enhance analytics, user experience, reduce customer acquisition and engagement cost, is likely to be the ultimate form of regulatory compliant fintech in China.”

“Our open platform technology enables high speed precision processing of micro loans while simultaneously syndicating each individual user to multiple lenders. This allows all our lender partners to lower risk while providing enhancement in credit size, allowing open platform to focus on the higher quality borrowers. As of the end of third quarter, our open-platform has bridged over 1,020,940 outstanding borrowers and 11 licensed and, regulated financial institutions, both more than doubling from last quarter. Notably, the repeat borrowing ratio was more than 70% for the quarter, demonstrating strong sustainability and user stickiness trends.”

“As a whole, our registered user base grew to 78.3 million and total outstanding borrowers reached 6.3 million, both the highest in our company’s history, illustrating the sustained demand for our services. With the right high-scale, risk-free and regulatory compliant approach to China’s exciting consumer credit opportunity, we believe Qudian remains best positioned to deliver exceptional financial results and returns to our shareholders for the long term.”

“We delivered another quarter of solid Non-GAAP net income of RMB1,061.8 million, a 52.9% year-over-year increase despite the overall industry credit deterioration driven by the macro economic environment and reduced liquidity as non-complaint player exit the credit market,” said Mr. Carl Yeung, Chief Financial Officer of Qudian. “Continuing last quarter’s momentum, our open-platform initiative has become the main growth and profit driver, generating RMB993.3 million revenue for the third quarter, which represents over 90% of our net profit, further boosting our bottom line, as it carries little marginal operational cost and zero credit risk.”

“Attracted by our affordable and seamless product offering, more than 669,000 new borrowers joined the platform with minimal acquisition costs. Our total loan balance including the risk-free open platform business has grown further to RMB38.4 billion, solidifying our strong execution capabilities to drive business development and focus on the higher quality borrowers. Building on the innovation in our open-platform, we will continue to pursue our tech-driven growth strategy to connect China’s over 300 million creditworthy but underserved consumers to more than 5,000 licensed domestic financial institutions.”

“In our risk undertaking business, we implemented a conservative strategy of reducing credit volumes and paused our credit trial program. Our proactive and prompt management of macro driven risk was effective in stabilizing the delinquency rates. To enhance comparability to peers and transparency in our disclosures, our M6+ vintage charge-off rates measured by current receivables at risk stayed below 1.6%. Although risk remains well managed, we believe the recent exit of many smaller players may create further credit liquidity pressure for the Chinese consumption credit sector. As such, we expect to continue a conservative approach on our risk-taking book into the final quarter of 2019 and thus revise our full year guidance accordingly.”

“Given a large disconnect between the strong momentum in our open-platform and  risk-free fee based business model and the market value of our company which is near net assets, we have announced another US$195 million of shares under our forward stock repurchase program, bringing our total buyback amount to US$572 million since we became a public company. This reflects our confidence in Qudian’s growth prospects and upholds our commitment to creating shareholder value.”

Third Quarter Financial Results

Total revenues were RMB2,590.9 million (US$362.5 million), increased by 34.3% from RMB1,928.9 million for the third quarter of 2018.

Financing income totaled RMB797.9 million (US$111.6 million), a decrease of 16.9% from RMB960.2 million for the third quarter of 2018, as a result of a decrease in average on-balance sheet loan balance.

Loan facilitation income and other related income increased by 72.6% to RMB583.3 million (US$81.6 million) from RMB337.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, as a result of an increase in the amount of off-balance sheet transactions.

Transaction services fee and other related income substantially increased to RMB993.3 million (US$139.0 million) from nil in the third quarter of 2018, as a result of the ramp-up of the open-platform initiative.

Sales income substantially decreased to RMB135.5 million (US$19.0 million) from RMB586.1 million for the third quarter of 2018, due to the scaling down of the Dabai Auto business.

Sales commission fee increased by 96.0% to RMB69.9 million (US$9.8 million) from RMB35.7 million for the third quarter of 2018, due to an increase in the margins for merchandise credit products.

Total operating costs and expenses increased by 14.0% to RMB1,400.8 million (US$196.0 million) from RMB1,229.0 million for the third quarter of 2018.

Cost of revenues decreased by 70.5% to RMB206.3 million (US$28.9 million) from RMB698.5 million for the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to a decrease in costs incurred by the Dabai Auto business and a decrease in funding costs associated with the on-balance sheet portion of our loan book business.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 45.4% to RMB65.5 million (US$9.2 million) from RMB120.1 million for the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the scaling down of the Dabai Auto business.

General and administrative expenses increased by 34.9% to RMB65.1 million (US$9.1 million) from RMB48.2 million for the third quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in service fees.

Research and development expenses increased by 7.0% to RMB44.1 million (US$6.2 million) from RMB41.2 million for the third quarter of 2018.

Provision for receivables increased by 136.4% to RMB691.1 million (US$96.7 million) from RMB292.4 million for the third quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in past-due on-balance sheet outstanding principal receivables compared to the third quarter of 2018 and a write-down relating to the Dabai Auto business of RMB42.7 million (US$6.0 million).

As of Sep 30, 2019, the total balance of outstanding principal and financing service fee receivables for on-balance sheet transactions for which any installment payment was more than 30 calendar days past due was RMB970.6 million (US$135.8 million), and the balance of allowance for principal and financing service fee receivables at the end of the period was RMB1,184.5 million (US$165.7 million), indicating M1+ Delinquency Coverage Ratio of 1.2x.

The following charts display “vintage charge-off rate.” Total potential receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated during a specified time period, the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days during such period, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage.

Current receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated during a specified time period, actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days during such period, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage.

Total potential receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated during a specified time period, the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days during such period, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage.

Current receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated during a specified time period, the actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days during such period, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage.

Income from operations increased by 73.5% to RMB1,219.6 million (US$170.6 million) from RMB702.8 million for the third quarter of 2018.

Net income attributable to Qudian’s shareholders increased by 52.6% to RMB1,043.4 million (US$146.0 million), or RMB3.29 (US$0.46) per diluted ADS.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian’s shareholders increased by 52.9% to RMB1,061.8 million (US$148.6 million), or RMB3.34 (US$0.47) per diluted ADS.

Cash Flow

As of Sep 30, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB2,656.1 million (US$371.6 million) and restricted cash of RMB981.6 million (US$137.3 million). Restricted cash mainly represents (i) cash held by the consolidated trusts through segregated bank accounts; (ii) time deposits that are pledged for short-term bank loans; and (iii) security deposits held in designated bank accounts for guarantee of off-balance sheet transactions. Such restricted cash is not available to fund the general liquidity needs of the Company.

For the quarter ended Sep 30, 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was RMB1,670.9 million (US$233.8 million), mainly attributable to net income of RMB1,043.4 million (US$146.0 million), adjustment of provision for receivables of RMB691.1 million (US$96.7 million). Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB438.6 million (US$61.4 million), mainly due to proceeds from collection of loan principal of RMB5,779.4 million (US$808.6 million), partially offset by payments to originate loan principal of RMB5,279.4 million (US$738.6 million). Net cash used in financing activities was RMB1,919.4 million (US$268.5 million), mainly due to repayments of borrowings of RMB2,752.5 million (US$385.1 million) and prepayment of forward purchases of RMB1,383.1 million (US$193.5 million), partially offset by net proceeds from convertible senior notes of RMB2,389.0 million (US$334.2 million).

Board Member Changes

We also announced today the replacement of Mr. Lianzhu Lv from Qudian’s Board of Directors by Mr. Long Xu, Qudian’s Senior Vice President.

With extensive experience managing startups, Mr. Xu joined Qudian, Inc. in 2016 and has focused on key operations including products, human resources and customer engagement. Mr. Lv will remain as key management of the company focusing on administration.

Outlook

Due to recent strategy for the company to reduce risk-taking loan balance and focus on higher quality borrowers via open-platform, the Company has adjusted its expected total Non-GAAP net income for the full year of 2019 to RMB4.0 billion, which will represent an approximately 57% increase from RMB2.55 billion for 2018.

The above outlook is based on current market conditions and reflects the Company’s preliminary expectations as to market conditions, its regulatory and operating environment, as well as customer demand, all of which are subject to change.

Qudian to Hold Annual General Meeting on December 30, 2019

Qudian announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”) at Level 39, Tower A, AVIC Zijin Plaza, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, on December 30, 2019 at 11:00AM (Beijing / Hong Kong Time). No proposal will be submitted to shareholders for approval at the AGM. Instead, the AGM will serve as an open forum for shareholders and holders of the Company’s ADSs to discuss the Company’s affairs with management. The chairman of the AGM will conduct and lead the AGM and may accept questions from shareholders at his sole and absolute discretion.

The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on December 6, 2019 (Eastern Standard Time) as the record date (the “Record Date”) for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and attend the AGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Holders of record of the ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person.

The notice of the annual general meeting is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.qudian.com. The Company filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 15, 2019. Holders of the Ordinary Shares and the Company’s American depositary shares may obtain a copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, from the Company’s website at http://ir.qudian.com, or from the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov, or by contacting Qudian at Level 39, Tower A, AVIC Zijin Plaza, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, attention: Mr. Ben Zhao, email: ir@qudian.com.