<div>17 Education & Technology Group Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results</div>

17 Education & Technology Group Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, China, Sept. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: YQ) (“17EdTech” or the “Company”), a leading education technology company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Highlights1

  • Net revenues were RMB133.5 million (US$19.9 million), representing a year-over-year decrease of 80.1% from RMB670.9 million in the second quarter of 2021, and 11.2% higher than the high end of the estimate provided by the Company in June 2022.
  • Gross margin was 52.2%, compared with 63.0% in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Net loss was RMB26.4 million (US$3.9 million), significantly decreasing from net loss of RMB266.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Net loss as a percentage of net revenues was negative 19.8% in the second quarter of 2022, narrowing from negative 39.8% in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Adjusted net income2(non-GAAP), which excluded share-based compensation expenses of RMB30.1 million (US$4.5 million), was RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million), improving from adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB218.2 million in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP) as a percentage of net revenues was 2.7% in the second quarter of 2022, compared with negative 32.5% in the second quarter of 2021.

First Half 2022 Highlights

  • Net revenues were RMB366.9 million (US$54.8 million), representing a year-over-year decrease of 68.0% from RMB1,145.1 million in the first half of 2021.
  • Gross margin was 57.6%, compared with 62.0% in the first half of 2021.
  • Net loss was RMB51.2 million (US$7.6 million), significantly decreasing from net loss of RMB926.4 million in the first half of 2021.
  • Net loss as a percentage of net revenues was negative 14.0% in the first half of 2022, narrowing from negative 80.9% in the first half of 2021.
  • Adjusted net income (non-GAAP), which excluded share-based compensation expenses of RMB64.7 million (US$9.7 million), was RMB13.5 million (US$2.0 million), improving from adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB807.1 million in the first half of 2021.
  • Adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP) as a percentage of net revenues was 3.7% in the first half of 2022, compared with negative 70.5% in the first half of 2021.

_____________________
1 For a reconciliation of non-GAAP numbers, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” at the end of this press release.
2 Adjusted net income (loss) represents net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses.

Mr. Andy Liu, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 17EdTech commented, “In the second quarter of 2022, our businesses continued to maintain a healthy and sustainable development, laying a solid foundation for our future growth. During the quarter, the Company proactively promoted in-school teaching and learning software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) business as well as explored off-campus personalized self-directed learning products in compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. We successfully delivered a precision teaching and adaptive learning system based on intelligent homework covering the whole Minhang district in Shanghai in the second quarter of 2022. This learning system has been used regularly throughout the teaching and learning process and has been well received by teachers, schools and education authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a clear illustration of 17EdTech’s pioneering capability in this area which assists to reduce the burdens of students and schools and improved learning and teaching efficiency required by the ‘Double Deduction’ Policy.”

Mr. Michael Du, Director and Chief Financial Officer of 17EdTech commented, “We are pleased to report solid financial results in the second quarter of 2022. We continued to see progress in our in-school teaching and learning SaaS business, which contributed increasing net revenues for the second quarter of 2022. Our net loss on a GAAP basis continued to narrow in the second quarter of 2022 as compared with the same period in 2021, and we have achieved consecutive net profitability on a non-GAAP basis for the last three quarters as our operational efficiency continued to improve.”   

Second Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2022 were RMB133.5 million (US$19.9 million), representing a year-over-year decrease of 80.1% from RMB670.9 million in the second quarter of 2021, mainly due to the cessation of the Company’s online K-12 tutoring services by the end of 2021 in order to be compliant with relevant PRC regulations, which prohibit the provision of tutoring services relating to academic subjects to K-12 students. Excluding net revenue from online K-12 tutoring services, net revenues increased significantly from RMB8.9 million to RMB133.5 million during the same period. The Company’s teaching and learning SaaS offerings are contributing an increasing proportion of the Company’s net revenues for the second quarter of 2022.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues for the second quarter of 2022 was RMB63.8 million (US$9.5 million), representing a year-over-year decrease of 74.3% from RMB248.0 million in the second quarter of 2021, which was largely in line with the decrease in net revenues due to the cessation of the Company’s online K-12 tutoring services under the new regulatory and business environment.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 was RMB69.7 million (US$10.4 million), representing a year-over-year decrease of 83.5% from RMB422.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2022 was 52.2%, compared with 63.0% in the second quarter of 2021.

Total Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth a breakdown of operating expenses by amounts and percentages during the periods indicated (in thousands, except for percentages):

  For the three months ended June 30,
  2021   2022   Year-
  RMB %   RMB USD %   over-year
                 
Sales and marketing expenses 306,731 45.7 %   11,650 1,739 8.7 %   -96.2 %
Research and development expenses 229,535 34.2 %   35,709 5,331 26.7 %   -84.4 %
General and administrative expenses 109,500 16.3 %   56,441 8,426 42.3 %   -48.5 %
Impairment for property and equipment and right-of-use assets 56,882 8.5 %        
Total operating expenses 702,648 104.7 %   103,800 15,496 77.7 %   -85.2 %
                 

Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were RMB103.8 million (US$15.5 million), including RMB30.1 million (US$4.5 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 85.2% from RMB702.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.

Sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were RMB11.7 million (US$1.7 million), including RMB3.4 million (US$0.5 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 96.2% from RMB306.7 million in the second quarter of 2021. This was mainly due to the decreases in promotional course expenses and advertising expenditures as a result of the changes in regulatory environment, as well as staff optimization in line with business adjustment.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were RMB35.7 million (US$5.3 million), including RMB7.2 million (US$1.1 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 84.4% from RMB229.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to staff optimization in line with business adjustment.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were RMB56.4 million (US$8.4 million), including RMB19.5 million (US$2.9 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 48.5% from RMB109.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to staff optimization in line with business adjustment.

Impairment for property and equipment and right-of-use assets for the second quarter of 2022 were nil, compared with RMB56.9 million in the second quarter of 2021. As a result of the changes in regulatory environment in the online education industry, combined with the Company’s financial performance, the Company had performed an impairment assessment on its long-term assets and recognized impairment losses in the second quarter of 2021.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations for the second quarter of 2022 was RMB34.1 million (US$5.1 million), compared with RMB279.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. Loss from operations as a percentage of net revenues for the second quarter of 2022 was negative 25.5%, improving from negative 41.7% in the second quarter of 2021.

Net Loss

Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was RMB26.4 million (US$3.9 million), compared with net loss of RMB266.7 million in the second quarter of 2021. Net loss as a percentage of net revenues was negative 19.8% in the second quarter of 2022, compared with negative 39.8% in the second quarter of 2021.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (non-GAAP)

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2022 was RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million), compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB218.2 million in the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP) as a percentage of net revenues was 2.7% in the second quarter of 2022, improving from negative 32.5% in the second quarter of 2021.

Please refer to the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of net loss under U.S. GAAP to adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP).

Business Outlook

Based on our current estimates, total net revenues for the third quarter of 2022 are expected to be between RMB120 million and RMB140 million. The estimated total net revenues for the third quarter of 2022 are derived entirely from the ongoing businesses after the Company’s business transformation and, as mentioned above, do not include revenues from the legacy online K-12 tutoring services. This estimated range represents a significant increase year-over-year when compared with the relatively small base of the net revenues generated from non-online K-12 tutoring services for the third quarter of 2021.

The above forecast reflects 17EdTech’s current and preliminary view and is therefore subject to change. Please see the section titled “Safe Harbor Statement” below for the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 9:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time) to discuss the financial results for the second quarter of 2022.

Please note that all participants will need to preregister for the conference call participation by navigating to https://register.vevent.com/register/BIc4a6f95e1b7c49089e2e7337b4c7c270.

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers, and PIN number. To join the conference call, please dial the number you receive, enter the PIN number, and you will be joined to the conference call instantly.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at https://ir.17zuoye.com/.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

17EdTech’s management uses adjusted net income (loss) as a non-GAAP financial measure to gain an understanding of 17EdTech’s comparative operating performance and future prospects.

Adjusted net income (loss) represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses and such adjustment has no impact on income tax.

Adjusted net income (loss) is used by 17EdTech’s management in their financial and operating decision-making as a non-GAAP financial measure, because management believes it reflects 17EdTech’s ongoing business and operating performance in a manner that allows meaningful period-to-period comparisons. 17EdTech’s management believes that such non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating 17EdTech’s operating performance in the same manner as management does, if they so choose. Specifically, 17EdTech believes the non-GAAP measure provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain charges that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating results.

The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations. It does not include all items of income and expense that affect 17EdTech’s income from operations. Specifically, the non-GAAP financial measure is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and, with respect to the non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain items under GAAP, does not reflect any benefit that such items may confer to 17EdTech. Management compensates for these limitations by also considering 17EdTech’s financial results as determined in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

Exchange Rate Information

The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars (“USD” or “US$”) using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, change in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows from RMB into USD as of and for the three months and the six months ended June 30, 2022 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.6981 representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 30, 2022. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on June 30, 2022, or at any other rate.

About 17 Education & Technology Group Inc.

17 Education & Technology Group Inc. is a leading education technology company in China, offering smart in-school classroom solution that delivers data-driven teaching, learning and assessment products to teachers, students and parents. Leveraging its extensive knowledge and expertise obtained from in-school business over the past decade, the Company provides teaching and learning SaaS offerings to facilitate the digital transformation and upgrade at Chinese schools, with a focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of core teaching and learning scenarios such as homework assignments and in-class teaching. The Company also provides a personalized self-directed learning product to Chinese families, which is not a tutoring service. The product utilizes the Company’s technology and data insights to provide personalized and targeted learning and exercise content that is aimed at improving students’ learning efficiency.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 17EdTech’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. 17EdTech may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. 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: 17EdTech’s growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users; its ability to carry out its business and organization transformation, its ability to implement and grow its new business initiatives; the trends in, and size of, China’s online education market; competition in and relevant government policies and regulations relating to China’s online education market; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 17EdTech’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 17EdTech does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

17 Education & Technology Group Inc.
Ms Lara Zhao
Investor Relations Manager
E-mail: ir@17zuoye.com 

 
17 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per ADS data, or otherwise noted)
 
  As of
December 31
  As of June 30
  2021   2022   2022
  RMB   RMB   USD
           
ASSETS          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents 1,180,898   893,773   133,437
Accounts receivable   61,376   9,163
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 161,826   130,329   19,458
Total current assets 1,342,724   1,085,478   162,058
Non-current assets          
Property and equipment, net 69,811   49,947   7,457
Right-of-use assets 153,963   51,924   7,752
Other non-current assets 13,923   9,615   1,435
TOTAL ASSETS 1,580,421   1,196,964   178,702
LIABILITIES          
Current liabilities          
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued          
expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs          
without recourse to the Group of RMB93,115 and RMB46,863 as of 392,293   174,593   26,066
December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively)          
Deferred revenue and customer advances, current (including          
deferred revenue and customer advances, current of the          
consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB239,267          
and RMB139,193 as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, 243,878   141,805   21,171
respectively)          
Operating lease liabilities, current (including operating lease liabilities,          
current of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of          
RMB29,113 and RMB13,797 as of December 31, 2021 and 46,885   25,042   3,739
June 30, 2022, respectively)          
Total current liabilities 683,056   341,440   50,976

  As of
December 31,
    As of June 30,
  2021     2022     2022  
  RMB     RMB     USD  
                 
Non-current liabilities                
Operating lease liabilities, non-current (including operating lease                
liabilities, non-current of the consolidated VIEs without recourse                
to the Group of RMB57,906 and RMB14,229 as of December 31, 100,329     22,106     3,300  
2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively)                
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES 783,385     363,546     54,276  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Class A ordinary shares 293     294     44  
Class B ordinary shares 38     38     6  
Additional paid-in capital 10,859,107     10,920,829     1,630,437  
Accumulated other comprehensive income 18,691     44,547     6,650  
Accumulated deficit (10,081,093 )   (10,132,290 )   (1,512,711 )
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 797,036     833,418     124,426  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1,580,421     1,196,964     178,702  

17 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per ADS data, or otherwise noted)
 
  For the three months ended June 30,
  2021     2022     2022  
  RMB     RMB     USD  
Net revenues 670,892     133,492     19,930  
Cost of revenues (Note 1) (248,003 )   (63,773 )   (9,521 )
                 
Gross profit 422,889     69,719     10,409  
                 
Operating expenses (Note 1)                
Sales and marketing expenses (306,731 )   (11,650 )   (1,739 )
Research and development expenses (229,535 )   (35,709 )   (5,331 )
General and administrative expenses (109,500 )   (56,441 )   (8,426 )
Impairment for property and equipment and right-of-use assets (56,882 )        
Total operating expenses (702,648 )   (103,800 )   (15,496 )
                 
Loss from operations (279,759 )   (34,081 )   (5,087 )
                 
Interest income 8,092     1,581     236  
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) 2,808     (18 )   (3 )
Other income, net 2,118     6,087     909  
                 
Loss before provision for income tax (266,741 )   (26,431 )   (3,945 )
Income tax expenses          
Net loss (266,741 )   (26,431 )   (3,945 )
Net loss available to ordinary shareholders of 17 (266,741 )   (26,431 )   (3,945 )
Education & Technology Group Inc.                
Net loss per ordinary share                
Basic and diluted (0.55 )   (0.05 )   (0.01 )
Net loss per ADS (Note 2)                
Basic and diluted (5.50 )   (0.50 )   (0.10 )
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss                
per ordinary share                
Basic and diluted 482,811,981     509,153,443     509,153,443  
                 
Note 1: Share-based compensation expenses were included in the cost and operating expenses as follows:
 
  For the three months ended June 30,  
  2021     2022     2022  
  RMB     RMB     USD  
Share-based compensation expenses:                
Sales and marketing expenses 6,519     3,368     503  
Research and development expenses 12,286     7,175     1,071  
General and administrative expenses 29,713     19,516     2,914  
Total 48,518     30,059     4,488  
                 
Note 2: Each one ADS represents ten Class A ordinary shares. Effective on November 17, 2021, the Company changed the ratio of its ADS to its Class A ordinary shares from two ADSs representing five Class A ordinary shares to one ADS representing ten Class A ordinary shares. All earnings per ADS figures in this report give effect to the foregoing ADS to share ratio change.

17 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share, per share and per ADS data)
           
  For the three months ended June 30,
  2021   2022   2022
  RMB   RMB   USD
           
Net Loss (266,741 )   (26,431 )   (3,945 )
Share-based compensation 48,518     30,059     4,488  
           
Adjusted net (loss) income (218,223 )   3,628     543  

17 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per ADS data, or otherwise noted)
 
  For the six months ended June 30,
  2021   2022   2022 
  RMB   RMB   USD
Net revenues 1,145,138     366,938     54,782  
Cost of revenues (Note 1) (435,628 )   (155,558 )   (23,224 )
           
Gross profit 709,510     211,380     31,558  
                 
Operating expenses (Note 1)                
Sales and marketing expenses (920,258 )   (33,647 )   (5,023 )
Research and development expenses (439,462 )   (133,185 )   (19,884 )
General and administrative expenses (239,218 )   (107,742 )   (16,085 )
Impairment for property and equipment and right-of-use assets (56,882 )        
Total operating expenses (1,655,820 )   (274,574 )   (40,992 )
                 
Loss from operations (946,310 )   (63,194 )   (9,434 )
                 
Interest income 15,089     3,646     544  
Foreign currency exchange gain 1,861     185     28  
Other income, net 2,932     8,166     1,219  
                 
Loss before provision for income tax (926,428 )   (51,197 )   (7,643 )
Income tax expenses          
Net loss (926,428 )   (51,197 )   (7,643 )
Net loss available to ordinary shareholders of 17                 
Education & Technology Group Inc. (926,428 )   (51,197 )   (7,643 )
Net loss per ordinary share                
Basic and diluted (1.92 )   (0.10 )   (0.02 )
Net loss per ADS (Note 2)                
Basic and diluted (19.20 )   (1.00 )   (0.20 )
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss                
per ordinary share                
Basic and diluted 482,100,675     508,882,655     508,882,655  
           
Note 1: Share-based compensation expenses were included in the cost and operating expenses as follows:
 
  For the six months ended June 30,
  2021     2022     2022  
  RMB   RMB   USD
Share-based compensation expenses:          
Sales and marketing expenses 11,594     7,348     1,097  
Research and development expenses 23,249     14,360     2,144  
General and administrative expenses 84,524     42,996     6,419  
Total 119,367     64,704     9,660  
           
Note 2: Each one ADS represents ten Class A ordinary shares. Effective on November 17, 2021, the Company changed the ratio of its ADS to its Class A ordinary shares from two ADSs representing five Class A ordinary shares to one ADS representing ten Class A ordinary shares. All earnings per ADS figures in this report give effect to the foregoing ADS to share ratio change.

17 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share, per share and per ADS data)
           
  For the six months ended June 30,
  2021   2022   2022
  RMB   RMB   USD
           
Net Loss (926,428 )   (51,197 )   (7,643 )
Share-based compensation 119,367     64,704     9,660  
           
Adjusted net (loss) income (807,061 )   13,507     2,017  

Disclaimer & Cookie Notice

Welcome to GOLDEA services for Professionals

Before you continue, please confirm the following:

Professional advisers only

I am a professional adviser and would like to visit the GOLDEA CAPITAL for Professionals website.

Cookie Notice

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website

Information we collect about your use of Goldea Capital website

Goldea Capital website collects personal data about visitors to its website.

When someone visits our websites, we use a third party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information (such as IP address and type of browser they’re using) and details of visitor behavior patterns. We do this to allow us to keep track of the number of visitors to the various parts of the sites and understand how our website is used. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities or nature of those visiting our websites. We won’t share your information with any other organizations for marketing, market research or commercial purposes and we don’t pass on your details to other websites.

Use of cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or other device by websites that you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.