AACG - ATA Creativity Global Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

BEIJING, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATA Creativity Global (“ACG” or the “Company”, Nasdaq: AACG) , an international educational services company focused on providing quality learning experiences that cultivate and enhance students’ creativity, today announced preliminary unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (“First Quarter 2021”).

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

• During First Quarter 2021, student enrollment was 964, an increase of 41.6% from 681 in the prior-year period. Of these students, 528 were enrolled in ACG’s portfolio training programs. Approximately 27,865 credit hours were delivered during First Quarter 2021, an increase of 5.5% from 26,410 in the prior-year period.
• First Quarter 2021 net revenues of RMB37.6 million (US$5.7 million), an increase of 15.0% from RMB32.7 million in the prior-year period
• First Quarter 2021 net loss attributable to ACG improved to RMB19.0 million (US$2.9 million), from RMB20.5 million in the prior-year period
• RMB95.6 million (US$14.6 million) in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2021

Management Commentary

Mr. Kevin Ma, Chairman and CEO of ACG, stated, “2021 began with continued progress in the recovering pandemic environment as ACG reported a 41.6% year-over-year increase in total student enrollment and 15% growth on the top line, which was primarily driven by an overall increase in services delivered during First Quarter 2021. We were pleased to see enrollment growth across all our major programs, including portfolio training, overseas study counselling and research-based learning services, which continues to see strong demand and for which we continue to develop new programs. As the recovery from the global pandemic continues to unfold in the coming months, ACG is prepared to provide students with the best possible offerings for their artistic and creative pursuits whether that means a virtual workshop with a reputable overseas partner institution or a local art-themed tour with a small group of students. During First Quarter 2021, we saw strong enrollment growth in our portfolio training programs with a total of 528 students, an increase of 30.7% from the prior-year period, as well as an increase in credit hours delivered by 5.5% to 27,865.”

Outlook

Mr. Jun Zhang, President of ACG, stated, “We were pleased to see the positive turn in enrollment and credit hours delivered during First Quarter 2021, which is a testament to the dedication of our quality teaching staff and to the value our students see in our academic and experiential offerings. We believe our improved and expanded research-based learning services business will make strong contributions toward the growth of ACG in 2021 as we are seeing some pent-up demand for both in-person and online hands-on learning experiences. We believe our current programs provide students with a wide range of options for pursuing their creative education, depending on their interests and preferred method of learning, and we are proactively developing additional programs and ways in which we can serve and nurture students with a passion for the arts.”

Operating Review

Enrollment Update

ACG student enrollment for First Quarter 2021 was 964, of which 528 were enrolled in its portfolio training programs, which consist of time-based programs and project-based programs.

A total of 27,865 credit hours were delivered for portfolio training programs during First Quarter 2021, of which 16,135 credit hours were delivered for time-based programs and 11,730 credit hours were delivered for project-based programs. These courses were delivered either in person through ACG’s nationwide training center network or via online platform.

The following is a summary of the credit hours delivered for ACG’s portfolio training programs for First Quarter 2021, compared to those for the prior-year period:

During First Quarter 2021, 436 students were enrolled in ACG’s other programs, which mainly consisted of overseas study counselling, research-based learning services and foreign language training services.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Review – GAAP Results

ACG’s total net revenues for First Quarter 2021 increased 15.0% to RMB37.6 million (US$5.7 million), from RMB32.7 million in the prior-year period, which was primarily due to an increase in services delivered across all of ACG’s major programs in a recovering post-pandemic environment. Revenues from portfolio training programs were RMB23.9 million, or 63.5% of total net revenues, during the period. Revenues from overseas study counselling, research-based learning services and other educational services were RMB13.7 million, or 36.5% of total net revenues during the period.

Gross profit for First Quarter 2021 increased 27.4% to RMB14.9 million (US$2.3 million), from RMB11.7 million in the prior-year period. Gross margin improved to 39.6% during the period, compared to 35.8% in the prior-year period.

Total operating expenses for First Quarter 2021 were RMB38.1 million (US$5.8 million), compared to RMB38.4 million in the prior-year period.

Loss from operations for First Quarter 2021 was RMB23.2 million (US$3.5 million), compared to RMB26.5 million in the prior-year period, primarily as a result of the increased gross profit mentioned above.

Net loss attributable to ACG for First Quarter 2021 improved to RMB19.0 million (US$2.9 million), from RMB20.5 million in the prior-year period, primarily as a result of the approximate RMB3.2 million improvement in loss from operations mentioned above, offset by an RMB1.7 million in reduced benefit from non-redeemable non-controlling interests.

For First Quarter 2021, basic and diluted losses per common share attributable to ACG were both RMB0.33 (US$0.05), compared to RMB0.35 for the prior-year period. Basic and diluted losses per ADS attributable to ACG were both RMB0.66 (US$0.10), compared to RMB0.70 in the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted net loss attributable to ACG for First Quarter 2021, which excludes share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain (loss) (non-GAAP), was RMB18.9 million (US$2.9 million), compared to adjusted net loss of RMB19.8 million in the prior-year period.

Basic and diluted losses per common share attributable to ACG excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain (non-GAAP) for First Quarter 2021, were RMB0.32 (US$0.05). Basic and diluted losses per ADS attributable to ACG excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain (non-GAAP) for First Quarter 2021 were RMB0.64 (US$0.10).

Please see the note about non-GAAP measures and the reconciliation table at the end of this press release.

Other Data

The number of weighted average ADSs used to calculate both basic and diluted earnings per ADS for First Quarter 2021 were 31.4 million. Each ADS represents two common shares.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of March 31, 2021, ACG’s cash and cash equivalents were RMB95.6 million (US$14.6 million), working capital deficit was RMB173.4 million (US$26.5 million), and total shareholders’ equity was RMB178.5 million (US$27.2 million); compared to cash and cash equivalents of RMB112.7 million, working capital deficit of RMB153.9 million, and total shareholders’ equity of RMB199.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

Conference Call and Webcast Information (With Accompanying Presentation)

ACG will host a conference call at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 13, 2021 (9 a.m. Beijing time on Friday, May 14, 2021), during which management will discuss the results of the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers about 10 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time:

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed at: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/atac/mediaframe/45084/indexl.html .

An accompanying slide presentation will also be made available 30 minutes prior to the conference call at the investor relations section of ACG’s website ( https://ir.atai.net.cn/ ). To listen to the webcast, please visit ACG’s website a few minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

A replay will be available shortly after the call and will remain available for 90 days.

About ATA Creativity Global

ATA Creativity Global is an international educational services company focused on providing quality learning experiences that cultivate and enhance students’ creativity. ATA Creativity Global offers a wide range of education services consisting primarily of portfolio training, research-based learning services, overseas study counselling and other educational services through its training center network. For more information, please visit ACG’s website at www.atai.net.cn .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “look forward to,” “outlook,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” and similar terms and include, among other things, statements regarding ACG’s future growth and results of operations; ACG’s plans for mergers and acquisitions generally; ACG’s growth strategy, anticipated growth prospects and subsequent business activities; market demand for ACG’s portfolio training programs and other education services; the impact of COVID-19 on ACG and its operations; and ACG’s plan and anticipated benefits of the measures implemented in response to COVID-19.

The factors that could cause the Company’s actual financial and operating results to differ from what the Company currently anticipates may include its ability to develop and create content that could accommodate needs of potential students, its ability to provide effective creative related international education services and control sales and marketing expenses, its recognition in the marketplace for services it delivered and branding it established, its ability to integrate the acquired business, its ability to maintain market share amid increasing competition, its ability to identify and execute on M&A opportunities within the education sector, the economy of China, uncertainties with respect to China’s legal and regulatory environments, the impact of COVID-19 and other factors stated in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and other filings that ACG has made with the SEC. The filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and at ACG’s website at www.atai.net.cn . For additional information on the risk factors that could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects, please see the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

The forward-looking statements in this release involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections about ACG and the markets in which it operates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that its expectations and assumptions expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that its expectations and assumptions will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

Currency Convenience Translation

The Company’s financial information is stated in Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the People’s Republic of China. The translations of RMB amounts for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, into U.S. dollars are included solely for the convenience of readers and have been made at the rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate as of March 31, 2021, in New York for cable transfers in RMB per U.S. dollar as set forth in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement ACG’s consolidated financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, ACG uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss, and basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share and ADS excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss.

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. ACG believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information about its performance by excluding share- based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss, which may not be indicative of its operating performance.

ACG believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to ACG’s historical performance. ACG computes its non-GAAP financial measures using a consistent method from period to period. ACG believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss and basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share and per ADS excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss is that share-based compensation charges and foreign currency exchange gain or loss have been, and are expected to continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in ACG’s business.

Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The table captioned “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures” shown at the end of this news release has more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to the non-GAAP financial measures used by ACG.