BEIJING–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE and HKEX: 2423), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Business and Financial Highlights for the First Quarter 2023
Mr. Stanley Yongdong Peng, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Beike, commented, “We are pleased to see a strong rebound emerging in the real estate market in China along with improving macroeconomic conditions. During the market’s recovery in the first quarter of 2023, we significantly outpaced the industry in GTV growth of both existing and new home transactions. Our outstanding performance was empowered by our hallmark advantages in ACN and our persistent support to service providers in good and tough times, as well as our efforts to transform to high-quality growth.”
“Looking to the future, we will unremittingly seek development and growth, fueled by our mission of ‘Admirable Service, Joyful Living,’ and driven by the unfilled needs of consumers in the residential services sector that we aspire to meet. Today, many consumers still yearn for higher quality homes and housing-related products and services. These needs are the mountain we set out to climb over the coming decade. We will continue to improve our capabilities to achieve development. We will strengthen our ACN to enhance collaboration and service quality and provide increased coverage of housing services. We will cultivate stronger brands while aiming to enhance the efficiency of our stores and service providers through better platform operations and technology advancement. Most importantly, we will never lose sight of our enduring commitment to doing the right thing and taking care of customers, which has rewarded us with positive feedback and will continue to inspire us to unceasingly move forward,” concluded Mr. Peng.
Mr. Tao Xu, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Beike, added, “For the first quarter of this year, China’s real estate market has staged a notable recovery, bolstered by favorable government policies coupled with the intensive release of pent-up housing demand from the pandemic. Benefiting from our better preservation of quality stores and agents during the market’s profound downturn and the effective promotion of refined operations, we proactively capitalized on market recovery tailwinds and the seasonal boom at the beginning of the year. As a result, our GTV growth significantly outperformed the market and our net revenues reached RMB20.3 billion, a 61.6% increase year-over-year. Moreover, our more streamlined cost and expense structure has led to a significant increase in single-quarter profitability, bringing about the highest gross margin and operating margin since our listing at The New York Stock Exchange. Our net income reached RMB2,750 million for the first quarter, compared to net loss of RMB620 million in the same period in 2022, while non-GAAP net income jumped to RMB3,561 million in the first quarter, compared with RMB28 million in the same period in 2022, and an increase of 137% compared to the first quarter of 2021 with a similar revenue scale. As we look ahead, on the basis of optimized costs and expenses structure, we will reap profits from efficiency and continue to foster high-quality growth. In the long-run, we will be more proactive with our initiatives that contribute to long-term growth and greater vision. In the vast market of residential services, we will fortify our foundation with quality at our core, and make relentless efforts to improve the working environment of service providers and bring a better housing service experience to consumers.”
First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased by 61.6% to RMB20.3 billion (US$3.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB12.5 billion in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in total GTV. Total GTV grew by 65.8% to RMB971.5 billion (US$141.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB586.0 billion in the same period of 2022, which was primarily attributable to the release of pent-up housing demand after the pandemic situation eased and the improved housing market expectations against the backdrop of the macroeconomic recovery and the successive introduction of supportive policies, as well as the expansion of the Company’s home renovation and furnishing business.
Among that, (i) commission revenue increased by 41.6% to RMB7.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB5.5 billion in the same period of 2022, primarily due to an increase in GTV of existing home transactions served by Lianjia stores of 43.2% to RMB288.8 billion (US$42.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB201.7 billion in the same period of 2022; and
(ii) revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company’s platform, increased by 111.0% to RMB1.4 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2023, from RMB0.7 billion in the same period of 2022, mainly due to a 117.9% increase of GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company’s platform to RMB375.5 billion (US$54.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB172.4 billion in the same period of 2022.
Cost of Revenues
Total cost of revenues increased by 34.9% to RMB13.9 billion (US$2.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB10.3 billion in the same period of 2022.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased by 186.1% to RMB6.3 billion (US$0.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB2.2 billion in the same period of 2022. Gross margin was 31.3% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 17.7% in the same period of 2022. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to: a) a higher contribution margin for existing home transaction services led by the increased net revenues from existing home transaction services and the decreased fixed compensation costs for Lianjia agents; b) a higher contribution margin for new home transaction services as a result of an increased number of projects with higher margins, and a relatively lower percentage of fixed compensation costs of net revenues from new home transaction services; c) a higher contribution margin for home renovation and furnishing business led by an increased contribution from products and services with higher margins; and d) a relatively lower percentage of costs related to stores and other costs of net revenues in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022.
Income (Loss) from Operations
Total operating expenses increased by 7.5% to RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB3.1 billion in the same period of 2022, mainly due to the increase of sales and marketing expenses along with the expansion of home renovation and furnishing business, which was partially offset by the decrease of research and development expenses.
Income from operations was RMB2,978 million (US$434 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to loss from operations of RMB918 million in the same period of 2022. Operating margin was 14.7% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to negative 7.3% in the same period of 2022, primarily due to: a) a relatively higher gross profit margin, and b) improved operating leverage as a result of personnel optimization and optimized resource utilization in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period of 2022.
Adjusted income from operations6 was RMB3,830 million (US$558 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to adjusted loss from operations of RMB450 million in the same period of 2022. Adjusted operating margin7 was 18.9% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to negative 3.6% in the same period of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA8 was RMB4,625 million (US$673 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB341 million in the same period of 2022.
Net Income (Loss)
Net income was RMB2,750 million (US$400 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to net loss of RMB620 million in the same period of 2022.
Adjusted net income was RMB3,561 million (US$519 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB28 million in the same period of 2022.
Net Income (Loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB2,747 million (US$400 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to net loss attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders of RMB618 million in the same period of 2022.
Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders9 was RMB3,558 million (US$518 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB29 million in the same period of 2022.
Net Income (Loss) per ADS
Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders10 were RMB2.32 (US$0.34) and RMB2.26 (US$0.33) in the first quarter of 2023, respectively, compared to RMB0.52 for both basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders in the same period of 2022.
Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders11 were RMB3.01 (US$0.44) and RMB2.92 (US$0.43) in the first quarter of 2023, respectively, compared to RMB0.02 for both adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders in the same period of 2022.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-Term Investments
As of March 31, 2023, the combined balance of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments amounted to RMB66.6 billion (US$9.7 billion).
Business Outlook
For the second quarter of 2023, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB18.5 billion (US$2.7 billion) and RMB19.0 billion (US$2.8 billion), representing an increase of approximately 34.3% to 37.9% from the same quarter of 2022. This forecast considers the potential impact of the recent real estate related policies and measures, all of which remain uncertain and may continue to affect the Company’s operations. Therefore, the Company’s ongoing and preliminary view are contingent on the business situation and market condition.
Share Repurchase Program
As previously disclosed, the Company established a share repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to US$1 billion of its Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs over a 12-month period. From the launch of the share repurchase program on September 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the Company in aggregate purchased approximately 16.2 million ADSs in the open market at a total consideration of approximately US$228.6 million pursuant to the share repurchase program, certain of which were settled in early April 2023.
Conference Call Information
The Company will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 18, 2023 (8:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Thursday, May 18, 2023) to discuss the financial results.
For participants who wish to join the conference call using dial-in numbers, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Dial-in numbers, passcode and unique access PIN would be provided upon registering.
Participant Online Registration:https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10030661-ps8hfv.html
A replay of the conference call will be accessible through May 25, 2023, by dialing the following numbers:
| United States: | +1-855-883-1031 | |
| Mainland, China: | 400-1209-216 | |
| Hong Kong, China: | 800-930-639 | |
| International: | +61-7-3107-6325 | |
| Replay PIN: | 10030661 |
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.ke.com.
Exchange Rate
This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB6.8676 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2023, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Beike believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the Company’s business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its net income (loss). Beike also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that these non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business.
The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to gross profit, net income (loss) or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures 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 the Company’s data. Beike encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, and (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vi) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense (benefit), (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (vii) impairment of investments. Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.
Please see the “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” included in this press release for a full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to its respective comparable GAAP measure.
Contacts
For investor and media inquiries:
In China:
KE Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Siting Li
E-mail: ir@ke.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Yang Song
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com
HOHHOT, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 December 2024 - China's National Forestry and…
HONG KONG SAR - EQS Newswire - 23 December 2024 - Novautek Autonomous Driving Limited…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 December 2024 - V-GREEN and PT Xanh…
Increase in opportunities predicted for high-speed optical transceivers and miniaturized connectivity solutions to address data-intensive…
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 December 2024 - DYXnet, a wholly-owned…
CAIRO, EGYPT - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 December 2024 - Eand, Novo Nordisk, BSH,…