UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of May 2024

 

Commission file number: 001-38423

 

 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Building 6, Chaolai Science Park, No. 36

Chuangyuan Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing, 100012, the People’s Republic of China

+86-10-52413738


(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.    Form 20-F  ☒       Form 40-F  ☐

 

 

  

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
99.1   Press Release

 

 

 

Signature

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Sunlands Technology Group
     
     
Date: May 24, 2024   By: /s/ Tongbo Liu
        Name:   Tongbo Liu
        Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Sunlands Technology Group Announces Unaudited

 

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

 

BEIJING, May 24, 2024 -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

 

First Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Snapshots

 

·Net revenues were RMB523.2 million (US$72.5 million), compared to RMB566.9 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·Gross billings (non-GAAP) were RMB398.8 million (US$55.2 million), compared to RMB345.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·Gross profit was RMB446.1 million (US$61.8 million), compared to RMB498.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·Net income was RMB112.7 million (US$15.6 million), compared to RMB180.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·Net income margin1 was 21.5% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 31.8% in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·New student enrollments2 were 175,758, compared to 143,179 in the first quarter of 2023.

 

·As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s deferred revenue balance was RMB1,044.9 million (US$144.7 million), compared to RMB1,113.9 million as of December 31, 2023.

 

 

1 Net income margin is defined as net income as a percentage of net revenues.

 

2 New student enrollments for a given period refer to the total number of orders placed by students that newly enroll in at least one course during that period, including those students that enroll and then terminate their enrollment with us, excluding orders of our low-price courses, such as “mini courses” and “RMB1 courses”, which we offer in the form of recorded videos or short live streaming, to strengthen our competitiveness and improve customer experience.)

 

1 

 

“Reflecting on the first quarter of 2024, we've maintained stability amidst challenging conditions. Despite year-over-year decrease, our net revenues and net income for the quarter stood at RMB523.2 million and RMB112.7 million respectively. This marks our sustained profitability, underscoring our operational efficiency and commitment to shareholder value. Additionally, our enrollment figures surged by 22.8%, attributable to our enhanced proficiency in acquiring students. This improvement reflects our dedicated initiatives to attract new users and enhance user retention and engagement by refining our course offerings to meet diverse learning needs.

 

Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about our long-term profitability. We endeavor to closely monitor and enhance student experience across all phases of teaching, learning, assessment, and practice. Moving forward, we're dedicated to delivering exceptional services and products while exploring avenues for further business growth and operational efficiency improvements.” said Mr. Tongbo Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Sunlands.

 

Mr. Hangyu Li, finance director of Sunlands, commented, “Throughout the first quarter, we continued our efforts to improve operational efficiency and optimize our cost structure. Since the fourth quarter of 2021, the net income margin has remained consistently above 20%. We also achieved our third consecutive quarter of net cash inflow from operations, providing a solid financial foundation for the long-term growth of our business. This demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of our business model. Going forward, we will continue to optimize our product mix while maintaining efficient operations. These strategic initiatives will enable us to capitalize on emerging opportunities, strengthen our leadership position in the industry and continue to create value for our shareholders.”

 

2 

 

Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2024

 

Net Revenues

 

In the first quarter of 2024, net revenues decreased by 7.7% to RMB523.2 million (US$72.5 million) from RMB566.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the decline in gross billings from post-secondary courses over the recent quarters, partially offset by the growth in revenues from sales of goods such as books and learning materials.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of revenues increased by 13.2% to RMB77.2 million (US$10.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB68.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the cost of revenues from sales of goods such as books and learning materials.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit decreased by 10.6% to RMB446.1 million (US$61.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB498.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Operating Expenses

 

In the first quarter of 2024, operating expenses were RMB341.1 million (US$47.2 million), representing a 6.4% increase from RMB320.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Sales and marketing expenses increased by 11.1% to RMB301.6 million (US$41.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB271.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase was mainly due to a growth in spending on sales activities, including enhanced compensation for sales personnel as well as increased spending on branding and marketing activities focusing on interest courses offerings.

 

General and administrative expenses decreased by 17.9% to RMB32.6 million (US$4.5 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB39.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to the decline in rental expenses as certain leases for office space were partially terminated in 2023 before the expiration of the lease term for cost saving.

 

Product development expenses decreased by 27.6% to RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB9.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to declined compensation expenses related to headcount reduction of our product development personnel.

 

3 

 

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was RMB112.7 million (US$15.6 million), as compared to RMB180.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

 

Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB16.44 (US$2.28) in the first quarter of 2024.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had RMB803.5 million (US$111.3 million) of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and RMB179.7 million (US$24.9 million) of short-term investments, as compared to RMB766.4 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and RMB142.1 million of short-term investments as of December 31, 2023.

 

Deferred Revenue

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a deferred revenue balance of RMB1,044.9 million (US$144.7 million), as compared to RMB1,113.9 million as of December 31, 2023.

 

Share Repurchase

 

On December 6, 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to US$15.0 million of Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs over the next 24 months. On December 1, 2023, the Company’s board of directors authorized to extend its share repurchase program over the next twenty-four months. As of May 21, 2024, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 502,139 ADSs for approximately US$2.5 million under the share repurchase program.

 

Outlook

 

For the second quarter of 2024, Sunlands currently expects net revenues to be between RMB480 million to RMB500 million, which would represent a decrease of 5.0% to 8.8% year-over-year. The above outlook is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company’s current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to substantial uncertainty.

 

4 

 

 

Exchange Rate

 

The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and all revenues are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB7.2203 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 29, 2024 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 29, 2024, or at any other rate.

 

Conference Call and Webcast

 

Sunlands’ management team will host a conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time, (7:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong time) on May 24, 2024, following the quarterly results announcement.

 

For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete online registration 15 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, a personal PIN and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

 

Registration Link:

 

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3a767e6d591c4806943f7c8f6a578811

 

Additionally, a live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands' website at https://ir.sunlands.com/.

 

5 

 

About Sunlands

 

Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market. With a one to many live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree- or diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as professional certification preparation, professional skills and interest courses. Students can access the Company's services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals.

 

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use gross billings, EBITDA, non-GAAP operating cost and expenses, non-GAAP income from operations and Non-GAAP net income per share, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

 

We define gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course packages, net of the total amount of refunds paid in such period. Our management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because we generally bill our students for the entire course tuition at the time of sale of our course packages and recognize revenue proportionally over a period. EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income tax expenses. We believe that gross billings and EBITDA provide valuable insight into the sales of our course packages and the performance of our business.

 

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below.

 

6 

 

Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As gross billings, EBITDA, operating cost and expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, sales and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, product development expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP net income exclude share-based compensation expenses, and basic and diluted net income per share excluding share-based compensation expenses have material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider gross billings and EBITDA as a substitute for, or superior to, their respective most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

 

7 

 


 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. 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,” “confident” and similar statements. Sunlands may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 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. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sunlands' beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: Sunlands' goals and strategies; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and services; its ability to retain and increase student enrollments; its ability to offer new courses and educational content; its ability to improve teaching quality and students’ learning results; its ability to improve sales and marketing efficiency and effectiveness; its ability to engage, train and retain new faculty members; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure necessary to operate its business; competition in the online education industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Sunlands’ corporate structure, business and industry; and general economic and business condition in China Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Sunlands' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and Sunlands does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

 

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

 

Sunlands Technology Group

 

Investor Relations

 

Email: sl-ir@sunlands.com

 

SOURCE: Sunlands Technology Group

 

8 

 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

  

    As of December 31,   As of March 31,
    2023   2024
    RMB   RMB   US$
ASSETS            
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents   763,800    800,476   110,865
Restricted cash   2,578    3,055   423
Short-term investments   142,084    179,661   24,883
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   109,018    106,139   14,700
Deferred costs, current   14,274    10,068   1,394
Total current assets   1,031,754    1,099,399   152,265
Non-current assets            
Property and equipment, net   786,670    779,559   107,968
Intangible assets, net   975    751   104
Right-of-use assets   135,820    130,377   18,057
Deferred costs, non-current   68,773    61,499   8,518
Long-term investments   61,354    56,540   7,831
Other non-current assets   33,160    34,337   4,756
Total non-current assets   1,086,752    1,063,063   147,234
TOTAL ASSETS   2,118,506    2,162,462   299,499
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
             
LIABILITIES            
Current liabilities            
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   409,691    417,455   57,820
Deferred revenue, current   553,812    480,712   66,578
Lease liabilities, current portion   8,019    8,587   1,189
Long-term debt, current portion   38,654    38,654   5,354
Total current liabilities   1,010,176
 
 945,408
 
 130,941

9 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-continued

 

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

    As of December 31,   As of March 31,
    2023   2024
    RMB   RMB   US$
Non-current liabilities            
Deferred revenue, non-current   560,111    564,154   78,134
Lease liabilities, non-current portion   157,269    150,579   20,855
Deferred tax liabilities   3,742    3,106   430
Other non-current liabilities   6,994    7,067   979
Long-term debt, non-current portion   104,665    95,001   13,157
Total non-current liabilities   832,781    819,907   113,555
TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,842,957    1,765,315   244,496
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 796,062,195 shares            
authorized; 3,131,807 and 3,131,807 shares issued as of December 31, 2023            
and March 31, 2024, respectively; 2,702,523 and 2,697,294 shares            
outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively)   1   1   -
Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 826,389 shares            
authorized; 826,389 and 826,389 shares issued and outstanding            
as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively)   -   -   -
Class C ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 203,111,416 shares            
authorized; 3,332,062 and 3,332,062 shares issued and outstanding            
as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively)   1   1   -
Treasury stock   -   -   -
Accumulated deficit   (2,171,284)    (2,058,549)    (285,106)
Additional paid-in capital   2,305,042    2,304,369   319,151
Accumulated other comprehensive income   143,276    152,812   21,164
Total Sunlands Technology Group shareholders’ equity   277,036    398,634   55,209
Non-controlling interest   (1,487)    (1,487)    (206)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   275,549    397,147    55,003
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   2,118,506   2,162,462   299,499

10 

 

 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

 

    For the Three Months Ended March 31,
    2023   2024
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net revenues   566,876   523,240   72,468
Cost of revenues   (68,155)   (77,163)   (10,687)
Gross profit   498,721   446,077   61,781
             
Operating expenses            
Sales and marketing expenses   (271,414)   (301,575)   (41,768)
Product development expenses   (9,680)   (7,010)   (971)
General and administrative expenses   (39,640)   (32,552)   (4,508)
Total operating expenses   (320,734)   (341,137)   (47,247)
Income from operations   177,987   104,940   14,534
Interest income   6,561   9,289   1,287
Interest expense   (2,124)   (1,604)   (222)
Other income, net   8,798    5,780   801

Income before income tax (expenses)/benefit

            
and loss from equity method investments   191,222    118,405   16,400
Income tax (expenses)/benefit   (7,731)    391   54
Loss from equity method investments   (3,384)    (6,061)   (839)
Net income   180,107    112,735   15,615
             
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest   1   -   -
Net income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   180,106     112,735   15,615
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of            
Sunlands Technology Group:            
Basic and diluted   26.00    16.44   2.28
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income            
per ordinary share:            
Basic and diluted   6,926,440   6,857,016   6,857,016

11 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

    For the Three Months Ended March 31,
    2023   2024
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net income   180,107   112,735   15,615
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax effect of nil:            
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments   (2,327)   9,536   1,321
Total comprehensive income   177,780   122,271   16,936

Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest

   1   -   -
Comprehensive income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   177,779   122,271   16,936

12 

 

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

    For the Three Months Ended March 31,

    2023   2024
    RMB   RMB
Net revenues   566,876     523,240
Less: other revenues   (41,847)    (58,874)
Add: tax and surcharges   17,995    16,369
Add: ending deferred revenue   1,513,896    1,044,866
Add: ending refund liability   112,188    130,840
Less: beginning deferred revenue   (1,690,946)    (1,113,923)
Less: beginning refund liability   (133,066)    (143,744)
Gross billings (non-GAAP)   345,096    398,774
         
         
         
Net income   180,107   112,735
Add: income tax expenses/(benefit)   7,731   (391)
depreciation and amortization   7,590   7,431
interest expense   2,124   1,604
Less: interest income   (6,561)   (9,289)
EBITDA (non-GAAP)   190,991   112,090

 

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