GOTU Gaotu Techedu Inc

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of November 2023

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Commission File Number: 001-38923

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Gaotu Techedu Inc.

 

5F, Gientech Building, 7 East Zone,

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

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

 

Form 20-F ___X____ Form 40-F _________

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit 99.1—Press Release

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

 

Gaotu Techedu Inc.
By	:	/s/ Nan Shen
Name	:	Nan Shen
Title	:	Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: November 22, 2023

 

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Exhibit 99.1

Gaotu Techedu Announces Third Quarter of 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

and the Upsizing of Share Repurchase Program

 

Beijing, China, November 22, 2023 —Gaotu Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU) (“Gaotu” or the “Company”), a technology-driven education company and online large-class tutoring service provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

 

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights[1]

 

Third Quarter 2023 Key Financial and Operating Data

(In thousands of RMB, except for percentages)

 

	For the three months ended September 30,
	2022				2023				Pct. Change
Net revenues		606,169				789,413			30.2%
Gross billings		607,042				639,342			5.3%
Loss from operations		(69,564	)			(99,541	)		43.1%
Non-GAAP loss from operations		(52,968	)			(83,607	)		57.8%
Net loss		(61,350	)			(57,663	)		(6.0)%
Non-GAAP net loss		(44,754	)			(41,729	)		(6.8)%
Net operating cash outflow		(34,681	)			(209,930	)		505.3%

 

[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. Non-GAAP income (loss) from operations and non-GAAP net income (loss) exclude share-based compensation expenses.

[2] Gross billings is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course offerings in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" elsewhere in this press release.

 

 

 

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Highlights

First Nine Months 2023 Key Financial and Operating Data

(In thousands of RMB, except for percentages)

	For the nine months ended September 30,
	2022				2023				Pct. Change
Net revenues		1,868,583				2,199,799			17.7%
Gross billings		1,536,805				2,060,618			34.1%
(Loss)/income from operations		(104,804	)			38,909			137.1%
Non-GAAP income from operations		1,071				81,583			7,517.5%
Net (Loss)/income		(57,441	)			112,351			295.6%
Non-GAAP net income		48,434				155,025			220.1%
Net operating cash outflow		(422,153	)			(137,796	)		(67.4)%

 

Larry Xiangdong Chen, the Company’s founder, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We are currently focusing on defining clear development directions and charting a well-defined path forward, dedicated to building up our core organizational competitiveness and continuously delving into new business initiatives. We will invest in areas that are strategically important for the company’s success, continue to refine products and services for non-academic tutoring services, traditional learning services and educational services for college students and adults, and build a resilient organization and a robust pool of talent. We are confident in our ability to deliver high-quality services and efficient operations through our ongoing efforts to improve customer acquisition efficiency, refine our educational products and services offerings, and foster the rapid growth of our talents and organization. We believe these initiatives will put Gaotu on the fast track to growth.

 

We have strong confidence in our company’s future growth and development, therefore our board of directors today authorized the upsizing of our existing share repurchase program to US$80 million worth of ADSs to continuously enhance long-term shareholder value.”

 

Shannon Shen, CFO of the Company, added, “The company maintained growth momentum during the third quarter of 2023. Net revenues increased by 30.2% year-over-year to RMB789 million, while gross billings increased by 5.3% year-over-year to RMB639 million. We maintained a strong cash position, with a total of approximately RMB3.52 billion in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short and long-term investments as of September 30, 2023. This was RMB181 million higher than the same time point of last year, and highlights the ample resources we have to continue driving the development of our business. The company will keep to its original goal of addressing user needs and enhancing learning outcomes in order to create sustainable long-term value for its customers and shareholders.”

 

 

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Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2023

Net Revenues

Net revenues increased by 30.2% to RMB789.4 million from RMB606.2 million in the third quarter of 2022, which was mainly due to the continuous year-over-year growth of gross billings in the last three quarters as a result of the improvement of customer acquisition efficiency.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues increased by 29.2% to RMB218.1 million from RMB168.8 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was mainly due to the growth of labor cost of instructors and tutors, as well as the increase of learning materials cost.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Gross profit increased by 30.6% to RMB571.3 million from RMB437.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. Gross profit margin increased to 72.4% from 72.2% in the same period of 2022.

Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 30.4% to RMB572.8 million from RMB439.3 million in the third quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP gross profit margin increased to 72.6% from 72.5% in the same period of 2022.

 

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased by 32.3% to RMB670.8 million from RMB506.9 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to the growth of labor expenses, as well as a higher expenditure on marketing and branding activities.

 

Loss from Operations

 

Loss from operations was RMB99.5 million, compared with loss from operations of RMB69.6 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP loss from operations was RMB83.6 million, compared with non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB53.0 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Interest Income and Realized Gains from Investments

 

Interest income and realized gains from investments, on aggregate, were RMB31.7 million, compared with a total of RMB12.1 million in the third quarter of 2022.

 

 

 

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Other Income/(Expense)

 

Other income was RMB15.8 million, compared with other expense of RMB3.4 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Net Loss

 

Net loss was RMB57.7 million, compared with net loss of RMB61.4 million in the third quarter of 2022.

 

Non-GAAP net loss was RMB41.7 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of RMB44.8 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Cash Flow

 

Net operating cash outflow in the third quarter of 2023 was RMB209.9 million, which was primarily due to the higher labor expenditure, as well as the increased spending on marketing and branding activities.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per ADS

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both RMB0.22 in the third quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both RMB0.16 in the third quarter of 2023.

Share Outstanding

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had 173,781,889 ordinary shares outstanding.

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

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term and long-term investments of RMB3,523.4 million in aggregate, compared with a total of RMB3,743.8 million as of December 31, 2022.

 

Share Repurchase

 

In November 2022, the Company's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$30 million worth of its shares, effective until November 22, 2025. In November 2023, the Company's board of directors authorized modifications to its existing share repurchase program, increasing the aggregate value of shares that may be repurchased from US$30 million to US$80 million, effective until November 22, 2025.

 

As of November 20, 2023, the Company had cumulatively repurchased approximately 4.2 million ADSs for approximately US$10.8 million under its existing share repurchase program.

 

In November 2022, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, the Company's founder, Chairman and CEO, announced his plan to personally purchase up to US$20 million of the Company's shares. As of November 20, 2023, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, had cumulatively purchased approximately 0.88 million ADSs under the existing purchase plan.

 

 

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Appointment of Senior Executives

 

The Company has appointed Mr. Bin Luo as Senior Vice President and the head of college students and adults business. Mr. Luo will also be responsible for the Company's marketing and branding.

 

Mr. Bin Luo joined Gaotu in 2014, at the time of the Company's incorporation. Mr. Luo has extensive experience in education, marketing, and user growth. Prior to joining Gaotu, Mr. Luo served as a senior technology manager in Baidu. Mr. Luo received his bachelor's degree in computer science and technology and master's degree in signal and information processing, both from Beijing Jiaotong University. Mr. Luo is currently pursuing an EMBA at China Europe International Business School.

 

The Company has also appointed Ms. Nan Shen, currently Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as Senior Vice President of the Company.

 

Business Outlook

Based on the Company’s current estimates, total net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023 are expected to be between RMB668 million and RMB688 million, representing an increase of 6.1% to 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. These estimates reflect the Company’s current expectations, which are subject to change.

 

Conference Call

The Company will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 (9:00 PM on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

International: 1-412-317-6061

United States: 1-888-317-6003

Hong Kong: 800-963-976

Mainland China: 400-120-6115

Passcode: 2868224

A telephone replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through November 29, 2023. The dial-in details are:

 

International: 1-412-317-0088

United States: 1-877-344-7529

Passcode: 4454088

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.gaotu.cn/home.

 

 

 

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Safe Harbor Statement

 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of 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” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company 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 reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. 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: the Company’s ability to continue to attract students to enroll in its courses; the Company’s ability to continue to recruit, train and retain qualified teachers; the Company’s ability to improve the content of its existing course offerings and to develop new courses; the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company’s ability to maintain and continue to improve its teaching results; and the Company’s ability to compete effectively against its competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s reports filed with, or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

About Gaotu Techedu Inc.

 

Gaotu is a technology-driven education company and online large-class tutoring service provider in China. The Company offers learning services and educational content & digitalized learning products. Gaotu adopts an online live large-class format to deliver its courses, which the Company believes is the most effective and scalable model to disseminate scarce high-quality teaching resources to aspiring students in China. Big data analytics permeates every aspect of the Company's business and facilitates the application of the latest technology to improve teaching delivery, student learning experience, and operational efficiency.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Company uses gross billings, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations and non-GAAP net income (loss), each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

 

The Company defines gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course offerings in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. The Company's management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because the Company generally bills its students for the entire course fee at the time of sale of its course offerings and recognizes revenue proportionally as the classes are delivered. For some courses, the Company continues to provide students with 12 months to 36 months access to the pre-recorded audio-video courses after the online live courses are delivered. The Company believes that gross billings provides valuable insight into the sales of its course packages and the performance of its business. As gross billings have material limitations as an analytical metrics 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.

 

 

 

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Non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations and non-GAAP net income (loss) exclude share-based compensation expenses. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. The Company 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 the Company’s historical performance. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charges 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 is not intended to be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” set forth at the end of this release.

 

The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

Exchange Rate

The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and a significant majority of revenues generated are denominated in Renminbi ("RMB"). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to USD are made at a rate of RMB7.2960 to USD1.0000, the effective noon buying rate for September 29, 2023 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 USD at that rate on September 29, 2023, or at any other rate.

For further information, please contact:

 

Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: ir@gaotu.cn

 

Christensen

 

In China

Ms. Vivian Wang

Phone: +852-2232-3978

E-mail: gotu@christensencomms.com

 

In the US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

 

 

 

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Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share, per share and per ADS data)

 

	As of December 31,				As of September 30,
	2022				2023				2023
	RMB				RMB				USD
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		819,911				885,569				121,377
Restricted cash		22				50				7
Short-term investments		2,923,864				1,578,237				216,315
Inventory, net		22,783				29,821				4,087
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		399,897				602,524				82,583
Amounts due from related party		-				10,660				1,461
Total current assets		4,166,477				3,106,861				425,830
Non-current assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets		83,663				126,252				17,304
Property, equipment and software, net		552,032				524,580				71,900
Land use rights, net		27,373				26,769				3,669
Long-term investments		-				1,059,577				145,227
Deferred tax assets		15,679				11,312				1,550
Rental deposit		9,502				10,765				1,475
Other non-current assets		21,449				18,978				2,601
TOTAL ASSETS		4,876,175				4,885,094				669,556
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities       (including accrued expenses and other current       liabilities of the consolidated VIE without       recourse to the Group of RMB367,477       and RMB356,021 as of December 31, 2022       and September 30, 2023, respectively)		662,189				634,021				86,899
Deferred revenue, current portion of the       consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group		906,914				631,247				86,520
Operating lease liabilities, current portion       (including current portion of operating lease       liabilities of the consolidated VIE without       recourse to the Group of RMB21,281 and       RMB21,033 as of December 31, 2022 and       September 30, 2023, respectively)		38,326				36,901				5,058
Income tax payable (including income tax    payable of the consolidated VIE without    recourse to the Group of RMB260 and    RMB2,501 as of December 31, 2022 and    September 30, 2023, respectively)		1,793				2,556				350
Total current liabilities		1,609,222				1,304,725				178,827

 

 

 

 

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Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share, per share and per ADS data)

 

	As of December 31,				As of September 30,
	2022				2023				2023
	RMB				RMB				USD
Non-current liabilities
Deferred revenue, non-current portion of       the consolidated VIE without recourse       to the Group		52,419				130,054				17,825
Operating lease liabilities, non-current       portion (including non-current portion       of operating lease liabilities of the       consolidated VIE without recourse       to the Group of RMB17,457 and       RMB67,167 as of December 31, 2022       and September 30, 2023, respectively)		44,198				87,549				12,000
Deferred tax liabilities(including deferred      tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE      without recourse to the Group of      RMB74,341 and RMB72,476 as of      December 31, 2022 and September      30, 2023, respectively)		74,507				72,617				9,953
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,780,346				1,594,945				218,605
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Ordinary shares		115				116				16
Treasury stock, at cost		-				(33,691	)			(4,618	)
Additional paid-in capital		7,915,899				7,977,592				1,093,419
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(64,062	)			(10,096	)			(1,384	)
Statutory reserve		40,380				40,380				5,535
Accumulated deficit		(4,796,503	)			(4,684,152	)			(642,017	)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		3,095,829				3,290,149				450,951
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL   SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		4,876,175				4,885,094				669,556

 

 

 

 

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Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share, per share and per ADS data)

 

	For the three months ended September 30,												For the nine months ended September 30,
	2022				2023				2023				2022				2023				2023
	RMB				RMB				USD				RMB				RMB				USD
Net revenues		606,169				789,413				108,198				1,868,583				2,199,799				301,508
Cost of revenues		(168,799	)			(218,126	)			(29,897	)			(541,748	)			(562,488	)			(77,095	)
Gross profit		437,370				571,287				78,301				1,326,835				1,637,311				224,413
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses		(336,799	)			(434,428	)			(59,543	)			(889,948	)			(1,035,514	)			(141,929	)
Research and development expenses		(106,537	)			(130,618	)			(17,903	)			(333,716	)			(325,997	)			(44,682	)
General and administrative expenses		(63,598	)			(105,782	)			(14,499	)			(207,975	)			(236,891	)			(32,469	)
Total operating expenses		(506,934	)			(670,828	)			(91,945	)			(1,431,639	)			(1,598,402	)			(219,080	)
(Loss)/income from operations		(69,564	)			(99,541	)			(13,644	)			(104,804	)			38,909				5,333
Interest income		4,325				24,153				3,310				13,770				57,226				7,843
Realized gains from investments		7,753				7,579				1,039				27,486				25,961				3,558
Other (expense)/income		(3,438	)			15,782				2,163				24,963				21,695				2,974
(Loss)/income before provision for income tax and share of results of equity investees		(60,924	)			(52,027	)			(7,132	)			(38,585	)			143,791				19,708
Income tax expenses		(426	)			(656	)			(90	)			(18,856	)			(22,275	)			(3,053	)
Share of results of equity investees		-				(4,980	)			(683	)			-				(9,165	)			(1,256	)
Net (loss)/income		(61,350	)			(57,663	)			(7,905	)			(57,441	)			112,351				15,399
Net (loss)/income attributable to Gaotu Techedu Inc.'s ordinary shareholders		(61,350	)			(57,663	)			(7,905	)			(57,441	)			112,351				15,399
Net (loss)/income per ordinary share
Basic		(0.36	)			(0.33	)			(0.05	)			(0.33	)			0.65				0.09
Diluted		(0.36	)			(0.33	)			(0.05	)			(0.33	)			0.63				0.09
Net (loss)/income per ADS
Basic		(0.24	)			(0.22	)			(0.03	)			(0.22	)			0.43				0.06
Diluted		(0.24	)			(0.22	)			(0.03	)			(0.22	)			0.42				0.06
Weighted average shares used in net (loss)/income per share
Basic		172,515,359				174,631,114				174,631,114				172,085,108				174,107,221				174,107,221
Diluted		172,515,359				174,631,114				174,631,114				172,085,108				179,488,050				179,488,050

 

Note: Three ADSs represent two ordinary shares.

 

 

 

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Gaotu Techedu 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 September 30,												For the nine months ended September 30,
	2022				2023				2023				2022				2023				2023
	RMB				RMB				USD				RMB				RMB				USD
Net revenues		606,169				789,413				108,198				1,868,583				2,199,799				301,508
Less: other revenues(1)		24,088				26,319				3,607				50,504				62,675				8,590
Add: VAT and surcharges		36,029				47,542				6,516				114,336				134,492				18,434
Add: ending deferred revenue		638,426				761,301				104,345				638,426				761,301				104,345
Add: ending refund liability		40,812				47,631				6,528				40,812				47,631				6,528
Less: beginning deferred revenue		647,867				922,576				126,450				996,218				959,333				131,488
Less: beginning refund liability		42,439				57,650				7,902				78,630				60,597				8,306
Gross billings		607,042				639,342				87,628				1,536,805				2,060,618				282,431

Note (1): Include miscellaneous revenues generated from services other than courses.

 

 

	For the three months ended September 30,												For the nine months ended September 30,
	2022				2023				2023				2022				2023				2023
	RMB				RMB				USD				RMB				RMB				USD
Gross profit		437,370				571,287				78,301				1,326,835				1,637,311				224,413
Share-based compensation expenses(1) in cost of revenues		1,939				1,522				209				38,918				9,097				1,247
Non-GAAP gross profit		439,309				572,809				78,510				1,365,753				1,646,408				225,660
(Loss)/income from operations		(69,564	)			(99,541	)			(13,644	)			(104,804	)			38,909				5,333
Share-based compensation expenses(1)		16,596				15,934				2,184				105,875				42,674				5,849
Non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations		(52,968	)			(83,607	)			(11,460	)			1,071				81,583				11,182
Net (loss)/income		(61,350	)			(57,663	)			(7,905	)			(57,441	)			112,351				15,399
Share-based compensation expenses(1)		16,596				15,934				2,184				105,875				42,674				5,849
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income		(44,754	)			(41,729	)			(5,721	)			48,434				155,025				21,248

 

Note (1): The tax effects of share-based compensation expenses adjustments were nil.

 

 

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