Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 33.0% to RMB482.9 million (US$74.0 million) for 2020 from RMB720.3 million in 2019, primarily due to the decrease in online customer acquisition expenses as a result of the decline in newly registered users on the Company’s platform during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
General and administrative expenses increased by 5.8% to RMB461.1 million (US$70.7 million) for 2020 from RMB435.8 million in 2019, mainly due to increased expenditures for employees benefits.
Research and development expenses decreased by 5.2% at RMB370.2 million (US$56.7 million) for 2020, compared to RMB390.6 million in 2019, primarily due to a more streamlined workforce in technology-related departments.
Credit losses for quality assurance commitment were RMB2,008.0 million (US$307.7 million) for 2020 due to the adoption of ASC 326. After the adoption of ASC 326, the expected credit losses of quality assurance commitment will be accounted for in addition to and separately from the guarantee liabilities accounted for under ASC 460.
Provision for loans receivables was RMB463.2 million (US$71.0 million) for 2020, compared with RMB299.5 million in 2019, primarily due to the adoption of ASC 326, which requires the Company to recognize the life time credit losses upon initial recognition and change in loan portfolio mix.
Provision for accounts receivables and other receivables decreased by 44.7% to RMB144.7 million (US$22.2 million) for 2020, compared with RMB261.9 million in 2019 as a result of the decline in loan origination volume and improvement in delinquency rates.
Operating profit decreased by 12.8% to RMB2,307.5 million (US$353.6 million) for 2020 from RMB2,646.4 million in 2019.
Non-GAAP adjusted operating profit, which excludes share-based compensation expenses before tax, was RMB2,350.7 million (US$360.3 million) for 2020, representing a decrease of 12.6% from RMB2,688.7 million in 2019.
Other income decreased by 14.7% to RMB116.5 million (US$17.9 million) for 2020, from RMB136.5 million in 2019, primarily due to the decreases in investment gains.
Income tax expenses were RMB455.4 million (US$69.8 million) for 2020, compared with RMB482.0 million in 2019, due to the decline in pre-tax profit and recognition of gains related to quality assurance in a subsidiary with preferential tax status as a result of tax planning.
Net profit was RMB1,968.6 million (US301.7 million) for 2020, compared with RMB2,374.5 million in 2019.
Net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company was RMB1,972.7 million (US$302.3 million) for 2020, compared with a net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB2,372.9 million in 2019.
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