First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
GWP and operating revenue
GWP facilitated on our platform was RMB1,932.7 million (US$281.4 million) in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 44.4% from RMB1,338.0 million in the same period of 2022. Within GWP, FYP accounted for RMB660.7 million (or 34.2% of total GWP), an increase of 153.9% year-over-year. Renewal premiums accounted for RMB1,272.0 million (or 65.8% of total GWP), an increase of 18.0% year-over-year.
Operating revenue was RMB298.9 million (US$43.5 million) in the first quarter of 2023, remaining essentially flat when compared with RMB299.5 million in the same period of 2022, and representing an increase of 15.7% from RMB258.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. The sequential increase was primarily driven by the increase in FYP facilitated.
Operating costs
Operating costs were RMB179.8 million (US$26.2 million) in the first quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 20.1% from RMB149.7 million in the same period of 2022 and 10.9% from RMB162.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. On a sequential basis, operating costs grew at a slower pace than operating revenue primarily due to disciplined control of marketing channel costs.
Operating expenses
Selling expenses were RMB56.3 million (US$8.2 million) in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 23.8% from RMB73.9 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to a decrease in advertising and marketing expenses, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in salaries and employment benefits.
General and administrative expenses were RMB33.5 million (US$4.9 million) in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 12.5% from RMB38.3 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to a decrease in personnel costs and share based compensation expenses.
Research and development expenses were RMB18.3 million (US$2.7 million) in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 21.5% from RMB23.3 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to a decrease in personnel costs.
Net profit and Non-GAAP net profit for the period
Net profit in the first quarter of 2023 was RMB17.9 million (US$2.6 million), an increase of 68.9% from RMB10.6 million in the same period of 2022.
Non-GAAP net profit was RMB18.4 million (US$2.7 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared with RMB12.3 million in the same period of 2022.
Cash and cash equivalents
As of March 31, 2023, the combined balance of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB230.4 million (US$33.6 million), compared to RMB277.2 million as of December 31, 2022.
Share Repurchase Program
Year to date as of March 31, 2023, the Company had purchased an aggregate of 484,260 ADSs for a total amount of approximately US$0.6 million under its share repurchase program.