Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were RMB281.1 million (US$40.8 million), compared with RMB239.4 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salary and benefits expenses driven by higher sales and marketing headcount, as well as an increase in online advertising and marketing expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were RMB408.2 million (US$59.2 million), compared with RMB1,636.2 million in the same period of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower share-based compensation expenses, partially offset by an increase in professional service fees.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were RMB250.2 million (US$36.3 million), compared with RMB233.6 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salary and benefits expenses driven by higher research and development headcount.
Loss from Operations. Loss from operations in the fourth quarter of 2022 was RMB5.3 million (US$0.8 million), compared with RMB1,351.9 million in the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income5. Non-GAAP adjusted operating income in the fourth quarter of 2022 was RMB248.4 million (US$36.0 million), compared with RMB159.1 million in the same period of 2021.
Net Income/(Loss). Net income in the fourth quarter of 2022 was RMB195.7 million (US$28.4 million), compared with a net loss of RMB1,321.1 million in the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income. Non-GAAP adjusted net income in the fourth quarter of 2022 was RMB445.8 million (US$64.6 million), an increase of 83.6% from RMB242.8 million in the same period of 2021.
Basic and Diluted Net Income/(Loss) per ADS6 and Non-GAAP Adjusted Basic and Diluted Net Income per ADS7. Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB0.18 (US$0.03) in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB1.23 in the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB0.42 (US$0.06) in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with non-GAAP adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS of RMB0.23 in the same period of 2021.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments of RMB26.3 billion (US$3.8 billion) in total, compared with RMB26.0 billion as of December 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2022, the total outstanding balance of on-balance sheet loans, consisting of the total principal amounts and all accrued and unpaid interests (net of provisions) of the loans funded through our small loan company and the trusts established by us, was RMB2,648.4 million (US$384.0 million), compared with RMB1,777.7 million as of December 31, 2021. The total non-performing loan ratio8 for these loans was 2.0% as of December 31, 2022, flat compared with that of December 31, 2021.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, net cash used in operating activities was RMB31.1 million (US$4.5 million).
5 | Non-GAAP adjusted operating income is defined as income/(loss) from operations excluding (i) share-based compensation expense; (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions; (iii) compensation cost incurred in relation to continuing service terms in business acquisitions and (iv) compensation cost resulting from repurchase of ordinary shares in excess of fair value. See “Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” at the end of this press release. |
6 | ADS refers to the American depositary shares, each of which represents 20 Class A ordinary shares. |
7 | Non-GAAP adjusted basic and diluted income/(loss) per ADS is net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding (i) share-based compensation expense; (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions; (iii) compensation cost incurred in relation to continuing service terms in business acquisitions; (iv) compensation cost resulting from repurchase of ordinary shares in excess of fair value; (v) impairment of long-term investment and (vi) tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments, divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted ADSs, respectively. For more information, refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” at the end of this press release. |
8 | Non-performing loan ratio is calculated by dividing the outstanding principal and all accrued and unpaid interests of the on-balance sheet loans that were over 90 calendar days past due (excluding loans that are over 180 days past due and are therefore charged off) by the total outstanding principal and all accrued and unpaid interests of the on-balance sheet loans (excluding loans that are over 180 days past due and are therefore charged off) as of a specified date. |