BEIJING, March 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Leju Holdings Limited (“Leju” or the “Company”) (NYSE: LEJU), a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fiscal quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues increased by 2% year-on-year to $230.4 million.
    – Revenues from online advertising services increased by 43% year-on-year to $60.1 million.
    – Revenues from e-commerce services decreased by 8% year-on-year to $170.1 million.
  • Income from operations was $10.1 million, an increase of 12% from $9.0 million for the same quarter of 2019.
  • Non-GAAP income from operations was $13.4 million, a decrease of 4% from $14.0 million for the same quarter of 2019.
  • Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $6.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted American depositary share (“ADS”), an increase of 36% from $4.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2019.
  • Non-GAAP[1] net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $8.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted ADS, compared to $8.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2019.

Full Year 2020 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues increased by 4% year-on-year to $719.5 million.
    – Revenues from online advertising services increased by 19% year-on-year to $170.8 million.
    – Revenues from e-commerce services was $547.9 million, a slight increase from $547.2 million for 2019.
  • Income from operations was $24.1 million, an increase of 36% from $17.7 million for 2019.
  • Non-GAAP income from operations was $38.3 million, an increase of 13% from $33.9 million for 2019.
  • Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $19.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted ADS, an increase of 68% from $11.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted ADS for 2019.
  • Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $30.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted ADS, an increase of 25% from $24.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted ADS for 2019.

[1]  Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. See “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” below for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release.

China’s new housing market experienced mild growth in transactions for the full year 2020, as a sharp decline at the beginning of the year due to the Covid-19 epidemic was followed by a substantial recovery later in the year,” said Mr. Geoffrey He, Leju’s Chief Executive Officer. “As developers increasingly recognized the importance of digital marketing, Leju’s online advertising services saw strong growth, while our e-commerce services turned in a steady performance. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Leju held a series of successful online promotions that further enhanced our brand recognition and boosted our media influence. In 2020, we held a total of eight well-received promotional events, kicking off with our ‘Online Sales Office’ during the Chinese Spring Festival. These activities helped to take our advertising services to the next level, supported steady growth for our e-commerce services, and significantly improved our industry coverage and overall service level.”

“In 2021, leveraging our strategic cooperation between Alibaba and E-House, Leju will seize new opportunities in digital marketing, roll out new advertising and e-commerce services, and ramp up our business scale. We will continue to optimize our operations and management, increase our efforts in attracting top talent, improve management and operational efficiency, and increase profit margins to provide a solid foundation for Leju’s future growth.”

Four Quarter 2020 Results

Total revenues were $230.4 million, an increase of 2% from $226.8 million for the same quarter of 2019, mainly due to an increase in revenues from online advertising services, partially offset by a decrease in revenues from e-commerce services.

Revenues from e-commerce services were $170.1 million, a decrease of 8% from $184.5 million for the same quarter of 2019, primarily due to a decrease in the number of discount coupons redeemed and a decrease in the average price per discount coupons redeemed.

Revenues from online advertising services were $60.1 million, an increase of 43% from $42.0 million for the same quarter of 2019, primarily due to an increase in property developers’ demand for online advertising.

Revenues from listing services were $0.2 million, a decrease of 19% from $0.3 million for the same quarter of 2019, primarily due to a decrease in demand from secondary real estate brokers.

Cost of revenues was $17.8 million, an increase of 34% from $13.2 million for the same quarter of 2019, primarily due to increased cost of advertising resources purchased from media platforms related to the Company’s online advertising business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $202.6 million, a decrease of 1% from $204.2 million for the same quarter of 2019, primarily due to decreased labor cost, partially offset by increased advertising expenses relating to promotion activities for the same period of 2020.

Income from operations was $10.1 million, an increase of 12% from $9.0 million for the same quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP income from operations was $13.4 million, a decrease of 4% from $14.0 million for the same quarter of 2019.

Net income was $7.2 million, an increase of 105% from $3.5 million for the same quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP net income was $9.9 million, an increase of 28% from $7.7 million for the same quarter of 2019.

Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $6.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted ADS, an increase of 36% from $4.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $8.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted ADS, compared to $8.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted ADS, for the same quarter of 2019.

Full year 2020 Results

Total revenues were $719.5 million, an increase of 4% from $692.6 million for 2019, mainly due to an increase in revenues from online advertising services.

Revenues from e-commerce services were $547.9 million, a slightly increase from $547.2 million for 2019, primarily due to an increase in the number of discount coupons redeemed, partially offset by a decrease in the average price per discount coupon redeemed.

Revenues from online advertising services were $170.8 million, an increase of 19% from $143.8 million for 2019, primarily due to an increase in property developers’ demand for online advertising.

Revenues from listing services were $0.8 million, a decrease of 48% from $1.6 million for 2019, primarily due to a decrease in demand from secondary real estate brokers. 

Cost of revenues was $73.8 million, an increase of 8% from $68.3 million for 2019, primarily due to increased cost of advertising resources purchased from media platforms related to the Company’s online advertising business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $622.0 million, an increase of 2% from $607.2 million for 2019, primarily due to increased advertising expenses relating to promotion activities for 2020, partially offset by decreased labor cost.

Income from operations was $24.1 million, an increase of 36% from $17.7 million for 2019. Non-GAAP income from operations was $38.3 million, an increase of 13% from $33.9 million for 2019.

Net income was $21.0 million, an increase of 93% from $10.9 million for 2019. Non-GAAP net income was $32.4 million, an increase of 35% from $23.9 million for 2019.

Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $19.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted ADS, an increase of 68% from $11.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted ADS for 2019. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $30.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted ADS, an increase of 25% from $24.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted ADS for 2019.

Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were $285.7 million.

Fourth quarter 2020 net cash provided in operating activities was $11.8 million, primarily comprised of non-GAAP net income of $9.9 million, a decrease in amounts due from related parties of $8.6 million, a decrease in deferred tax assets of $11.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in amounts due to related parties of $16.3 million.

Business Outlook

The Company estimates that its total revenues of 2021 will be approximately $755 million to $790 million, which would represent an increase of approximately 5% to 10% from $719.5 million for 2020. This forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Changes in Board and Committee Composition

The Company also announced that Mr. Zhe Wei has resigned as a director of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the chairperson of the audit committee. The Board has appointed Mr. Winston Li as the new chairperson of the audit committee to replace Mr. Zhe Wei, appointed Mr. Hongchao Zhu as a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and appointed Mr. Jian Sun as a member of the audit committee, effective March 26, 2021. Mr. Jian Sun has concurrently resigned as a member of Leju’s nominating and corporate governance committee.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Zhe Wei for his dedication and valuable contributions over the past few years,” said Mr. Xin Zhou, Leju’s Executive Chairman. “We also look forward to continuing working with Mr. Winston Li, Mr. Jian Sun and Mr. Hongchao Zhu as members of the board. We are confident that Leju will benefit from their valuable insights and extensive experience.”

Conference Call Information

Leju’s management will host an earnings conference call on March 26, 2021 at 7 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time).

Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 10 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions.

PRE-REGISTER LINK: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/9117658

CONFERENCE ID: 9117658

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until April 3, 2021:

U.S./International:

+1-855-452-5696

Hong Kong:

+800-963-117

Mainland China:  

400-632-2162

Passcode:

9117658

Additionally, a live and archived webcast will be available at http://ir.leju.com.

About Leju

Leju Holdings Limited (“Leju”) (NYSE: LEJU) is a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, offering real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services. Leju’s integrated online platform comprises various mobile applications along with local websites covering more than 380 cities, enhanced by complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to the Company’s own websites, Leju operates the real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA Corporation, and maintains a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited. For more information about Leju, please visit http://ir.leju.com.

Safe Harbor: Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in 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,” “target,” “going forward,” “outlook” and similar statements. Leju may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Leju’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in China’s real estate market; the highly regulated nature of, and government measures affecting, the real estate and internet industries in China; Leju’s ability to compete successfully against current and future competitors; its ability to continue to develop and expand its content, service offerings and features, and to develop or incorporate the technologies that support them; its reliance on SINA and others with which it has developed, or may develop in the future, strategic partnerships; substantial revenue contribution from a limited number of real estate markets; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry of Leju. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s 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 the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Leju’s consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation 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 “Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

Leju believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information to investors regarding its operating performance by excluding share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, which may not be indicative of Leju’s operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to Leju’s historical performance and assist its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions may continue to exist in Leju’s business for the foreseeable future. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables provide more details on the reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Ms. Christina Wu
Leju Holdings Limited
Phone: +86 (10) 5895-1062
E-mail: ir@leju.com

Philip Lisio
Foote Group
Phone: +86 135-0116-6560
E-mail: phil@thefootegroup.com

LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2020

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

159,012

284,489

Restricted cash

1,217

Accounts receivable, net

147,638

202,702

Contract assets

830

1,884

Marketable securities

3,438

4,304

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

5,436

7,484

Customer deposits

57,174

11,551

Amounts due from related parties

9,673

9,076

Total current assets

383,201

522,707

Property and equipment, net

18,108

17,002

Intangible assets, net

45,581

34,213

Right-of-use assets

26,776

25,666

Investment in affiliates

53

31

Deferred tax assets

49,311

40,905

Other non-current assets

1,450

1,437

Total assets

524,480

641,961

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

1,523

2,834

Accrued payroll and welfare expenses

32,787

29,222

Income tax payable

56,691

63,041

Other tax payable

20,056

21,204

Amounts due to related parties

4,407

7,106

Advance from customers

34,246

95,340

Lease liabilities, current

5,189

5,461

Accrued marketing and advertising expenses

49,830

70,086

Other current liabilities

32,784

22,596

Total current liabilities

237,513

316,890

Lease liabilities, non-current

22,866

21,727

Deferred tax liabilities

11,742

8,559

Total liabilities

272,121

347,176

Shareholders’ Equity

Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value): 1,000,000,000 shares
   authorized, 135,812,719 and 136,326,020 shares issued and
   outstanding, as of December 31, 2019 and 2020,
   respectively

136

136

Additional paid-in capital

796,192

799,537

Accumulated deficit

(517,303)

(498,001)

Subscription receivables

(50)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(23,624)

(5,695)

Total Leju Holdings Limited shareholders’ equity

255,401

295,927

Non-controlling interests

(3,042)

(1,142)

Total equity

252,359

294,785

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

524,480

641,961

LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per share data)

Three months ended

Year ended

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2020

2019

2020

Revenues

E-commerce

184,542

170,062

547,184

547,895

Online advertising

41,981

60,125

143,779

170,783

Listing

285

230

1,642

848

Total net revenues

226,808

230,417

692,605

719,526

Cost of revenues

(13,230)

(17,792)

(68,298)

(73,762)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

(204,171)

(202,575)

(607,165)

(622,026)

Other operating income (loss), net

(360)

49

598

381

Income from operations

9,047

10,099

17,740

24,119

Interest income, net

110

4,718

152

7,268

Other income (loss), net

877

(1,320)

1,979

300

Income before taxes and income from equity
    in affiliates

10,034

13,497

19,871

31,687

Income tax expenses

(6,521)

(6,284)

(8,990)

(10,665)

Income before income from equity in affiliates

3,513

7,213

10,881

21,022

Income (loss) from equity in affiliates, net of tax 
of nil

2

7

(9)

(24)

Net income

3,515

7,220

10,872

20,998

Less: net income (loss) attributable to
   non-controlling interests

(987)

1,102

(650)

1,696

Net income attributable to Leju Holdings
   Limited shareholders

4,502

6,118

11,522

19,302

Earnings per share:

Basic

0.03

0.04

0.08

0.14

Diluted

0.03

0.04

0.08

0.14

Shares used in computation of earnings per ADS:

Basic

135,790,091

136,308,496

135,770,793

136,070,785

Diluted

135,943,267

138,318,826

135,811,751

137,564,567

The conversion of functional currency Renminbi (“RMB”) amounts into reporting currency USD amounts
is based on the rate of USD1 = RMB6.5249 on December 31, 2020 and USD1 = RMB6.9260 for the year
ended December 31, 2020.

LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 (In thousands of U.S. dollars)

Three months ended

Year ended

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2020

2019

2020

Net income

3,515

7,220

10,872

20,998

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil

Foreign currency translation adjustments

2,036

12,576

(3,745)

17,898

Comprehensive income

5,551

19,796

7,127

38,896

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
   non-controlling interests

(996)

1,096

(619)

1,664

Comprehensive income attributable to Leju
Holdings Limited shareholders

6,547

18,700

7,746

37,232

LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per ADS data)

Three months ended

Year ended

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2020

2019

2020

GAAP income from operations

9,047

10,099

17,740

24,119

Share-based compensation expense

1,827

696

3,597

2,978

Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business
   acquisitions

3,152

2,639

12,611

11,180

Non-GAAP income from operations

14,026

13,434

33,948

38,277

GAAP net income

3,515

7,220

10,872

20,998

Share-based compensation expense

1,827

696

3,597

2,978

Amortization of intangible assets resulting from
   
business acquisitions

3,152

2,639

12,611

11,180

Income tax benefits:

   Current

   Deferred[2]

(789)

(659)

(3,153)

(2,795)

Non-GAAP net income

7,705

9,896

23,927

32,361

Net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited
   shareholder

4,502

6,118

11,522

19,302

Share-based compensation expense
  
(net of non-controlling interests)

1,827

696

3,597

2,978

Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business
   acquisitions (net of non-controlling interests)

3,152

2,639

12,611

11,180

Income tax benefits:

   Current

   Deferred

(789)

(659)

(3,153)

(2,795)

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings
   Limited shareholders

8,692

8,794

24,577

30,665

GAAP net income per ADS — basic

0.03

0.04

0.08

0.14

GAAP net income per ADS — diluted

0.03

0.04

0.08

0.14

Non-GAAP net income per ADS — basic

0.06

0.06

0.18

0.23

Non-GAAP net income per ADS — diluted

0.06

0.06

0.18

0.22

Shares used in calculating basic GAAP / non-GAAP net
   income attributable to shareholders per ADS

135,790,091

136,308,496

135,770,793

136,070,785

Shares used in calculating diluted GAAP / non-GAAP net
   income attributable to shareholders per ADS

135,943,267

138,318,826

135,811,751

137,564,567

 

[2] Amount represents the realization of deferred tax liabilities recognized for the temporary difference between the tax
basis of intangible assets recognized from acquisitions and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The
income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense is nil.

 

LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED

SELECTED OPERATING DATA

Three months ended

Year ended

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2020

2019

2020

Operating data for e-commerce services

Number of discount coupons issued to
   prospective purchasers (number of
   transactions)

84,891

83,206

252,519

243,836

Number of discount coupons redeemed (number
   of transactions)

70,007

67,514

177,201

192,716

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