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 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

December 2023

 

 

Commission File Number: 001-38230

 

 

QUDIAN INC.

 

 

Tower A, AVIC Zijin Plaza, 

Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province 361000, 

China 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

 

Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Exhibit 99.1   Press release: Qudian Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

 

2

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

  QUDIAN INC.
     
  By: /s/ Yan Gao  
       
  Name: Yan Gao
  Title: Vice President of Finance

 

Date: December 18, 2023

3

 

Exhibit 99.1 

 

Qudian Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023

Unaudited Financial Results

 

XIAMEN, China, December 11, 2023/PRNewswire/ -- Qudian Inc. (“Qudian” or “the Company” or “We”) (NYSE: QD), a consumer-oriented technology company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

 

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:

 

Total revenues were RMB29.6 million (US$4.1 million), compared to RMB 110.2 million for the same period of last year

Net loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders was RMB181.2 million (US$24.8 million), compared to net loss of RMB648.0 million for the same period of last year; net loss per diluted ADS was RMB0.84 (US$0.12) for the third quarter of 2023

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders was RMB179.8 million (US$24.6 million), compared to net loss of RMB643.9 million for the same period of last year. We exclude share-based compensation expenses from our non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS was RMB0.84 (US$0.11) for the third quarter of 2023

 

We are delighted to report our advancements in the development of our smart last-mile logistics business, which recorded approximately RMB29 million of revenue in the third quarter,” said Mr. Min Luo, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qudian. “We are optimistic about the potential of the e-commerce market across various regions globally. In line with our strategic vision, we are dedicated to expanding our investment in this sector. It is important to note that while pursuing growth, there is a possibility that we may incur additional operational losses. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our commitment to executing our business transition and simultaneously maintaining prudent cash management to safeguard our balance sheet.”

 

Third Quarter Financial Results

 

Total revenues were RMB29.6 million (US$4.1 million), representing a decrease of 73.1% from RMB110.2 million for the third quarter of 2022.

 

Financing income, penalty fee, loan facilitation income and other related income and transaction services fee and other related income decreased to nil as a result of the winding down of the loan book business.

 

 

 

 

Sales income and others decreased to RMB29.6 million (US$4.1 million), which was mostly attributable to incomes generated from last-mile delivery business, compared with RMB50.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, which was mainly attributable to sales income generated by QD Food. We have wound down the QD Food business in second quarter of 2023.

 

Total operating costs and expenses decreased to RMB141.1 million (US$19.3 million) from RMB 410.6 million for the third quarter of 2022.

 

Cost of revenues decreased by 80.4% to RMB46.3 million (US$6.3 million) from RMB236.2 million for the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the winding down of the QD Food business and loan book business, partially offset by cost from last-mile delivery business.

 

Sales and marketing expenses decreased to nil as a result of the winding down of the loan book business and QD Food business.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by 28.1% to RMB80.8 million (US$11.1 million) from RMB63.1 million for the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the increase in third-party professional services fees and travel expenses.

 

Research and development expenses decreased by 35.1% to RMB11.3 million (US$1.5 million) from RMB17.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, as a result of the decrease in staff head count, which led to a corresponding decrease in staff salaries and a decrease in third-party service fees.

 

Expected credit loss for receivables and other assets was RMB4.0 million (US$0.5 million) as compared to a gain of RMB63.6 million for the third quarter of 2022, primarily because we collected previously impaired bad debt related to the businesses the Company historically operated in the third quarter of 2022.

 

Loss from operations was RMB100.8 million (US$13.8 million), compared to RMB 299.8 million for the third quarter of 2022.

 

Interest and investment loss, net decreased by 90.4% to RMB7.1 million (US$1.0 million) from RMB73.6 million for the third quarter of 2022, mainly due to the decrease of loss from investments in the third quarter of 2023.

 

Loss on derivative instrument decreased by 69.8% to RMB108 million (US$14.8 million) from RMB358.2 million for the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in quoted price of the underlying equity securities relating to the derivative instruments we held.

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders was RMB181.2 million (US$24.8 million). Net loss per diluted ADS was RMB0.84 (US$0.12).

 

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders was RMB179.8 million (US$24.6 million). Non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS was RMB0.84 (US$0.11).

 

Cash Flow

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB7,226.4 million (US$990.5 million) and restricted cash of RMB67.1 million (US$9.2 million).

 

For the third quarter of 2023, net cash used in operating activities was RMB151.2 million (US$20.7 million), mainly due to the purchase of operating assets, payments for labor-related costs and expenses, and partially offset by cash received from interest income from the Company’s short-term investments.Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB2,584.2 million (US$354.2 million), mainly due to the net proceeds from the redemption of short-term investments. Net cash used in financing activities was RMB215.4 million (US$29.5 million), mainly due to the repurchase of ordinary shares.

 

Last-mile Delivery Business

 

In response to the surging demand for cross-border e-commerce transactions, the Company has proactively sought innovative logistic services and solutions to meet global consumers’ expectations for swift and top-tier delivery services. In December 2022, the Company introduced a pioneering strategic venture into last-mile delivery services. The Company operates such business under the brand name of “Fast Horse.”

 

Update on Share Repurchase

 

As previously disclosed, the Company established a share repurchase program in June 2022, under which the Company may purchase up to US$200 million worth of its Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs over a 24-month period. From the launch of the share repurchase program on June 13, 2022 to December 5, 2023, the Company has in aggregate purchased 44.9 million ADSs in the open market for a total amount of approximately US$68.2 million (an average price of $1.5 per ADS) pursuant to the share repurchase program.

 

 

 

 

About Qudian Inc.

 

Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a consumer-oriented technology company. The Company historically focused on providing credit solutions to consumers. Qudian is exploring innovative logistics services to satisfy consumers' demand for e-commerce transactions by leveraging its technology capabilities.

 

For more information, please visit http://ir.qudian.com.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders, a Non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. We believe that Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders provides useful information about our operating results, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

 

Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Qudian’s shareholders is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This Non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and when assessing our operating performance, cash flows or our liquidity, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss /income, cash flows provided by operating activities or other consolidated statements of operation and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

 

For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on September 29, 2023, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

 

 

 

 

Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information

 

The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States 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 expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency, contain forward-looking statements. Qudian may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, 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 Qudian'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: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers, business partners and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Qudian's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

 

 

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

In China:

Qudian Inc.

Tel: +86-592-596-8208

E-mail: ir@qudian.com

 

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Three months ended September 30, 
(In thousands except for number  2022   2023 
of shares and per-share data)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Revenues:               
Financing income   35,308    -    - 
Sales income and others   50,417    29,598    4,057 
Penalty fee   14,872    -    - 
Loan facilitation income and other related income   6,806    -    - 
Transaction services fee and other related income   2,755    -    - 
Total revenues   110,158    29,598    4,057 
                
Operating cost and expenses:               
Cost of revenues   (236,226)   (46,279)   (6,343)
Sales and marketing   (176,797)   -    - 
General and administrative   (63,121)   (80,796)   (11,074)
Research and development   (17,387)   (11,277)   (1,546)
Changes in guarantee liabilities and risk assurance liabilities(1)   25,177    -    - 
Expected credit gain/(loss) for receivables and other assets   63,630    (3,974)   (545)
Impairment (loss)/gain from other assets   (5,913)   1,258    172 
Total operating cost and expenses   (410,637)   (141,068)   (19,336)
Other operating income   687    10,668    1,462 
                
Loss from operations   (299,792)   (100,802)   (13,817)
Interest and investment loss, net   (73,610)   (7,099)   (973)
(Loss)/Gain from equity method investments   (44)   1,010    138 
Loss on derivative instruments   (358,165)   (107,969)   (14,798)
Foreign exchange gain, net   1,006    274    38 
Other income   9,931    10,694    1,466 
Other expenses   (9,587)   (2,157)   (296)
Net loss before income taxes   (730,261)   (206,049)   (28,242)
Income tax expenses   82,309    24,821    3,402 
Net loss   (647,952)   (181,228)   (24,840)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest shareholders   -    -    - 
Net loss attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders   (647,952)   (181,228)   (24,840)
                
Loss per share for Class A and Class B ordinary shares:               
Basic   (2.64)   (0.84)   (0.12)
Diluted   (2.64)   (0.84)   (0.12)
                
Loss per ADS (1 Class A ordinary share equals 1 ADSs):               
Basic   (2.64)   (0.84)   (0.12)
Diluted   (2.64)   (0.84)   (0.12)
                
Weighted average number of Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding:               
Basic   245,215,663    214,666,223    214,666,223 
Diluted   245,215,663    214,666,223    214,666,223 
                
Other comprehensive gain:               
Foreign currency translation adjustment   30,657    (1,471)   (202)
Total comprehensive loss   (617,295)   (182,699)   (25,042)
Less: total comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest shareholders   -    -    - 
                
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders   (617,295)   (182,699)   (25,042)

 

Note:

(1):The amount includes the change in fair value of the guarantee liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 815,"Derivative", and the change in risk assurance liabilities accounted in accordance with ASC 450, "Contingencies" and ASC 460, "Guarantees".

 

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  

 

   As of June 30,   As of September 30, 
(In thousands except for number  2023   2023 
of shares and per-share data)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
ASSETS:               
Current assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents   5,013,109    7,226,438    990,466 
Restricted cash   63,407    67,091    9,196 
Short-term investments   3,777,220    2,468,954    338,398 
Accounts receivables   -    25,794    3,535 
Other current assets   2,078,060    677,612    92,874 
Total current assets   10,931,796    10,465,889    1,434,469 
                
Non-current assets:               
Right-of-use assets   104,156    175,231    24,017 
Investment in equity method investee   137,965    139,092    19,064 
Long-term investments   206,857    206,857    28,352 
Property and equipment, net   1,069,145    1,152,841    158,010 
Intangible assets   3,452    3,287    451 
Other non-current assets   450,923    511,646    70,127 
Total non-current assets   1,972,498    2,188,954    300,021 
                
TOTAL ASSETS   12,904,294    12,654,843    1,734,490 

 

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)  

 

   As of June 30,   As of September 30, 
(In thousands except for number  2023   2023 
of shares and per-share data)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY               
Current liabilities:               
Short-term lease liabilities   6,766    30,285    4,151 
Derivative instruments-liability   179,444    281,478    38,580 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   204,898    211,106    28,934 
Income tax payable   164,173    131,691    18,050 
Total current liabilities   555,281    654,560    89,715 
                
Non-current liabilities:               
Deferred tax liabilities, net   23    -    - 
Long-term lease liabilities   2,603    50,612    6,936 
Total non-current liabilities   2,626    50,612    6,936 
Total liabilities   557,907    705,172    96,651 
                
Shareholders' equity:               
Class A Ordinary shares   132    132    19 
Class B Ordinary shares   44    44    6 
Treasury shares   (580,653)   (792,839)   (108,668)
Additional paid-in capital   4,034,824    4,032,993    552,768 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   15,351    13,880    1,902 
Retained earnings   8,876,689    8,695,461    1,191,812 
Total shareholders' equity   12,346,387    11,949,671    1,637,839 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   12,904,294    12,654,843    1,734,490 

 

 

 

 

QUDIAN INC.

Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP And Non-GAAP Results

 

   Three months ended September 30, 
(In thousands except for number  2022   2023 
of shares and per-share data)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
Total net loss attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders   (647,952)   (181,228)   (24,840)
Add: Share-based compensation expenses   4,284    1,432    196 
Less: Convertible bonds buyback income   188    -    - 
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian Inc.'s shareholders   (643,856)   (179,796)   (24,644)
                
Non-GAAP net loss per share—basic   (2.63)   (0.84)   (0.11)
Non-GAAP net loss per share—diluted   (2.63)   (0.84)   (0.11)
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic   245,215,663    214,666,223    214,666,223 
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted   245,215,663    214,666,223    214,666,223