OREANDA-NEWS. May 24, 2016. ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. (“ChinaCache” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:CCIH), the leading total solutions provider of Internet content and application delivery services in China, today announced its unaudited condensed consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Highlights for the First Quarter of 2016

  • Net revenues were RMB267.8 million (US\\$41.5 million), compared with RMB363.7 million in the corresponding period in 2015.
  • Gross loss was RMB13.6 million (US\\$2.1 million), compared with gross profit of RMB107.4 million in the corresponding period in 2015.
  • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was a loss of RMB56.9 million (US\\$8.8 million), compared with adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of RMB49.7 million in the corresponding period in 2015.
  • Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB138.5 million (US\\$21.5 million), compared with net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB5.2 million in the corresponding period in 2015.

“Our revenues in the first quarter were impacted by the continued challenges associated with the optimization of our High Performance Cloud Caching (HPCC) platform,” stated Mr. Song Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChinaCache, “Since we launched the platform in mid-2015, our optimization progress has been slower than planned and has not yet delivered the desired operational performance. However, we believe this platform is the basis of our long-term competitive differentiation, and we are working intensively with certain Content Delivery Network (CDN) clients with high-volume traffic in order to increase their traffic flow on this platform, while further advancing the platform optimization. We continue to expect our HPCC platform to accommodate increasing traffic with enhanced quality services, and to return to top-line growth in the second half of 2016. In addition, we will maintain disciplined cost control and operating efficiency.

“We officially launched our Atecsys Cloud Data Center and Internet Exchange business during the first quarter, and established a node in Guangzhou in April. In the foreseeable future, we plan to establish additional nodes in more tier 1 and tier 2 cities in China. We are confident in realizing our vision to create a dedicated carrier- and Internet-neutral data center network (DCN) ecosystem that offers Internet companies total solutions.

“With over fifteen years of proven experience in solutions for China’s Internet infrastructure and our extensive CDN and cutting-edge Atecsys Cloud Data Center and Internet Exchange services, we remain confident that our compelling value proposition will bring long-term profitability and growth to the Company in China’s rapidly expanding Internet industry,” concluded Mr. Wang.

First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2016 were RMB267.8 million (US\\$41.5 million), representing a 14.0% decrease from the previous quarter and a 26.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2015. The decrease in net revenues was primarily due to the continued ongoing challenges associated with HPCC platform optimization process in the first quarter.

Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2016 increased by 5.2% quarter-over-quarter and 9.8% year-over-year to RMB281.4 million (US\\$43.6 million). Gross margin was negative 5.1%, compared with 14.2% in the previous quarter and 29.5% in the corresponding period in 2015. Non-GAAP gross margin, which excludes share-based compensation, was negative 4.0%, compared with 14.5% in the previous quarter and 29.9% in the corresponding period in 2015. The decline of gross margin was mainly due to reduced bandwidth efficiency.

Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were RMB23.7 million (US\\$3.7 million), or 8.9% of net revenues, representing a 21.3% decrease over the previous quarter and a 25.5% decrease from the corresponding period in 2015.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were RMB87.5 million (US\\$13.6 million), or 32.7% of net revenues, representing a 43.3% increase from the previous quarter and a 76.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2015. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to newly granted restricted shares in the end of 2015.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were RMB27.9 million (US\\$4.3 million), or 10.4% of net revenues, representing a 9.5% increase from the previous quarter and a 3.7% increase from the corresponding period in 2015.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), defined as EBITDA excluding share-based compensation expenses, foreign exchange and transaction tax on assets transfer, was a loss of RMB56.9 million (US\\$8.8 million). Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB3.9 million in the previous quarter and RMB49.7 million in the corresponding period in 2015.

Operating loss was RMB147.2 million (US\\$22.8 million) in the first quarter of 2016, compared with an operating loss of RMB64.1 million in the previous quarter and an operating loss of RMB1.1 million in the corresponding period in 2015. Non-GAAP operating loss, which excludes share-based compensation expenses and transaction tax on assets transfer, was RMB97.0 million (US\\$15.0 million), compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of RMB40.5 million in the previous quarter and a non-GAAP operating income of RMB14.1 million in the corresponding period in 2015.

Income tax benefit was RMB12.4 million (US\\$1.9 million) in the first quarter of 2016, compared with income tax benefit of RMB22.9 million in the previous quarter and income tax expense of RMB0.5 million in the corresponding period in 2015.

Net loss was RMB138.5 million (US\\$21.5 million) in the first quarter of 2016, compared with net loss of RMB36.8 million in the previous quarter, and a net loss of RMB5.2 million in the corresponding period in 2015. Net loss per basic and diluted American depositary share (“ADS”) for the first quarter of 2016 was RMB5.60 (US\\$0.87) each. Each ADS represents 16 ordinary shares of the Company.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP), defined as net income before share-based compensation expenses, foreign exchange loss, penalties on uncertain tax positions and transaction tax on assets transfer, was RMB87.5 million (US\\$13.6 million) in the first quarter of 2016, compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB15.8 million in the previous quarter and adjusted net profit (non-GAAP) of RMB10.4 million in the corresponding period in 2015. Non-GAAP net loss per basic and diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2016 was RMB3.54 (US\\$0.55) each.            

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB412.9 million (US\\$64.0 million), compared with RMB606.8 million as of December 31, 2015.

Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2016 were RMB31.7 million (US\\$4.9 million).

2016 Revenue Guidance

ChinaCache currently expects to generate total net revenues in the range of RMB1.45 billion to RMB1.55 billion for the full year of 2016, representing year-over-growth of 7.1% to 14.5%. The Company expects most of the revenue growth to occur in the second half of the year.

This outlook reflects ChinaCache's current view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss these results at 8:00 PM Eastern time on May 23, 2016, which corresponds to 8:00 AM Beijing time on May 24, 2016.

The dial-in details for the live conference call are as follows:

  • U.S. dial-in number: +1 (845) 675-0438
  • Hong Kong dial-in number: +852 3018-6776
  • International dial-in number: +65 6713-5440
  • China dial-in number: 400-1200-654
  • Conference ID: 15416126

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of ChinaCache’s website at www.chinacache.com.

A replay of the conference call will also be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live call until May 30, 2016 by dialing:

  • U.S. dial-in number: +1 (855) 452-5696 
  • International dial-in number: +61 (2) 9003-4211   
  • China dial-in number: 400-632-2162
  • Conference ID: 15416126

About ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd.

ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:CCIH) is the leading total solutions provider of Internet content and application delivery services in China. As a carrier-neutral service provider, ChinaCache's network in China is interconnected with networks operated by all telecom carriers, major non-carriers and local Internet service providers. With more than a decade of experience in developing solutions tailored to China's complex Internet infrastructure, ChinaCache is a partner of choice for businesses, government agencies and other enterprises to enhance the reliability and scalability of online services and applications and improve end-user experience. For more information on ChinaCache, please visit ir.chinacache.com.

*Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating its business, ChinaCache considers and uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP). 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 U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release.

To present non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses and non-GAAP research and development expenses, the Company excludes share-based compensation expense.

To present non-GAAP gross profit (loss), the Company excludes share-based compensation expense.

To present non-GAAP operating income (loss), the Company excludes share-based compensation expense and transaction tax on assets transfer.

The Company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain (loss), penalties on uncertain tax positions and transaction tax on assets transfer.

The Company uses EBITDA to assist in reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income tax expense and penalties on uncertain tax positions and depreciation and amortization. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain (loss) and transaction tax on assets transfer that the Company does not consider reflective of its ongoing operations. The Company believes that the use of adjusted EBITDA facilitates investors' use of operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in items such as capital structure (affecting relative interest expense and share-based compensation expense), the book amortization of intangibles (affecting relative amortization expense), the age and book value of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense) and other non-cash expenses. The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA because it believes it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a measure of the financial performance of companies in its industry.

Those non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing the Company's operating performance, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net income or other consolidated income statement data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations include, but are not limited to:

  • Adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the Company's cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company's working capital needs;
  • They do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company's debt;
  • They do not reflect income taxes or the cash requirements for any tax payments;
  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
  • While share-based compensation is a component of cost of revenues and operating expenses, the impact on the Company's financial statements compared to other companies can vary significantly due to such factors as assumed life of the options and assumed volatility of the Company's ordinary shares; and
  • Other companies may calculate adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are based on the effective exchange rate of 6.4480 as of March 31, 2016.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of 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” and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the full year 2016 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as ChinaCache’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. ChinaCache may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. 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 statements, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s goals and strategies, expansion plans, the expected growth of the content and application delivery services market, the Company’s expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with its customers, and the general economic and business conditions in the regions where the Company provides its solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and ChinaCache undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

          
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(amounts in thousands) 
          
          
    As of Dec 31 As of Mar 31 As of Mar 31 
    2015 2016 2016 
    RMB RMB US\\$ 
    (Audited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
 ASSETS        
Current assets       
 Cash and cash equivalents 606,796 412,942 64,042 
 Accounts receivable, net243,431 224,187 34,768 
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 31,560 46,672 7,239 
 Short term investments 26,169 176,603 27,389 
 Deferred tax assets 17,923 19,030 2,951 
 Amount due from a subsidiary held for sale 435 416 65 
 Assets held for sale 1,060,543 1,080,457 167,565 
  Total current assets 1,986,857 1,960,307 304,019 
          
Non-current assets       
 Property and equipment, net 499,946 474,250 73,550 
 Intangible assets, net 10,898 10,094 1,565 
 Long term investments 50,157 50,633 7,853 
 Deferred tax assets 11,368 20,397 3,163 
 Long term deposits and other non-current assets 59,390 63,141 9,792 
  Total non-current assets 631,759 618,515 95,923 
          
 Total Assets  2,618,616 2,578,822 399,942 
          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current Liabilities       
 Accounts payable 205,593 285,950 44,347 
 Accrued employee benefits 44,690 58,028 8,999 
 Accrued expenses and other payables 76,409 62,871 9,750 
 Income tax payable 13,513 14,029 2,176 
 Liabilities for uncertain tax positions 11,337 11,337 1,758 
 Amounts due to related parties 18 18 3 
 Current portion of long term loan 7,180 7,180 1,114 
 Current portion of capital lease obligations 70,615 76,969 11,937 
 Deferred government grant 16,360 13,000 2,016 
 Amount due to a subsidiary held for sale 319,536 293,729 45,554 
 Liabilities held for sale 1,014,449 1,041,382 161,505 
  Total current liabilities 1,779,700 1,864,493 289,159 
          
Non-current liabilities       
          
  Long-term loan 4,340 3,590 557 
  Non-current portion of capital lease obligations 104,450 97,010 15,045 
  Deferred government grant 8,439 15,419 2,391 
  Total non-current liabilities 117,229 116,019 17,993 
          
Total Liabilities 1,896,929 1,980,512 307,152 
          
Total Shareholders' equity 721,687 598,310 92,790 
          
 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,618,616 2,578,822 399,942 
          
                  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
 (amounts in thousands, except for number of shares, per share and per ADS data) 
       
                  
         For the Three Months Ended  
         Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015 Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2016  
         RMB RMB RMB US\\$  
         (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  
                  
 Net revenues   363,745   311,447   267,777   41,529   
 Cost of revenues   (256,299)  (267,339)  (281,374)  (43,637)  
                  
 Gross profit (loss)    107,446   44,108   (13,597)  (2,108)  
  Other operating income   -   13,911   5,581   866   
  Sales & marketing expenses   (31,833)  (30,145)  (23,725)  (3,679)  
  General & administrative expenses   (49,712)  (61,062)  (87,515)  (13,572)  
  Transaction tax on assets transfer   -   (5,394)  -   -   
  Research & development expenses   (26,962)  (25,530)  (27,948)  (4,334)  
                  
 Operating loss   (1,061)  (64,112)  (147,204)  (22,827)  
  Interest income   992   1,940   420   65   
  Interest expense   (4,129)  (2,473)  (3,406)  (528)  
  Other income (expense)   18   141   (4)  (1)  
  Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net   (475)  4,845   (752)  (117)  
                  
 Loss before income taxes   (4,655)  (59,659)  (150,946)  (23,408)  
  Income tax (expense) benefit   (548)  22,861   12,416   1,926   
                  
 Net loss    (5,203)  (36,798)  (138,530)  (21,482)  
                  
 Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest   -   (44)  (70)  (11)  
                  
 Net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders  (5,203)  (36,754)  (138,460)  (21,471)  
                  
 Foreign currency translation   266   249   (44)  (7)  
 Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale investments  286   1,106   429   67   
                  
 Total other comprehensive income, net of tax   552   1,355   385   60   
                  
 Comprehensive loss   (4,651)  (35,443)  (138,145)  (21,422)  
                  
 Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest  -   (44)  (70)  (11)  
                  
 Comprehensive loss attributable to the Company's shareholders (4,651)  (35,399)  (138,075)  (21,411)  
                  
                  
 Loss per ordinary share:           
  Basic    (0.01)  (0.09)  (0.35)  (0.05)  
  Diluted   (0.01)  (0.09)  (0.35)  (0.05)  
                  
 Loss per ADS*:           
  Basic    (0.20)  (1.45)  (5.60)  (0.87)  
  Diluted   (0.20)  (1.45)  (5.60)  (0.87)  
                  
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in earnings per share computation:      
  Basic    413,501,903   404,344,939   395,349,144   395,349,144   
  Diluted   413,501,903   404,344,939   395,349,144   395,349,144   
                  
 *Note1:1 ADS = 16 shares           
                  
                   
 Supplementary Metrics 
 (Unaudited) 
             
                   
                   
         Mar 31, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Dec 31, 2015 Mar 31, 2016 
                   
 Revenues breakdown by industry verticals            
                   
 Internet and software   22%  21%  21%  21%  19% 
 Mobile internet   16%  16%  18%  18%  21% 
 Media and entertainment   29%  30%  28%  28%  23% 
 E-commerce   19%  19%  19%  19%  20% 
 Enterprises   14%  14%  14%  14%  16% 
 Government agencies   0%  0%  0%  0%  0% 
 Total     100%  100%  100%  100%  100% 
                   
 Capital expenditures  56,144   25,150   7,735   38,144   31,694  
 As a percentage of net revenues   15.4%  7.1%  2.4%  12.2%  11.8% 
                   
               
 Supplementary Metrics - Reconciliations of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures 
           
 (amounts in thousands, except for percentages, number of shares, per share and per ADS data) 
 (Unaudited) 
               
               
      For the Three Months Ended  
      Mar 31,
2015		 Dec 31,
2015		 Mar 31,
2016		 Mar 31,
2016		  
      RMB RMB RMB US\\$  
 Adjusted EBITDA — defined as EBITDA before share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gain, penalties on uncertain tax positions and transaction tax on assets transfer         
               
 Net loss   (5,203)  (36,798)  (138,530)  (21,482)  
 Depreciation  34,185   40,872   39,338   6,101   
 Amortization  1,349   1,151   718   111   
 Interest expense  4,129   2,473   3,406   528   
 Interest income  (992)  (1,940)  (420)  (65)  
 Income tax expense (benefit)  548   (22,861)  (12,416)  (1,926)  
 Share-based compensation  15,163   18,259   50,247   7,793   
 Foreign exchange loss (gain)  475   (4,845)  752   117   
 Penalties on uncertain tax positions  -   2,206   -   -   
 Transaction tax on assets transfer  -   5,394   -   -   
 Adjusted EBITDA  49,654   3,911   (56,905)  (8,823)  
  Margin%  13.7 %  1.3 %  (21.3%)  (21.3%)  
               
               
               
               
 Adjusted net income (loss)— defined as net loss before share-based compensation, foreign exchange gain, penalties on uncertain tax positions and transaction tax on assets transfer         
               
 Net loss   (5,203)  (36,798)  (138,530)  (21,482)  
 Share-based compensation  15,163   18,259   50,247   7,793   
 Foreign exchange loss (gain)  475   (4,845)  752   117   
 Penalties on uncertain tax positions  -   2,206   -   -   
 Transaction tax on assets transfer  -   5,394   -   -   
 Adjusted net income (loss)  10,435   (15,784)  (87,531)  (13,572)  
  Margin%  2.9 %  (5.1%)  (32.7%)  (32.7%)  
 Earnings (loss) per ordinary share:          
  Basic  0.03   (0.04)  (0.22)  (0.03)  
  Diluted  0.02   (0.04)  (0.22)  (0.03)  
 Earnings (loss) per ADS:          
  Basic  0.40   (0.62)  (3.54)  (0.55)  
  Diluted  0.39   (0.62)  (3.54)  (0.55)  
               
               
               
           
 Non-GAAP gross profit (loss) – defined as gross profit before share-based compensation expense         
               
 Gross profit (loss)  107,446   44,108   (13,597)  (2,108)  
 Plus: Share-based compensation  1,307   945   2,833   439   
 Non-GAAP gross profit (loss)  108,753   45,053   (10,764)  (1,669)  
  Margin%  29.9 %  14.5 %  (4.0%)  (4.0%)  
               
               
               
               
 Non-GAAP operating expense – defined as operating expense before share-based compensation expense         
               
 Sales & marketing expenses  31,833   30,145   23,725   3,679   
 Minus: Share-based compensation  (1,103)  (693)  (1,543)  (239)  
 Non-GAAP sales & marketing expenses  30,730   29,452   22,182   3,440   
  % of net revenues  8.4 %  9.5 %  8.3 %  8.3 %  
               
 General & administrative expenses  49,712   61,062   87,515   13,572   
 Minus: Share-based compensation  (11,089)  (15,876)  (43,936)  (6,814)  
 Non-GAAP general & administrative expenses  38,623   45,186   43,579   6,758   
  % of net revenues  10.6 %  14.5 %  16.3 %  16.3 %  
               
 Research & development expenses  26,962   25,530   27,948   4,334   
 Minus: Share-based compensation  (1,664)  (745)  (1,935)  (300)  
 Non-GAAP research & development expenses  25,298   24,785   26,013   4,034   
  % of net revenues  7.0 %  8.0 %  9.7 %  9.7 %  
               
               
               
               
 Non-GAAP operating profit (loss) — defined as GAAP operating loss before share-based compensation expense and transaction tax on assets transfer         
               
 Operating loss  (1,061)  (64,112)  (147,204)  (22,827)  
 Plus: Share-based compensation  15,163   18,259   50,247   7,793   
 Transaction tax on assets transfer  -   5,394   -   -   
 Non-GAAP operating profit (loss)  14,102   (40,459)  (96,957)  (15,034)  
  Margin%  3.9 %  (13.0%)  (36.2%)  (36.2%)