KE Holdings Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Business Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021

• Gross transaction value (GTV)¹ was RMB1,069.6 billion (US$163.3 billion), an increase of 224.2% year-over-year. GTV of existing home transactions was RMB673.4 billion (US$102.8 billion), an increase of 244.2% year-over-year. GTV of new home transactions was RMB343.4 billion (US$52.4 billion), an increase of 194.9% year-over-year. GTV of emerging and other services was RMB52.7 billion (US$8.1 billion), an increase of 197.3% year-over-year.
• Net revenues were RMB20.7 billion (US$3.2 billion), an increase of 190.7% year-over-year.
• Net income was RMB1,059 million (US$162 million). Adjusted net income² was RMB1,502 million (US$229 million).
• Number of stores was 48,717 as of March 31, 2021, a 25.4% increase from one year ago.
• Number of agents was 528,424 as of March 31, 2021, a 41.8% increase from one year ago.
• Mobile monthly active users (MAU)³ averaged 48.5 million, an increase of 78.2% year-over-year.

Mr. Stanley Yongdong Peng, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Beike, commented, “We are grateful to have achieved stellar first quarter results that were bolstered by the tailwinds from China’s robust economic growth following the COVID-19 pandemic and the adherence of the national policy of ‘houses are for living, not for speculation.’ The solid growth also highlighted the strength of our core values and business model. As our consistent efforts to deliver an excellent consumer experience and unmatched service quality bore fruit, our GTV reached RMB1.07 trillion in the first quarter, up 224.2% year over year. Meanwhile, the self-reinforcing virtuous cycle of efficiency and scalability driven by quality service was further enhanced on our platform.”

“Additionally, our Agent Specialization strategy that encourages real estate agents to become specialists in a particular field and the contract service centers that streamline the signing process, guarantee transaction security and enhance efficiency of multiple parties, have lifted GTV of our existing home transaction services to RMB673.4 billion in the first quarter, representing a year-over-year growth of 244.2%. GTV of our new home transaction services was RMB343.4 billion, up 194.9% year-over-year, driven by a 220.0% GTV growth from connected stores and other sales channels as we continued to improve the quality and enhance the efficiency. We also made significant progress in enriching online content for new home projects, as well as launching the ‘New Home Business Conduct Improvement Plan’ to foster a fair, safe, efficient and orderly network for the new home transaction services. Our emerging services, including home renovation services and financial services, continued to gain traction, armed us with the ability to address a wider range of home-related consumer needs, and served as incremental growth drivers.”

“Going forward, we will continue to evolve our business and invest in initiatives aligned with our core values, while creating a new and improved norm for the industry built on trust and generating long-term value for everyone we interact with.” concluded Mr. Peng.

Mr. Tao Xu, Chief Financial Officer of Beike, further commented, “Our momentum of strong topline growth and profitability gain was well sustained into the first quarter. Underpinned by the strength in GTV of both existing home and new home transaction services and comparing with the low base in the first quarter of 2020, we achieved a 190.7% year-over-year increase in net revenues to RMB20.7 billion, beating both of the top end of our previous guidance and street consensus. With a long-term outlook and a market-neutral view, we are confident in our growth potential. Our commitment in consistently enhancing our efforts in bringing value to consumers and empowering service providers will continue to support us to realize our vision.”

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues increased by 190.7% to RMB20.7 billion (US$3.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB7.1 billion in the same period of 2020. The increase was driven by the total GTV growth of 224.2% to RMB1,069.6 billion (US$163.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB329.9 billion in the same period of 2020. The high growth rate in the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to a low base in the first quarter of 2020 under the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Net revenues from existing home transaction services increased by 202.1% to RMB10.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB3.4 billion in the same period of 2020, primarily attributable to a 244.2% increase in GTV of existing home transactions to RMB673.4 billion (US$102.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB195.7 billion in the same period of 2020. The high growth rate in the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to a low base in the first quarter of 2020 under the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
  
  
  
  Among that, (i) the revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company’s platform increased by 266.1% to RMB1.0 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB0.3 billion in the same period of 2020, as the GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company’s platform increased by 304.4% to RMB328.4 billion (US$50.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB81.2 billion in the same period of 2020, as well as a moderate increase in existing home transaction commission rate charged from connected stores. The growth rate of GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents exceeded that the growth rate of the revenue derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which was primarily due to a slower growth of non-transaction related platform services revenue, including recruiting services fee, training fee and upfront onboard fee charged to newly connected stores; and
  
  
  
  (ii) commission revenue increased by 196.7% to RMB9.2 billion (US$1.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB3.1 billion in the same period of 2020, driven by a 201.5% increase in the GTV of existing home transactions served by the Company’s Lianjia brand to RMB345.0 billion (US$52.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB114.5 billion in the same period of 2020.

• Net revenues from new home transaction services increased by 187.6% to RMB9.9 billion (US$1.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB3.5 billion in the same period of 2020, primarily attributable to an increase of 194.9% in the GTV of new home transactions to RMB343.4 billion (US$52.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB116.5 billion in the same period of 2020. The GTV of new home transactions served by Lianjia brand increased by 111.7% to RMB57.3 billion (US$8.7 billion) from RMB27.1 billion in the same period of 2020, while the GTV of new home transaction services completed on Beike platform through connected agents and other sales channels increased by 220.0% to RMB286.1 billion (US$43.7 billion) from RM89.4 billion in the same period of 2020.

• Net revenues from emerging and other services increased by 96.2% to RMB0.6 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB0.3 billion in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the GTV of financial services around the housing transaction services, as well as an increased number of home decorations units completed through the Company’s platform.

Cost of Revenues

Total cost of revenues increased by 140.0% to RMB15.9 billion (US$2.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB6.6 billion in the same period of 2020.

• Commission - split. The Company’s cost of revenues for commissions to connected agents and other sales channels increased by 222.0% to RMB6.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB2.1 billion in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to the incremental increase in the number of new home transactions completed through connected agents and other sales channels.

• Commission and compensation - internal. The Company’s cost of revenues for internal commission and compensation increased by 106.4% to RMB7.3 billion (US$1.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB3.6 billion in the same period of 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the number of existing and new home transactions completed through Lianjia brand.

• Cost related to stores. The Company’s cost related to stores increased by 17.9% to RMB0.8 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 compared to RMB0.7 billion in the same period of 2020, mainly due to a moderate increase in store level rental cost year-over-year, as well as an increase of utility expenses due to increased store usage.

• Other costs. The Company’s other costs increased by 291.7% to RMB0.8 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 compared to RMB0.2 billion in the same period of 2020, mainly due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses, as well as an increase in business taxes and surcharges along with the increase of net revenues.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 860.4% to RMB4.8 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB0.5 billion in the same period of 2020. Gross margin increased to 23.3% in the first quarter of 2021 from 7.0% in the same period of 2020. The increase in gross margin was mainly attributable to a low base in the first quarter of 2020 under the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Income (Loss) from Operations

Total operating expenses were RMB3.8 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to RMB2.1 billion in the same period of 2020.

• General and administrative expenses were RMB2,108 million (US$322 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to RMB1,105 million in the same period of 2020, mainly due to the increase in headcount as well as share-based compensation expenses.

• Sales and marketing expenses were RMB1,057 million (US$161 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to RMB577 million in the same period of 2020, mainly due to the increase of the online and offline advertisement and branding campaigns.

• Research and development expenses were RMB638 million (US$97 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to RMB451 million in the same period of 2020, mainly due to an increase of headcount in experienced research and development personnel as well as increased share-based compensation expenses.

Income from operations was RMB1,013 million (US$155 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to loss from operations of RMB1,631 million in the same period of 2020. Operating margin was 4.9% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to negative 22.9% in the same period of 2020, primarily due to the increase in net revenues, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted income from operations⁴ was RMB1,564 million (US$239 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to adjusted loss from operations of RMB1,478 million in the same period of 2020. Adjusted operating margin⁵ was 7.6% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to negative 20.8% in the same period of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA⁶ was RMB2,015 million (US$307 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to negative RMB1,199 million in the same period of 2020.

Net Income (Loss)

Net income was RMB1,059 million (US$162 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to net loss of RMB1,231 million in the same period of 2020.

Adjusted net income was RMB1,502 million (US$229 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to adjusted net loss of RMB1,090 million in the same period of 2020.

Net Income (Loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB1,059 million (US$162 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to net loss attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders of RMB1,922 million in the same period of 2020.

Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.⁷ was RMB1,502 million (US$229 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to adjusted net loss attributable to KE Holdings Inc. of RMB1,089 million in the same period of 2020.

Net Income (Loss) per ADS

Diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders⁸ was RMB0.88 (US$0.13) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to diluted net loss per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders of RMB3.92 in the same period of 2020.

Adjusted diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders⁹ was RMB1.25 (US$0.19) in the first quarter of 2021, compared to adjusted diluted net loss per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders of RMB3.64 in the same period of 2020.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-Term Investments

As of March 31, 2021, the combined balance of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments amounted to RMB62.0 billion (US$9.5 billion).

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2021, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB22.5 billion (US$3.4 billion) and RMB23.5 billion (US$3.6 billion), representing an increase of approximately 11.7% to 16.7% from the same quarter of 2021. This business outlook reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view on the business situation and market condition, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Thursday, May 20, 2021) to discuss the financial results. Details for the conference call are as follows:

Event Title: Beike’s First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

Conference ID: 7980985

All participants must use the link provided below to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique registrant ID by email.

PRE-REGISTER LINK:

http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/7980985

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at http://investors.ke.com/.

The replay will be accessible through May 27, 2021, by dialing the following numbers:

Exchange Rate

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 RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2021, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc., adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Beike believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its net income (loss). Beike also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that these non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business.

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to gross profit, net income (loss) or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data. Beike encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (iv) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc. is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc., excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (v) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) interest income, net, (ii) income tax expense (benefit), (iii) depreciation of property and equipment, (iv) amortization of intangible assets, (v) share-based compensation expenses, and (vi) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration. Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.

Please see the “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” included in this press release for a full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to its respective comparable GAAP measure.

About KE Holdings Inc.

KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building the industry infrastructure and standards in China to reinvent how service providers and housing customers efficiently navigate and consummate housing transactions, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation, real estate financial solutions, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China’s leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 19 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build the industry infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to 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,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release, as well as Beike’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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 KE Holdings Inc.’s beliefs, plans, 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: Beike’s goals and strategies; Beike’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike’s ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike’s platform; competition in our industry; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; Beike’s ability to protect the Company’s systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike’s dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company’s platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Note: The Company operates its business in three segments: existing home transaction services, new home transaction services and emerging and other services. Contribution for each service is defined as the revenue less the direct compensation to internal agents and sales professionals, and split commission to connected agents and other sales channels for such services.

¹ GTV for a given period is calculated as the total value of all transactions which the Company facilitated on the Company’s platform and evidenced by signed contracts as of the end of the period, including the value of the existing home transactions, new home transactions and emerging and other services, and including transactions that are contracted but pending closing at the end of period.

² Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (iv) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

³ Mobile monthly active users" or "mobile MAU" are to the sum of (i) the number of accounts that have accessed our platform through our Beike or Lianjia mobile app (with duplication eliminated) at least once during a month, and (ii) the number of Weixin users that have accessed our platform through our Weixin mini programs at least once during a month. Average mobile MAU for any period is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of the Company’s mobile MAUs for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in such period.

⁴ Adjusted income (loss) from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

⁵ Adjusted operating margin is adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues.

⁶ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) interest income, net, (ii) income tax expense (benefit), (iii) depreciation of property and equipment, (iv) amortization of intangible assets, (v) share-based compensation expenses, and (vi) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

⁷ Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc. is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents adjusted income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc’s ordinary shareholders and preferred shareholders, and all preferred shares of KE Holdings Inc. had been automatically converted to ordinary shares upon initial public offering of KE Holdings Inc. on a one-for-one basis. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc. is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc., excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (v) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

⁸ ADS is American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Diluted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADS.

⁹ Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

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