Q2 net revenues decreased by 5.2% year-over-year
Q2 gross billings (non-GAAP) decreased by 4.2% year-over-year
Q2 net income reached RMB173.9 million

BEIJING, Aug. 18, 2023 — Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), a leader in China’s online post-secondary and professional education, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operational Snapshots

  • Net revenues were RMB526.4 million (US$72.6 million), representing a 5.2% decrease year-over-year.
  • Gross billings (non-GAAP) were RMB354.1 million (US$48.8 million), representing a 4.2% decrease year-over-year.
  • Gross profit was RMB466.9 million (US$64.4 million), representing a 0.7% increase year-over-year.
  • Net income was RMB173.9 million (US$24.0 million), as compared to RMB114.6 million in the second quarter of 2022.
  • Net income margin, defined as net income as a percentage of net revenues, increased to 33.0% from 20.6% in the second quarter of 2022.
  • New student enrollments1 were 154,209, representing a 27.7% increase year-over-year.
  • As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s deferred revenue balance was RMB1,379.1 million (US$190.2 million).

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1 New student enrollments for a given period refers to the total number of orders placed by students that newly enroll in at least one course during that period, including those students that enroll and then terminate their enrollment with us, excluding orders of our low-price courses. (In June 2019, we introduced low-price courses, including “mini courses” and “RMB1 courses,” to strengthen our competitiveness and improve customer experience. We offer such low-price courses mainly in the formats of recorded videos or short live streaming.)

“In Q2, our business showcased remarkable resilience and steady performance. Our second quarter net revenue reached RMB526.4 million, exceeding the high end of our guidance range. Net income experienced year-over-year increase, reaching RMB173.9 million in Q2, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of sustained profitability for our company. We maintain a positive outlook for the upcoming second half of the year,” said Mr. Tongbo Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Sunlands.

“Through proactive reassessment of our long-term strategic focus and implementation of a series of endeavors, our pursuit of developing valuable interest courses has continued to yield remarkable results. Specifically, our revenue in the professional certification preparation, professional skills and interest courses has surged by 32.7% year-over-year, and we have witnessed a 36.8% increase in new student enrollments in this sector. The robust market demands have instilled us with confidence and we remain committed to seizing emerging opportunities actively, promoting innovation and improvement to meet the diverse needs of adult learners, and achieving sustained growth and development,” concluded Mr. Liu.

Mr. Hangyu Li, Financial Controller of Sunlands, commented, “We are delighted to announce that this quarter was also an excellent quarter in financial perspective. Our gross profit margin reached 88.7%, an increase of 5.1 percentage points compared with the same period last year. Thanks to our persistent efforts in cost controls, the operating expenses decreased by RMB40.1 million, or 11.4%, year-over-year and our net income margin increased 12.4 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Looking forward, we will keep our commitment to delivering value to our stakeholders and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.”

Financial Results for the second quarter of 2023

Net Revenues

In the second quarter of 2023, net revenues decreased by 5.2% to RMB526.4 million (US$72.6 million) from RMB555.0 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly driven by the year-over-year decline in gross billings in 2023.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues decreased by 34.8% to RMB59.5 million (US$8.2 million) in the second quarter of 2023 from RMB91.2 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to declined compensation expenses related to headcount reduction of our cost of revenues personnel, including teachers and mentors.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 0.7% to RMB466.9 million (US$64.4 million) in the second quarter of 2023 from RMB463.8 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Operating Expenses

In the second quarter of 2023, operating expenses were RMB311.0 million (US$42.9 million), representing an 11.4% decrease from RMB351.2 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 7.9% to RMB270.0 million (US$37.2 million) in the second quarter of 2023 from RMB293.0 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to declined compensation expenses related to headcount reduction of our sales and marketing personnel.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 29.1% to RMB33.1 million (US$4.6 million) in the second quarter of 2023 from RMB46.6 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to declined rental expenses due to the early termination of a lease contract.

Product development expenses decreased by 31.0% to RMB8.0 million (US$1.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023 from RMB11.6 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to declined compensation expenses related to headcount reduction of our product development personnel.

Net Income

Net income for the second quarter of 2023 was RMB173.9 million (US$24.0 million), as compared to RMB114.6 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB25.12 (US$3.46) in the second quarter of 2023.

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

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had RMB749.5 million (US$103.4 million) of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and RMB63.2 million (US$8.7 million) of short-term investments, as compared to RMB757.4 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and RMB70.5 million of short-term investments as of December 31, 2022.

Deferred Revenue

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had a deferred revenue balance of RMB1,379.1 million (US$190.2 million), as compared to RMB1,690.9 million as of December 31, 2022.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were incurred primarily in connection with information technology (“IT”) infrastructure equipment and leasehold improvements necessary to support the Company’s operations. Capital expenditures were RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023, as compared to RMB0.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Share Repurchase

On December 6, 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to US$15.0 million of Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs over the next 24 months. As of August 17, 2023, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 456,118 ADSs for approximately US$2.1 million under the share repurchase program.

Financial Results for the First Six Months of 2023

Net Revenues

In the first six months of 2023, net revenues decreased by 6.4% to RMB1,093.2 million (US$150.8 million) from RMB1,168.3 million in the first six months of 2022.

Cost of Revenues