As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2018
Registration No. 333 225047
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Puxin Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
Cayman Islands | 8200 | Not Applicable | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street, Haidian District,
Beijing, 100080, the Peoples Republic of China
+86 10 8260 5578
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrants principal executive offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
10 E. 40th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10016
(800) 221-0102
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Li He, Esq. 2201 China World Office 2 No. 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004 Peoples Republic of China +86 10 8567-5000 |
James C. Lin, Esq. c/o 18th Floor The Hong
Kong Club Building |
Dan Ouyang, Esq. Weiheng Chen, Esq. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Suite 1509, 15F, Jardine House 1 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong +852 3972-4955 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
The term new or revised financial accounting standard refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| ||||||||
Title of each class of securities to be registered |
Amount of securities to be registered(2)(3) |
Proposed maximum offering price per share(3) |
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price(3) |
Amount of registration fee(4) | ||||
Ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share(1)(2) |
16,560,000.00 | US$10.00 | US$165,600,000.00 | US$20,617.20 | ||||
| ||||||||
|
(1) | American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-225351). Each American depositary share represents two ordinary shares. |
(2) | Includes ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public, and also includes shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option. These ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States. |
(3) | Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(4) | Previously paid. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 1, 2018
7,200,000 American Depositary Shares
Puxin Limited
Representing 14,400,000 Ordinary Shares
This is the initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, of Puxin Limited. We are offering 7,200,000 ADSs. Each ADS represents two ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price of the ADSs will be between US$17.00 and US$20.00 per ADS.
We have applied to have the ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol NEW.
We are an emerging growth company under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in the ADSs involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 16 of this prospectus.
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per ADS | Total | |||||||
Initial public offering price |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Underwriting discount and commissions(1) |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Issuer |
US$ | US$ |
(1) | For a description of compensation payable to the underwriters, see Underwriting. |
The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,080,000 additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars on , 2018.
Citigroup | Deutsche Bank Securities | Barclays | Haitong International | CICC |
Prospectus dated , 2018
Market Leadership
397 learning centers
19 provinces
1,275,723 student enrollments
35 cities
4,000+ full-time teachers and consultants
TOP 3
After-school Tutoring Service Provider in China
Comprehensive Product & Service Offerings IELTS TOEFL K-12
All categories 3 years old
All ages X-2MC3
All platforms H2O
All disciplines
Industry Consolidator
Acquisition + Integration
Strategy
K-12 and Study-abroad Market Coverage
Strategy-driven
Robust Growth Acquisition + Integration Strategy
Operational Excellence Effective Operations
Underpinned by Modular and Evolving Management System
78.9% student retention rate(1) 180.4% YoY student enrollments increment in 2017
75.4% class utilization rate(2) 192.0% revenue growth in 2017
Outstanding Academic Results
89.9% of parents indicated that their childrens academic results improved[3]
Systematic Talent Pipeline Buildup 766 students were admitted into the global 50
institutions in 2017[4]
Puxin Star for top teachers 95.3% of our students improved their study abroad test scores
Puxin Talents for mid-level management
Puxin Leadership for senior
management
[1] K-12 group class, in the first quarter of 2018 for schools operating under Puxins management for over 12 months
[2] K-12 group class, in the first quarter of 2018
[3] Since attending Puxins Classes
[4] Students who enrolled in our study-abroad consulting programs and applied for overseas universities
[5] Students enrolled in study abroad test preparation courses
PAGE | ||||
1 | ||||
8 | ||||
10 | ||||
16 | ||||
53 | ||||
55 | ||||
56 | ||||
57 | ||||
59 | ||||
60 | ||||
62 | ||||
64 | ||||
71 | ||||
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
76 | |||
109 | ||||
114 | ||||
120 | ||||
146 | ||||
164 | ||||
171 | ||||
173 | ||||
174 | ||||
186 | ||||
196 | ||||
198 | ||||
204 | ||||
212 | ||||
213 | ||||
214 | ||||
215 | ||||
F-1 |
We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the ADSs only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or the sale of any ADS.
We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of the ADSs outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who came into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.
Until , 2018 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
i
This summary highlights information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the Risk Factors section and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section and the financial statements and the related notes, before deciding whether to invest in our ADSs. This prospectus contains information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by Frost & Sullivan, a third-party research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and market position in China. We refer to this report as the Frost & Sullivan report.
Our Mission
We believe that education inspires personal growth and opens up opportunities. Our mission is to empower people to build better lives through learning. We are committed to providing high quality education services to students, as well as upgrading the service quality in Chinas after-school education industry by applying our acquisition and integration expertise.
Overview
We are a successful consolidator of the after-school education industry in China. We have strong acquisition and integration expertise to effectively improve education quality and operational performance of acquired schools. Through acquisitions and organic growth, we have grown rapidly and became the third largest after-school education service provider in China in 2017 in terms of student enrollments, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. Since our inception, we had acquired 48 schools and built a nationwide network of 397 learning centers across 35 cities in China as of March 31, 2018. Our total student enrollments increased 180.4% from 454,945 in 2016 to 1,275,723 in 2017, representing the fastest growth among major after-school education service providers in China, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. In the first quarter of 2017 and 2018, our total student enrollments were 185,446 and 260,973, respectively.
We offer a full spectrum of K-12 and study-abroad tutoring programs designed to help students achieve academic excellence, as well as prepare for admission tests and applications for top schools, universities and graduate programs in China and other countries. In addition to classroom-based tutoring, we have also developed online and mobile applications to increase students after-class exposure to our services and enhance their learning experience.
Market Opportunity
Chinas after-school education market is fast-growing. Its market size reached RMB483.4 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow substantially to RMB804.9 billion in 2022, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. At the same time, this market is highly fragmented and competitive. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, as of December 31, 2017, there were over 100,000 K-12 after-school tutoring service providers in China, among which the top five players only accounted for less than 4% market share in 2017 in terms of revenue. Many service providers operate a limited number of learning centers, often at a loss, and lack the scale or management expertise necessary to invest in curriculum development, instructor training and technology necessary to improve students academic results and attract more students.
The continued growth of Chinas after-school education market is driven by a number of factors, including rapid economic growth, intensified competition for high-quality educational resources and the increasing demand for overseas education and experience.
1
Chinese culture attaches great importance to education as a means of enhancing an individuals worth and promoting his or her career and social status. Given the pressure to excel on entrance exams to high schools and universities, the shortened school hours required by recent government policies (such as the National Plan for Medium- and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) issued in July 2010 and the Administrative Standards for Compulsory Education Schools issued in December 2017), as well as the limited supply of quality schools, a large number of parents and students choose private after-school tutoring services to complement public school education. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, urban students in China spent on average 10.6 hours per week on after-school tutoring in 2017. The demand for study-abroad test preparation and consulting services has also benefited from the growing number of Chinese students pursuing higher education abroad.
We believe that this large and fragmented market presents an attractive consolidation opportunity for us to leverage our acquisition and operational expertise, strong teaching quality, brand and reputation.
Our Solutions
We have developed a business model effectively combining strategic acquisitions and organic growth achieved through successful post-acquisition integration, which has differentiated us from other after-school education service providers in China. This approach has enabled us to achieve rapid growth and capture consolidation opportunities in Chinas fragmented after-school education market.
We have adopted a systematic and disciplined approach towards acquisitions. We screen and evaluate potential acquisitions through a set of rigorous criteria, including the targets geographic location, reputation in the local market, growth potential, synergies with our existing schools and the probability of successful integration. Since our inception, we identified and contacted approximately 1,550 targets, of which we acquired 48 schools. These acquisitions enabled us to penetrate our target markets with relatively low customer acquisition and marketing costs by leveraging the well-established presence of our acquired schools in local markets.
We are able to efficiently complete our acquisitions and rapidly improve operations and management of acquired schools because of our superior post-acquisition management and operational capabilities. In all acquired schools, we implement our modular management system, Puxin Business System, or PBS. It is designed in-house by our core management team reflecting over 15 years of accumulated management experience in Chinas education industry. PBS incorporates the best practices of operating after-school learning centers in a standard, common collection of business processes and process improvement methodologies. It covers over 3,000 management processes and we use PBS tools to analyze schools growth potential and formulate improvement plans.
We are committed to providing our students with high quality services and outstanding learning experience. Our commitment is reflected in recruitment, training and retaining the best teachers, developing and improving our curriculum and course materials, as well as standardizing operating procedures and learning practices throughout our network. This focus on quality has led to a high level of student satisfaction and strong academic results, enabling us to reach high student retention rate and contributing to student recruitment. As a result, most of our acquired schools achieved robust organic growth under our operations.
We believe that our track record of successful acquisitions and post-acquisition integration has not only created network effects attracting an increasing number of independent after-school operators seeking potential exit, but also created entry barriers for potential competitors. We have established Puxin as one of the most-recognized brand names among industry participants and built our first-mover advantage to capture consolidation opportunities in Chinas after-school education market.
2
Our net revenues increased by 192.0% from RMB439.2 million in 2016 to RMB1,282.6 million (US$204.5 million) in 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our net revenues reached RMB495.7 million (US$79.0 million), an increase of 150.1% from RMB198.2 million for the same period in 2017. Our net loss was RMB127.6 million, RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million) and RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million) in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, our deferred revenue was RMB318.3 million, RMB1,035.4 million (US$165.1 million) and RMB875.2 million (US$139.5 million), respectively. Our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(62.5) million and RMB(219.4) million (US$(35.0) million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(14.8) million and RMB(19.0) million (US$(3.0) million), respectively. For a detailed description of our non-GAAP measures, see Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Our Strengths
We believe the following strengths contribute to our success and differentiate us from our competitors:
| leading position in Chinas after-school education market; |
| modular and evolving management system; |
| track record of disciplined acquisitions; |
| established reputation underpinned by teaching quality; and |
| visionary management team and sophisticated talent system. |
Our Strategies
We plan to pursue the following strategies to expand our business and further strengthen our leadership in the education market in China:
| expand our network and geographic coverage; |
| improve performance, scale and profitability of our schools; |
| cultivate and acquire talent; |
| promote online initiatives and invest in technology; and |
| enhance our brand name. |
Risks and Uncertainties
Investing in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties summarized below, the risks described under Risk Factors beginning on page 13 of, and the other information contained in, this prospectus before you decide whether to purchase our ADSs:
| our ability to achieve and maintain profitability; |
| our ability to attract and retain students to enroll in our courses and study-abroad consulting programs; |
| our ability to effectively manage our business expansion and successfully integrate businesses we acquire; |
| our ability to continue to recruit, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified teachers and consultants; |
| our ability to improve the content of our existing courses or to develop new courses; |
3
| our ability to comply with the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC; and |
| our ability to exercise effective control over our variable interest entity structure. |
Corporate History and Structure
We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated in the Cayman Islands. In September 2014, Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd.), or Puxin Education, was incorporated in Beijing, China. We operate our business through Puxin Education and its subsidiaries in China.
Beginning in March 2017, we underwent a series of restructuring in contemplation of this offering. In particular:
| Incorporation of the listing entity. In March 2017, we incorporated Puxin Limited under the laws of the Cayman Islands as our proposed listing entity in the Cayman Islands. |
| Incorporation of Hong Kong and PRC subsidiaries. In April 2017, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited, or Prepshine Holdings, to be our intermediate holding company and to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States. In January 2018, we also established a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Purong (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Purong Beijing, through which we obtained control over Puxin Education based on a series of contractual arrangements entered into on February 5, 2018. |
| Contractual arrangements. Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in education services, we carry out our business in China through Puxin Education and its subsidiaries. In February 2018, we, through our PRC subsidiary, Purong Beijing, entered into a series of contractual arrangements with (i) Puxin Education, and (ii) the shareholders of Puxin Education, to obtain effective control of our variable interest entity. |
Subsequent to the establishment of Puxin Education, we acquired and established a number of entities to grow our business. From 2015 to 2017, the total number of our learning centers increased from 99 as of December 31, 2015 to 231 as of December 31, 2016, and further increased to 400 as of December 31, 2017. The number of our learning centers slightly decreased to 397 as of March 31, 2018, reflecting the combination of 25 learning centers we closed and 22 learning centers we constructed in the first quarter of 2018. We closed the 25 learning centers during our integration process of acquired schools, some of which were combined with other learning centers to improve operational efficiency of our learning centers.
4
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters:
(1) | Mr. Liang Gao, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Yun Xiao, Tianjin Puxian Education and Technology Limited Partnership, Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership hold a 5.698%, 3.419%, 1.140%, 18.233%, 3.6335% and 3.6335% equity interest in Puxin Education, respectively. |
Corporate Information
Our corporate headquarters is located at Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 10 8260 5578.
Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands.
5
Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc. located at 10 East 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10016.
Our website can be found at http://www.pxjy.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
We are an emerging growth company as the term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and, as such, we are subject to certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See the applicable disclosure under the section captioned Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our ADSs and This Offering.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in total annual gross revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements compared to those that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to opt out of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus
Except where the context otherwise indicates and for the purpose of this prospectus only:
| ADSs refers to our American depositary shares, each representing two of our ordinary shares, and ADRs refer to the American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs; |
| China or PRC refers to the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of this prospectus, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; |
| K-12 refers to the three years before the first grade through the last year of high school; |
| K-12 course withdrawal rate refers to the ratio of the number of students withdrawing from a K-12 course to the total number of students enrolled at the beginning of that course; |
| K-12 group class utilization rate refers to the number of students enrolled in a K-12 tutoring group class course as a percentage of the maximum number of students for that course; |
6
| K-12 group class student retention rate refers to the number of students who continue to enroll in K-12 tutoring group class courses (excluding promotional programs) at our learning centers after completing a K-12 tutoring group class course in a particular period as a percentage of the total number of students who complete K-12 tutoring group class courses during the same period; |
| learning centers refers to the physical establishment of an education facility providing K-12 tutoring services, study-abroad test preparation courses or study-abroad consulting services at a specific geographic location, directly owned and operated by our VIE or its subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, references to and calculations of learning centers do not include the franchised schools operated under the brand of Global Education; |
| ordinary shares refers to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, carrying one vote per share; |
| RMB or Renminbi refers to the legal currency of China; |
| school or schools, with respect to our acquisitions and business, refers to (i) entities providing K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad test preparation services which are required to obtain the private school operation permits in China, and (ii) entities providing study-abroad consulting services or online education services in China; |
| student enrollments refers to the cumulative total number of courses registered and paid for by our students during a given period of time; if one student enrolls in multiple courses, it will be counted as multiple student enrollments; |
| tier-1 cities refers to cities with strong economic development and high per capita disposable income, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen; |
| tier-2 cities refers to capital cities in 30 provinces and certain economically developed prefecture-level cities; |
| training institution or training institutions refers to the learning centers providing K-12 tutoring services or study-abroad test preparation services, which are registered as corporate or private non-enterprise entities with relevant PRC government authorities; |
| U.S. dollars, US$ or dollars refers to the legal currency of the United States; |
| variable interest entity, VIE or Puxin Education refers to Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd., which is a PRC company in which we do not have equity interests but whose financial results have been consolidated into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to our having effective control over, and our being the primary beneficiary of, such entity; |
| we, us, our company, our, or Puxin Limited refers to Puxin Limited, a Cayman Islands company and its subsidiaries, and unless the context requires otherwise, includes its VIE and VIEs subsidiaries. |
The translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this prospectus were made at a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the exchange rates set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. We make no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On May 25, 2018, the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board for RMB was RMB6.3903 to US$1.00.
7
Offering price |
We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$17.00 and US$20.00 per ADS. |
ADSs offered by us |
7,200,000 ADSs (or 8,280,000 ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). |
Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering |
185,257,144 ordinary shares (or 187,417,144 ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), including the ordinary shares converted from our preferred shares and convertible notes. |
ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering |
7,200,000 ADSs (or 8,280,000 ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). |
The ADSs |
Each ADS represents two ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share. |
The depositary will hold the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
If we declare dividends on our ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our ordinary shares, after deducting its fees and expenses. |
You may turn in your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange. |
We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. |
To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the Description of American Depositary Shares section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
Over-allotment option |
We have granted to the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 1,080,000 ADSs. |
Use of proceeds |
Our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately US$118.8 million, assuming an initial public offering price per ADS of US$18.50, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option. |
8
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the following purposes: |
| approximately 70% for financing potential strategic acquisitions and launch of new schools in China; |
| approximately 15% for upgrading our information technology systems and promoting online platforms; |
| approximately 10% for marketing and brand promotion; and |
| the remaining amount to fund working capital and for other general corporate purposes. |
See Use of Proceeds for additional information. |
Lockup |
We, our directors and executive officers, existing shareholders and warrant holder as well as certain option holders have agreed with the underwriters, without the prior written consent of the underwriters, not to sell, transfer, dispose of or hedge any of our ordinary shares, ADSs, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares for a period of 180 days after the date of the prospectus. See Shares Eligible for Future Sale and Underwriting for more information. |
Proposed NYSE symbol |
We have applied to have the ADSs listed on the NYSE under the symbol NEW. Our ADSs and ordinary shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system. |
Payment and settlement |
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on , 2018. |
Depositary |
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. |
Reserved ADSs |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 576,000 ADSs offered by this prospectus to our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons. We do not know if these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved ADSs, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of ADSs available to the general public. Any reserved ADSs not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other ADSs. |
Risk factors |
See Risk Factors and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of risks that you should carefully consider before investing in our ADSs. |
9
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
We present below our summary consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. The following summary consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the summary consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Puxin Limited included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2018 have been derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Puxin Limited included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The summary consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results for any future periods.
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 198,203 | 495,708 | 79,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of nil, RMB1,152, RMB46 and RMB976 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
257,995 | 794,342 | 126,637 | 120,075 | 273,458 | 43,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross profit |
181,186 | 488,220 | 77,834 | 78,128 | 222,250 | 35,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB991, RMB3,058, RMB527 and RMB2,236 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
123,370 |
|
444,927 |
|
|
70,932 |
|
54,920 | 164,647 | 26,249 | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB50,272, RMB51,625, RMB8,619 and RMB282,202 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
185,496 | 362,748 | 57,831 | 54,177 | 383,373 | 61,119 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
308,866 | 807,675 | 128,763 | 109,097 | 548,020 | 87,368 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(127,680 | ) | (319,455 | ) | (50,929 | ) | (30,969 | ) | (325,770 | ) | (51,936 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
464 | 549 | 88 | 346 | 103 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,216 | ) | (394,798 | ) | (62,940 | ) | (30,623 | ) | (355,272 | ) | (56,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | 79 | 13 |
|
(16 |
) |
|
(25 |
) |
|
(4 |
) | |||||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | (30,796 | ) | (355,024 | ) | (56,599 | ) |
On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Updates 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) issued by Financial Accounting Standards Board. The main impact on our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was an increase of RMB7.9 million in our net revenues.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of Share-based Compensation Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues |
| 1,152 | 184 | 46 | 976 | 156 | ||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
991 | 3,058 | 487 | 527 | 2,236 | 356 | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
50,272 | 51,625 | 8,230 | 8,619 | 282,202 | 44,990 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | 164,684 | 26,255 | 66,019 | 10,525 | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
| 10,408 | 1,659 | 9,522 | 1,518 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
36,262 | 132,473 | 21,119 | 145,435 | 23,186 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
9 | 113 | 18 | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets |
136,380 | 307,678 | 49,051 | 220,976 | 35,229 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
5,409 | 24,478 | 3,902 | 28,472 | 4,539 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
33,723 | 221,212 | 35,266 | 225,605 | 35,967 | |||||||||||||||
Intangible assets |
55,167 | 243,927 | 38,888 | 235,875 | 37,604 | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
346,972 | 1,152,913 | 183,802 | 1,152,913 | 183,801 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets |
637 | 3,012 | 480 | 5,203 | 829 | |||||||||||||||
Rental deposit |
15,829 | 55,173 | 8,796 | 58,609 | 9,344 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total non-current assets |
457,737 | 1,700,715 | 271,134 | 1,706,677 | 272,084 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
173,395 | 350,446 | 55,869 | 383,471 | 61,134 | |||||||||||||||
Income taxes payable |
2,925 | 10,022 | 1,598 | 11,646 | 1,857 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
318,319 | 1,035,370 | 165,062 | 875,217 | 139,530 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
3,048 | 3,836 | 612 | 180,000 | 28,696 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
13,734 | 77,580 | 12,368 | 75,516 | 12,039 | |||||||||||||||
Franchise deposits |
| 3,856 | 615 | 1,221 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| 499,192 | 79,583 | 352,520 | 56,200 | |||||||||||||||
Promissory note |
| 162,658 | 25,932 | 350,215 | 55,833 | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| 18,218 | 2,904 | 17,563 | 2,800 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants |
| | | 15,100 | 2,407 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
511,421 | 2,161,178 | 344,543 | 2,262,469 | 360,691 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
120,000 | 120,000 | 19,131 | 71,088 | 11,333 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Puxin Limited shareholders deficit |
(37,202 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (43,485 | ) | (405,856 | ) | (64,703 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-controlling interests |
(102 | ) | (23 | ) | (4 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total deficit |
(37,304 | ) | (272,785 | ) | (43,489 | ) | (405,904 | ) | (64,711 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and total shareholders deficit |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 |
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated
12
quarterly financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair representation of our operating results for the quarters presented.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2016 |
June 30, 2016 |
September 30, 2016 |
December 31, 2016 |
March 31, 2017 |
June 30, 2017 |
September 30, 2017 |
December 31, 2017 |
March 31, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(RMB in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
61,402 | 91,236 | 140,134 | 146,409 | 198,203 | 238,047 | 418,360 | 427,952 | 495,708 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues |
37,252 | 52,076 | 81,141 | 87,526 | 120,075 | 141,535 | 258,806 | 273,926 | 273,458 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
24,150 | 39,160 | 58,993 | 58,883 | 78,128 | 96,512 | 159,554 | 154,026 | 222,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
17,078 | 24,457 | 35,955 | 45,880 | 54,920 | 72,686 | 140,677 | 176,644 | 164,647 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
35,310 | 39,354 | 51,526 | 59,306 | 54,177 | 65,769 | 100,270 | 142,532 | 383,373 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
52,388 | 63,811 | 87,481 | 105,186 | 109,097 | 138,455 | 240,947 | 319,176 | 548,020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(28,238 | ) | (24,651 | ) | (28,488 | ) | (46,303 | ) | (30,969 | ) | (41,943 | ) | (81,393 | ) | (165,150 | ) | (325,770 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| | | | | | 2,150 | 3,406 | 5,040 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
87 | 67 | 126 | 184 | 346 | 110 | 53 | 40 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| | | | | | 22,795 | 47,541 | 23,665 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | | | | | 900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(28,151 | ) | (24,584 | ) | (28,362 | ) | (46,119 | ) | (30,623 | ) | (41,833 | ) | (106,285 | ) | (216,057 | ) | (355,272 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
86 | 75 | 86 | 141 | 189 | 258 | 656 | 1,333 | (223 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(28,237 | ) | (24,659 | ) | (28,448 | ) | (46,260 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (42,091 | ) | (106,941 | ) | (217,390 | ) | (355,049 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018. The main impact on our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was an increase of RMB7.9 million in our net revenues.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements which are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss as additional non-GAAP financial measures. We present
13
these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance. We also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our consolidated results of operations in the same manner as our management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of our peer companies.
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss 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 our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Adjusted EBITDA represents net loss, which excludes depreciation, amortization, interest expense, interest income and income tax expenses (benefits), before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
3,735 | 20,545 | 3,275 | 2,707 | 13,347 | 2,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
10,158 | 23,644 | 3,769 | 4,241 | 8,052 | 1,284 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
(464 | ) | (549 | ) | (88 | ) | (346 | ) | (103 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
(113,787 | ) | (345,602 | ) | (55,098 | ) | (24,021 | ) | (328,936 | ) | (52,440 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
(62,524 | ) | (219,431 | ) | (34,984 | ) | (14,829 | ) | (18,957 | ) | (3,022 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
Adjusted net loss represents net loss before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted net loss for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(76,341 | ) | (271,063 | ) | (43,214 | ) | (21,620 | ) | (45,070 | ) | (7,185 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key Operating Data
The following table presents our key operating data for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, |
For the Three months ended March 31, 2018 |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||||||
Student enrollments(1) |
||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
451,353 | 1,238,070 | 244,638 | |||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring services |
3,592 | 37,653 | 16,335 | |||||||||
Number of learning centers(2) |
231 | 400 | 397 | |||||||||
K-12 group class student retention rate(3) |
65.1 | % | 70.1 | % | 78.9 | % | ||||||
K-12 course withdrawal rate(4) |
4.7 | % | 4.7 | % | 4.2 | % |
(1) | Refers to the cumulative total number of courses registered and paid for by our students during a given period of time; if one student enrolls in multiple courses, it will be counted as multiple student enrollments. |
(2) | Refers to the total number of locations of our premises providing educational services. |
(3) | Refers to the number of students who continue to enroll in K-12 tutoring group class courses (excluding promotional programs) at schools operating under our management for over 12 months after completing a K-12 tutoring group class course in a particular period as a percentage of the total number of students who complete K-12 tutoring group class courses during the same period. |
(4) | Refers to the number of students withdrawing from a K-12 course as a percentage of the total number of students enrolled in that course at the beginning. |
15
Investing in the ADSs entails a significant level of risk. Before investing in the ADSs, you should carefully consider all of the risks and uncertainties mentioned in this section, in addition to all of the other information in this prospectus, including the financial statements and related notes. We may face additional risks and uncertainties aside from the ones mentioned below. There may be risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently do not consider material, that may become important factors that adversely affect our business in the future. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In such case, the market prices of the ADSs could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment.
Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry
We have limited operating history and our historical financial and operating results, growth rates and profitability may not be indicative of future performance.
We began to provide K-12 tutoring services in May 2015 and study-abroad tutoring services in June 2015. In 2016 and 2017, we had 451,353 and 1,238,070 student enrollments in our K-12 courses and 3,592 and 37,653 student enrollments in our study-abroad tutoring programs, respectively. In the first quarter of 2018, our student enrollments in our K-12 courses and study-abroad tutoring programs reached 244,638 and 16,335, respectively. Despite the rapid growth in our business size and operation scale in the recent years, we incurred operating loss of RMB127.7 million and RMB319.5 million (US$50.9 million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we incurred operating loss of RMB325.8 million (US$51.9 million). As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, we had accumulated deficit of RMB282.3 million, RMB679.6 million (US$108.3 million) and RMB986.3 million (US$157.2 million), respectively. We expect that both our cost and our operating expenses will increase as we continue our business expansions and that we may face difficulties in achieving or maintaining profitability. As we plan to continue to expand our business, we may need to devote substantial resources to planning for acquisitions of new schools or entities, integrating newly acquired schools, upgrading our services and programs and marketing our brands and recruiting teachers. Any failure to realize anticipated revenue growth could result in further operating losses. Thus, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or maintain profitability or that we will not incur losses in the future.
We may not be able to effectively manage our business expansion and increasingly complicated operations and successfully integrate businesses we acquire, which could harm our business.
We have expanded rapidly through both acquisitions and internal growth, and we plan to continue to expand our operations in different geographic areas as we address growth in our customer base and market opportunities. Since the commencement of our operations in May 2015, the number of our directly operated learning centers increased to 231, 400 and 397 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our rapid expansion has resulted, and will continue to result, in substantial demands on our management, personnel, operational, technological and other resources. The sustainable post-acquisition organic growth is largely dependent on our ability to integrate operations, system infrastructure and management philosophies of acquired schools. The integration of acquired schools is extremely complicated and time-consuming and requires significant resource commitment, standardized integration process, and adequate planning and implementation. The main challenges involved in integrating acquired schools include the following:
| implementing standardized integration process and performance management systems to ensure management philosophies, group-wide strategies and evaluation benchmarks can be effectively carried out at each acquired school; |
| demonstrating to students of our acquired schools that the acquisitions will not result in adverse changes in the service quality and business focus; |
| retaining qualified education professionals of our acquired schools; |
16
| integrating and streamlining different system infrastructure; |
| consolidating service offerings of different acquired schools; |
| preserving strategic, marketing or other important relationships of the acquired schools; |
| coordinating and optimizing research and development activities to launch new products and technologies with reduced cost; and |
| integrating our data management system in newly acquired schools. |
We may not successfully integrate the schools we acquire in a timely manner and may not effectively and efficiently manage our expansion, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we need to be registered as the sponsor or shareholders of sponsor companies of the acquired schools. We are in the process of being registered with local authorities as the sponsor or shareholders of sponsor companies of four subsidiaries. Although pursuant to our acquisition agreements with original sponsors or shareholders of the acquired schools, the original sponsors or shareholders have obligations to cooperate with us to complete such registrations with local competent authorities, we cannot assure you that we are able to complete such registration in a timely manner.
Failure to attract and retain students to enroll in our courses and study-abroad consulting programs may have a material adverse impact on our business and prospects.
The success of our business depends heavily on the number of student enrollments in our courses and study-abroad consulting programs. Our ability to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses and consulting programs is critical to the continued success and growth of our business. This ability is dependent on a variety of factors, including our ability to acquire schools that create synergies and complement our businesses, develop new programs and improve our existing programs to respond to changes in market trends and student demand, continually develop high-quality educational content and consultation services, expand our geographic reach, manage our growth while maintaining consistent and high teaching quality, effectively market our programs to a broader base of prospective students and respond effectively to competitive pressures.
Our ability to retain existing students and their parents by improving students academic performance and delivering a satisfactory learning experience is also critical to the success of our business. Our ability to improve the academic performance of our students is largely dependent upon the learning ability, attitude, efforts and time and resource commitments of each student, which are beyond our control. Students may feel dissatisfied with our services or fail to perform up to expectation after attending our programs. In addition, our programs may not be able to satisfy all of our students or their parents requirements. Satisfaction with our services may be affected by a number of factors, many of which may not relate to the quality or effectiveness of our course or consultancy program curriculum and content. If students or parents feel that we are not providing them the learning experience they have subscribed for, they may choose to withdraw from or not to renew their existing courses. For our K-12 group classes and study-abroad test preparation courses, we usually offer refunds for remaining classes to students who decide to withdraw from a course. For our K-12 personalized courses, we offer refunds to students who decide to withdraw from a course for all the remaining classes. For our study-abroad consulting services, we usually offer refunds of the consulting fees to the students who fail to gain any admission or obtain the relevant visa, which is consistent with market practices. Although we have not experienced any significant refund requests in the past, if an increasing number of students request refunds, our cash flow, revenues and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, the students who fail to improve their performance after attending our programs or have unsatisfactory learning experiences with us may also choose not to refer other students to us, which in turn may adversely affect the number of student enrollments.
If we are unable to attract and retain students to enroll in our courses and study-abroad consulting programs, our revenues may decline, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
17
We may not be able to effectively identify or pursue targets for acquisitions as we did in the past several years, and even if we are able to identify suitable targets, we may not be able to complete such transactions in a cost-effective manner, which may cause us to lose anticipated benefits from such acquisitions.
Historically, we have significantly expanded our network by selected acquisitions of new schools and businesses. We expect to continue to selectively acquire or invest in new schools or businesses that complement our existing operations. We may not, however, be able to identify suitable candidates for acquisitions or investments in the future due to a decrease in the amount of small and medium-sized targets or an increase in the number of acquirers. Even if we are able to identify suitable candidates, we may be unable to complete a transaction on terms commercially acceptable to us or finance the transaction. If we fail to identify appropriate candidates or complete the desired transactions, our growth and expansion may be impeded.
We are subject to uncertainties brought by the amended Law on the Promotion of Private Education Law of the PRC.
Our business is regulated by, among others, the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the Decision on Amending the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC, or the Amended Private Education Law, which became effective on September 1, 2017. The Amended Private Education Law classifies private schools into non-profit schools and for-profit schools by whether they are established and operated for profit-making purposes. The sponsors of private schools may at their own discretion choose to establish non-profit or for-profit private schools, but are not allowed to establish for-profit private schools that are engaged in compulsory education.
On December 30, 2016, the Implementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private Schools, or the Classification Registration Regulations, were promulgated by five PRC government authorities, including the Ministry of Education, or the MOE. According to the Classification Registration Regulations, the existing private schools are required to choose to register as non-profit or for-profit private schools with competent government authorities. If a private school elects to register as for-profit school, it is required to (i) undertake financial liquidation, (ii) clarify the ownership of land, school premises and properties, (iii) pay relevant taxes and duties, and (iv) re-apply for a new private school operation permit and re-register with relevant authorities. See RegulationRegulations on Private Education in the PRCImplementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private Schools.
We expect that the Amended Private Education Law, accompanied with its relevant implementation rules and regulations, will bring significant changes to the compliance regime that we are subject to, including but not limited to school registration, student recruitment, premises conditions and qualification requirements for teachers. We plan to register all of our training institutions as for-profit private schools pursuant to the Amended Private Education Law and obtain new licenses and permits or renew existing licenses and permits. However, the local specific requirements and procedures for when and how existing training institutions can be registered as for-profit schools and complete filings for their tutoring branches remain unclear in most cities in China. As of the date of this prospectus, it remains uncertain how the Amended Private Education Law will be interpreted and implemented and impact our business operations. There is no assurance that we will be able to operate our business in full compliance with the Amended Private Education Law or any relevant regulations in a timely manner or at all. Should we fail to fully comply with the Amended Private Education Law or any relevant regulations as interpreted by the relevant government authorities, we may be subject to administrative fines or penalties, an order to suspend the operation and refund the tuition fee or other negative consequences which could materially and adversely affect our brand name and reputation, and our business, financial condition and results of operations.
18
We are required to obtain various operating licenses and permits and to make registrations and filings for our tutoring services in China; failure to comply with these requirements may materially and adversely affect our business operations.
Under PRC laws and regulations, training institutions are required to obtain a number of licenses, permits and approvals from, and make filings or complete registrations with, relevant government authorities in order to provide tutoring services. Pursuant to the Amended Private Education Law which became effective on September 1, 2017 and the Implementing Rules on the Supervision and Administration of For-Profit Private Schools which was published on December 30, 2016, or the Implementing Rules, each training institution that operates for profit shall be registered as a corporate entity and apply for the private school operation permit and obtain a business license. In addition, their tutoring branches are required to complete the required filings for permits or registrations.
On April 20, 2018, the MOE issued a discussion draft of the proposed Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC, or the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, for public review and comment. According to the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, private training institutions are allowed to establish tutoring branches within the approved cities after completing the filings for registrations with the approval authorities of such private training institutions and the local educational authorities where the tutoring branches are located.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have 104 training institutions which are required to obtain private school operation permits and 294 tutoring branches which are required to complete filings for permits or registrations. Among these training institutions and tutoring branches, 24 training institutions do not possess the private school operation permits and 213 tutoring branches have not completed the required filings with the local education authorities. While we intend to obtain the required permits and licenses pursuant to the Amended Private Education Law and the Implementing Rules, most of local government authorities have not begun to accept applications or issue permits for for-profit training institutions or accept filings for tutoring branches as of the date of this prospectus because the local implementing rules and regulations of the Amended Private Education Law have not been published to the public and the application procedures have not been formulated by local government authorities in most cities. See RegulationsRegulations on Private Education in the PRCLaw on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC and Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC for further details on the license requirements applicable to our training institutions and tutoring branches.
On February 13, 2018, the MOE, together with three other government authorities, jointly promulgated the Circular on Alleviating After-school Burden on Elementary and Middle School Students and Implementing Inspections on After-school Training Institutions, or Circular 3. Pursuant to Circular 3, these government authorities seek to alleviate after-school burden on elementary and middle school students by carrying out a series of inspections on after-school training institutions and order those with material potential safety risks to suspend business for self-inspection and rectification and those without proper establishment licenses or private school operation permits to apply for relevant qualifications and certificates under the guidance of competent government authorities. Circular 3 mandates that the foregoing inspections and rectification be completed by the end of 2018. For more details about Circular 3, see RegulationsRegulations on Private Education in the PRCCircular on Alleviating After-school Burden on Elementary and Middle School Students and Implementing Inspections on After-school Training Institutions. As of the date of this prospectus, two of our tutoring branches providing K-12 tutoring services in Xian which do not hold private school operation permits have been requested by local education bureaus to complete rectification within a certain prescribed period. We are in the process of applying for private school operation permits for these two learning centers and expect to complete the required rectification within the timeframe required by the local education bureaus.
Given the significant amount of discretion owned by local PRC authorities in interpreting, implementing and enforcing relevant rules and regulations, as well as other factors beyond our control, we may not be able to
19
obtain and maintain all requisite licenses, permits, approvals and filings or pass all requisite assessments. If any of our current or future training institutions or their tutoring branches fail to receive the requisite licenses, permits and approvals, make the necessary filings, or complete all requisite registrations, such training institutions or their tutoring branches may be subject to penalties. These may include fines, orders to promptly rectify the non-compliance, or if the non-compliance is deemed by the regulators to be serious, the school may be ordered to return tuition and fees collected and pay a multiple of the amount of returned tuition and fees to regulators as a penalty or may even be ordered to cease operations.
We face intense competition in our industry, and if we fail to compete effectively, we may lose our market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.
The private education market in China is highly fragmented and competitive, and we expect competition to persist and intensify. We face competition in each type of services we offer, including in on-line and off-line forms, and in each geographic market in which we operate.
Some of our competitors may have more resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of their programs, services and products and respond more quickly than we can to changes in student needs, exam materials, admission standards, market trends or new technologies. As a result, our student enrollments may decrease due to intense competition. In addition, in contrast to our comprehensive program offerings, some of our competitors focus on a single area of our business, and may be able to devote all of their resources to that business line. These companies may be able to more quickly adapt to changing technology, student preferences and market conditions in these markets than we can. As a result, certain of our competitors may, therefore, have a competitive advantage over us with respect to these business areas.
The increasing use of the Internet and advancement in technologies, such as web video conferencing and online testing simulators, are eliminating geographic and physical facility-related entry barriers to providing private education services. Although we have launched online services for our businesses and plan to expand our online service offerings, the pace at which we promote and expand our online services may not be as fast as our competitors. As a result, many international brands or local smaller service providers may be able to use the Internet to quickly and cost-effectively offer their programs, services and products to a large number of students with less capital expenditure than previously required. Consequently, we may be required to reduce course fees or increase spending in response to competition in order to retain or attract students or pursue new market opportunities, which could result in a decrease in our revenues and profitability. We will also face increased competition as we expand our operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. If we are unable to maintain our competitive position or otherwise respond to competitive pressure effectively, we may lose our market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.
We may not be able to continue to recruit, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified teachers and consultants.
Teachers and study-abroad consultants help us maintain the quality of our education and services, as well as our brand and reputation. Our ability to continue to attract teachers and consultants with the necessary experience and qualifications is a key factor in the success of our operations. We seek to hire experienced teachers and consultants who are dedicated to teaching and are able to follow our teaching and consulting service protocols and deliver effective instructions. The market for teacher recruitment in China is competitive, and we must also provide continued training to ensure that our teachers and consultants stay abreast of changes in student demands, teaching methodologies and other necessary changes. Further, the Measures of Punishment for Violation of Professional Ethics of Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, promulgated by the MOE, on January 11, 2014, prohibits teachers of elementary and secondary schools from providing paid tutoring in schools or in out-of-school training institutions. Some of our part-time teachers are teachers of public schools. If such
20
part-time teachers cannot continue to teach courses in our schools due to the foregoing regulation, we may have to recruit full-time teachers to maintain our class offerings. In addition, we hire foreign teachers and we need to apply for work and residence permits for them in China. If we cannot obtain such permits for our foreign teachers, we may have to terminate our employment relationship with them.
In order to recruit experienced full-time teachers, we must provide candidates with competitive compensation packages and offer attractive career development opportunities. Although we have not experienced major difficulties in recruiting or training qualified teachers and consultants in the past, we cannot guarantee we will be able to continue to recruit, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified teachers and consultants in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business and financial performance may suffer if we fail to successfully develop and launch new education services.
The future success of our business depends partly on our ability to develop new education services. The planned timing or launch of new education services is subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual timing may differ materially from any originally proposed timeframe. For example, we only recently launched certain web-based and mobile-based services such as Puxin Superior Classes, Puxin Dual-Teacher Classrooms, Recorded Lectures, foreign teacher classes and Puxin Teacher & Student App. While we have not experienced material technological difficulties in these newly launched services, we cannot assure you there will not be system outages or errors for these new online services in the future. Unexpected operational, technical or other issues could delay or prevent the launch of one or more of our new education services or programs. In addition, significant investment of human capital, financial resources and management time and attention may be required to successfully launch features of our new education programs. If we fail to manage the expansion of our portfolio of education services cost-effectively, our business could be negatively affected.
We cannot assure you that any of our new services will achieve market acceptance or generate incremental revenue or that our operation of such new services or programs will comply with our business scope or applicable licensing requirements. If our efforts to develop, market and sell our new education services and programs to the market are not successful, our business, financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We have limited operating history with our study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services. Our newer courses and services may not be as attractive as our K-12 tutoring services.
Prior to the acquisitions of Global Education and ZMN Education in 2017, a significant majority of our revenue and operations was derived from K-12 tutoring services. We have limited operating history with our study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services. As we plan to continue to dedicate resources to integrating and expanding our study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services, our efforts to improve, expand, and promote our study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services may not be successful and we may not achieve comparable profitability to our K-12 tutoring services, or at all.
We may not be able to improve the content of our existing courses or to develop new courses on a timely basis and in a cost-effective manner.
We regularly and constantly update the content of our existing courses and develop new courses to meet students demands and the latest market trends. We also closely follow any changes in curriculum, examination systems, testing materials, admission standards and technologies. Admission and assessment tests in China and overseas countries constantly undergo changes and development in terms of tested subjects, skill focus, question types and manners of test administration. For example, most of the major English tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS, are increasingly being offered in a computer-based testing format, and there are certain universities in
21
China that have been allowed to admit a small portion of their students through independently administered examinations and admission procedures. These changes require us to continually update and enhance our course materials and our teaching methods. Furthermore, offering new courses or modifying existing courses may require us to have more input into curriculum and course development, train new teachers or provide continued training to existing teachers, increase marketing efforts and re-allocate resources. We may have limited experience with new course content and may need to modify our systems to incorporate new courses into our existing course offerings. If we cannot respond effectively to changes in market demands or launch new courses on a timely basis and in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel and our business may be harmed if we lose their services.
Our success depends in part on the continued application of services, efforts and motivation of our senior management team and key personnel, in particular, our founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Yunlong Sha. If one or more of our senior management members or key personnel are unable to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to find suitable replacements, and our business may be disrupted.
We will need to continue to hire additional personnel as our business grows. A shortage in the supply of personnel with requisite skills could negatively impact our ability to manage our existing products and services, launch new services and expand our operations. Competition for experienced management personnel in the private education industry is intense with a small pool of qualified candidates, and we may not be able to retain services of our senior executives, experienced principals of our schools or other key personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or key personnel in the future. Although we have established an internal training and promotion system to develop good candidates for senior management team and principals, the number of these candidates and the speed of training these candidates to be capable and qualified to their prospective positions may not align with our rapid growth. In addition, if any member of our senior management team, principals or any of our other key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose teachers, students and staff members. Each of our executive officers and key employees is subject to the duty of confidentiality and non-competition restrictions. However, if any disputes arise between any of our senior executives or key personnel and us, it may be difficult to successfully pursue legal actions against these individuals because of the uncertainties in Chinas legal system.
Any damage to the brand and reputation of our learning centers may adversely affect our overall business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
We believe that market awareness of our Puxin, Global Education, ZMN Education, and other brands and our solid reputation in the K-12 tutoring and study-abroad tutoring industry have contributed significantly to the success of our business. We also believe that maintaining and promoting our brands are critical to sustaining our competitive advantage. Our brand and reputation could be adversely affected under many circumstances, including the following:
| our students are not satisfied with our services and their learning experience; |
| we fail to maintain the quality and consistency of our service standards as we expand our course offerings into different subjects and extend our geographic or product reach; |
| our learning center facilities do not meet the standards expected by parents and students; |
| our teachers, study-abroad consultants or staff fail to provide students and their parents with prompt feedback and adequate attention; |
| our teachers, study-abroad consultants or staff behave or are perceived to behave inappropriately or illegally; |
22
| we lose a license, permit or any other governmental authorization to operate a learning center; and |
| operators of learning centers with lower quality abuse our brands or those with brand names similar to ours conduct fraudulent activities and create confusion in the market. |
The likelihood of any above-mentioned circumstances increases as we expand our network of learning centers. These events could influence the perception of our learning centers not only by our students and their parents, but also by other constituencies in the education sector and the general public.
In addition, Global Education also has franchised schools. Our control over our franchisees is based on the contracts with them and our standardized supervision and monitoring procedures, which may not be as effective as direct ownership. Although we maintain comprehensive and rigorous supervisory procedures, set standards to guide our franchisees on operations of their learning centers and require all teachers and management personnel of our franchise teaching facilities to complete our mandatory trainings, our franchisees manage their businesses independently and are therefore responsible for the day-to-day operation of the franchise facilities. Furthermore, it is the franchisees and their teachers and employees that interact directly with students and their parents. In the event of any unsatisfactory performance or illegal actions by the franchisees or their employees or any incidents or operational issues in the franchise facilities, we may suffer reputational or financial damage which in turn might adversely affect our business as a whole. As we mainly rely on word-of-mouth referrals to attract prospective students, if our brand name or reputation deteriorates, our overall business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore, third-party service providers with whom we have a business relationship could damage our reputation and brands due to their unsatisfactory or illegal actions arising from the interactions with our students. We have close cooperation relationships with third-party service providers, such as printers that provide services to print course materials, organizations that host events or organize mathematics or other science competitions, and overseas education service providers that provide overseas study tours and summer and winter camps. These third-party service providers may directly interact with our students in providing their services. Although we selectively establish cooperation relationships with reliable and reputational service providers, we cannot assure you that these third-party service providers will not conduct any unsatisfactory, inappropriate or illegal actions that will damage our reputation and brands, which consequently could cause our business to be harmed.
Accidents or injuries suffered by our students or other people on our premises may adversely affect our reputation, subject us to liability and cause us to incur substantial costs.
In the event of accidents or injuries or other harm to students or other people on our premises, including those caused by or otherwise arising from the actions or negligence of our employees or contractors on our premises, our facilities may be perceived to be unsafe, which may make parents unwilling to allow their children to attend our classes. We could also face negligence claims for inadequate maintenance of our facilities or lack of supervision of our teachers and other employees. Although we have not encountered any injury to our students on our premises that has materially and adversely affected our business or financial condition, we cannot assure you that there will not be any in the future. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to fully protect us from all kinds of claims. See We have limited liability insurance coverage and do not carry business disruption insurance. A liability claim against us or any of our employees or independent contractors could adversely affect our reputation and ability to attract and retain students. Even if such claim is unsuccessful, it could create unfavorable publicity, cause us to incur substantial expenses and divert the time and attention of our management.
Failure to control rental costs, obtain leases at desired locations at reasonable prices or comply with relevant regulation regarding our leased premises could materially and adversely affect our business.
Substantially all of our offices and learning centers are presently located on leased premises. At the end of each lease term, we must negotiate an extension of the lease. If we are not able to negotiate an extension on terms
23
acceptable to us, we will be forced to move to a different location, or the rent may increase significantly given that the real estate prices in China have kept rising for years. This could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our profitability. We also compete with many other businesses for sites in certain highly desirable locations and some landlords may have entered into long-term leases with our competitors for prime locations. As a result, we may not be able to obtain new leases at desirable locations or renew our existing leases on acceptable terms or at all, which could adversely affect our business.
As of the date of this prospectus, among our 623 lease contracts, we have not been able to receive copies of the valid title certificates or proof of authorization to lease properties to us from the lessors for 101 leased properties. Our use of some of leased properties does not comply with the approved use stipulated in the title certificates of such properties or the lease agreements. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any actions, claims or investigations threatened against us or our lessors with respect to the defects in our leasehold interests. However, if any of our leases are terminated as a result of challenges by third parties or governmental authorities for lack of title certificates or proof of authorization to lease, we do not expect to be subject to any fines or penalties but we may be forced to relocate the affected learning center and incur additional expenses relating to such relocation. If we fail to find suitable replacement sites in a timely manner or on terms commercially acceptable to us, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, under the applicable PRC laws and regulations, we are required to register and file executed leases with the relevant government authorities, but we have failed to do so in certain instances. While the lack of registration will not affect the validity and enforceability of the lease agreements under the PRC Law, a fine ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 may be imposed on the parties for each non-registered lease, if the requirement of registration failed to be fulfilled after a period of time demanded by a relevant local authority.
A significant portion of our training institutions are not in compliance with fire safety regulations.
According to the PRC fire safety laws and regulations, construction projects and decoration projects are generally required to obtain fire safety permits or complete fire safety filings except for certain statutory exemptions. See RegulationsRegulations on Fire Safety for further details on the fire safety regulations applicable to our business premises. As of the date of this prospectus, we have leased 559 business premises for our training institutions and their tutoring branches, and we have complied with the foregoing fire safety permit and filing requirements for 393 of these premises. We have arranged inspections for 57 premises by local fire control authorities and obtained written records of passing the fire safety inspections. As advised by Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC counsel, for these 57 premises, the risk that we will be subject to material administrative penalties imposed by such local fire control authorities for our failure to comply with the fire safety permit or filing requirement is relatively low. Besides, the construction units have obtained the fire safety permits in connection with the construction of the buildings where another 66 premises are located, and we are in the process of completing further fire safety filings with respect to the interior decoration of such premises, which represented 13.65% of our revenues in 2017. However, as of the date of this prospectus, we have neither obtained the fire safety permits or written evidence for passing the fire safety inspection nor made the requisite fire safety filings for the remaining 43 leased business premises, which represented 10.57% of our revenues in 2017. We cannot assure you that we may be able to obtain the fire safety permits, rectify our non-compliance or otherwise fully comply with the relevant fire safety laws and regulations at all of our current locations in a timely manner or at all, and we may be subject to fines and orders to rectify within a specified period of time or to suspend operations for our non-compliance. As a result, we may not be able to occupy certain of our current locations and may be ordered to relocate our operations to other locations that comply with the relevant fire safety laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that such alternative locations will be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
In addition, according to PRC fire safety laws and regulations, venues for childrens activities generally may not be located above the third floor of a building, depending on its fireproof conditions. As of the date of this
24
prospectus, 109 of our business premises for childrens activities, including certain sections of our K-12 and study-abroad programs that target children are located above the third floor of a building. Nevertheless, we have either complied with the fire safety filing requirement or arranged fire safety inspections by the local fire control authorities and obtained written records of passing the fire safety inspections for 62 business premises. We generated approximately 8.82% of our revenues from the remaining 47 business premises in 2017. We may be subject to fines and orders to suspend operations if these 47 business premises are inspected and found to be in violation of the fire safety regulations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Moving training institutions and their tutoring branches in order to comply with fire safety regulations would require us to terminate or break our existing leases and pay any associated termination or breakage costs in addition to the costs of relocation, renovation and decoration, and it may also disrupt our scheduled courses and force us to postpone or cancel some courses and refund the related tuition fees, all of which could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
We may face risks and uncertainties with respect to the licensing requirements for our online platforms.
We may be required to obtain additional licenses or permits for our operations because the interpretation and implementation of current PRC laws and regulations are still evolving, and new laws and regulations may also be promulgated. For example, the content we use on our websites and mobile apps, including course materials and audio-visual content, may be deemed as Internet cultural products, and our use of such content may be regarded as Internet cultural activities. Thus, our VIE and its subsidiaries may be required to obtain an Internet culture business operating license for provision of such content through our websites or mobile apps as currently there is no further official or publicly available interpretation of whether such content would be deemed Internet cultural products. In addition, according to the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, the entities which provide online academic training services to children and teenagers are required to apply for the private school operation permits. See RegulationsRegulations on Private Education in the PRCAmended Draft of the Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC.
In addition, we offer certain audio-visual content on our websites as supplementary course materials. If the governmental authorities determine that our relevant activities fall within the definition of Internet audio-visual program service under the Administrative Measures Regarding Internet Audio-Visual Program Services, our VIE and its subsidiaries may be required to obtain a license for disseminating audio-visual programs through Internet. Moreover, we may be required to obtain the online publishing services permit for our online educational products, such as Puxin Superior Classes, Puxin Dual-Teacher Classrooms and GEDU online. We are in the process of applying for the Internet Content Provider License, or ICP License. If we are not able to obtain such licenses, we may further be subject to fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend our on-line courses providing service.
No material fines or other penalties have been imposed on us for non-compliance with licensing requirements for our online platforms in the past. However, if we are not able to comply with all applicable legal requirements, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of the gains derived from our non-compliant operations, suspension of our non-compliant operations or revocation of the operation permits of the non-compliant schools, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may need to record a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill or intangible assets arising from acquisitions become impaired, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we account for our acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting, and such acquisitions have resulted in significant goodwill and intangible assets. These assets may become impaired in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations following such acquisitions. We are required under U.S. GAAP to review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when
25
events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently, if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price and market capitalization and slower or declining growth rates in our industry. In the future, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we did not recognize any impairment loss in relation to goodwill or intangible assets arising from our acquisitions. In the future, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights, our brand and business may suffer.
We consider our copyrights, trademarks, trade names and Internet domain names invaluable to our ability to continue to develop and enhance our brand recognition. Unauthorized use of our copyrights, trademarks, trade names and domain names may damage our reputation and brand. Our major brand names, logos and domain names are registered in China. Our proprietary curricula and course materials are protected by copyrights. Unauthorized use of any of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our business and reputation. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secrets laws and confidentiality agreements with our employees and contractors to protect our intellectual property rights. We also regularly monitor any infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, third parties may still obtain and use our intellectual property without due authorization, and enforcement of intellectual property rights by Chinese regulatory agencies involves uncertainty. We may need to resort to litigation and other legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights. Any such action, litigation or other legal proceedings could be difficult, costly and time-consuming and divert our managements attention and resources. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce our intellectual property rights effectively or otherwise prevent others from the unauthorized use of our intellectual property. If we are unable to adequately protect our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights in the future, we may lose these rights, our brand name may be harmed and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We may encounter disputes from time to time relating to our use of the intellectual property of third parties.
We cannot assure you that our trademarks, logos, trade names, technologies, products, courseware, course materials or any intellectual property developed or used by us do not or will not infringe the intellectual property rights held by third parties. We and our schools have been involved in disputes with third parties claiming infringement of intellectual property rights by us, and we may be subject to such disputes in the future. On July 7, 2017, Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Global Education, which we acquired in August 2017, received a letter issued by the legal counsel of IDP Education Limited, The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge Acting by the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate and the British Council (collectively the IDP Claimants). In such letter, the IDP Claimants alleged that Beijing Global Education infringes their trademark rights and requested Beijing Global Education and all of its schools and learning centers to deregister and stop the use of any trademarks that contain the words of IELTS, YASI, and and remove these words from their trade names and logos. On July 24, 2017, Beijing Global Education sent a response letter to the IDP Claimants in which Beijing Global Education raised its arguments against certain of the IDP Claimants claims and agreed to conduct investigations on the trademarks used by its schools and learning centers. We are in the process of negotiating with the IDP Claimants to reach an agreement. As of the date of this prospectus, the IDP Claimants have not initiated any litigations or legal proceedings against Beijing Global Education or us. However, there is no assurance that we would eventually be able to reach an agreement with the IDP Claimants to resolve such claims or that the IDP Claimants would not initiate any litigations or legal proceedings against Beijing Global Education or us in the future.
26
In August 2017, Beijing Global Education received a cease-and-desist letter from Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd., or Pearson Beijing, alleging that Beijing Global Education and certain of its franchised schools have infringed the intellectual property of Pearson PLC, including but not limited to /Longman trademarks and certain other trademarks and brands, and demanding that the infringers immediately cease the infringement. Beijing Global Education has subsequently ceased the alleged infringement and sent a letter to all franchise schools involving the use of the intellectual property of Pearson PLC, requesting them to cease the alleged infringement. We cannot guarantee that these franchise schools will cease the alleged infringement in a timely manner, or at all, or that our corrective measures will prove to be satisfactory to Pearson Beijing or Pearson PLC. As of the date of this prospectus, neither Pearson Beijing nor Pearson PLC has taken any further action, including legal proceedings, against Beijing Global Education or us for the alleged infringement. However, there is no assurance that Pearson Beijing or Pearson PLC would not initiate any legal proceedings against Beijing Global Education or us in the future.
If any of the above-mentioned parties or other third parties initiate litigation against us alleging infringement upon their intellectual property rights, defense against any of these or other claims would be both costly and time-consuming, and could significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management and other personnel. An adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings to which we may become a party could subject us to significant liability to third parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties, pay ongoing royalties, or subject us to injunctions prohibiting the distribution and marketing of the relevant brand or services. To the extent that licenses are not available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all, we may be required to spend considerable time and resources sourcing alternative technologies or designing alternative trademarks or brands, if any, or we may be forced to delay or suspend the sale of the relevant services or the promotion of the relevant brand. We may incur substantial expenses and require significant attention of management in defending against these third-party infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Protracted litigation could also result in our customers or potential customers deferring, reducing or canceling their use of our services. In addition, we could face disruptions to our business operations as well as damage to our reputation as a result of such claims, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our results of operations to fluctuate from quarter to quarter and result in the volatility in the price of our ADSs.
Our industry generally experiences seasonality, primarily due to seasonal changes in service days and student enrollments. Seasonal fluctuations have affected, and are likely to continue to affect, our business. In general, we generate higher revenues during summer breaks as more students are enrolled in our courses. We also generally experience lower revenues in the first quarter as we deliver fewer classes during the winter breaks due to the Chinese New Year holiday and the relatively short length of winter breaks. Because we recognize revenues from K-12 tutoring courses and study-abroad test preparation courses based on the delivery of services, we expect our revenues in certain months to be negatively impacted by such seasonality factors. Our costs and expenses, however, do not necessarily correspond with changes in our student enrollments, service days or net revenues because we incur expenses and costs on marketing and promotion, teacher recruitment, teacher training and course development throughout the year. Overall, although the historical seasonality of our business has been relatively mild, we expect to continue to experience seasonal fluctuations in our results of operations. These fluctuations may result in volatility in and adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Failure to make adequate contributions to various mandatory social security plans as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.
PRC laws and regulations require us to pay several statutory social welfare benefits for our employees, including pensions, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and housing provident fund contributions. Local governments usually implement localized requirements as to mandatory social security plans considering differences in economic development in different
27
regions. Our failure in making contributions to various mandatory social security plans and in complying with applicable PRC labor-related laws may subject us to late payment penalties. We may be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines. If we are subject to late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have limited liability insurance coverage and do not carry business disruption insurance.
We are exposed to various risks associated with our business and operations, and we have limited insurance coverage. See BusinessInsurance for more information. We are exposed to risks including, among other things, accidents or injuries in our learning centers, loss of key management and personnel, business interruption, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and social instability or any other events beyond our control. The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development, and as a result insurance companies in China offer limited business-related insurance products. We do not have any business interruption insurance or key-man life insurance. The coverage of our liability insurance may not be adequate to fully protect us from all kinds of claims, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain sufficient liability insurance in the future on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any business disruption, legal proceeding or natural disaster or other events beyond our control could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any disruption or interruption to our information technology systems or a leak of student data could damage our reputation and disrupt our operations.
The successful development, stable operation and effective maintenance of our systems and information technology infrastructure, such as our CRM system, ERP system, Puxin Teacher & Student App and a variety of cloud-based online products and services, is critical to the attractiveness of our online and offline programs and the management of our business operations. Thus, any material breakdown of our information technology systems, any interruptions or malfunctions to our information technology systems or any loss of the right to use the programs licensed from third parties could cause interruption to our business. In addition, we would suffer economic and reputational damage if a technical failure of our systems causes a leak of student data, including identification or contact information. As of the date of this prospectus, our information systems have not encountered material errors or technical issues and there is no material leak of student data which could damage our reputation and disrupt our operations. If we encounter errors or other service quality or reliability issues, or if we are unable to design, develop, implement and utilize information systems, our ability to realize our strategic objectives and our profitability could be adversely affected, and may harm our reputation and brand names and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our relationships with overseas education service providers may deteriorate.
We collaborate with various overseas publishers on content development and overseas schools and institutions to provide overseas study tours and summer and winter camps to students. For example, for our English for Children programs, we cooperated with Macmillan Younger Learners and introduced Happy Campers series of American English learning materials to provide memorable and positive learning experience for our students. These relationships allow us to offer more diverse programs and classes and charge a premium for the programs we offer with other overseas education service providers. We can also enhance our brand and reputation and have more exposure to international education methods and experiences through these relationships.
If our relationships with any of these overseas education service providers deteriorate or are otherwise damaged or terminated, or if the benefits we derive from these relationships diminish, whether as a result of our own actions, actions of our partners, actions of any third party, including our competitors, or of regulatory authorities or other entities beyond our control, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
28
We operate schools and provide after-school education services under several brands, which may have a dilutive effect on brand recognition among our students and their parents.
We operate substantially all of our K-12 after-school tutoring schools and a small portion of our study-abroad tutoring schools under the co-brand names, such as Puxin-YESSAT and Puxin-Fubusi. We operate the majority of our study-abroad tutoring schools under multiple different brands, such as ZMN Education, Global Education and Milestone Education. Maintaining multiple brands may have a dilutive effect on brand recognition among our students and their parents and increase our overall marketing expenses as we need to allocate resources among different brands. In the long term, we intend to promote a unified brand Puxin to foster our corporate image, which represents the entire spectrum of education services we offer. We may seek to transition our co-brand names and different brands to Puxin in the future if the market responds favorably to our new corporate image. We cannot assure you, however, that our prospective students will embrace our new brand given its limited market exposure and recognition. We may incur significant financial resources for, and divert considerable management attention to, the integration of our existing brands with our new corporate image, which may adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
The education industry is vulnerable to health epidemics such as the outbreak of avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Ebola or other epidemics. Additionally, our business could be disrupted or otherwise adversely affected by severe weather conditions, such as snow, storm or hurricane, and natural disasters, such as earthquakes. These occurrences could cause cancelations of student enrollment and require the temporary or long-term closure of our learning centers while we may still remain obligated to pay rent and other expenses for these facilities. We may also face litigation and have to incur extra expenses if we are found negligent in the prevention and control of health epidemics in our facilities. Any outbreak of health epidemics and any occurrence of natural disasters in China therefore may severely disrupt our business operations and materially and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as well as other control deficiencies as of December 31, 2017, in accordance with the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States.
The material weakness identified relates to our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have implemented and are continuing to implement a number of measures to remedy this material weakness and the other control deficiencies. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsInternal Control Over Financial Reporting. We have also adopted measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting. We cannot assure you, however, that these measures may fully address these deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or that we may conclude that they have been fully remedied.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, will require that we
29
include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2018. In addition, once we cease to be an emerging growth company as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Generally speaking, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.
We have granted and will continue to grant share options and other equity incentives in the future, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
Puxin Education adopted its 2014 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan in December 2014, and granted an aggregate of 142,783,400 options to purchase Puxin Educations equity interest from 2015 to 2017 under this plan. We refer this plan as the Original Plan. In March 2018, we adopted Puxin Limited 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan to replace the Original Plan and granted options to purchase 6,592,538 ordinary shares of Puxin Limited under this plan to replace the granted and outstanding options under the Original Plan. As of March 31, 2018, there were 6,565,494 options outstanding which entitle their holders to purchase 6,565,494 ordinary shares of Puxin Limited under this plan. In addition, we adopted Puxin Limited 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan in February 2018, which permits granting of share options to purchase up to 16,400,000 ordinary shares pursuant to all awards under this plan. On March 31, 2018, we granted options to purchase 16,400,000 ordinary shares under this plan.
We are required to account for share based compensation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718, CompensationStock Compensation, which generally requires a company to recognize, as an expense, the fair value of share options and other equity incentives to employees based on the fair value of equity awards on the date of the grant, with the compensation expense recognized over the period in which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the equity award. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we incurred share-based compensation expense of RMB51.3 million, RMB55.8 million (US$8.9 million) and RMB285.4 million (US$45.5 million). Expenses associated with share-based compensation awards granted under our share incentive plans may materially reduce our future net income. However, if we limit the size of grants under our share incentive plans to minimize share-based compensation expenses, we may not be able to attract or retain key personnel.
30
Risk Factors Related to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties.
PRC laws and regulations currently require any foreign entity that invests in the education business in China to be an educational institution with relevant experience in providing education services outside China. Our Cayman Islands holding company is not an educational institution and does not provide education services. Due to these restrictions, we operate our K-12 tutoring business and study-abroad tutoring business in China primarily through Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd, or Puxin Education or VIE, and its subsidiaries. We entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Puxin Education and its shareholders. Our VIE and its subsidiaries are the entities that hold certain licenses and permits relating to the K-12 tutoring business and study-abroad tutoring business in China. We have been and expect to continue to be dependent on our VIE and its subsidiaries to operate our business. See Corporate History and StructureOur Corporate Structure for more information.
If our ownership structure and contractual arrangements are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or we fail to obtain any of the required licenses and permits, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities including the MOE, which regulates the education industry in the PRC, the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, which regulate the foreign investments in China, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which regulates the registration of non-profit private schools in the PRC after the Amended Private Education Law became effective, and the State Administration for Market Regulation (formerly known as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce), or the SAIC, which regulates the registration and operation of for-profit private schools in the PRC after the Amended Private Education Law became effective, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
| revoking the business and operating licenses held by our PRC subsidiaries and/or our VIE and its subsidiaries; |
| discontinuing or restricting the operations of any related-party transactions among our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries; |
| confiscating the income of our VIE and its subsidiaries; |
| imposing fines, penalties or other requirements with which we, our PRC subsidiaries, or our VIE and its subsidiaries may not be able to comply; |
| requiring us to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations, terminate the contractual arrangements with our VIE or deregister the pledges on the equity interest in our VIE, which in turn would affect our ability to consolidate, derive economic interest from or exert effective control over our VIE; |
| restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of this offering to finance our business and operations in China; or |
| restricting the use of financing sources by us or our VIE and its subsidiaries, or otherwise restricting our or their ability to conduct business. |
As of the date of this prospectus, similar ownership structure and contractual arrangements have been used by many China-based companies listed overseas, including in the United States. However, we cannot assure you that penalties will not be imposed on any other companies or us in the future. If any of the above fines or punishments is imposed on us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If any of these penalties results in our inability to direct the activities of Puxin Education and its subsidiaries, or results in our failure to receive the economic benefits from Puxin Education and its subsidiaries,
31
we may not be able to consolidate Puxin Education and its subsidiaries in our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we do not believe that such actions would result in the liquidation or dissolution of our company, our wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Purong Beijing, Puxin Education or its subsidiaries.
We face uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, which proposes significant changes to the PRC foreign investment legal regime and has a material impact on businesses in China controlled by foreign-invested enterprises primarily through contractual arrangements, such as our business.
On January 19, 2015, the MOFCOM published the Draft Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments. At the same time, the MOFCOM published an accompanying explanatory note of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, which contains important information about the Draft Foreign Investment Law, including its drafting philosophy and principles, main content, plans to transition to the new legal regime and treatment of business in China controlled by foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, primarily through contractual arrangements. The Draft Foreign Investment Law is intended to replace the current foreign investment legal regime consisting of three laws which are the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Foreign Owned Enterprise Law, as well as detailed implementing rules. The Draft Foreign Investment Law proposes significant changes to the PRC foreign investment legal regime and may have a material impact on Chinese companies listed or to be listed overseas. The Draft Foreign Investment Law is to regulate FIEs in the same way as PRC domestic entities, except for those FIEs that operate in industries deemed to be either foreign restricted or prohibited. The Draft Foreign Investment Law also provides that only FIEs operating in foreign restricted or prohibited industries will require entry clearance and other approvals that are not required of PRC domestic entities. As a result of the entry clearance and approvals, certain FIEs operating in foreign restricted or prohibited industries may not be able to continue their operations through contractual arrangements.
The specifics of the application of the Draft Foreign Investment Law to variable interest entity structures have yet to be proposed, but it is anticipated that the Draft Foreign Investment Law will regulate variable interest entities.
The MOFCOM suggests both registration and approval as potential options for the regulation of variable interest entity structures, depending on whether they are Chinese or foreign-controlled. One of the core concepts of the Draft Foreign Investment Law is de facto control, which emphasizes substance over form in determining whether an entity is Chinese or foreign-controlled. This determination requires considering the nature of the investors that exercise control over the entity. Chinese investors are natural persons who are Chinese nationals, Chinese government agencies and any domestic enterprise controlled by Chinese nationals or government agencies. Foreign investors are foreign citizens, foreign governments, international organizations and entities controlled by foreign citizens and entities. In its current form, the Draft Foreign Investment Law will make it difficult for foreign financial investors, including private equity and venture capital firms, to obtain a controlling interest of a Chinese enterprise in a foreign restricted industry.
We face uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, which proposes significant changes to the PRC foreign investment legal regime and has a material impact on businesses in China controlled by foreign-invested enterprises primarily through contractual arrangements, such as our business.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders for our operations in China, which may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on the contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate our K-12 tutoring and study-abroad tutoring businesses. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see Corporate History and StructureOur Corporate Structure. However, these
32
contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct equity ownership in providing us with control over our VIE and its subsidiaries. Any failure by our VIE and its shareholders to perform their obligations under the contractual arrangements would have a material adverse effect on the financial position and performance of our company. For example, the contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with arbitral procedures as contractually stipulated. The commercial arbitration system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States.
As a result, uncertainties in the commercial arbitration system or legal system in the PRC could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In addition, if the legal structure and the contractual arrangements were found to violate any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, we may be subject to fines or other legal or administrative sanctions.
If any government action causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of our VIE and its subsidiaries or lose our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from our VIE and its subsidiaries and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of our VIE and its subsidiaries.
Our VIE or its shareholders may fail to perform their obligations under the contractual arrangements.
If Puxin Education or any of its shareholders fails to perform its obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce our rights under the contracts, and rely on legal remedies under the PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages, which may not be effective. For example, if the shareholders of Puxin Education were to refuse to transfer their equity interest in Puxin Education to us or our designee when we exercise the call option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.
All the material agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by the PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes under the agreements through arbitration in Beijing. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with the PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would incur additional expenses and delay. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIE and its subsidiaries, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us and not act in the best interests of our company.
The shareholders of Puxin Education, namely, Mr. Yunlong Sha, Mr. Liang Gao, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Yun Xiao, Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Trustbridge, Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership, or Ningbo Zhimei, and Tianjin Puxian Education and Technology Limited Partnership, or Tianjin Puxian, may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may refuse to sign or breach, or cause our VIE to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIE and its subsidiaries and receive economic benefits from them. For example, these shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We
33
cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
We rely on dividends, fees and other distributions paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could hinder our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company and rely principally on dividends and fees paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash needs, including paying dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders to the extent we choose to do so, servicing any debt we may incur and paying our operating expenses. The income for our PRC subsidiaries in turn depends on the service fees paid by our VIE. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Under the applicable requirements of PRC law, our PRC subsidiaries may only distribute dividends after they have made allowances to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. After our schools are registered as for-profit private schools pursuant to the Amended Private Education Law, each of such schools may be required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. And according to the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, each of our for-profit private schools is required to set aside no less than 25% of its annual net income to its development fund reserve. Furthermore, if our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any such restrictions may materially affect such entities ability to make dividends or make payments as service fees or other fees to us, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Contractual arrangements between our VIE and us may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities who may find that we or our VIE and its subsidiaries owe additional taxes.
Under PRC laws and regulations, transactions between related parties should be conducted on an arms-length basis and may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary Purong Beijing, our VIE and its shareholders are not conducted on an arms-length basis and adjust the income of our VIE through the transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in, for PRC tax purposes, increased tax liabilities of Purong Beijing and our VIE. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to disgorge our prior tax benefits, and require us to pay additional taxes for prior tax years and impose late payment fees and other penalties on Purong Beijing and our VIE for underpayment of prior taxes. To date, similar contractual arrangements have been used by many public companies, including companies listed in the United States, and, to our knowledge, the PRC tax authorities have not imposed any material penalties on those companies. However, we cannot assure you that such penalties will not be imposed on any other companies or us in the future. Our net income may be reduced if the tax liabilities of our VIE materially increase or if they are found to be subject to additional tax obligations, late payment fees or other penalties.
If any of our VIE and its subsidiaries becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding, we may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by such entity, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We currently conduct our operations in the PRC through a series of contractual arrangements among our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary Purong Beijing, our VIE, its shareholders and its subsidiaries. As part of these
34
arrangements, substantially all of our education-related assets that are critical to the operation of our business are held by our VIE and its subsidiaries. If any of these entities goes bankrupt and all or part of their assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of our VIE and its subsidiaries undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its equity owner or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights relating to some or all of these assets, which would hinder our ability to operate our business and could materially and adversely affect our business, our ability to generate revenues and the market price of our ADSs.
The custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, may fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets.
Under PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts that our business relies on, are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant PRC industry and commerce authorities.
In order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to authorized employees. Although we monitor such authorized employees, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our employees could abuse their authority, for example, by entering into a contract not approved by us or by seeking to gain control of our subsidiaries, our VIE or any of its subsidiaries. If any employee obtains, misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling intangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve and divert management from our operations.
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, which could harm our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
In utilizing the proceeds of this offering in the manner described in Use of Proceeds, we may (1) make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, (2) make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, (3) establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to them, and (4) acquire offshore entities with business operations in the PRC in an offshore transaction. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example:
| loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries cannot exceed a statutory limit and shall be filed with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or the SAFE, after the loan agreement is signed and at least three business days before the borrower makes any drawdown under the loan; and |
| capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries shall be filed with the MOFCOM or its local counterparts and also be registered with the local banks authorized by the SAFE. |
The maximum aggregate amount that we can loan to the PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries may vary with changes in the relevant entities net assets at the time of calculation.
In addition, on March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming Management of the Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, a regulation regarding the conversion by a foreign-invested company of its capital contribution in foreign currency into Renminbi. Circular 19 launched a nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capital of foreign-invested enterprises and allows foreign-invested enterprises to settle their foreign exchange capital at
35
their discretion, but continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capital for expenditures beyond their business scopes. In June 2016, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Reforming and Standardizing the Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange Settlement, or Circular 16. Circular 19 and Circular 16 continue to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using the Renminbi fund converted from its foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond its business scope, investment and financing (except for security investment or guarantee products issued by bank), providing loans to non-affiliated enterprises or constructing or purchasing real estate not for self-use. As we expect to use the proceeds of this offering in China in the form of RMB, our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and our VIEs subsidiaries will need to convert any capital contributions or loans from U.S. dollars to RMB before using such capital contribution or loans. As a result, Circular 19, Circular 16 and relevant foreign exchange rules may significantly limit our ability to convert the net proceeds from this offering in US dollar to RMB and transfer the net proceeds to our VIE and its subsidiaries through our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our ability to expand our business.
Risk Factors Related to Doing Business in the PRC
PRC economic, political and social conditions, as well as changes in any government policies, laws and regulations, could adversely affect the overall economy in China or the education services market.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our revenue is derived from China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations are subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political and legal developments in China.
The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects. Although the PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy since the late 1970s, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating the industry. The PRC government continues to exercise significant control over Chinas economic growth through allocating resources, controlling the incurrence and payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Changes in any of these policies, laws and regulations could adversely affect the economy in China or the market for educational services, which could harm our business. For example, recent policy changes in certain cities indicate that the scope of after-school tutoring services may be further regulated. Shanghai and Chengdu promulgated local regulations and policies, which, among others, prohibit private tutoring service providers from providing elementary education services to pre-school children and from enrolling full-time students at compulsory education stage except during winter and summer breaks.
While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past two to three decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Demand for our educational services depends, in large part, on economic conditions in China. Any significant slowdown in Chinas economic growth may cause our potential students to delay or cancel their plans to enroll in our schools, which in turn could reduce our revenue. In addition, any sudden changes to Chinas political system or the occurrence of social unrest could have a material and adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions in a civil law system may be cited as reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections of interest relating to foreign investments in China. However, given the short history of these laws and regulations and the rapid evolvement of the PRC legal system, the interpretations of such laws and regulations may not always be consistent, and the enforcement of these laws and regulations involves significant uncertainties, any of which could limit the available legal
36
protections. Another uncertainty is that the PRC administrative and judicial authorities have significant discretion in interpreting, implementing or enforcing statutory rules and contractual terms, and it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of administrative and judicial proceedings and the level of legal protection we may enjoy in the PRC than under some more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may affect our decisions on the policies and actions to be taken to comply with PRC laws and regulations, and may affect our ability to enforce our rights. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited legal actions or threats in an attempt to extract payments or benefits from us. Such uncertainties may therefore increase our operating expenses and costs, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in the prospectus based on foreign laws.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and most are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside mainland China. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.
Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.
Substantially all of our revenues is denominated in Renminbi. As a result, restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to use revenues generated in Renminbi to fund any business activities we may have outside the PRC in the future or to make dividend payments to our shareholders and ADS holders in U.S. dollars. Under current PRC laws and regulations, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, such as trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions and dividend distributions. However, Renminbi is not freely convertible for direct investment or loans or investments in securities outside the PRC, unless such use is approved by SAFE. For example, foreign exchange transactions under our PRC subsidiaries capital accounts, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, are subject to significant foreign exchange controls and the approval requirement of SAFE. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.
Our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to declare dividends to our offshore subsidiary holding their equity interest, convert the dividends into a foreign currency and remit to its shareholder outside the PRC. In addition, in the event that our PRC subsidiaries liquidate, proceeds from the liquidation may be converted into foreign currency and distributed outside the PRC to our overseas subsidiary holding its equity interest. Furthermore, in the event that Puxin Education liquidates, Purong Beijing may, pursuant to a power of attorney it has entered into with Mr. Yunlong Sha, Mr. Liang Gao, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Yun Xiao, Shanghai Trustbridge, Ningbo Zhimei and Tianjin Puxian, respectively, require Mr. Yunlong Sha, Mr. Liang Gao, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Yun Xiao, Shanghai Trustbridge, Ningbo Zhimei and Tianjin Puxian to transfer all assets they might receive in connection with the liquidation of Puxin Education to Purong Beijing at no consideration or the minimum consideration as permitted under PRC laws. Purong Beijing then may distribute such proceeds to us after converting them into foreign currency and remit them outside the PRC in the form of dividends or other distributions. Once remitted outside the PRC, dividends, distributions or other proceeds from liquidation paid to us will not be subject to restrictions under PRC regulations on its further transfer or use.
Other than the above distributions by and through our PRC subsidiaries which are permitted to be made without the necessity to obtain further approvals, any conversion of the Renminbi-denominated revenues generated by our VIE for direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside the PRC will be subject to
37
the limitations discussed above. To the extent we need to convert and use any Renminbi-denominated revenues generated by our VIE and its subsidiaries not paid to our PRC subsidiaries and revenues generated by our PRC subsidiaries not declared and paid as dividends, the limitations discussed above will restrict the convertibility of, and our ability to directly receive and use such revenues. As a result, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected. In addition, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of Renminbi in the future, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions.
We may be required to obtain prior approval of the CSRC of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NYSE.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory authorities, including the MOFCOM, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, SAIC and SAFE, jointly issued the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which were subsequently amended on June 22, 2009. This regulation, among other things, requires that the listing and trading on an overseas stock exchange of securities in an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for purposes of holding direct or indirect equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals be approved by the CSRC. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website the procedures for such approval process. In particular, certain documents are required to be filed with the CSRC as part of the approval procedures and it could take several months to complete the approval process.
While the implementation and interpretation of the M&A Rules and its later amendments remains unclear, we believe, based on the advice of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC counsel, that approval by the CSRC is not required for this offering because we are not a special purpose vehicle formed for listing purpose through acquisition of domestic companies that are controlled by our PRC individual shareholders, as we acquire contractual control rather than equity interests in our VIE in the PRC. However, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC counsel. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authority subsequently determines that we need to obtain the CSRCs approval for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities. In such event, these regulatory authorities may, among other things, impose fines and penalties on or otherwise restrict our operations in the PRC or delay or restrict any remittance of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to suspend or terminate this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs. Any such or other actions taken could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs.
Certain PRC regulations, including the M&A Rules and national security regulations, may require a complicated review and approval process which could make it difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The M&A Rules established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the MOFCOM must be notified in the event a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Although the amendment to the M&A Rules in 2016 generally eased the restrictions imposed on merger and acquisition activities, certain acquisitions of domestic companies by offshore companies that are related to or affiliated with the same entities or individuals of the domestic companies, are still subject to approval by the MOFCOM. In addition, the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, issued by the MOFCOM in August 2011, require that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors in any industry with national security concerns be subject to national security review by the MOFCOM. In addition, any activities attempting to circumvent such review process, including structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement, are strictly prohibited.
38
There is significant uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of these regulations relating to merger and acquisition activities in China. In addition, complying with these requirements could be time-consuming, and the required notification, review or approval process may materially delay or affect our ability to complete merger and acquisition transactions in China. As a result, our ability to seek growth through acquisitions may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, if the MOFCOM determines that we should have obtained its approval for our entry into contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders, we may be required to file for remedial approvals. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such approval from the MOFCOM. We may also be subject to administrative fines or penalties by the MOFCOM that may require us to limit our business operations in the PRC, delay or restrict the conversion and remittance of our funds in foreign currencies into the PRC or take other actions that could have material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
PRC regulations relating to foreign exchange registration of overseas investment by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into the PRC subsidiaries, limit PRC subsidiaries ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.
The SAFE has promulgated regulations, including the Notice on Relevant Issues Relating to Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Investment and Financing and Round-Trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, effective on July 4, 2014, and its appendices, that require PRC residents, including PRC institutions and individuals, to register with local branches of the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity for the purpose of overseas investment and financing with such PRC residents legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in Circular 37 as a special purpose vehicle. The term control under Circular 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by the PRC residents in the offshore special purpose vehicles by such means as acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required registration with the SAFE, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for foreign exchange evasion.
On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including those required under Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of the SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of the SAFE.
These regulations apply to our direct and indirect shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions or share transfers that we make in the future if our shares are issued to PRC residents. However, in practice, different local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures on the application and implementation of SAFE regulations, and since Circular 37 was recently issued, there remains uncertainty with respect to its implementation.
As of the date of this prospectus, all PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect interests in our company have completed the necessary registrations as required by Circular 37. We cannot assure
39
you that any shareholders or beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents will be able to successfully complete the registration or update the registration of their direct and indirect equity interest as required in the future. If any of them fail to make or update the registration, our PRC subsidiaries could be subject to fines and legal penalties, and the SAFE could restrict our cross-border investment activities and our foreign exchange activities, including restricting our PRC subsidiaries ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain loans denominated in foreign currencies from, our company, or prevent us from contributing additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.
Higher labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Labor costs in the PRC have increased with the PRCs economic development. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the average wage of private education institution employees in urban cities in China increased at a CAGR of 10.8% nationwide between 2011 and 2016. We expect that our labor costs, including wages, various statutory employee benefits, including those for full-time and part-time teachers, consultants and administrative staff, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our students by increasing prices for our services, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Employee participants in our share incentive plans who are PRC citizens may be required to register with the SAFE. We also face regulatory uncertainties in the PRC that could restrict our ability to grant share incentive awards to our employees who are PRC citizens.
Pursuant to the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in a Stock Incentive Plan of an Overseas Publicly-Listed Company issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, or Circular 7, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with the SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. Such PRC individuals foreign exchange income received from the sale of shares and dividends distributed by the overseas listed company and any other income shall be fully remitted into a collective foreign currency account in the PRC opened and managed by the PRC domestic agent before distribution to such individuals. In addition, such domestic individuals must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share options and their purchase and sale of shares. The PRC domestic agent also needs to update registration with the SAFE within three months after the overseas-listed company materially changes its share incentive plan or make any new share incentive plans.
From time to time, we need to apply for or update our registration with the SAFE or its local branches on behalf of our employees who receive options or other equity-based incentive grants under our share incentive plans or material changes in our share incentive plan. However, we may not always be able to make applications or update our registration on behalf of our employees who hold any type of share incentive awards in compliance with Circular 7, nor can we ensure you that such applications or update of registration will be successful. If we or the participants of our share incentive plans who are PRC citizens fail to comply with Circular 7, we and/or such participants of our share incentive plans may be subject to fines and legal sanctions, there may be additional restrictions on the ability of such participants to exercise their share options or remit proceeds gained from sale of their shares into the PRC, and we may be prevented from further granting share incentive awards under our share incentive plans to our employees who are PRC citizens.
Fluctuations in the value of the Renminbi could have a material and adverse effect on your investment.
The change in value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by various factors such as changes in political and economic conditions in the PRC. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government
40
changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Any significant appreciation or revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms. More specifically, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our initial public offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. In addition, appreciation or depreciation in the exchange rate of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar could materially and adversely affect the price of our ADSs in U.S. dollars without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a PRC resident enterprise, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules provide that enterprises established outside of the PRC whose de facto management bodies are located in the PRC are considered resident enterprises under PRC tax laws. The implementing rules define the term de facto management bodies as a management body which substantially manages, or has control over the business, personnel, finance and assets of an enterprise. On April 22, 2009, the SAT issued Circular 82, which provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a group of PRC companies will be classified as a resident enterprise with its de facto management body located within the PRC if all of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) the senior management and core management departments in charge of its daily operations function are mainly in the PRC; (2) its financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (3) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (4) at least half of the enterprises directors with voting right or senior management reside in the PRC. The SAT issued a bulletin on July 27, 2011 to provide more guidance on the implementation of Circular 82. The bulletin clarifies certain matters relating to resident status determination, post-determination administration and competent tax authorities. Although both the circular and the bulletin only apply to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not offshore enterprises controlled by PRC individuals, the determination criteria set forth in the circular and administration clarification made in the bulletin may reflect the general position of the SAT on how the de facto management body test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises and how the administration measures should be implemented, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC individuals.
From the year in which the entity is determined as a resident enterprise, any dividend, profit and other equity investment gain shall be taxed in accordance with the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules.
We believe we are not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. As the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to the determination by the PRC tax authorities, if we are deemed as a PRC resident enterprise, we will be subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, although dividends distributed to us from our existing PRC subsidiaries and any other PRC subsidiaries which we may establish from time to time could be exempt from the PRC dividend withholding tax due to our PRC resident recipient status. This could have a material adverse effect on our overall effective tax rate, our
41
income tax expenses and our net income. Furthermore, dividends, if any, paid to our shareholders and ADS holders may be decreased as a result of the decrease in distributable profits. In addition, if we were to be considered a PRC resident enterprise, dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares and the gains realized from the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares may be considered income derived from sources within the PRC. In such case, we may be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of our ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source). Any PRC tax liability may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.
There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiaries, and dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify to enjoy certain treaty benefits.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, the profits of a foreign-invested enterprise generated through operations, which are distributed to its immediate holding company outside the PRC, will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%. Pursuant to a special arrangement between Hong Kong and the PRC, such rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25% of the equity interest in the PRC company. Our PRC subsidiaries are wholly owned by our Hong Kong subsidiary.
Moreover, under the Notice on Issues regarding the Administration of the Dividend Provision in Tax Treaties promulgated by the SAT on February 20, 2009, the taxpayer needs to satisfy certain conditions to enjoy the benefits under a tax treaty. These conditions include: (1) the taxpayer must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends, and (2) the corporate shareholder to receive dividends from the PRC subsidiaries must have continuously met the direct ownership thresholds during the 12 consecutive months preceding the receipt of the dividends. Further, the SAT promulgated the Notice on Issues Related to the Beneficial Owner in Tax Treaties on February 3, 2018, which sets forth certain detailed factors in determining the beneficial owner status.
Entitlement to a lower tax rate on dividends according to tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions is subject to inspection or approval by the relevant tax authorities. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be entitled to any preferential withholding tax rate under tax treaties for dividends received from our PRC subsidiaries.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or Bulletin 7, which partially replaced and supplemented previous rules under the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or Circular 698, issued by the SAT on December 10, 2009. Under Bulletin 7, an indirect transfer of assets by non-PRC resident enterprises, including transfers of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to Bulletin 7, PRC taxable assets include assets attributed to an establishment in the PRC, immoveable properties in the PRC, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the relevant gain is to be
42
regarded as effectively connected with the PRC establishment and therefore included in its enterprise income tax filing, and would consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immoveable properties in the PRC or equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not effectively connected to a PRC establishment of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax at 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. In addition, Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and purchases and sales of equity through a public securities market.
On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017 and abolished Circular 698. The Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practices and procedures for the withholding of the non-PRC resident enterprise income tax.
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructurings, sales of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxes if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37. For transfers of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filings under Bulletin 7 and Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Bulletin 7 and Bulletin 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.
The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by auditors who are not fully inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our independent registered public accounting firm issues the audit report included in this prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. As auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, our independent registered public accounting firm, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct full inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by PCAOB.
Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. This lack of full PCAOB inspections in China prevents PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
The inability of PCAOB to conduct full inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
43
If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms failure to meet specific criteria set by the SEC, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Beginning in 2011, the Chinese affiliates of the big four accounting firms (including our independent registered public accounting firm) were affected by a conflict between the U.S. and Chinese law. Specifically, for certain U.S.-listed companies operating and audited in China, the SEC and PCAOB sought to obtain access to the audit work papers and related documents of the Chinese affiliates of the big four accounting firms. The accounting firms were, however, advised and directed that, under Chinese law, they could not respond directly to the requests of the SEC and PCAOB and that such requests, and similar requests by foreign regulators for access to such papers in China, had to be channeled through the CSRC.
In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the Chinese accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm. In January 2014, the administrative law judge made an initial decision to impose penalties on the firms, including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC. The accounting firms filed a petition for review of the initial decision. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the commissioners of the SEC took place, the firms reached a settlement with the SEC. Under the settlement, the SEC accepts that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents will normally be made to the CSRC. The firms will receive matching Section 106 requests, and are required to follow a detailed set of procedures with respect to such requests, which in substance require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. If they fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC has authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. Remedies for any future noncompliance could include, as appropriate, an automatic six-month bar on a single firms performance of certain audit work, commencement of a new proceeding against a firm, or in extreme cases the resumption of the current proceeding against all four firms.
In the event that the SEC restarts administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the U.S. with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in China, which could result in their financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against the firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies, including our company, and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected.
If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our shares from the NYSE or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our shares in the United States.
Risk Factors Related to Our ADSs and This Offering
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we remain an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
44
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to opt out of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
An active trading market for our ordinary shares or our ADSs may not develop and the trading price for our ADSs may fluctuate significantly.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ADSs or the ordinary shares underlying our ADSs. We intend to apply for listing our ADSs on the NYSE, but we cannot assure you that a liquid public market for our ADSs will develop. If an active public market for our ADSs does not develop following the completion of this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. The initial public offering price for our ADSs was determined by negotiation among us and the underwriters based upon several factors, and the trading price of our ADSs after this offering may decline below the initial public offering price. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their ADSs due to insufficient or a lack of market liquidity of the ADSs.
The trading price of our ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of our ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, akin to the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. A number of Chinese companies have listed or are in the process of listing their securities on U.S. stock markets. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility, including price declines in connection with their initial public offerings. The trading performances of these Chinese companies securities after their offerings may affect the perception and attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States in general and consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance.
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ADSs may be highly volatile due to a number of factors, including the following:
| regulatory developments affecting us or our industry, and customers of our education services; |
| actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results; |
| changes in the market condition, market potential and competition in education services; |
| announcements by us or our competitors of new education services, expansions, investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures; |
| fluctuations in global and Chinese economies; |
| changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; |
| adverse publicity about us; |
| additions or departures of our key personnel and senior management; |
| release of lockup or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; and |
| potential litigation or regulatory investigations. |
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ADSs will trade.
45
In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our managements attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. In connection with this offering, we, our directors and executive officers, existing shareholders and warrant holder as well as certain option holders have agreed not to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. Upon the completion of this offering, we will have 185,257,144 ordinary shares outstanding, including 14,400,000 ordinary shares represented by 7,200,000 ADSs, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering will be available for sale, upon the expiration of the 180-day lockup period, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act. In addition, the underwriters may exercise the discretion to release the securities held by the parties subject to the lockup restriction prior to the expiration of the lockup period. If the securities subject to lockup are released before the expiration of the lockup period, their sale or perceived sale into the market may cause the price of our ADSs to decline. Furthermore, certain of our convertible notes holders have the right to elect to convert the convertible notes into our ordinary shares after this offering. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of the ADSs. See Underwriting and Shares Eligible for Future Sale for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.
In addition, certain of our shareholders will have the right to cause us to register the sale of their shares under the Securities Act upon the occurrence of certain circumstances. See Description of Share CapitalRegistration Rights. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these registered shares in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our ADSs, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on a price appreciation of our ADSs for a return on your investment.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash
46
dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. We cannot guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.
Because the initial public offering price is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for each ADS on a per share basis than the corresponding amount paid by existing shareholders for their ordinary shares. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of approximately US$19.74 per ADS. This number represents the difference between our pro forma net tangible book value US$(1.24) per ADS as of March 31, 2018, after giving effect to this offering and the assumed initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, which is the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus. See Dilution for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our ADSs will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.
There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for 2018 or any other taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in our ADSs or ordinary shares.
In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Cash is a passive asset for purposes of the PFIC rules. Goodwill that is associated with an active income-producing activity of a non-U.S. corporation is generally an active asset unless, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the non-U.S. corporation is a controlled foreign corporation, or CFC, which is not publicly traded for the taxable year. We were a CFC during a portion of 2018, but do not expect to be a CFC for the remainder of 2018.
Because we were both non-publicly traded and a CFC during a portion of 2018, it is not clear whether we can use the value of our assets rather than their tax basis in determining our PFIC status for 2018. We believe it is reasonable to use our assets value for this purpose. Assuming this position is respected, and based upon the nature of our business, the composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets, (which is based on the expected price of our ADSs), we do not expect to be a PFIC for 2018 or in the foreseeable future. However, in light of the uncertainty as to whether the value of our assets (rather than their tax basis) can be taken into account in determining our PFIC status for 2018, and because in any event we have significant cash balances (taking into account the expected proceeds from this offering), it is not clear whether we will be a PFIC for 2018.
47
In addition, our PFIC status for any taxable year is a factual determination that can be made only after the end of such year, and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets for such year. Moreover, because we hold, and may continue to hold, a significant amount of cash, our PFIC status for any taxable year may depend on the value of our goodwill which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of our ADSs, which may change from time to time. In addition, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules. If it were determined that we are not the owner of the stock of our VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be treated as a PFIC. In light of the foregoing, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current or any future taxable year.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. investor. See TaxationU.S. Federal Income Tax ConsequencesPassive Foreign Investment Company Rules.
Our memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
We plan to adopt second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority subject to any resolution of the shareholders to the contrary, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
The Cayman Islands courts are also unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, or (ii) to impose liabilities against
48
us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature.
There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors or our large shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see Description of Share CapitalDifferences in Corporate Law.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a Cayman Islands company and all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, a majority of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and the PRC, see Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
| the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; |
| the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
| the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
| the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD. |
In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NYSE. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
49
As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands company listed on NYSE, we are subject to the corporate governance listing standards under the NYSE. However, NYSE Listed Company Manual permits a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the corporate governance listing standards under the NYSE. Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote your ordinary shares.
As a holder of our ADSs, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is ten days.
When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
50
The depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests and the ability of our shareholders as a group to influence the management of our company.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not give voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders meetings unless:
| we have failed to timely provide the depositary with notice of meeting and related voting materials; |
| we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given; |
| we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting; |
| a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or |
| the voting at the meeting is to be made on a show of hands. |
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not give voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, you cannot prevent the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying our ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of our ADSs.
You may experience dilution of your holdings due to the inability to participate in rights offerings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act.
The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.
51
You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant accounting, legal and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the NYSE, have detailed requirements concerning corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we have elected to opt out of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
We expect these rules and regulations applicable to public companies to increase our accounting, legal and financial compliance costs and to make certain corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an emerging growth company, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. Our management will be required to devote substantial time and attention to our public company reporting obligations and other compliance matters. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs. Our reporting and other compliance obligations as a public company may place a strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future.
In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that companys securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our managements attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
52
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our managements beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in, but not limited to, the sections entitled Prospectus Summary, Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Business. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| our goals and strategies; |
| our ability to retain and increase our student enrollments; |
| our ability to offer new courses and services; |
| our ability to engage, train and retain new teachers and consultants; |
| our ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure necessary to operate our online platform; |
| our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; |
| expected changes in our revenues, costs or expenditures; |
| growth of and competition trends in our industry; |
| our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our services and our brand; |
| our expectation regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; |
| general economic and business conditions in the markets in which we operate; |
| relevant government policies and regulations relating to our corporate structure, business and industry; and |
| assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. |
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as may, could, will, should, would, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, project or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.
This prospectus also contains certain data and information, which we obtained from various government and private publications. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified the data. Statistical data in these publications includes projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Although we will become a public company after this
53
offering and have ongoing disclosure obligations under United States federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
54
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$118.8 million if the over-allotment option is not exercised, and US$138.8 million if the over-allotment option is exercised, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We anticipate using the net proceeds of this offering for the following purposes:
| approximately 70% for financing potential strategic acquisitions and launch of new schools in China; |
| approximately 15% for upgrading our information technology systems and promoting online platforms; |
| approximately 10% for marketing and brand promotion; and |
| the remaining amount to fund working capital and for other general corporate purposes. |
The foregoing represents our current intentions with respect to the use and allocation of the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions, but our management will have significant flexibility and discretion in applying the net proceeds of this offering. The occurrence of unforeseen events or changed business conditions may result in application of the proceeds of this offering in a manner other than as described in this prospectus.
In utilizing the proceeds from this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our VIE and its subsidiaries only through loans, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. Under the PRC laws and regulations, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are required to be filed with the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts and also be registered with the local banks authorized by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or the SAFE. Any loan that we provide our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries may not exceed a statutory limit and is required to be filed with the SAFE after the loan agreement is signed and at least three business days prior to any drawdown by the borrower under the loan. Although it usually takes no more than 30 days to complete or receive aforesaid governmental filings, registrations or approvals after submission of all required application documents, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete or obtain these governmental filings, registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Corporate StructurePRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, which could harm our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
55
We have not previously declared or paid cash dividends and we have no intention to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our shares or the ADSs representing our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors has complete discretion in deciding whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
If we pay any dividends, our ADS holders will be entitled to such dividends to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See Description of American Depositary Shares. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
We are a holding company with no material operations of our own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries in China. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. As a result, our ability to pay dividends and to finance any debt we may incur depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our existing subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.
56
The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of March 31, 2018:
| on an actual basis; and |
| on a pro forma basis to reflect (i) the automatic conversion of 11,917,880 Series A preferred shares into ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, and (ii) the conversion of convertible notes issued to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, or Haitong, and CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited, or CICC ALPHA, at the conversion price of US$6.48 per share upon completion of this offering assuming an initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of initial public offering price shown on the front cover page of this prospectus; and |
| on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect (i) the automatic conversion of 11,917,880 Series A preferred shares into ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) the conversion of convertible notes issued to Haitong and CICC ALPHA at the conversion price of US$6.48 per share upon completion of this offering assuming an initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of initial public offering price shown on the front cover page of this prospectus, and (iii) the issuance and sale of 14,400,000 ordinary shares in the form of ADSs by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of initial public offering price shown on the front cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs). |
You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements, the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
As of March 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | Pro Forma | Pro Forma as Adjusted(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
352,520 | 56,200 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Promissory note |
350,215 | 55,833 | 350,215 | 55,833 | 350,215 | 55,833 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mezzanine equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible redeemable preferred shares |
71,088 | 11,333 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Shareholders deficit |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005 per share; 152,082,120 shares issued and 126,778,396 shares outstanding(3) on an actual basis 171,413,128 shares issued and 146,109,404 shares outstanding(3) on a pro forma basis and 185,813,128 shares issued and 160,509,404 outstanding(3) on a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
50 | 8 | 50 | 8 | 50 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital(2) |
545,425 | 86,954 | 969,033 | 154,487 | 1,714,442 | 273,323 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
34,990 | 5,578 | 34,990 | 5,578 | 34,990 | 5,578 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(986,321 | ) | (157,243 | ) | (986,321 | ) | (157,243 | ) | (986,321 | ) | (157,243 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total shareholders deficit of Puxin Limited |
(405,856 | ) | (64,703 | ) | 17,752 | 2,830 | 763,161 | 121,666 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | (8 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Shareholders deficit(2) |
(405,904 | ) | (64,711 | ) | 17,704 | 2,822 | 763,113 | 121,658 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity and equity |
(334,816 | ) | (53,378 | ) | 17,704 | 2,822 | 763,113 | 121,658 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, accumulative deficit, accumulative other comprehensive income, total shareholders equity and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. |
57
(2) | Assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, a US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders equity and total capitalization by US$6.7 million. |
(3) | We issued 8,200,000 ordinary shares to Long belief Limited and 17,103,724 ordinary shares to Long favor Limited in February 2018. The purpose of issuing these shares to Long belief Limited and Long favor Limited were to establish a reserve pool for share incentive awards to our employees or for future acquisition payments. All shareholder rights of these 25,303,724 ordinary shares, including but not limited to voting rights and dividend rights, are unconditionally waived until the corresponding ordinary shares are transferred to the employees or the shareholders of future acquired entities. These 25,303,724 ordinary shares are excluded from the number of our outstanding ordinary shares in our capitalization table. |
58
We conduct substantially all of our operations in China. All of our revenue, costs and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. This prospectus contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. Unless otherwise stated, the translation of Renminbi into U.S. dollars has been made at the rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes controls over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On May 25, 2018, the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board was RMB6.3903 to US$1.00.
The following table sets forth information concerning the rates of exchange of US$1.00 into RMB for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.
Noon Buying Rate | ||||||||||||||||
Period |
Period End | Average(1) | Low | High | ||||||||||||
(RMB per US$1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2013 |
6.0537 | 6.1412 | 6.2438 | 6.0537 | ||||||||||||
2014 |
6.2046 | 6.1704 | 6.2591 | 6.0402 | ||||||||||||
2015 |
6.4778 | 6.2869 | 6.4896 | 6.1870 | ||||||||||||
2016 |
6.9430 | 6.6549 | 6.9580 | 6.4480 | ||||||||||||
2017 |
6.5063 | 6.7350 | 6.9575 | 6.4773 | ||||||||||||
November |
6.6090 | 6.6200 | 6.6385 | 6.5967 | ||||||||||||
December |
6.5063 | 6.5932 | 6.6210 | 6.5063 | ||||||||||||
2018 |
||||||||||||||||
January |
6.2841 | 6.4233 | 6.5263 | 6.2841 | ||||||||||||
February |
6.3280 | 6.3183 | 6.3471 | 6.2649 | ||||||||||||
March |
6.2726 | 6.3174 | 6.3565 | 6.2685 | ||||||||||||
April |
6.3325 | 6.2967 | 6.3340 | 6.2655 | ||||||||||||
May (through May 25) |
6.3903 | 6.3631 | 6.3903 | 6.3325 |
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release
Notes:
(1) | Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period. |
59
If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares. The total number of outstanding shares that we use in the calculation of per share value does not include 8,200,000 ordinary shares held by Long belief Limited and 17,103,724 ordinary shares held by Long favor Limited which were issued to establish a reserve pool for share incentive awards to our employees or for future acquisition payments. All shareholder rights of these 25,303,724 ordinary shares, including but not limited to voting rights and dividend rights, are unconditionally waived until the corresponding ordinary shares are transferred to the employees or the shareholders of future acquired entities.
Our net tangible book value was approximately US$(274.8) million, or US$(2.17) per ordinary share and US$(4.34) per ADS as of March 31, 2018. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share, after giving effect to the proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Without taking into account any other changes in net tangible book value after March 31, 2018, other than to give effect to our sale of the ADSs offered in this offering, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2018 would have been US$(99.7) million, or US$(0.62) per outstanding ordinary share, and US$(1.24) per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$1.55 per ordinary share and US$3.10 per ADS, to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$9.87 per ordinary share and US$19.74 per ADS, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The following table illustrates such dilution:
Per Ordinary Share | Per ADS | |||||||
Initial public offering price |
US$ | 9.25 | US$ | 18.50 | ||||
Net tangible book value |
US$ | (2.17 | ) | US$ | (4.34 | ) | ||
Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares and convertible notes issued to Haitong and CICC ALPHA |
US$ | (1.50 | ) | US$ | (3.00 | ) | ||
Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share as adjusted after giving effect to the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, convertible notes issued to Haitong and CICC ALPHA and this offering |
US$ | (0.62 | ) | US$ | (1.24 | ) | ||
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in this offering |
US$ | (9.87 | ) | US$ | (19.74 | ) |
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by US$6.7 million, the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering by US$0.04 per ordinary share and US$0.08 per ADS and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$0.46 per ordinary share and US$0.92 per ADS, assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
60
The following table summarizes according to the pro forma as adjusted basis described above as of March 31, 2018, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares (in the form of ADSs or ordinary shares) purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share/ADS paid before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses. The total number of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
Ordinary Shares Purchased |
Total Consideration | Average Price Per Ordinary Share(1) |
Average Price Per ADS(1) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Number | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholder |
146,109,404 | 91.0 | % | 59,339,000 | 30.8 | % | US$ | 0.41 | US$ | 0.82 | ||||||||||||||
New investors |
14,400,000 | 9.0 | % | 133,200,000 | 69.2 | % | US$ | 9.25 | US$ | 18.50 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
160,509,404 | 100.0 | % | 192,539,000 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Assumes an initial public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price. |
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$18.50 per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) total consideration paid by new investors by US$6.7 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.
The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of any outstanding share options and no vesting of any share awards as of March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, there were 22,965,494 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share options granted to the eligible persons at a weighted average exercise price of US$6.02 per ordinary share. See ManagementShare Incentive Plans. To the extent that any of these awards are exercised or vested, there will be further dilution to new investors.
61
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection for investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be subject to arbitration.
Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, most of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us or them, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with this offering under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any State in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York in connection with this offering under the securities laws of the State of New York.
Walkers, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provision of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Walkers has informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands without any re-examination of the merits at common law, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment in the courts of the Cayman Islands where the judgment:
(i) | is final and conclusive; |
(ii) | is one in respect of which the foreign court had jurisdiction over the defendant according to Cayman Islands conflict of law rules; |
(iii) | is either for a liquidated sum not in respect of penalties or taxes or a fine or similar fiscal or revenue obligations or, in certain circumstances, for in personam non-money relief (following Bandone Sdn Bhd v Sol Properties Inc. [2008] CILR 301); and |
62
(iv) | was neither obtained in a manner, nor is of a kind enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. |
However, the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature.
Because such a determination has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman Islands, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands.
Peoples Republic of China
Tian Yuan Law Firm has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions.
Tian Yuan Law Firm has advised us further that under PRC law, a foreign judgment, which does not otherwise violate basic legal principles, state sovereignty, safety or social public interest, may be recognized and enforced by a PRC court, based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. As there existed no treaty or other form of reciprocity between China and the U.S. or Cayman Islands governing the recognition and enforcement of judgments as of the date of this prospectus, including those predicated upon the liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, there is uncertainty whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce judgments rendered by United States courts or Cayman Islands courts.
63
CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE
Our History
We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated in the Cayman Islands. In September 2014, Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd.), or Puxin Education, was incorporated in Beijing, China. We operate our business through Puxin Education in China.
Beginning in March 2017, we underwent a series of restructuring in contemplation of this offering. In particular:
| Incorporation of the listing entity. In March 2017, we incorporated Puxin Limited under the laws of the Cayman Islands as our proposed listing entity in the Cayman Islands. |
| Incorporation of Hong Kong and PRC subsidiaries. In April 2017, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited, or Prepshine Holdings, to be our intermediate holding company and to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States. In January 2018, we also established a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Purong (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Purong Beijing, through which we obtained control over Puxin Education based on a series of contractual arrangements entered into on February 5, 2018. |
| Contractual arrangements. Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in education services, we carry out our business in China through Puxin Education and its subsidiaries. On February 5, 2018, we, through our PRC subsidiary, Purong Beijing, entered into a series of contractual arrangements with (i) Puxin Education, and (ii) the shareholders of Puxin Education, to obtain effective control of our VIE. On February 25, 2018, we amended the agreements of the contractual arrangements to reflect the change of Puxin Educations shareholders. |
Subsequent to the establishment of Puxin Education, we acquired and established a number of entities to grow our business. See Our Corporate Structure. From 2015 to 2017, the total number of our learning centers increased from 99 as of December 31, 2015 to 231 as of December 31, 2016, and further increased to 400 as of December 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2018, we had 397 learning centers.
64
Our Corporate Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters:
(1) | Mr. Liang Gao, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Yun Xiao, Tianjin Puxian Education and Technology Limited Partnership, Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership hold a 5.698%, 3.419%, 1.140%, 18.233%, 3.6335% and 3.6335% equity interest in Puxin Education, respectively. |
The following table presents information about Beijing Meitong Education Consulting Co., Ltd. Shanghai Global Career Education & Technology Holdings Limited, ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and other 39 directly and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Puxin Education.
Name of Wholly-owned Subsidiary | Time of Acquisition* or |
Brand Name | ||||
1 | Beijing Meitong Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Established in July 2015 | Meitong |
65
Name of Wholly-owned Subsidiary | Time of Acquisition* or |
Brand Name | ||||
2 | Shanghai Global Career Education & Technology Holdings Limited | Acquired in August 2017 | Global Education | |||
3 | ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. |
Acquired in July 2017 | ZMN Education | |||
4 | Beijing Shangxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in September 2014 | Shangxin Beijing Hope Beijing Quakers Education | |||
5 | Taiyuan Puxin Culture and Arts Co., Ltd. | Acquired in April 2015 |
Taiyuan Fubusi | |||
6 | Guangzhou Yingxun Lixiang Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in May 2015 | Guangzhou Lixiang Guangzhou Yingxun | |||
7 | Beijing Meikaida Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in June 2015 | | |||
8 | Taiyuan Puxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd. | Acquired in June 2015 | Taiyuan Mercan Education | |||
9 | Tianjin Xinsiyuan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. | Acquired in June 2015 | Tianjin Shengjia | |||
10 | Beijing Puda Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in August 2015 | | |||
11 | Dalian Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in August 2015 | Dalian Oriental Magic Arts | |||
12 | Shenyang Meitong Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in August 2015 | Shenyang Oriental Magic Arts Shenyang Being | |||
13 | Beijing Pule Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in September 2015 | | |||
14 | Jinan Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in October 2015 | Jinan Daozhen | |||
15 | Beijing Ruibao Tongqu Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in November 2015 | Beijing Ruibao | |||
16 | Guizhou Puxintian Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in November 2015 | Guiyang Tiantian | |||
17 | Lighthouse Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in November 2015 | Lighthouse Beijing | |||
18 | Beijing Jiameixin Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in December 2015 | Beijing YESSAT | |||
19 | Jinan Pude Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in December 2015 | Jinan Delin | |||
20 | Jinan Qifa Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in January 2016 | Jinan Qiru | |||
21 | Nanjing Diyu Investment Management Co., Ltd. | Acquired in January 2016 | Nanjing Innovation | |||
22 | Shaoxing Puxin Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in January 2016 | Shaoxing Lingxian | |||
23 | Yunnan Pude Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Established in January 2016 | | |||
24 | Ningbo Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in February 2016 | Ningbo Weien |
66
Name of Wholly-owned Subsidiary | Time of Acquisition* or |
Brand Name | ||||
25 | Chengdu Qidi Wanjuan Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in March 2016 | Chengdu Shucai | |||
26 | Nanjing Dreams & Stars Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in March 2016 | Nanjing Zhumengtang | |||
27 | Tianjin Puxing Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in March 2016 | | |||
28 | Shenzhen Davis Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in April 2016 | Shenzhen Daiweisi | |||
29 | Shanghai Pukuan Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in May 2016 | Shanghai Xinkebiao | |||
30 | Luoyang Pucai Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in July 2016 | Luoyang Caihong | |||
31 | Beijing Pule Travel Co., Ltd. | Established in August 2016 | | |||
32 | Dalian Pude Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Acquired in November 2016 | Dalian Tongfang | |||
33 | Xian Shanghe Culture Development Co., Ltd. | Acquired in November 2016 | Xian Yangjian | |||
34 | Luzhou Puxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd. | Acquired in December 2016 | Luzhou Hanlin | |||
35 | Beijing Xuezong Tianxia Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in January 2017 | Beijing Puxing | |||
36 | Shenyang Puxin Yingcai Education Consulting Co., Ltd. | Established in February 2017 | Shenyang Yingcai | |||
37 | Chongqing Puxin Technology Co., Ltd.(1) | Acquired in April 2017 | Chongqing Wuyou | |||
38 | Shenyang Pude Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in May 2017 | Shenyang Zhongying Yulong | |||
39 | Jilin Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in June 2017 | Jilin Shiji Dongfang | |||
40 | Yancheng Tiantian Xiangshang Education Training Co., Ltd.(2) | Acquired in June 2017 | Yancheng Tiantian Xiangshang | |||
41 | Fuzhou Pude Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Acquired in July 2017 | Fuzhou Xueyoufang | |||
42 | Hangzhou Puxin Technology Co., Ltd.(3) | Acquired in September 2017 | Hangzhou Feiyue Hangzhou Yulan |
* | Time of acquisition refers to the time when we obtained effective control over the operations and management of the entities acquired. |
(1) | Puxin Education is in the process of being registered with local government authorities as shareholder of Chongqing Puxin Technology Co., Ltd. |
(2) | Puxin Education is in the process of being registered with local government authorities as shareholder of Yancheng Tiantian Xiangshang Education Training Co., Ltd. |
(3) | Puxin Education is in the process of being registered with local government authorities as shareholder of Hangzhou Puxin Technology Co., Ltd. |
Contractual Arrangements with Puxin Education
PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign investment in and ownership of private education businesses. We conduct our operations in the PRC principally through our VIE, namely Puxin Education, and its subsidiaries. We have effective control over our VIE and its subsidiaries through a series of contractual arrangements among our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary Purong Beijing, our VIE and its shareholders.
67
The contractual arrangements, as described in more detail below, collectively allow us to:
| exercise effective control over each of our VIE and its subsidiaries; |
| receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE and its subsidiaries; and |
| have an exclusive call option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and/or assets of each of our VIE and its subsidiaries when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws. |
As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are the primary beneficiary of our VIE and its subsidiaries, and, therefore, have consolidated the financial results of our VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Below is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among our wholly-owned subsidiary Purong Beijing, our VIE and its shareholders.
Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement among Purong Beijing, our VIE and the shareholders of our VIE, Purong Beijing has the exclusive right to provide or designate any third party to provide, among other things, education management consultancy services, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support to our VIE and its subsidiaries. In exchange, our VIE and its subsidiaries pay service fees to Purong Beijing in an amount at Purong Beijings discretion. Without the prior written consent of Purong Beijing, our VIE and its subsidiaries cannot accept services provided by or establish similar cooperation relationship with any third party. Purong Beijing owns the exclusive intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement unless otherwise provided by PRC laws or regulations. The agreement was entered into on February 5, 2018 and became effective on February 5, 2018 and will remain effective unless unanimously agreed by the parties concerned or unilaterally terminated by Purong Beijing with a written notice. This agreement was amended on February 25, 2018 because Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Trustbridge, became a shareholder of Puxin Education. Unless otherwise required by applicable PRC laws, our VIE and its shareholders do not have any right to terminate the exclusive service agreement.
Exclusive Call Option Agreement
Under the exclusive call option agreement among Purong Beijing, our VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of our VIE irrevocably granted Purong Beijing a right to purchase, or designate a third party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests in our VIE at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations at Purong Beijings sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The shareholders of our VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Puxin Education, Purong Beijing or a designated third party of Purong Beijing. Without Purong Beijings prior written consent, our VIE and its shareholders shall not enter into any major contract or transfer any equity of our VIE. Without Purong Beijings prior written consent, our VIE and its shareholders shall not sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of our VIEs assets or allow any encumbrance of any assets, except for the disposal or the encumbrances of the assets that are treated as necessary for their daily business operations with the value of the assets involved in a single transaction not exceeding RMB100,000. Our VIE shall not be dissolved or liquidated without the written consent by Purong Beijing. This agreement was entered into on February 5, 2018 and became effective on February 5, 2018 and shall remain in effect upon expiry or early termination of this agreement. This agreement was amended on February 25, 2018 because Shanghai Trustbridge became a shareholder of Puxin Education.
Equity Pledge Agreement
Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Purong Beijing, our VIE and its shareholders, our VIEs shareholders pledged all of their equity of our VIE to Purong Beijing as security for performance of the
68
obligations of our VIE and its shareholders under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreements. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Purong Beijing may exercise the right to enforce the pledge immediately. Purong Beijing may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the equity pledge agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The equity pledge agreement is binding on our VIEs shareholders and their successors. The equity pledge agreement became effective on February 5, 2018 and the pledge under the equity pledge agreement became effective on February 5, 2018 and will remain in effect until the fulfillment of all the obligations under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreements. This agreement was amended on February 25, 2018 because Shanghai Trustbridge became a shareholder of Puxin Education. The pledge of the equity interests of Shanghai Trustbridge became effective on February 26, 2018.
Powers of Attorney
Pursuant to the powers of attorney executed by our VIE and our VIEs shareholders, each of them irrevocably authorized Purong Beijing to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all the equity interest and sponsor interest held by each of them in our VIE or its subsidiaries, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, board meetings or council meetings, signing the resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders or sponsors (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights, appointment rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity or the sponsor interest held in part or in whole).
Spousal Consent Letters
Pursuant to the spousal consent letters executed by the spouses of certain shareholders of our VIE, the signing spouses confirm and agree to the execution of the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the equity pledge agreement described above by the applicable shareholders. They further undertake not to hinder the disposal of the equity and not to make any assertions in connection with the equity of our VIE held by the applicable shareholders, and confirm that the applicable shareholders can perform the relevant transaction documents described above and further amend or terminate such transaction documents without the authorization or consent from such spouse. The spouse of each applicable shareholder agrees and undertakes that if he/she obtains any equity of our VIE held by the applicable shareholders for any reasons, he/she would be bound by the transaction documents described above.
Letters of Commitment
Pursuant to the letters of commitment executed by the shareholders of Shanghai Trustbridge and the partners of Tianjin Puxian Education Technology Limited Partnership, or Tianjin Puxian, and Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership, or Ningbo Zhimei, which are the shareholders of our VIE, all the shareholders of Shanghai Trustbridge and all the partners of Tianjin Puxian and Ningbo Zhimei irrecoverably promise that they will not pledge, sell or dispose of the equity interest or the partnership interest in Shanghai Trustbridge, Tianjin Puxian or Ningbo Zhimei held by them, respectively, grant a security interest or a priority right in such equity interest or partnership interest to any third party or enter into any transactions with the same economic results that may affect the priority of the equity pledge and the stable implementation of structural contracts, including the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management service and business cooperation agreement, the equity pledge agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreements.
Loan Agreements
Pursuant to the loan agreement among Purong Beijing and Ningbo Zhimei, Purong Beijing has granted an interest-free loan to Ningbo Zhimei, the shareholder of our VIE, which may only be used for the purpose of
69
acquiring its equity interests in the VIE. Purong Beijing may require acceleration of repayment at its absolute discretion. When Ningbo Zhimei makes early repayment of the outstanding amount, Purong Beijing or a third party designated by it may purchase the equity interests held by Ningbo Zhimei in our VIE at a price equal to the outstanding amount of the loan, subject to any applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations. Ningbo Zhimei undertakes not to enter into any prohibited transactions in relation to our VIE, including the transfer of any business, material assets or equity interests in our VIE to any third party.
Pursuant to the loan agreement between Purong Beijing and Mr. Yunlong Sha, Purong Beijing has granted an interest-free loan to Mr. Yunlong Sha, the shareholder of our VIE, which may only be used for acquiring the equity interests in our VIE from certain former shareholders. Purong Beijing may require acceleration of repayment at its absolute discretion. When Mr. Yunlong Sha makes early repayment of the outstanding amount, Purong Beijing or a third party designated by it may purchase the corresponding equity interests held by him in our VIE at a price equal to the outstanding amount of the loan, subject to any applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations. Mr. Yunlong Sha undertakes not to enter into any prohibited transactions in relation to our VIE, including the transfer of any business, material assets or equity interests in our VIE to any third party.
In the opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC legal counsel, the contractual arrangements among Purong Beijing, Puxin Education and its shareholders are valid, binding and enforceable under current PRC law. However, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing control as direct ownership. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. For a description of the risks related to our corporate structure, please see Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Corporate Structure.
70
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
We present below our selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Puxin Limited included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2018 have been derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Puxin Limited included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results for any future periods.
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 198,203 | 495,708 | 79,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of nil, RMB1,152, RMB46 and RMB976 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
257,995 | 794,342 | 126,637 | 120,075 | 273,458 | 43,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross profit |
181,186 | 488,220 | 77,834 | 78,128 | 222,250 | 35,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB991, RMB3,058, RMB527 and RMB2,236 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
123,370 | 444,927 |
|
70,932 |
|
54,920 | 164,647 | 26,249 | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB50,272, RMB51,625, RMB8,619 and RMB282,202 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
185,496 | 362,748 | 57,831 | 54,177 | 383,373 | 61,119 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
308,866 | 807,675 | 128,763 | 109,097 | 548,020 | 87,368 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(127,680 | ) | (319,455 | ) | (50,929 | ) | (30,969 | ) | (325,770 | ) | (51,936 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
464 | 549 | 88 | 346 | 103 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,216 | ) | (394,798 | ) | (62,940 | ) | (30,623 | ) | (355,272 | ) | (56,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | 79 | 13 | (16 | ) | (25 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | (30,796 | ) | (355,024 | ) | (56,599 | ) |
72
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | 164,684 | 26,255 | 66,019 | 10,525 | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
| 10,408 | 1,659 | 9,522 | 1,518 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
36,262 | 132,473 | 21,119 | 145,435 | 23,186 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due from a related party |
9 | 113 | 18 | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets |
136,380 | 307,678 | 49,051 | 220,976 | 35,229 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
5,409 | 24,478 | 3,902 | 28,472 | 4,539 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
33,723 | 221,212 | 35,266 | 225,605 | 35,967 | |||||||||||||||
Intangible assets |
55,167 | 243,927 | 38,888 | 235,875 | 37,604 | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
346,972 | 1,152,913 | 183,802 | 1,152,913 | 183,801 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets |
637 | 3,012 | 480 | 5,203 | 829 | |||||||||||||||
Rental deposit |
15,829 | 55,173 | 8,796 | 58,609 | 9,344 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total non-current assets |
457,737 | 1,700,715 | 271,134 | 1,706,677 | 272,084 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
173,395 | 350,446 | 55,869 | 383,471 | 61,134 | |||||||||||||||
Income taxes payable |
2,925 | 10,022 | 1,598 | 11,646 | 1,857 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
318,319 | 1,035,370 | 165,062 | 875,217 | 139,530 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
3,048 | 3,836 | 612 | 180,000 | 28,696 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
13,734 | 77,580 | 12,368 | 75,516 | 12,039 | |||||||||||||||
Franchise deposits |
| 3,856 | 615 | 1,221 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| 499,192 | 79,583 | 352,520 | 56,200 | |||||||||||||||
Promissory note |
| 162,658 | 25,932 | 350,215 | 55,833 | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| 18,218 | 2,904 | 17,563 | 2,800 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants |
| | | 15,100 | 2,407 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
511,421 | 2,161,178 | 344,543 | 2,262,469 | 360,691 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
120,000 | 120,000 | 19,131 | 71,088 | 11,333 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Puxin Limited shareholders deficit |
(37,202 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (43,485 | ) | (405,856 | ) | (64,703 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-controlling interests |
(102 | ) | (23 | ) | (4 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total deficit |
(37,304 | ) | (272,785 | ) | (43,489 | ) | (405,904 | ) | (64,711 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and total shareholders deficit |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements which are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss as additional non-GAAP financial measures. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance. We also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our consolidated results of operations in the same manner as our management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of our peer companies.
73
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss 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 our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Adjusted EBITDA represents net loss, which excludes depreciation, amortization, interest expense, interest income and income tax expenses (benefits), before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
3,735 | 20,545 | 3,275 | 2,707 | 13,347 | 2,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
10,158 | 23,644 | 3,769 | 4,241 | 8,052 | 1,284 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
(464 | ) | (549 | ) | (88 | ) | (346 | ) | (103 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
(113,787 | ) | (345,602 | ) | (55,098 | ) | (24,021 | ) | (328,936 | ) | (52,440 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
(62,524 | ) | (219,431 | ) | (34,984 | ) | (14,829 | ) | (18,957 | ) | (3,022 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74
Adjusted net loss represents net loss before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted net loss for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses, |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(76,341 | ) | (271,063 | ) | (43,214 | ) | (21,620 | ) | (45,070 | ) | (7,185 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key Operating Data
The following table presents our key operating data for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, |
For the Three months ended March 31, 2018 |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||||||
Student enrollments(1) |
||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
451,353 | 1,238,070 | 244,638 | |||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring services |
3,592 | 37,653 | 16,335 | |||||||||
Number of learning centers(2) |
231 | 400 | 397 | |||||||||
K-12 group class student retention rate(3) |
65.1 | % | 70.1 | % | 78.9 | % | ||||||
K-12 course withdrawal rate(4) |
4.7 | % | 4.7 | % | 4.2 | % |
(1) | Refers to the cumulative total number of courses registered and paid for by our students during a given period of time; if one student enrolls in multiple courses, it will be counted as multiple student enrollments. |
(2) | Refers to the total number of locations of our premises providing educational services. |
(3) | Refers to the number of students who continue to enroll in K-12 tutoring group class courses (excluding promotional programs) at our schools operating under our management for over 12 months after completing a K-12 tutoring group class course in a particular period as a percentage of the total number of students who complete K-12 tutoring group class courses during the same period. |
(4) | Refers to the number of students withdrawing from a K-12 course as a percentage of the total number of students enrolled in that course at the beginning. |
75
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We are a successful consolidator of the after-school education industry in China. We have strong acquisition and integration capabilities to effectively improve education quality and operational performance of acquired schools. Through acquisitions and organic growth, we have grown rapidly and became the third largest after-school education service provider in China in 2017 in terms of student enrollments, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. Since our inception, we have acquired 48 schools and built a nationwide network of 397 learning centers across 35 cities in China as of March 31, 2018. Our total student enrollments increased 180.4% from 454,945 in 2016 to 1,275,723 in 2017, representing the fastest growth among major after-school education service providers in China, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. In the first quarter of 2017 and 2018, our total student enrollments were 185,446 and 260,973, respectively.
We offer a full spectrum of K-12 and study-abroad tutoring programs designed to help students achieve academic excellence, as well as prepare for admission tests and applications for top schools, universities and graduate programs in China and other countries. In addition to classroom-based tutoring, we have also developed online and mobile applications to increase students after-class exposure to our services and enhance their learning experience.
Our net revenues increased by 192.0% from RMB439.2 million in 2016 to RMB1,282.6 million (US$204.5 million) in 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our net revenues reached RMB495.7 million (US$79.0 million), an increase of 150.1% from RMB198.2 million for the same period in 2017. Our net loss was RMB127.6 million, RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million) and RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million) in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, our deferred revenue was RMB318.3 million, RMB1,035.4 million (US$165.1 million) and RMB875.2 million (US$139.5 million), respectively. Our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(62.5) million and RMB(219.4) million (US$(35.0) million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(14.8) million and RMB(19.0) million (US$(3.0) million), respectively. For a detailed description of our non-GAAP measures, see Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Effect of Acquisition of ZMN Education
On July 31, 2017, we acquired ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or ZMN Education. Since the date of the acquisition, ZMN Education has been our wholly owned subsidiary and has been consolidated into our results of operations.
Prior to the acquisition, ZMN Education had net revenues of RMB197.4 million and RMB136.4 million, operating expenses of RMB144.3 million and RMB91.1 million and net loss of RMB64.4 million and RMB12.7 million in 2016 and for the period from January 1, 2017 to July 31, 2017, respectively, which are not included in our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
ZMN Education contributed RMB39.9 million (US$6.4 million) to our net revenues and RMB43.8 million (US$7.0 million) to our total cost of revenues from July 31, 2017, when we acquired ZMN Education, to
76
December 31, 2017. In the first quarter of 2018, ZMN Education contributed RMB29.0 million (US$4.6 million) to our net revenues and RMB21.8 million (US$3.5 million) to our cost of revenues. For the period from July 31, 2017 to December 31, 2017, ZMN Education had selling expenses of RMB34.4 million (US$5.5 million) and general and administrative expenses of RMB23.2 million (US$3.7 million). For the three months ended March 31, 2018, ZMN Education had selling expenses of RMB15.8 million (US$2.5 million) and general and administrative expenses of RMB13.4 million (US$2.1 million). As a result, ZMN Education incurred operating loss of RMB61.5 million (US$9.8 million) for the period from July 31, 2017 to December 31, 2017 and RMB22.0 million (US$3.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Intangible assets identified in connection with our acquisition of ZMN Education are subject to amortization. Amortization expenses of RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) were recognized in 2017. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, we had RMB324.4 million (US$51.7 million) of goodwill in connection with our acquisition of ZMN Education, which represented approximately 16.2% of our total assets. Goodwill is an unidentifiable asset and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the end of the fourth quarter of each year, or earlier if impairment indicators arise. No impairment charge was recognized for the goodwill of ZMN Education for the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Effect of Acquisition of Global Education
On August 16, 2017, we acquired Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd., or Global Education. Since the date of the acquisition, Global Education has been our wholly owned subsidiary and has been consolidated into our results of operations.
Prior to the acquisition, Global Education had net revenues of RMB653.0 million and RMB421.4 million, operating expenses of RMB441.7 million and RMB275.2 million and net loss of RMB82.7 million and RMB48.2 million in 2016 and for the period from January 1, 2017 to August 16, 2017, respectively, which are not included in our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Global Education contributed RMB197.9 million (US$31.5 million) to our net revenues and RMB117.6 million (US$18.7 million) to our total cost of revenues from August 16, 2017, when we acquired Global Education, to December 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, Global Education contributed RMB156.1 million (US$24.9 million) to our net revenues and RMB69.6 million (US$11.1 million) to our total cost of revenues. For the period from August 16, 2017 to December 31, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, Global Education had selling expenses of RMB108.9 million (US$17.4 million) and RMB68.1 million (US$10.9 million), respectively, and general and administrative expenses of RMB46.1 million (US$7.3 million) and RMB27.1 million (US$4.3 million), respectively. As a result, Global Education incurred operating loss of RMB74.7 million (US$11.9 million) for the period from August 16, 2017 to December 31, 2017 and RMB8.7 million (US$1.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Definite intangible assets identified in connection with our acquisition of Global Education are subject to amortization. Amortization expenses of RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million) and RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million) were recognized in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, we had RMB323.4 million (US$51.6 million) of goodwill in connection with our acquisition of Global Education, which represented approximately 16.1% of our total assets. No impairment charge was recognized for the goodwill of Global Education for the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
We operate in Chinas after-school education market, and our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by general factors driving this market. Chinas rapid economic growth and higher per capita disposable income have led to both increased spending on after-school education services and intensified competition for high-quality education resources.
77
Furthermore, we expect to benefit from the positive effect of Chinas new population policies. In recent years, China has relaxed its One-Child Policy. Starting from 2015, each family is allowed to have two children. We believe in coming years this change in policy will drive the growth of K-12 student population and in turn the demand for after-school education services.
We are also affected by the regulatory environment governing the PRC after-school education industry, including the qualification and licensing requirements for entities providing education services.
In addition to general economic conditions and industry factors, we believe the following company-specific factors have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on our results of operations.
Number of Student Enrollments
Our revenues primarily consist of tuition from students enrolled in our courses and consulting programs, which is directly driven by the increase in student enrollments. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, our total student enrollments were 454,945, 1,275,723 and 260,973, respectively. Our growth in student enrollments is directly affected by our ability to recruit new students and retain our current students.
Our ability to attract new students is largely dependent on our reputation and brand recognition and the varieties of our courses and service offerings. Our reputation and brand recognition were primarily driven by the proven academic performance of our students and the high-quality of our teaching faculty. Besides, we have expanded our service offerings to a full spectrum of after-school education services to students of all age groups in various class formats since establishment. Currently, our course and service offerings cover all core subjects in Chinas school curricula at each grade level of the K-12 system, as well as certain extra-curricular courses, such as painting and calligraphy. We initially offered group class tutoring services and personalized tutoring services in May 2015 and began offering online courses in August 2017. We started study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services in July 2015 and September 2015, respectively. By acquiring Global Education in August 2017, we have further expanded our course and service offerings and strengthened our brand recognition.
In addition, a high K-12 group class student retention rate has also contributed to our total student enrollment growth. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, the K-12 group class student retention rate of our schools operating under our management for over 12 months reached 65.1%, 70.1% and 78.9%, respectively, as a result of our high-quality services and the high satisfaction rate of our current students and their parents. Besides, our expansion of courses and service offerings also allows us to conduct cross-selling, improve student stickiness to realize synergies across business lines and maximize student lifetime value for our long-term growth.
We expect our student enrollments will continue to grow and our net revenues will continue to grow. We believe that the after-school education market is less sensitive to changes in economic conditions, and we therefore do not expect the changes in macro-economic conditions to have any immediate significant impact on our business.
Network of Learning Centers
Our ability to expand our network of learning centers is one of the most important factors affecting our results of operations. We have expanded our network primarily through acquisitions. This approach enables us to acquire large student base in a new market with customer acquisition and marketing costs in a cost-effective manner by leveraging the well-established reputation of the acquired schools in local markets. We also build schools and learning centers by ourselves to expand our network when we identify good opportunities.
Our learning centers grew from 99 as of December 31, 2015 to 231 as of December 31, 2016 and to 400 as of December 31, 2017. The number of our learning centers slightly decreased to 397 as of March 31, 2018,
78
reflecting the combination of 25 learning centers we closed and 22 learning centers we constructed in the first quarter of 2018. We closed the 25 learning centers during our integration process of acquired schools, some of which were combined with other learning centers to improve operational efficiency of our learning centers. The table below sets forth the number of our learning centers in operating throughout the period indicated and the number of our newly acquired and constructed centers during each period:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||
Learning centers at the beginning of the period |
99 | 231 | 400 | |||||||||
Newly acquired learning centers during the period |
119 | 155 | | |||||||||
Newly constructed learning centers during the period |
33 | 46 | 22 | |||||||||
Closed or suspended learning centers during the period |
(20 | ) | (32 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Learning centers at the end of the period |
231 | 400 | 397 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table below sets forth cohort analyses of schools we acquired and constructed in 2015 and 2016 for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
Schools under our management since 2015(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Student enrollments: |
||||||||||||||||
Regular-priced K-12 tutoring programs (number of enrollments) |
270,879 | 348,140 | 60,914 | 71,272 | ||||||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring programs (number of enrollments) |
1,573 | 2,404 | 395 | 569 | ||||||||||||
Net revenues (in millions of RMB) |
291 | 419 | 96 | 120 | ||||||||||||
Gross margin |
43.3 | % | 41.7 | % | 43.2 | % | 45.6 | % | ||||||||
Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues |
25.8 | % | 24.9 | % | 23.7 | % | 21.6 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues |
23.0 | % | 17.9 | % | 19.2 | % | 13.3 | % | ||||||||
Operating margin |
(5.5 | )% | (1.2 | )% | 0.2 | % | 10.8 | % | ||||||||
Schools under our management since 2016(2) |
||||||||||||||||
Student enrollments: |
||||||||||||||||
Regular-priced K-12 tutoring programs (number of enrollments) |
81,505 | 162,069 | 63,549 | 84,475 | ||||||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring programs (number of enrollments) |
1,814 | 3,975 | 1,200 | 1,535 | ||||||||||||
Net revenues (in millions of RMB) |
120 | 203 | 95 | 135 | ||||||||||||
Gross margin |
38.8 | % | 41.7 | % | 36.4 | % | 40.3 | % | ||||||||
Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues |
32.0 | % | 26.5 | % | 31.0 | % | 26.5 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues |
22.9 | % | 16.0 | % | 15.7 | % | 10.5 | % | ||||||||
Operating margin |
(16.1 | )% | (0.8 | )% | (10.3 | )% | 3.3 | % |
(1) | Includes schools we acquired and we built in 2015. The data for schools under our management since 2015 reflect the full-year results of these schools in 2016 and 2017 and their results in the first quarter of 2017 and 2018. |
(2) | Includes schools we acquired and we built in 2016. To make a comparable comparison for the data of these schools in 2016 and 2017, the 2016 data for these schools reflect the results for the period from the first full quarter after we started to operate each of such schools to the end of 2016 and the 2017 data reflect the results of each school during the respective corresponding period in 2017. The data for these schools for the first quarter in 2017 and 2018 reflect their quarterly results in the first quarter of 2017 and 2018. |
79
We plan to continue to grow our network of learning centers primarily through acquisitions, which will enable us to enlarge our nationwide coverage, penetrate target markets where we do not have presence currently and enhance our market position where we already operate in.
Pricing
Our revenues and profitability are directly affected by the pricing for our services. For K-12 tutoring and study-abroad test preparation courses, we typically charge students tuition based on the hourly rate of the students course type and the total number of class hours the student takes. We set hourly rates for our courses based on a number of factors, including class size, course type, customer segmentation, geographic location of the course offered and our competitors fee rates for similar offerings. For study-abroad consulting services, we charge students fees based on the overall services we provide to them, such as preparing application materials based on their target schools and universities, making study plans and preparing visa applications.
In addition to courses we offer at our regular prices, we also offer promotional K-12 tutoring programs to attract new students primarily during the summer and winter breaks, as well as the Labor Day and National Day holidays in China. The prices for such promotional programs are usually at a substantial discount of our regular tuition fees. As a result, the profit margin of our promotional tutoring programs is lower than our regular tutoring programs, and the mix of our regular tutoring programs and promotional tutoring programs affects our profitability.
For each acquired school, we usually continue to follow its tuition fee standards prior to our acquisition to maintain the stable student retention and operations of the school. We may adjust the tuition fees for new contracts when the acquired schools product and service quality has been improved. The tuition fee levels of our schools remained relatively stable in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. In the long run, we seek to gradually increase our tuition fee level without compromising our student enrollments.
Our Ability to Control Costs and Improve Our Operating Efficiency
Our profitability depends significantly on our ability to control our costs and improve our operating efficiency.
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of teaching staff costs, rental and facility maintenance expenses for our learning centers. Teaching staff costs depend on the number of our teaching staff and their level of compensation. We offer attractive compensation to our teachers to attract and retain the best teaching talent. The number of our full-time teachers and consultants increased from 1,914 as of December 31, 2016 to 4,388 as of December 31, 2017, in line with our efforts to enhance our teaching quality, the growth of student enrollments and the expansion of our network and course offerings. As of March 31, 2018, we had 4,233 full-time teachers and consultants. We are able to improve our operating efficiency and operating leverage through increased classroom utilization and increased number of courses that each teacher instructs, which allows us to increase our gross margin.
Our operating expenses consist of sales and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses. Historically, we have incurred relatively low sales and marketing expenses primarily because we expanded student base through acquisitions of schools and relied on word-of-mouth referrals to recruit new students.
Going forward, we expect that our total costs and expenses will increase in line with the expansion of our network and education service offerings and additional costs and expenses associated with becoming a public company. However, this increase is likely to be partially offset by our increasing economies of scale and improved operating efficiency.
80
Key Components of Results of Operations
Net Revenues
Our net revenues primarily consist of revenues generated from (i) K-12 tutoring services, and (ii) study-abroad tutoring services, consisting of study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we derived substantially all of our net revenues from tuition that we charge our students for these services.
In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we generated net revenues of RMB439.2 million, RMB1,282.6 million (US$204.5 million) and RMB495.7 million (US$79.0 million), respectively. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our total net revenues, both in absolute amounts and as a percentage of total net revenues, for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
370,712 | 84.4 | 884,148 | 140,954 | 68.9 | 176,112 | 88.9 | 276,568 | 44,091 | 55.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring services(1) |
68,469 | 15.6 | 398,414 | 63,517 | 31.1 | 22,091 | 11.1 | 219,140 | 34,937 | 44.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total net revenues |
439,181 | 100.0 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 100.0 | 198,203 | 100.0 | 495,708 | 79,028 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Consists of study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services. |
K-12 Tutoring Services
In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, our net revenues from K-12 tutoring services were RMB370.7 million, RMB884.1 million (US$141.0 million) and RMB276.6 million (US$44.1 million), representing 84.4%, 68.9% and 55.8% of our total net revenues, respectively. We typically collect tuition from students in advance for the classes that they purchase and record the tuition initially as deferred revenues. We recognize tuition as revenues proportionally as the tutoring services are delivered.
For group class courses, we offer tuition refunds to the students who withdraw from the course after attending the first few classes. For personalized tutoring courses, we offer refunds for undelivered classes to students who withdraw from the courses at any time. Historically, we did not experience material refunds for our K-12 tutoring services. Refunds are deducted from deferred revenues and have no material impact on recognized revenues.
Study-abroad Tutoring Services
Our study-abroad tutoring services consist of study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, our net revenues from study-abroad tutoring services were RMB68.5 million, RMB398.4 million (US$63.5 million) and RMB219.1 million (US$34.9 million), representing 15.6%, 31.1% and 44.2% of our total net revenues, respectively.
We collect tuition from students in advance for the study-abroad test preparation classes that they purchase and initially record the tuition as deferred revenues. We recognize tuition as revenue proportionally as the tutoring services are delivered. Our refund policies for study-abroad test preparation services are generally same as those for K-12 tutoring services. Historically, we did not experience material refunds for our study-abroad tutoring services. Refunds are deducted from deferred revenues and have no material impact on recognized revenues.
81
We charge each student consulting fees in advance based on the scope of study-abroad consulting services requested by the student and recognize such consulting fees as revenue when the consulting services are delivered. Consistent with market practices, we offer refunds of the consulting fees, excluding a small portion to cover the costs in connection with the services we delivered, to the students who fail to gain any admission or obtain the relevant visa. Historically, we did not experience material refunds for our study-abroad consulting services. Refunds are deducted from deferred revenues or refund liabilities, under Topic 606, and have no material impact on recognized revenues.
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of (i) teaching staff cost, primarily including salaries, bonuses, social insurance and benefits for our teaching staff, (ii) rental expenses for classroom, (iii) facility maintenance expenses for classroom, and (iv) course material expenses. Our cost of revenues accounted for 58.7%, 61.9% and 55.2%, respectively, of our net revenues in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. The following table sets forth the components of cost of revenues, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of net revenues, for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 100.0 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 100.0 | 198,203 | 100.0 | 495,708 | 79,028 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Teaching staff cost(1) |
178,919 | 40.7 | 549,048 | 87,531 | 42.8 | 82,313 | 41.5 | 183,924 | 29,322 | 37.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental expenses |
53,663 | 12.2 | 159,998 | 25,507 | 12.5 | 23,394 | 11.8 | 59,945 | 9,557 | 12.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Facility maintenance expenses |
10,454 | 2.4 | 44,860 | 7,152 | 3.5 | 4,924 | 2.5 | 18,988 | 3,027 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Others |
14,959 | 3.4 | 40,436 | 6,447 | 3.1 | 9,444 | 4.8 | 10,601 | 1,690 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total cost of revenues |
257,995 | 58.7 | 794,342 | 126,637 | 61.9 | 120,075 | 60.6 | 273,458 | 43,596 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Includes share-based compensation expenses of nil, RMB1,152,000, RMB46,000 and RMB976,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. |
Teaching staff cost is the largest component of our cost of revenues. We rely on our teachers to deliver educational services. Our teachers consist of both full-time teachers and part-time teachers. Compensation and benefits of our full-time teachers consist primarily of base salary, teaching fees based on hourly rates, performance-linked bonuses, as well as social insurance and benefits. Compensation of our part-time teachers is comprised of teaching fees based on hourly rates and teaching hours.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our cost of revenues by our business segments, both in absolute amounts and as a percentage of total net revenues, for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 100.0 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 100.0 | 198,203 | 100.0 | 495,708 | 79,028 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
217,797 | 49.6 | 555,885 | 88,621 | 43.3 | 105,323 | 53.1 | 164,264 | 26,188 | 33.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring services(1) |
40,198 | 9.1 | 238,457 | 38,016 | 18.6 | 14,752 | 7.5 | 109,194 | 17,408 | 22.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total cost of revenues |
257,995 | 58.7 | 794,342 | 126,637 | 61.9 | 120,075 | 60.6 | 273,458 | 43,596 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Consists of study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services. |
We anticipate that our total cost of revenues will continue to increase as we continue to acquire schools to expand our network and hire additional teachers.
82
Gross Profit
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit was RMB181.2 million, RMB488.2 million (US$77.8 million) and RMB222.3 million (US$35.4 million) and our gross margin was 41.3%, 38.1% and 44.8% in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our gross profit by our business segments for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
152,915 | 328,263 | 52,333 | 70,789 | 112,304 | 17,903 | ||||||||||||||||||
Study-abroad tutoring services(1) |
28,271 | 159,957 | 25,501 | 7,339 | 109,946 | 17,529 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross profit |
181,186 | 488,220 | 77,834 | 78,128 | 222,250 | 35,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Consists of study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services. |
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of selling expenses and general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the components of operating expenses, in absolute amounts and as a percentage of total net revenues, for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 100.0 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 100.0 | 198,203 | 100.0 | 495,708 | 79,028 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses(1) |
123,370 | 28.1 | 444,927 | 70,932 | 34.7 | 54,920 | 27.7 | 164,647 | 26,249 | 33.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses(2) |
185,496 | 42.2 | 362,748 | 57,831 | 28.3 | 54,177 | 27.3 | 383,373 | 61,119 | 77.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
308,866 | 70.3 | 807,675 | 128,763 | 63.0 | 109,097 | 55.0 | 548,020 | 87,368 | 110.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Includes share-based compensation expenses of RMB991,000, RMB3,058,000, RMB527,000 and RMB2,236,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. |
(2) | Includes share-based compensation expenses of RMB50,272,000, RMB51,625,000, RMB8,619,000 and RMB282,202,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. |
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses consist primarily of (i) salaries, performance-based bonuses and employee benefits for our sales and marketing personnel, (ii) advertising and promotion expenses, (iii) office rental and general expenses associated with the sales and marketing of our business, and (iv) traveling and communication expenses associated with the sales and marketing. We expect that our selling expenses will continue to increase as we further expand into new geographic locations and enhance our brand recognition.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of (i) salaries, employee benefits and other headcount-related expenses associated with the administration of our business, (ii) office rental and facilities maintenance expenses, (iii) professional service fees, (iv) depreciation and amortization expenses associated with the office space used in our general and administrative activities, (v) traveling and communication expenses
83
associated with office and administrative functions, and (vi) share-based compensation expenses in connection with options we granted our management staff. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will continue to increase in the near term as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business and with being a public company, including costs to enhance our internal controls.
Our operating expenses include share-based compensation charges. See Critical Accounting PoliciesShare-Based Compensation.
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current law of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gains tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.
Hong Kong
Our wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited, or Prepshine Holdings, is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for taxable income earned in Hong Kong. No Hong Kong profit tax has been levied as we did not have assessable profit that was earned in or derived from our wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiaries during the period indicated. Hong Kong does not impose a withholding tax on dividends.
PRC
Our subsidiaries and consolidated VIE in China are companies incorporated under PRC law and, as such, are subject to PRC enterprise income tax on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws. Pursuant to the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate is generally applicable to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where a special preferential rate applies. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entitys global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.
We are subject to business tax before May 2016. Since May 2016, VAT was phased in to replace the business tax that was previously applicable to the services we provide. We are subject to VAT at a rate of 6% on the services we provide, less any deductible VAT we have already paid or borne. We are also subject to surcharges on VAT payments in accordance with PRC law. In addition, some of our subsidiaries in China that participate in the non-diploma education service industry choose the simplified method of taxation where the VAT collection rate is 3%.
As a Cayman Islands holding company, we may receive dividends from our PRC subsidiaries through Prepshine Holdings. The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules provide that dividends paid by a PRC entity to a non-resident enterprise for income tax purposes is subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, subject to reduction by an applicable tax treaty with China. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or SAT Circular 81, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. In August 2015, the State
84
Administration of Taxation promulgated the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Taxpayers to Enjoy Treatment under Tax Treaties, or SAT Circular 60, which became effective on November 1, 2015. SAT Circular 60 provides that non-resident enterprises are not required to obtain pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, non-resident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced withholding tax rate, and file the necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, Prepshine Holdings may be able to benefit from the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends it receives from Purong Beijing, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under SAT Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules and regulations. However, according to SAT Circular 81 and SAT Circular 60, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future.
If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a resident enterprise under the EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Doing Business in the PRCUnder the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a PRC resident enterprise, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting.
In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and other control deficiencies as of December 31, 2017. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our companys annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness identified relates to our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We do not believe that this material weakness or the other control deficiencies had a significant impact on our financial reporting. To remedy the identified material weakness and the other control deficiencies, we have implemented, and plan to continue to develop, a full set of U.S. GAAP accounting policies and financial reporting procedures as well as related internal control policies, including implementing a comprehensive accounting manual to guide the day-to-day accounting operation and reporting work and measures to improve controls over our information systems. We intend to remediate this material weakness and the other control deficiencies in multiple phases and expect that we will incur certain costs for implementing our remediation measures. The implementation of the measure, however, may not fully address the material weaknesses and the other control deficiencies identified in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Business and IndustryIf we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires our management to make judgment, estimates and assumptions. We continually evaluate these judgments, estimates and assumptions
85
based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.
The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. You should read the following description of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus.
Revenue Recognition
We provide K-12 tutoring services, study-abroad test preparation services and study-abroad consulting services to students. Under FASB Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), we recognize revenues when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the service has been performed and received by the customer, (iii) the amount of fees from the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 applying the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
Our revenues represent amounts received for services provided in the normal course of our business, net of discounts and sales-related tax. The primary sources of our revenues are as follows:
K-12 Tutoring Services
We provide various types of after-school tutoring services to help students ranging from ages three to 18 to improve their academic performance and enroll in their desired schools and universities. The after-school tutoring services primarily consist of after-school group class courses and personalized tutoring courses. The K-12 tutoring services are accounted for as a single performance obligation. Tuition fees are generally collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Such deferred revenue is recognized as revenue proportionally as the tutoring sessions are delivered. We usually provide tuition refunds to students if they decide to withdraw from the courses within a trial period.
Study-abroad Test Preparation Services
We provide study-abroad test preparation services to help students prepare for admission tests for high schools, universities and graduate programs primarily in English-speaking countries. Tutoring fees are collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue which is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered. We provide students with trial classes for the courses that they subscribe and tuition fees are refundable in the full amount if a student decides to withdraw from the course after the trial classes. No refund will be provided to a student who withdraws from a course after the trial period. The study-abroad test preparation services are accounted for as a single performance obligation.
86
Study-abroad Consulting Services
We provide study-abroad consulting services to offer quality advisory guidance for students who intend to study abroad. We charge each student upfront prepaid consulting service fees based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student and recognize revenue as the services are delivered. A portion of the prepaid services fee are refundable if a student does not successfully gain any admission, which are accounted for as variable consideration under Topic 606. The study-abroad consulting services are accounted for as a single performance obligation. We estimate the variable consideration to be earned and recognize revenues over the service period.
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity
Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Puxin Limited, its subsidiaries, its VIE and the VIEs subsidiaries. All profits, transactions and balances among Puxin Limited, its subsidiaries, its VIE and the VIEs subsidiaries and schools have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Purong Beijing, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, holds the power to direct the activities of Puxin Education and its subsidiaries that most significantly affect our economic performance and bears the economic risks and receives the economic benefits of Puxin Education and its subsidiaries through a series of contractual agreements with Puxin Education and/or its nominee shareholders, including:
| exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement; |
| equity pledge agreement; |
| exclusive call option agreement; |
| powers of attorney; |
| loan agreements; |
| spousal consent letters; and |
| letters of commitment. |
Based on the advice of our PRC legal counsel, we believe above-mentioned contractual agreements are currently legally enforceable under PRC law and regulations.
As a result of these contractual arrangements, we believe we are entitled to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Puxin Education, and receive the economic benefits of Puxin Education. In making the conclusion that we are the primary beneficiary of Puxin Education, we believe our rights under the exclusive call option agreements and powers of attorney have reinforced our abilities to direct the activities most significantly impacting Puxin Educations economic performance. We also believe that this ability to exercise control ensures that Puxin Education would continue to execute and renew service agreements and pay service fees to us. By charging service fees, and by ensuring that service agreements are executed and renewed indefinitely, we have the rights to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from Puxin Education. Accordingly, as the primary beneficiary of Puxin Education and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we consolidate its financial results and assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements.
As advised by our PRC legal counsel, our corporate structure in China complies with all existing PRC laws and regulations. However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that as there are substantial uncertainties
87
regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our corporate structure or any of the above-mentioned contractual arrangements comply with current or future PRC laws or regulations. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities may have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.
Business Combinations
Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets, liabilities, identifiable intangible assets acquired and non-controlling interest, if any, based on their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred.
In order to recognize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, mainly consisting of intangible assets, goodwill and warrants granted to the shareholders of the entities acquired as acquisition consideration, we used valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis, ratio analysis in comparison to comparable companies in similar industries under the income approach, market approach and cost approach. Major factors considered include historical financial results and assumptions including future growth rates, an estimate of weighted average cost of capital and the effect of expected changes in regulation. Most of the valuations of our acquired businesses have been performed by independent valuation specialists under our managements supervision. We believe that the estimated fair value assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates that market participants would use. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ from those estimates.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of an intangible asset is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows.
We test goodwill for impairment annually at the end of the fourth quarter, or sooner if impairment indicators arise. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, we may perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not, no further analysis is required. If it is, a two-step goodwill impairment test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit, if any.
The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting units goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill.
Based on the results of our annual goodwill impairment tests, as of testing date, no impairment was identified for all the periods presented.
Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill consist of (i) student base, (ii) trademarks, (iii) relationship with partnership schools, and (iv) franchise agreements, which are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment.
88
We have determined that certain trademarks do not have determinable useful lives. Consequently, the carrying amounts of trademarks are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Such impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the trademarks with their carrying amounts and an impairment loss is recognized if and when the carrying amounts of the trademarks exceed their fair values. The estimates of fair values of intangible assets not subject to amortization are determined using various discounted cash flow valuation methodologies. Significant assumptions are inherent in this process, including estimates of discount rates. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective intangible assets. No impairment loss was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.
Income Taxes
Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes will be classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.
Fair Value of Ordinary Shares
Prior to our initial public offering, we were a private company with no quoted market prices for our ordinary shares. We therefore needed to make estimates of the fair value of our ordinary shares at various dates for the purpose of determining the fair value of our ordinary shares at the date of the grant of share-based compensation awards to our employees to determine the grant date fair value of the award.
The following table sets forth the fair value of our ordinary shares estimated at different times prior to our initial public offering with the assistance from an independent valuation firm:
Date |
Class of Shares |
Fair Value per Share |
DLOM | Discount Rate | Purpose of Valuation | |||||||||||
(RMB) | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2016 |
Ordinary shares | 23.665 | 20 | % | 16.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
June 30, 2016 |
Ordinary shares | 24.616 | 20 | % | 16.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
September 30, 2016 |
Ordinary shares | 27.091 | 15 | % | 16.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
December 31, 2016 |
Ordinary shares | 28.226 | 15 | % | 16.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
March 31, 2017 |
Ordinary shares | 29.457 | 15 | % | 15.5 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
June 30, 2017 |
Ordinary shares | 41.799 | 15 | % | 15.5 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
September 30, 2017 |
Ordinary shares | 45.549 | 15 | % | 15.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
December 31, 2017 |
Ordinary shares | 48.311 | 10 | % | 15.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant | |||||||||
March 31, 2018 |
Ordinary shares | 49.665 | 10 | % | 15.0 | % | To determine the fair value of share option grant |
89
The valuations of our ordinary shares were performed using methodologies, approaches and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Audit and Accounting Practice Aid Series: Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the AICPA Practice Guide. The determination of the fair value of our ordinary shares requires complex and subjective judgments to be made regarding our projected financial and operating results, our unique business risks, the liquidity of our shares and our operating history and prospects at the time of valuation. The option-pricing method was used to allocate our equity value to preferred shares or other senior securities and ordinary shares, taking into account the guidance prescribed by the AICPA Practice Guide. This method treats ordinary shares and preferred shares or other senior securities as call options on the equity value, with exercise prices based on their respective payoffs upon a liquidity event.
In determining our equity value, we applied the discounted cash flow analysis based on our projected cash flow using our best estimate as of the valuation date. The major assumptions used in calculating the fair value of our equity include:
| Discount Rates. The discount rates listed out in the table above were based on the weighted average cost of capital, which was determined based on a number of factors including risk-free rate, comparative industry risk, equity risk premium, company size and non-systemic risk factors. |
| Comparable Companies. In deriving the weighted average cost of capital used as the discount rate under the income approach, seven publicly traded companies were selected for reference as our guideline companies. The guideline companies were selected based on the following criteria: (i) Chinese companies operate in the education service industry and (ii) their shares are publicly traded in the United States and Hong Kong. |
| Discount for Lack of Marketability, or DLOM. We applied DLOM to reflect the fact that there is no ready market for shares in a closely-held company like us. When determining the DLOM, the Black-Scholes option pricing model was used. Under this option-pricing method, the cost of the put option, which can hedge the price change before the privately held shares can be sold, was considered as a basis to determine the discount for lack of marketability. This option pricing method was used because it takes into account certain company-specific factors, including the timing of the expected initial public offering and the volatility of the share price of the guideline companies engaged in the same industry. |
The continued increase in the fair value of our ordinary shares from RMB23.665 per share as of March 31, 2016 to RMB49.665 per share as of March 31, 2018 was primarily attributable to our strategic acquisitions and continuous organic growth of our business.
Share-based Compensation
We measure the cost of employee share options based on the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes compensation cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. For the graded vesting share options, we recognize the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. When no future services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award of equity instruments, the cost of the award is expensed on the grant date.
90
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the share options granted to our employees at different dates in 2015, 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018:
Grant Date |
Number of Options Granted |
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Option |
Weighted Average Fair Value per Option at the Grant Dates |
Intrinsic Value per Option at the Grant Dates |
Type of Valuation | |||||||||||||
(RMB) | (RMB) | (RMB) | ||||||||||||||||
March 1, 2015 |
1,156,200 | 0.244 | 5.085 | 5.073 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2015 |
8,560,800 | 0.244 | 5.091 | 5.091 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 |
2,066,400 | 0.268 | 12.896 | 12.884 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 |
5,805,600 | 0.262 | 13.860 | 13.860 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2016 |
803,600 | 0.305 | 23.372 | 23.360 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2016 |
483,800 | 0.512 | 24.116 | 24.104 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
September 30, 2016 |
499,462 | 0.585 | 26.530 | 26.506 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2016 |
739,476 | 0.610 | 27.634 | 27.616 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2017 |
1,087,895 | 8.123 | 24.119 | 21.334 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2017 |
741,952 | 18.674 | 29.027 | 23.125 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
September 30, 2017 |
345,023 | 27.647 | 28.236 | 17.901 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2017 |
1,126,270 | 31.347 | 29.629 | 16.964 | Retrospective | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2018 |
16,400,000 | 48.780 | 24.200 | 0.885 | Retrospective |
The valuation was performed retrospective valuations instead of contemporaneous valuations because, at the time of the valuation dates, the financial and limited human resources were principally focused on business development efforts. This approach is consistent with the guidance prescribed by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the Practice Aid.
In determining the value of share options, we have used the binomial option pricing model, with assistance from an independent third-party valuation firm. Under this option pricing model, certain assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividends on the underlying ordinary shares, and the expected volatility of the price of the underlying shares for the contractual term of the options are required in order to determine the fair value of our options.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the binomial option pricing model that uses the following assumptions:
Grant Date | ||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 | |||||
Risk-free rate of interest(1) |
2.37%-2.68% | 1.94%-2.92% | 2.84%-2.97% | 3.40% | ||||
Volatility(2) |
48%-53% | 47% | 45%-47% | 46% | ||||
Dividend yield(3) |
| | | | ||||
Exercise multiples(4) |
2.2-2.8 | 2.2-2.8 | 2.2-2.8 | 2.2-2.8 | ||||
Life of options (years)(5) |
7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
(1) | We estimate risk-free interest rate based on the daily treasury long term rate of U.S. Department of the Treasury with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China. |
(2) | We estimated expected volatility based on the annualized standard deviation of the daily return embedded in historical share prices of comparable companies with a time horizon close to the expected expiry of the term. |
(3) | We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate any dividend payments on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. |
(4) | The expected exercise multiple was estimated as the average ratio of the stock price to the exercise price as at the time when employees would decide to voluntarily exercise their vested options. As we did not have sufficient information of past employee exercise history, it was estimated by referencing to a widely-accepted academic research publication. |
(5) | Extracted from option agreements. |
91
Fair Value of Convertible Notes, Derivative Liabilities and Warrants
Convertible notes for which the fair value option is elected are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. We determine the fair value of convertible notes associated with the issuances of the convertible notes as Level 3 liabilities, with the assistance of an independent third-party appraiser. To determine the fair value of the convertible notes, we used probability expected return method. To determine the fair value of the derivative liabilities, we used binomial model. To determine the fair value of warrants, we used the modified discount cash flow model.
The key assumptions used in valuation of convertible notes are summarized in the table below:
2017 | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 |
|||||||
Probability for conversion |
80% | 80% | ||||||
Probability for redemption |
20% | 20% | ||||||
Remaining life |
2.5 4.8 | 2.3 4.3 |
The key assumptions used in valuation of derivative liabilities are summarized in the table below:
2017 | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 |
|||||||
Probability for conversion |
80% | 80% | ||||||
Exit period |
June 30, 2018 June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2018 June 30, 2019 | ||||||
Volatility |
40% | 40% |
The key assumptions used in valuation of warrants are summarized in the table below:
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 |
||||
Probability for conversion |
80 | % | ||
Conversion price discount rate |
90 | % |
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to predict our future operating results. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | 198,203 | 495,708 | 79,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of nil, RMB1,152, RMB46 and RMB976 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
257,995 | 794,342 | 126,637 | 120,075 | 273,458 | 43,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Gross profit |
181,186 | 488,220 | 77,834 | 78,128 | 222,250 | 35,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB991, RMB3,058, RMB527 and RMB2,236 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
123,370 |
|
444,927 |
|
70,932 | 54,920 | 164,647 | 26,249 | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB50,272, RMB51,625, RMB8,619 and RMB282,202 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
185,496 | 362,748 | 57,831 | 54,177 | 383,373 | 61,119 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
308,866 | 807,675 | 128,763 | 109,097 | 548,020 | 87,368 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(127,680 | ) | (319,455 | ) | (50,929 | ) | (30,969 | ) | (325,770 | ) | (51,936 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
464 | 549 | 88 | 346 | 103 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,216 | ) | (394,798 | ) | (62,940 | ) | (30,623 | ) | (355,272 | ) | (56,639 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | 79 | 13 | (16 | ) | (25 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | (30,796 | ) | (355,024 | ) | (56,599 | ) |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Net Revenues
Our net revenues increased by 150.1% from RMB198.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB495.7 million (US$79.0 million) for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily driven by increases in net revenues from our study-abroad tutoring services and K-12 tutoring services.
| Net revenues from study-abroad tutoring services significantly increased by 891.4% from RMB22.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB219.1 million (US$34.9 million) for the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily due to the increase in student enrollments of our study-abroad tutoring services, reflecting (i) our acquisitions of ZMN Education in July 2017 and Global Education in August 2017, and (ii) our sales efforts to attract and retain students at existing schools. Our student enrollments of study-abroad tutoring services increased significantly from 1,596 in the first quarter of 2017 to 16,335 in the same period of 2018. |
| Net revenues from K-12 tutoring services increased by 57.1% from RMB176.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB276.6 million (US$44.1 million) for the same period of 2018, primarily due to the increase in student enrollments of our K-12 tutoring services. The increase in student enrollments was largely attributable to (i) the increased number of learning centers in our network as a result of our acquisitions, which increased our overall student base and service capacity, and (ii) our efforts to improve our operations and to attract and retain students at existing schools. Our |
93
student enrollments of K-12 tutoring services increased by 33.1% from 183,850 in the first quarter of 2017 to 244,638 in the same period of 2018. |
We adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018. The main impact on our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was an increase of RMB7.9 million in our net revenues.
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues increased by 127.7% from RMB120.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB273.5 million (US$43.6 million) for the same period in 2018, primarily due to the increases in our teaching staff cost, rental expenses and facility maintenance expenses.
| Teaching staff cost increased by 123.5% from RMB82.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB183.9 million (US$29.3 million) for the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily due to (i) the growth of the number of our full-time teachers and consultants in line with our overall business growth , and (ii) teaching staff cost incurred by ZMN Education and Global Education after our acquisitions. The number of our full-time teachers and consultants increased from 2,543 as of March 31, 2017 to 4,233 as of March 31, 2018. |
| Rental expenses increased by 156.0% from RMB23.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB59.9 million (US$9.6 million) for the same period of 2018. Facility maintenance expenses significantly increased from RMB4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB19.0 million (US$3.0 million) for the same period of 2018. These increases were primarily due to (i) the increased number of our learning centers as a result of our expanded network, and (ii) the relatively high rental and facility maintenance expenses incurred by ZMN Education and Global Education for their learning centers usually in prime locations. The number of learning centers in our network increased from 254 as of March 31, 2017 to 397 as of March 31, 2018. |
Gross Profit
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased by 184.6% from RMB78.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB222.3 million (US$35.4 million) for the same period in 2018.
Our gross margin increased from 39.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to 44.8% for the same period in 2018, primarily reflecting our improved operational efficiency and the economies of scale as a result of our continued business growth.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses significantly increased from RMB109.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB548.0 million (US$87.4 million) for the same period in 2018.
Selling Expenses
Our selling expenses significantly increased from RMB54.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB164.6 million (US$26.2 million) for the same period in 2018, primarily due to (i) an increase in advertising and promotion expenses attributable to such expenses incurred by ZMN Education and Global Education, and (ii) an increase in salaries and employee benefits for our sales and marketing personnel attributable to increased performance-based salaries and bonuses. As a percentage of our net revenues, selling expenses increased from 27.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to 33.2% for the same period of 2018.
94
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses significantly increased from RMB54.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB383.4 million (US$61.1 million) for the same period in 2018, primarily due to (i) a significant increase in share-based compensation expenses relating to the options we granted our management staff in the first quarter of 2018 to attract and retain key employees, and (ii) an increase in office rental and facilities maintenance expenses attributable to an increase in our learning centers. In March 2018, we granted options to purchase 16,400,000 ordinary shares under our 2018 Grand Talent Plan. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of our net revenues increased from 27.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to 77.4% in the same period of 2018.
Operating Loss
As a result of foregoing, our operating loss increased from RMB31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB325.8 million (US$51.9 million) for the same period in 2018.
Interest Expense
We incurred interest expense of RMB5.0 million (US$0.8 million) in the first quarter of 2018, consisting of (i) the interest for the promissory note we issued in August 2017 to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, or Haitong, and (ii) the interest for our loans under credit facilities provided by Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd., or Huazhong, as a result of amended arrangements for the convertible debt agreement we entered into with Huazhong in June 2017. For more details, see Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities IssuancesConvertible Debt Arrangement with Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. We did not incur any interest expense in the first quarter of 2017.
Interest Income
Our interest income consists primarily of interest on our cash deposit balances with banks. Our interest income amounted to RMB346,000 in the first quarter of 2017 and RMB103,000 (US$16,000) in the same period of 2018, primarily reflecting our cash position.
Loss on Changes in Fair Value of Convertible Notes, Derivative Liabilities and Warrants
In the first quarter of 2018, we incurred a loss of RMB23.7 million (US$3.8 million) due to changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants in connection with (i) our convertible debt arrangement with Huazhong in June 2017, the convertible note issued to Haitong in August 2017 and the convertible note issued to CICC ALPHA, in September 2017, and (iii) the warrants issued to China Central International Asset Management Co,. Ltd., or China Central International, in March 2018. For more details about the convertible notes and warrants, see Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances. We did not have convertible notes in the same period of 2017.
Loss on Extinguishment of Convertible Notes
We incurred loss on extinguishment of convertible notes of RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2018 due to the difference between the fair value of our convertible debt issued to Huazhong in June 2017 and the fair values of loans under credit facilities provided by Huazhong and warrants issued to China Central International as a result of the amended arrangements for the convertible debt with Huazhong. The amendment of the convertible debt arrangement with Huazhong was accounted for as an extinguishment of the original convertible note, and issuance of a new note and warrants. We did not have such loss in the same period of 2017.
95
Income Tax Expenses (Benefits)
We had income tax benefits of RMB0.2 million (US$0.04 million) in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to the amortization of our deferred tax liabilities. We had income tax expenses of RMB0.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to our taxable income for certain profit-making schools, which are subject to enterprise income tax in China.
Net Loss
As a result of foregoing, our net loss increased significantly from RMB30.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million) for the same period in 2018.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net Revenues
Our net revenues increased by 192.0% from RMB439.2 million in 2016 to RMB1,282.6 million (US$204.5 million) in 2017, primarily reflecting the increases in net revenues from our K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad tutoring services.
| Net revenues from K-12 tutoring services increased by 138.5% from RMB370.7 million in 2016 to RMB884.1 million (US$141.0 million) in 2017. This increase was primarily due to the increase in student enrollments of our K-12 tutoring services, which was largely attributable to (i) the increased number of learning centers in our network as a result of our acquisitions, which increased our overall student base and service capacity, and (ii) our sales efforts to attract and retain students at existing schools. Our student enrollments of K-12 tutoring services increased by 174.3% from 451,353 in 2016 to 1,238,070 in 2017. |
| Net revenues from study-abroad tutoring services significantly increased from RMB68.5 million in 2016 to RMB398.4 million (US$63.5 million) in 2017. This increase was primarily due to the increase in student enrollments of our study-abroad tutoring services, reflecting (i) our acquisitions of ZMN Education in July 2017 and Global Education in August 2017, and (ii) our sales efforts to attract and retain students at existing schools. Our student enrollments of study-abroad tutoring services increased significantly from 3,592 in 2016 to 37,653 in 2017. |
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues significantly increased from RMB258.0 million in 2016 to RMB794.3 million (US$126.6 million) in 2017, primarily due to the increases in our teaching staff cost, rental expenses and facility maintenance expenses.
| Teaching staff cost significantly increased from RMB178.9 million in 2016 to RMB549.0 million (US$87.5 million) in 2017. This increase was primarily due to (i) the growth of the number of our full-time teachers and consultants as we continued to attract new and retain our existing teaching staff, and (ii) teaching staff cost incurred by ZMN Education and Global Education after our acquisitions. The number of our full-time teachers and consultants increased from 1,914 as of December 31, 2016 to 4,388 as of December 31, 2017. |
| Rental expenses significantly increased from RMB53.7 million in 2016 to RMB160.0 million (US$25.5 million) in 2017. Facility maintenance expenses significantly increased from RMB10.5 million in 2016 to RMB44.9 million (US$7.2 million) in 2017. These increases were primarily due to the increased number of our learning centers as a result of our expanded network. The number of learning centers in our network increased from 231 as of December 31, 2016 to 400 as of December 31, 2017. |
96
Gross Profit
Our gross profit increased by 169.4% from RMB181.2 million in 2016 to RMB488.2 million (US$77.8 million) in 2017.
Our gross margin decreased from 41.3% in 2016 to 38.1% in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in gross margins of K-12 tutoring services. The gross margin of K-12 tutoring services decreased from 41.2% in 2016 to 37.1% in 2017, primarily due to our increased promotional K-12 tutoring programs in 2017. The gross margin of study-abroad tutoring services remained relatively stable at 41.3% in 2016 and 40.1% in 2017.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses increased by 161.5% from RMB308.9 million in 2016 to RMB807.7 million (US$128.8 million) in 2017, reflecting the increases in our selling expenses and general and administrative expenses.
Selling Expenses
Our selling expenses significantly increased from RMB123.4 million in 2016 to RMB444.9 million (US$70.9 million) in 2017, mainly driven by (i) an increase in salaries and employee benefits for our sales and marketing personnel, attributable to increased performance-based salaries for our sales and marketing team, (ii) the advertising and promotion expenses incurred by ZMN Education and Global Education after our acquisitions in 2017, and (iii) an increase in advertising and promotion expenses of our existing schools in line with our business growth. As a percentage of our net revenues, selling expenses increased from 28.1% in 2016 to 34.7% in 2017.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses increased by 95.6% from RMB185.5 million in 2016 to RMB362.7 million (US$57.8 million) in 2017, primarily due to (i) an increase in salaries and employee benefits for administrative staff, reflecting the increased headcount as a result of the increase of our learning centers, (ii) an increase in office rental and facilities maintenance expenses attributable to our increased learning centers, and (iii) an increase in professional service fees attributable our acquisitions and financing transactions and consulting projects in 2017.
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of our net revenues decreased from 42.2% in 2016 to 28.3% in 2017, primarily reflecting the economies of scale as a result of our continued business growth.
Operating Loss
As a result, our operating loss increased from RMB127.7 million in 2016 to RMB319.5 million (US$50.9 million) in 2017. Our operating margin was (29.1)% and (24.9)% in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Interest Expense
We incurred interest expense of RMB5.6 million (US$0.9 million) in 2017 in connection with the promissory note we issued in August 2017 to Haitong. We did not incur any interest expense in 2016.
Interest Income
Our interest income consists primarily of interest on our cash deposit balances with banks. Our interest income amounted to RMB464,000 in 2016 and RMB549,000 (US$88,000) in 2017.
97
Loss on Changes in Fair Value of Convertible Notes and Derivative Liabilities
In 2017, we incurred a loss of RMB70.3 million (US$11.2 million) due to changes in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities in connection with the convertible debt arrangement we entered into with Huazhong in June 2017, the convertible note we issued to Haitong in August 2017 and the convertible note we issued to CICC ALPHA, in September 2017. We did not have convertible notes in 2016.
Income Tax Expense
Our income tax expense increased from RMB0.4 million in 2016 to RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2017, primarily due to the increase in our taxable income for certain profit-making schools, which were subject to enterprise income tax in China.
Net Loss
As a result of foregoing, we had net loss of RMB127.6 million and RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
98
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operation for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair representation of our operating results for the quarters presented.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2016 |
June 30, 2016 |
September 30, 2016 |
December 31, 2016 |
March 31, 2017 |
June 30, 2017 |
September 30, 2017 |
December 31, 2017 |
March 31, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(RMB in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
61,402 | 91,236 | 140,134 | 146,409 | 198,203 | 238,047 | 418,360 | 427,952 | 495,708 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues |
37,252 | 52,076 | 81,141 | 87,526 | 120,075 | 141,535 | 258,806 | 273,926 | 273,458 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
24,150 | 39,160 | 58,993 | 58,883 | 78,128 | 96,512 | 159,554 | 154,026 | 222,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
17,078 | 24,457 | 35,955 | 45,880 | 54,920 | 72,686 | 140,677 | 176,644 | 164,647 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
35,310 | 39,354 | 51,526 | 59,306 | 54,177 | 65,769 | 100,270 | 142,532 | 383,373 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
52,388 | 63,811 | 87,481 | 105,186 | 109,097 | 138,455 | 240,947 | 319,176 | 548,020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(28,238 | ) | (24,651 | ) | (28,488 | ) | (46,303 | ) | (30,969 | ) | (41,943 | ) | (81,393 | ) | (165,150 | ) | (325,770 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| | | | | | 2,150 | 3,406 | 5,040 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
87 | 67 | 126 | 184 | 346 | 110 | 53 | 40 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| | | | | | 22,795 | 47,541 | 23,665 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | | | | | 900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(28,151 | ) | (24,584 | ) | (28,362 | ) | (46,119 | ) | (30,623 | ) | (41,833 | ) | (106,285 | ) | (216,057 | ) | (355,272 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
86 | 75 | 86 | 141 | 189 | 258 | 656 | 1,333 | (223 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(28,237 | ) | (24,659 | ) | (28,448 | ) | (46,260 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (42,091 | ) | (106,941 | ) | (217,390 | ) | (355,049 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018. The main impact on our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was an increase of RMB7.9 million in our net revenues.
Our quarterly net revenues increased on a year-on-year basis in the nine quarters presented above, primarily due to the continual increases in student enrollments attributable to our acquisitions of schools and improved operational results that our acquired schools achieved as a result of effective integration after our acquisitions.
Seasonal student enrollment trends have affected, and are likely to continue to affect, our business. We have relatively stronger performance in the third and fourth quarters of each year, largely because many students have
99
a greater opportunity to enroll in our courses during their summer breaks in the third quarters and we proactively enhance our student recruitment during the summer breaks which usually enlarge our student base for the fourth quarters.
On the other hand, certain types of our costs and expenses, including rental expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses, for each learning center are not significantly affected by seasonal factors as such costs and expenses are fixed. In addition, our total costs and expenses are also affected, to a certain extent, by the costs and expenses incurred by newly-acquired schools.
We expect our quarterly results to continue to be influenced by seasonal student enrollment trends and our acquisitions of schools.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements which are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss as additional non-GAAP financial measures. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance. We also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our consolidated results of operations in the same manner as our management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of our peer companies.
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss 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 our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Adjusted EBITDA represents net loss, which excludes depreciation, amortization, interest expense, interest income and income tax expenses (benefits), before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | 189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
3,735 | 20,545 | 3,275 | 2,707 | 13,347 | 2,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
10,158 | 23,644 | 3,769 | 4,241 | 8,052 | 1,284 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | | 5,040 | 803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
(464 | ) | (549 | ) | (88 | ) | (346 | ) | (103 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
(113,787 | ) | (345,602 | ) | (55,098 | ) | (24,021 | ) | (328,936 | ) | (52,440 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 |
|
|
|
|
23,665 |
|
|
3,773 |
| ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
(62,524 | ) | (219,431 | ) | (34,984 | ) | (14,829 | ) | (18,957 | ) | (3,022 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
Adjusted net loss represents net loss before share-based compensation expenses, loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants and loss on extinguishment of convertible notes. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted net loss for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | (30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | 9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | | 23,665 | 3,773 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| | | | 900 | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(76,341 | ) | (271,063 | ) | (43,214 | ) | (21,620 | ) | (45,070 | ) | (7,185 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
To date, our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from operating activities, and to a lesser extent, proceeds from the issuance of our convertible notes.
As of March 31, 2018, we had RMB66.0 million (US$10.5 million) in cash and cash equivalents, substantially all of which were held by our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries in China. Our cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of bank deposits which are primarily denominated in Renminbi. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operating and financing activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months without considering the proceeds from this offering.
We incurred net loss of RMB127.6 million, RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million) and RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million) in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, we had accumulated deficit of RMB282.3 million, RMB679.6 million (US$108.3 million) and RMB986.3 million (US$157.2 million) and total shareholders deficit of RMB37.3 million, RMB272.8 million (US$43.5 million) and RMB405.9 million (US$64.7 million), respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, we had net current liability of RMB342.0 million, RMB963.1 million (US$153.5 million) and RMB1,129.3 million (US$180.0 million), respectively, primarily due to our deferred revenue of RMB299.0 million, RMB906.5 million (US$144.5 million) and RMB775.2 million (US$123.6 million), respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the consideration payable in connection with our business acquisitions was RMB93.6 million, RMB68.2 million (US$10.9 million) and RMB55.5 million (US$8.9 million), respectively. We believe that our cash and anticipated cash flow from operating and financing activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months, including:
| We had net cash generated from operating activities in 2016 and 2017; and |
| Pursuant to a convertible debt investment agreement dated June 15, 2017 among Huazhong, Mr. Yunlong Sha and Puxin Education, Huazhong agreed to provide a credit facility in an amount up to RMB300 million (US$47.8 million) to Puxin Education. As of the date of this prospectus, Puxin Education has drawn down a principal amount of RMB190 million (US$30.3 million) under this credit facility. |
101
We intend to finance our future working capital requirements and capital expenditures from cash generated from operating activities and financing activities, including the net proceeds we will receive from this offering. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including acquisitions or investments we may decide to selectively pursue. If our existing cash resources are insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. The issue of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities |
81,409 | 80,266 | 12,796 | (10,192 | ) | (143,927 | ) | (22,945 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(89,259 | ) | (629,704 | ) | (100,390 | ) | (36,891 | ) | (20,703 | ) | (3,300 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
70,000 | 629,386 | 100,339 | | 70,000 | 11,159 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
62,150 | 83,644 | 13,335 | (47,083 | ) | (94,671 | ) | (15,093 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period |
43,368 | 105,518 | 16,822 | 105,518 | 189,162 | 30,157 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period |
105,518 | 189,162 | 30,157 | 58,435 | 94,491 | 15,064 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
We had net cash used in operating activities of RMB143.9 million (US$22.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily attributable to (i) the net loss of RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million), (ii) a decrease in deferred revenue of RMB73.9 million (US$11.8 million) primarily because a portion of tuition fees for courses in winter break and spring semester of each year are collected in the fourth quarter of the preceding year as we usually provide promotions in the fourth quarter to encourage students to enroll courses in winter break and spring semester one time, and (iii) a decrease of prepaid expenses and other current assets of RMB25.7 million (US$4.1 million). This was positively adjusted for certain non-cash expenses consisting primarily of the share-based compensation of RMB285.4 million (US$45.5 million) and loss on change in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants of RMB23.7 million (US$3.8 million).
Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB80.3 million (US$12.8 million) in 2017, which was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in deferred revenue of RMB200.6 million (US$32.0 million) as a result of the increased prepayments from our students in line with our increased student enrollments in 2017, and (ii) an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of RMB140.3 million (US$22.4 million) reflecting increase salary and welfare payable, which were partially offset by the net loss of RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million). This was positively adjusted for certain non-cash expenses consisting primarily of the share-based compensation of RMB55.8 million (US$8.9 million), loss on change in fair value of convertible notes and derivatives of RMB70.3 million (US$11.2 million) and amortization of intangible assets of RMB23.6 million (US$3.8 million).
102
Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB81.4 million in 2016, which was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in deferred revenue of RMB107.5 million as a result of the increased advance payments from our students in line with our growth of student enrollments, and (ii) an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities reflecting increased consideration payable for acquisitions and increased salaries and welfare payables, which were partially offset by the net loss of RMB127.6 million. This was positively adjusted for certain non-cash expenses consisting primarily of the share-based compensation of RMB51.3 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to RMB20.7 million (US$3.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily attributable to (i) installment payments for the schools and businesses we acquired in 2017 in the amount of RMB12.7 million (US$2.0 million), and (ii) property refurbishment and purchase of teaching equipment in the amount of RMB8.0 million (US$1.3 million) to support our business growth.
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to RMB629.7 million (US$100.4 million) in 2017, which was primarily attributable to (i) payments for the schools we acquired in 2017 in the amount of RMB565.0 million (US$90.1 million), including the consideration price we paid for the acquisitions of ZMN Education and Global Education, and (ii) property refurbishment and purchase of teaching equipment in the amount of RMB64.7 million (US$10.3 million) to support our business growth.
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to RMB89.3 million in 2016, which was primarily attributable to (i) payments for the schools we acquired in 2016 in the amount of RMB68.2 million, and (ii) property refurbishment and purchase of teaching equipment in the amount of RMB21.1 million to support our business growth.
Financing Activities
Net cash generated from financing activities amounted to RMB70.0 million (US$11.2 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, attributable to (i) proceeds from issuance of the convertible notes, and (ii) advances provided by third parties.
Net cash generated from financing activities amounted to RMB629.4 million (US$100.3 million) in 2017, attributable to (i) proceeds from issuances of the convertible note to Haitong in August 2017 and the convertible note to CICC ALPHA in September 2017, and the loan drawn down from the convertible credit facility with Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd., and (ii) proceeds from issuance of the promissory note to Haitong in August 2017.
Net cash generated from financing activities in 2016 amounted to RMB70.0 million, attributable to the proceeds from the capital injection by Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with renovation of facilities, purchase of educational equipment and investment in IT infrastructures. Our capital expenditures were RMB64.7 million (US$10.3 million) in 2017 and RMB8.0 million (US$1.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Contractual Obligations
We lease certain offices and schools under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates. In 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we incurred rental expenses for all operating leases amounted to
103
RMB215.4 million (US$34.3 million) and RMB79.4 million (US$12.7 million), respectively. The following table sets forth our future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices and schools as of March 31, 2018.
Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than One Year | One to Three Years | More than Three Years | |||||||||||||
(RMB in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Operating lease commitments(1) |
643.5 | 164.2 | 289.6 | 189.7 |
(1) | Represents minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices and schools. |
Other than the above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of March 31, 2018.
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.
Holding Company Structure
Puxin Limited is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries (Purong Beijing and Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd.), our consolidated VIE (Puxin Education) and its subsidiaries in China. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries and fees paid by our VIE to Purong Beijing. If our subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.
In addition, our subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprise as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, or PRC GAAP. Under PRC law, each of our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries which is not a private school is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory surplus reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital and to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profit to fund the reserve fund at the discretion of our board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation. In addition, prior to the effectiveness of the Amended Private Education Law, at the end of each fiscal year, each of our private schools in China was required to allocate a certain amount out of its annual net income, if any, to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrade of educational equipment. For our schools which have elected to require reasonable returns, this amount shall be no less than 25% of the annual net income of the school, and for our schools which have elected not to require reasonable returns, this amount shall be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any. When our schools are registered as for-profit private schools pursuant to the Amended Private Education Law, each of such schools may be required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. And according to the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, each of our for-profit private schools is required to set aside no less than 25% of its annual net income to its development fund reserve. Our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations.
104
As an offshore holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fund raising activities to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our consolidated affiliated entity only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval or filing requirements. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Corporate StructurePRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, which could harm our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated VIE when needed. Notwithstanding the forgoing, our PRC subsidiaries may use its own retained earnings (rather than Renminbi converted from foreign currency denominated capital) to provide financial support to our consolidated affiliated entity either through entrustment loans from our PRC subsidiaries to our consolidated VIE or direct loans to such consolidated affiliated entitys nominee shareholders, which would be contributed to the consolidated variable entity as capital injections. Such direct loans to the nominee shareholders would be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements against the consolidated affiliated entitys share capital.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Foreign Exchange Risk
Substantially all of our revenue and expenses are denominated in Renminbi, which is the functional currency of our subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries in the PRC. Therefore, we have limited exposure to foreign exchange risk for operational activity and we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. Although in general, our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in Renminbi, while the ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.
The Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign currencies for capital account transactions. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in Chinas political and economic conditions and Chinas foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi will affect the value of the proceeds from this offering in Renminbi terms. We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$118.8 million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on the initial offering price of US$18.50 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into Renminbi, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against Renminbi, from a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 30, 2018, to a rate of RMB6.8999 to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB74.5 million in our net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi, from a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 30, 2018, to a rate of RMB5.6453 to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB74.5 million in our net proceeds from this offering.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. We have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage
105
our interest risk exposure. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed, nor do we anticipate being exposed, to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest income may be lower than expected due to changes in market interest rates.
Inflation Risk
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent change in the consumer price index for December 2017 was an increase of 1.8%. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 modifies existing consolidation guidance related to (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) the evaluation of variable interests for fees paid to decision makers or service providers, (3) the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (4) certain investment funds. These changes are expected to limit the number of consolidation models and place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We have adopted the new standards in 2016, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-16 related to the accounting for measurement period adjustments recognized in a business combination. Under the previous standard, when adjustments were made to amounts previously reported as part of a business combination during the measurement period, entities were required to revise comparative information for prior periods. Under the new standard, entities must recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. We adopted the new standard in 2016, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this ASU require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a taxpaying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this ASU. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The amendments in this ASU may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. We adopted this guidance in 2016, retroactively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09 related to stock compensation to facilitate improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (1) income tax consequences; (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; (3) accruals of compensation costs based on the forfeitures; (4) classification on the statement of cash flows. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance in 2016, retroactively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
106
In November 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. We early adopted the amendments on a retrospective basis and restricted cash has been presented as part of cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, restricted cash of RMB5,409 is included in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
In May 2014, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Updates, or ASU, 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. In August 2015, FASB updated this standard to ASU 2015-14, the amendments in this ASU defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09, that the ASU should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. In May 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in this ASU do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this ASU affect only the narrow aspects of Topic 606. The areas improved include: (1) Assessing the Collectability Criterion in Paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and Accounting for Contracts That Do Not Meet the Criteria for Step 1; (2) Presentation of Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes Collected from Customers; (3) Noncash Consideration; (4) Contract Modifications at Transition; (5) Completed Contracts at Transition; and (6) Technical Correction. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this ASU are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by ASU 2014-09). We adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018, as allowed, using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit at the beginning of 2018. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the period presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements not yet Adopted
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessees obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessees right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard on our consolidated financial statements and expect the adoption will result in a material increase in assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet but it is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
107
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for our company for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We are in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
In May, 2017, FASB issued a new pronouncement, ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. We are in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
108
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information for the year ended December 31, 2017 is derived from the audited financial statements of (i) Puxin Limited for the year ended December 31, 2017, (ii) ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or ZMN Education, for the seven months ended July 31, 2017, and (iii) Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd., or Global Education, for the period from January 1 to August 16, 2017, all included elsewhere in this prospectus, after giving effects to the pro forma adjustments described in the notes to such pro forma financial information.
The preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations appearing below is based on financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These principles require the use of estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The objective of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 is to provide information on the impact of two significant acquisition of education services businesses, including ZMN Education in July 2017 and Global Education in August 2017. We refer these two education service businesses collectively as the Acquired Businesses.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 presents adjustments as if the acquisitions of Acquired Businesses had been consummated on January 1, 2017. An unaudited pro forma balance sheet is not included because the acquisitions of Acquired Businesses are fully reflected in our audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations should be read in conjunction with our audit consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this prospectus.
While the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is helpful in showing the financial characteristics of the consolidated companies, it is not intended to show how the consolidated companies would have actually performed as if the events described above had in fact occurred on the dates acquired or to project the results of operations or financial position for any future date or period. We have included in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary of a fair presentation of the operating results in the historical periods. We believe that the assumptions utilized to prepare the pro forma adjustments provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects of the transactions and that the unaudited pro forma adjustments are factually supportable, give appropriate effect to the impact of the events that are directly attributable to the transactions, and reflect those items expected to have a continuing impact on our financial condition.
109
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Puxin Limited |
ZMN Education |
Global Education |
Pro forma Adjustments |
Note | Pro Forma | Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ (Note) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for the number of shares and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
1,282,562 | 136,375 | 421,428 | | 1,840,365 | 293,397 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues |
794,342 | 57,825 | 204,786 | 893 | (1 | ) | 1,057,846 | 168,646 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
488,220 | 78,550 | 216,642 | (893 | ) | 782,519 | 124,751 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
444,927 | 47,085 | 187,988 | 4,915 | (1 | ) | 684,915 | 109,192 | ||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
362,748 | 43,984 | 87,170 | | 493,902 | 78,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
807,675 | 91,069 | 275,158 | 4,915 | 1,178,817 | 187,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(319,455 | ) | (12,519 | ) | (58,516 | ) | (5,808 | ) | (396,298 | ) | (63,181 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
5,556 | 226 | | 37,208 | (2 | ) | 42,990 | 6,854 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
549 | | 3,191 | | 3,740 | 596 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income |
| 43 | | | 43 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense |
| 7 | | | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Government subsidy income |
| | 2,649 | | 2,649 | 422 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries |
| | 5,621 | | 5,621 | 896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities |
70,336 | | | | 70,336 | 11,213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(394,798 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (47,055 | ) | (43,016 | ) | (497,578 | ) | (79,328 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expenses |
2,436 | | 1,141 | (1,452 | ) | (1 | ) | 2,125 | 339 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss from equity method investment |
| | 16 | | 16 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(397,234 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (48,212 | ) | (41,564 | ) | (499,719 | ) | (79,670 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest |
79 | | | | 79 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(397,313 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (48,212 | ) | (41,564 | ) | (499,798 | ) | (79,683 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited Basic and diluted |
(3.98 | ) | (5.01 | ) | (0.80 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating basic and diluted net loss per share |
99,705,361 | 99,705,361 | 99,705,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
● | Pro forma adjustments comprise of the following: |
(1) | Adjustments of RMB5.8 million reflect incremental amortization of intangible assets and incremental depreciation of property, plant and equipment as a result of measuring acquired assets at fair value as if the Acquired Businesses had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and included in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. Tax effects of amortization and depreciation charges of RMB1.5 million were adjusted based on respective statutory tax rate of 25% and included in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. |
110
The adjustments of the amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment as described above are included in the pro forma as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 | ||||
(RMB in thousands) | ||||
Cost of revenues |
893 | |||
Selling expenses |
4,915 | |||
|
|
|||
5,808 | ||||
|
|
(2) | Adjustments of RMB37.2 million reflect the incremental interest expense related to debt financing for acquisition as if the Acquired Businesses had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and included in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. An increase of 0.125% interest rate will result in an additional interest expense of RMB0.4 million. Tax effects of interest expense charges under the convertible promissory notes and promissory notes for the year ended December 31, 2017 was nil as Puxin Limited is a tax-exempt entity incorporated in Cayman Islands. |
● | We conduct business primarily in mainland China and all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated data from Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the year ended December 31, 2017 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollar amounts at that rate on March 30, 2018, or at any other rate. |
Information of Significant Acquisitions
Acquisition of ZMN Education
On July 31, 2017, we acquired the 100% equity interest in ZMN Education. On March 15, 2018, we entered into a restated and amended agreement to the original equity transfer agreement entered into on July 31, 2017. The total consideration for the acquisition of ZMN Education was RMB135.9 million, consisting of (i) RMB65.3 million in cash and (ii) the warrants to be issued to the sellers which entitle them to purchase the ordinary shares of Long faith Limited, which is a shareholder of Puxin Limited. As the ordinary shares of Puxin Limited held by Long faith Limited were transferred by our controlling shareholder to Long faith Limited, the warrants issued by Long faith Limited were recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to us by our controlling shareholder.
ZMN Education operates study-abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of ZMN Educations service centers with its well-known brand and strong teaching team allows us to provide high quality, competitively-priced and diversified services to students.
111
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
RMB | Depreciation or Amortization Period | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
21,407 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13,266 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
1,008 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
9,723 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Rental deposits |
7,285 | |||||||
Deferred revenue |
(208,345 | ) | ||||||
Account payables |
(564 | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(32,857 | ) | ||||||
Loans to a third parties |
(23,802 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-trademark |
32,400 | 5.4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(8,100 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
324,429 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
135,850 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. We have incorporated certain assumptions including projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprises of (a) the assembled work force, and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Acquisition of Global Education
On August 16, 2017, Prepshine HK, the subsidiary of Puxin Limited, acquired the 100% equity interest in Global Education for cash consideration of US$72.3 million (equivalent to RMB483.7 million).
Global Education operates study-abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Global Educations training centers with its well-known brand and strong teaching team allows us to provide high-quality, competitively-priced and diversified services to students.
112
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
RMB | Depreciation or Amortization Period | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
89,437 | |||||||
Inventories |
6,620 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
117,333 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
14,332 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
132,844 | 2 - 37 years | ||||||
Deferred tax assets |
2,547 | |||||||
Rental deposits |
18,381 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
(6,197 | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(79,167 | ) | ||||||
Income tax payable |
(2,505 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(221,484 | ) | ||||||
Franchise deposits |
(7,344 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-trademark |
140,000 | Indefinite | ||||||
Intangible assets-relationship with partnership school |
5,300 | 6.4 years | ||||||
Intangible assets- franchise agreement |
4,400 | 3.4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(54,164 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
323,354 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
483,687 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. We have incorporated certain assumptions including projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprises of (a) the assembled work force, and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
113
Certain information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus has been derived from an industry report commissioned by us and independently prepared by the Frost & Sullivan report in connection with this offering. We believe that the sources of such information are appropriate, and we have taken reasonable care in extracting and reproducing such information. We have no reason to believe that such information is false or misleading in any material respect or that any fact has been omitted that would render such information false or misleading in any material respect. However, neither we nor any other party involved in this offering has independently verified such information, and neither we nor any other party involved in this offering makes any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on the information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section or similar information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Chinas After-school Education Market
Overview
Chinas after-school education market for academic purposes is a large, growing and fragmented market, which consists of K-12 after-school tutoring, study-abroad test preparation and consulting sectors. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the total revenue of Chinas after-school education market has grown rapidly from RMB263.8 billion in 2012 to RMB483.4 billion in 2017, representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 12.9%. This massive market size is expected to grow substantially to RMB804.9 billion in 2022, representing a CAGR of 10.7% from 2017 to 2022.
Different from schools and universities in the United States, where both academic grades and extracurricular activities have a comprehensive effect on admissions, schools and universities in Chinas formal education system are primarily based on students academic performance. In addition, there is a gap between the huge number of students and the limited number of quality schools and universities. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, in 2017, there were 13.1 million high school graduates in China, among which 9.4 million attended Gaokao. Only 3.7 million students were admitted to universities and 1.2 million students were admitted to 1st-tier universities. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the acceptance rates of four-year degree colleges and the top 50 universities in China in 2017 were only 39.6% and 2.5%, respectively, substantially lower than such rates of 55.8% and 23.5% in the United States in 2017, respectively. The pressure of being admitted into a quality college extends down to high schools, middle schools, and even the lower grades of the K-12 education system. This generates demands for additional courses, such as English courses for children as young as three years old.
In addition, Chinese parents typically attach great importance to their childrens education. The diagram below compares Chinas per capita private expenditure on education in 2016 as percentage of per capita annual expenditure, in comparison with that of South Korea, Japan, the United States and United Kingdom.
Comparison of Per Capita Private Expenditure on Education in 2016
Source: Frost & Sullivan report
114
While China has a lower absolute amount of per capita private expenditure on education of US$112.3 in 2016, compared to US$539.6 of the United States in 2016, its per capita private expenditure on education as percentage of per capita annual expenditure reached 4.2%, higher than 2.4% of the United States.
With growing pressure of quality education and high aspirations of better academic performance, an increasing number of parents choose after-school tutoring services to better prepare their children for entrance exams from the very beginning of K-12 education. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, after-school education has become the second largest category among all kinds of expenditures on academic education, after formal education, representing 41.7% of Chinas household expenditure on education in 2016.
Facing the scarcity of education resources and fierce competition in entrance examinations in China, Chinese students see studying abroad as an alternative channel for better education and greater career opportunities. Furthermore, Chinas ongoing involvement in globalization, Chinese families steadily growing disposable income and the emphasis for global vision contribute to the trend of studying abroad.
Currently, Chinas after-school education market remains highly fragmented. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the total revenue of K-12 after-school tutoring service market reached RMB465.3 billion in 2017, yet the top five players in K-12 after-school tutoring market only accounted for approximately 3.9% of the total revenue in 2017.
Growth Drivers of After-school Education Market
We believe the following drivers have contributed to, and are expected to continue to fuel the growth of Chinas after-school education market:
Chinas Steady Growth in GDP and Disposable Income
Chinas nominal GDP of RMB82.7 trillion in 2017 represents a steady year on year growth rate of 11.2% and ranks second in the world. Chinas disposable income per capita is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2017 to 2022, showing Chinese families potential growing purchasing power on after-school tutoring and overseas study.
Increased Number of Affluent Families
A significant rise in the number of affluent families drives the growth of Chinas after-school education market. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, 13.2% of Chinese families had an annual income of above RMB250,000 in 2017 and such percentage is expected to reach 27.7% in 2022. Due to their stronger financial background and greater appreciation for quality education, most affluent families have stronger willingness to spend on after-school tutoring and send their children to study abroad.
Growing Household Expenditure on Education
Chinese families place great emphasis on childrens education. In concert with the constant growth of nominal GDP per capita and disposable income per capita, the total household expenditure on education in China experienced significant growth from RMB735.6 billion in 2012 to RMB1,114.3 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach RMB1,743.4 billion in 2022.
Rapid Urbanization
Chinas rapid urbanization further supports growth in Chinas after-school education market. Increasing number of people in urban areas compete for jobs, pushing up pressure in job hunting and career advancement.
115
There is growing recognition that higher education and better academic performance may lead to better future career prospects and higher income, distinguishing one from his/her competitors. Thus, rapid urbanization serves as an important factor for the growing demand in Chinas after-school education market.
Relaxation of the One-Child Policy
China implemented the Two-Child Policy in 2015 and officially lifted the One-Child Policy, which was implemented approximately 40 years before phasing out in the early 2010s. This policy stimulates Chinas population growth, pushes the number of newborn babies rising from 16.3 million in 2012 to 17.2 million in 2017, representing a CAGR of 1.1%, and the number of newborn babies is expected to further increase to 19.9 million in 2022, representing a CAGR of 2.9%, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. This policy is expected to contribute to the growth of Chinas after-school education market as the K-12 school-age population is expected to reach 269.9 million in 2022, representing a CAGR of 1.3% from 253.5 million in 2017, according to the Frost & Sullivan report.
Chinas After-school K-12 Tutoring Market
Overview
On top of traditional classroom learning, K-12 after-school tutoring complements formal education in schools to nurture the development of well-rounded students. Asian families culturally value K-12 after-school tutoring as it equips their children with a competitive edge that can maximize their childrens potential to achieve academic aspirations. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, approximately 12.7% of kindergarten children, 21.9% of elementary school students, 36.8% of middle school students and 57.8% of high school students in China enrolled in K-12 after-school tutoring courses in 2017. The revenue of K-12 after-school tutoring market in China had been growing at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2012 to 2017, and is expected to continue to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2017 to 2022.
Key Drivers for K-12 After-school Tutoring Market
We believe the following drivers have contributed to the K-12 after-school tutoring market:
Inadequate Quality Education Resources
In China, quality education resources at all levels are scarce. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, in 2017, there were 13.1 million high school graduates in China, among which only 1.2 million students were admitted to 1st-tier universities, representing an admission rate of approximately 9.2%. According to the Ministry of Education in China, or the MOE, there were approximately 178,000 regular elementary schools in China in 2016, which decreased by 6.3% from 2015. During the same period, the enrollment of regular elementary schools in China increased by 2.3%, or 220,000 people from 2015. Middle school enrollment displayed the same pattern in 2016, with a decreasing total number of schools and a steady increase in total enrollments. As a result, this trend may result in lower teacher-to-student ratios, over-worked teachers, inadequate student interaction and limited personalized instruction in middle schools and high schools.
Strong Emphasis on Academic Excellence among Chinese Parents
Chinese culture attaches great importance to education as a means of enhancing an individuals worth and promoting his or her career and social status. A large number of families assign a very high priority to education-related expenditures. Given the intense competition in being admitted into top-ranked high schools and universities, many parents choose to enroll their children in after-school tutoring courses to assist their children in better mastering the course content of public school education. Combined with the rise in disposable income in China, this trend creates demand for K-12 after-school education market.
116
Chinas Study-abroad Tutoring Market
Overview
Chinas study-abroad tutoring market, consisting of study-abroad test preparation market and study-abroad consulting services market, is an emerging market with rapid growth in the past decade. In order to address the scarcity of quality education and intensified competition in Chinas education system, more and more students choose to study abroad for global vision and better career opportunity in the international market, instead of taking Gaokao and attending graduate schools in China. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, there were approximately 587,000 Chinese students who commenced their study abroad in 2017. The number is expected to increase to approximately 830,500 in 2022, representing a CAGR of 7.2% from 2017 to 2022.
Total Number of Chinese Students Commencing Overseas Education (2012-2022E)
Source: Frost & Sullivan report
Note: Others illustrated in the chart includes students enrolled in K-12, junior college, diploma, vocational training and other undergraduate or lower level studies.
117
Study-abroad Test Preparation Market
Language proficiency tests, including but not limited to SAT, TOEFL and IELTS, are prerequisites to studying abroad for both communication and application purposes. As a result, there is an increasing number of students taking the language tests in recent years. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the number of students enrolled in study-abroad test preparation courses grew at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2012 to 2017.
Total Number of Student Enrollments in Study-abroad Test Preparation in China (2012-2022E)
Source: Frost & Sullivan report
According to the Frost & Sullivan report, total revenue of the study-abroad test preparation market increased from RMB5.2 billion in 2012 to RMB12.5 billion in 2017, representing a CAGR of 19.2%. The total revenue of this market is expected to grow further at a CAGR of 16.6% from 2017 to 2022, reaching RMB26.9 billion in 2022.
Study-abroad Consulting Services Market
According to the Frost & Sullivan report, total revenue of the study-abroad consulting services market increased from RMB7.5 billion in 2012 to RMB16.5 billion in 2017, representing a CAGR of 17.1%. The revenue is expected to grow further at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2017 to 2022.
Key Drivers for Chinas Study-abroad Tutoring Market
Growing Student Population Pursuing Overseas Education at a Younger Age
Along with Chinas rapid globalization, a greater number of Chinese students are choosing to pursue education abroad at a younger age. The number of students pursuing undergraduate degrees grew at a CAGR of 10.9% from 2012 to 2017, significantly higher than that of the number of students pursuing graduate degrees, which was 5.1% from 2012 to 2017. The number of students pursuing undergraduate degrees is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2017 to 2022, while those pursuing graduate degrees are expected to increase at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2017 to 2022.
Increasing Wealth of Chinese Families
China continues to experience high economic growth which has resulted in increasing disposable income per capita. This has led to an increase in wealth for Chinese families and the number of wealthy people in the country has grown tremendously in recent years. Given the widely held belief that education from a globally recognized institution improves career prospects, Chinese families have a relatively higher tendency to spend on overseas education. This phenomenon, in turn, drives the steady growth in Chinas study abroad tutoring market.
118
Limited Guidance on Overseas Application from Formal Education
Public schools in China do not provide direct guidance or support related to study-abroad applications and related language tests. Vast number of students who desire to study abroad have to seek help from service providers of study-abroad test preparation and consulting services, supporting the continuing growth in this market.
Competition and Expected Consolidation in Chinas After-school Education Market
Chinas after-school education market remains highly fragmented with a large number of market players of various sizes, lacking sizable players with nationwide coverage and dominant market share. Our major competitors in K-12 tutoring services include TAL, New Oriental and certain local players. Our major competitors in study-abroad tutoring services include New Oriental.
Given the significant economies of scale in Chinas after-school education market, there are promising opportunities for industry consolidation. Most of the major market participants have taken up this opportunity to penetrate into more cities and businesses in recent years through establishing new learning centers, increasing franchised schools and acquiring local existing institutions, in an attempt to enlarge their market shares. A less fragmented market will provide consumers with more stable and predictable services, and more importantly, will significantly reduce the cost of operation, increase operating leverage and improve the quality of services.
We believe that industry players with strong integration capabilities are well-positioned to deliver quality services and maintain reputable brand names, while expanding their student network. Therefore, these players are most likely to further capture consolidation opportunities and gain larger market share in Chinas after-school education landscape.
119
Our Mission
We believe that education inspires personal growth and opens up opportunities. Our mission is to empower people to build better lives through learning. We are committed to providing high quality education services to students, as well as upgrading the service quality in Chinas after-school education industry by applying our acquisition and integration expertise.
Overview
We are a successful consolidator of the after-school education industry in China. We have strong acquisition and integration capabilities to effectively improve education quality and operational performance of acquired schools. Through acquisitions and organic growth, we have grown rapidly and became the third largest after-school education service provider in China in 2017 in terms of student enrollments, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. Since our inception, we have acquired 48 schools and built a nationwide network of 397 learning centers across 35 cities in China as of March 31, 2018. Our total student enrollments increased 180.4% from 454,945 in 2016 to 1,275,723 in 2017, representing the fastest growth among major after-school education service providers in China, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. In the first quarter of 2017 and 2018, our total student enrollments were 185,446 and 260,973, respectively.
We offer a full spectrum of K-12 and study-abroad tutoring programs designed to help students achieve academic excellence, as well as prepare for admission tests and applications for top schools, universities and graduate programs in China and other countries. In addition to classroom-based tutoring, we have also developed online and mobile applications to increase students after-class exposure to our services and enhance their learning experience.
Market Opportunity
Chinas after-school education market is fast-growing. Its market size reached RMB483.4 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow substantially to RMB804.9 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 10.7%, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. At the same time, this market is highly fragmented and competitive. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, as of December 31, 2017, there were over 100,000 K-12 after-school tutoring service providers in China, among which the top five players only accounted for less than 4% market share in 2017 in terms of revenue. Many service providers operate limited number of learning centers, often at a loss, and lack the scale or management expertise necessary to invest in curriculum development, instructor training and technology necessary to improve students academic results and attract more students.
The continued growth of Chinas after-school education market is driven by a number of factors, including rapid economic growth, intensified competition for high-quality educational resources and the increasing demand for overseas education and experience.
Chinese culture attaches great importance to education as a means of enhancing an individuals worth and promoting his or her career and social status. Given the pressure to excel on entrance exams to high schools and universities, the shortened school hours required by recent government policies (such as the National Plan for Medium- and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) issued in July 2010 and the Administrative Standards for Compulsory Education Schools issued in December 2017), as well as the limited supply of quality schools, a large number of parents and students choose private after-school tutoring services to complement public school education. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, urban students in China spent on average 10.6 hours per week in 2017 on after-school tutoring. The demand for study-abroad test preparation and consulting services has also benefited from the growing number of Chinese students pursuing higher education abroad.
120
We believe that this large and fragmented market presents an attractive consolidation opportunity for us to leverage our acquisition and operational expertise, strong teaching quality, brand and reputation.
Our Solutions
We have developed a business model effectively combining strategic acquisitions and organic growth achieved through successful post-acquisition integration, which has differentiated us from other after-school education service providers in China. This approach has enabled us to achieve rapid growth and capture consolidation opportunities in Chinas fragmented after-school education market.
We have adopted a systematic and disciplined approach towards acquisitions. We screen and evaluate potential acquisitions through a set of rigorous criteria, including the targets geographic location, reputation in the local market, growth potential, synergies with our existing schools and the probability of successful integration. Since our inception, we identified and contacted approximately 1,550 targets, of which we acquired 48 schools. These acquisitions enabled us to penetrate our target markets with relatively low customer acquisition and marketing costs by leveraging the well-established presence of our acquired schools in local markets.
We are able to efficiently complete our acquisitions and rapidly improve operations and management of acquired schools because of our superior post-acquisition management and operational capabilities. In all acquired schools, we implement our modular management system, Puxin Business System, or PBS. It is designed in-house by our core management team reflecting over 15 years of accumulated management experience in Chinas education industry. PBS incorporates the best practices of operating after-school learning centers in a standard, common collection of business processes and process improvement methodologies. It covers over 3,000 management processes and we use PBS tools to analyze schools growth potential and formulate improvement plans.
We are committed to providing our students with high quality education services and outstanding learning experience. Our commitment is reflected in recruitment, training and retaining the best teachers, developing and improving our curriculum and course materials, as well as standardizing operating procedures and learning practices throughout our network. This focus on quality has led to a high level of student satisfaction and strong academic results, enabling us to reach high student retention rate and contributing to student recruitment. As a result, most of our acquired schools achieved robust organic growth under our operations.
We believe that our track record of successful acquisitions and post-acquisition integration has created network effects attracting increasing number of independent after-school operators seeking potential exit, enabling us to maintain robust acquisition pipeline and sustainable growth trajectory. We have established Puxin as one of the most-recognized brand names among industry participants and built our first-mover advantage to capture consolidation opportunities in Chinas after-school education market.
Our net revenues increased by 192.0% from RMB439.2 million in 2016 to RMB1,282.6 million (US$204.5 million) in 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our net revenues reached RMB495.7 million (US$79.0 million), an increase of 150.1% from RMB198.2 million for the same period in 2017. Our net loss was RMB127.6 million, RMB397.2 million (US$63.3 million) and RMB355.0 million (US$56.6 million) in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, our deferred revenue was RMB318.3 million, RMB1,035.4 million (US$165.1 million) and RMB875.2 million (US$139.5 million), respectively. Our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(62.5) million and RMB(219.4) million (US$(35.0) million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, our adjusted EBITDA was RMB(14.8) million and RMB(19.0) million (US$(3.0) million), respectively. For a detailed description of our non-GAAP measures, see Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
121
Our Strengths
We believe the following strengths contribute to our success and differentiate us from our competitors.
Leading position in Chinas after-school education market
We are the third largest after-school education service provider in China in terms of student enrollments in 2017, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. We are one of the few players that operates on a nationwide scale. As of March 31, 2018, we had a network of 397 directly operated K-12 learning centers and study-abroad learning centers across 35 cities in 19 provinces in China. As one of the very few providers in China that offer a full spectrum of tutoring services and products, we provide full K-12 curriculum tutoring, English for children, study-abroad test preparation and study-abroad consulting services. We offer our services to students in multiple forms, including offline group classes and personalized tutoring classes, as well as online programs. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, in 2017, we ranked the third largest provider for K-12 tutoring services in terms of student enrollments and the second largest provider for study-abroad test preparation services in China in terms of revenues.
We have grown our business rapidly. From 2016 to 2017, the number of learning centers in our network increased to 400 as of December 31, 2017 from 231 as of December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2018, we had 397 learning centers. Our total student enrollments increased 180.4% from 454,945 in 2016 to 1,275,723 in 2017, representing the fastest growth among after-school education service providers in China, according to the Frost & Sullivan report. In the first quarter of 2017 and 2018, our total student enrollments were 185,446 and 260,973, respectively.
Modular and evolving management system
We have strong and effective operation capabilities and a proven system for acquiring and integrating schools.
We implement a modular management system, PBS, which is a standard, common collection of business processes and process improvement methodologies. PBS is designed in-house by our core management team reflecting over 15 years of accumulated experience in Chinas education industry. It covers over 3,000 operation and management processes, including organizational structure, financial management, operating manuals, product development, student recruitment, teacher management, marketing, human resources and knowledge management. For our acquisitions, we apply PBS tools to analyze the growth potential of the target and formulate improvement plans as early as during the due diligence process. PBS also provides us with guidance for formulating corporate strategies and allocating our resources based on customers demand. In our daily operations, we carry out effective and efficient execution by following comprehensive and detailed task lists set forth in PBS.
The PBS is a dynamic and forward-looking system which evolves with inputs from multiple levels of our leadership teams across the enterprise. We have established an open, forward-looking and result-oriented culture and built ourselves into a learning organization. We encourage our management and employees to seek continuous improvement in operations and share their firsthand experience within our group. Our PBS continually incorporates the best practices and eliminates outdated or inefficient practices throughout our network, which makes it an inclusive and evolving system containing industry-leading practices.
By implementing our standardized and centralized operation management system, we have achieved industry-leading operating performance. For schools operating under our management for over 12 months, our K-12 group class student retention rate reached 70.1% and 78.9% in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 respectively, higher than 64.2% and 70.8%, the average of the seven major players in Chinas K-12 after-school tutoring service market in the same periods, and our average K-12 group class utilization rate achieved 68.6% and 75.4% in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 respectively, higher than 64.6% and 67.3%, the average of these seven major players in the same periods, according to the Frost & Sullivan report.
122
Track record of disciplined acquisitions
Our acquisition driven business model and strong post-acquisition integration capabilities enable us to achieve rapid growth and claim first-mover advantages to capture the consolidation opportunities in Chinas fragmented after-school education market.
We have adopted a systematic and disciplined approach towards acquisitions by applying our four-stage acquisition target selection funnel process. Please see Our AcquisitionsTarget Selection and Execution of Acquisitions for details. We apply a set of rigorous criteria, including the targets geographic location, reputation in the local market, growth potential, synergies with our existing schools and the probability for successful integration, as key considerations for acquisitions. Leveraging our modular management system and our managements strong execution capabilities, we are able to efficiently complete the acquisitions and rapidly improve the operations and management of the acquired schools. Since our inception, we identified and contacted approximately 1,550 targets in China as our potential acquisition targets of which we acquired 48, including Global Education.
In all acquired schools, we implement PBS to improve every aspect of its operations. We formulate a detailed 100-day execution plan for all post-acquisition operations and management functions and set forth 21 post-acquisition milestones, through which we can monitor the integration process of each acquired school in a timely manner and ensure our group-wide operation methodologies and corporate culture implemented effectively. This systematic approach underpins robust organic growth of the acquired schools. For K-12 tutoring schools we acquired prior to 2017, we have achieved a growth in student enrollments in regular-price courses from 441,375 in 2016 to 662,958 in 2017, implying a growth rate of 50.2% on a comparable basis. For these schools, the K-12 group class student retention rate in regular-price courses also increased from 57.7% in the first quarter post acquisition to 70.1% after 12 months post acquisition.
As a result, we have established Puxin as a well-recognized brand among industry participants. According to a survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan, 70.8% of respondents chose Puxin as one of the preferred partners or buyers when they seek potential acquirers of their business. Our strong brand name among industry participants provides us with access to a large number of high-quality acquisition targets. In 2017, more than 100 after-school education service providers reached out to us to explore potential transactions. Our successful track record of improving operations and growing student enrollments reinforces our brand recognition, which in turn attracts more high-quality management and teaching talent to join us.
We believe that our successful track record of acquisitions and post-acquisition management and operation capabilities have not only created network effects for us to attract increasing number of school operators seeking potential acquirers of their business but also created entry barriers for potential competitors, which enable us to maintain a sustainable and rapid growth in the future.
Established reputation underpinned by teaching quality
We believe most of our schools have strong reputation in local markets. Our acquired schools have an average operating history of ten years, with the longest about 21 years of operation history before our acquisition. According to the brand recognition survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan, our Puxin-branded and co-branded schools are ranked top three in nine cities among the 23 cities where we provide K-12 after-school tutoring services. We adopt a co-branding strategy to operate our acquired K-12 tutoring schools, which not only enables us to leverage the established reputation of the acquired schools but also promotes the recognition of our Puxin brand in local markets. In addition, we believe our Puxin brand has been strengthened through acquisitions of premium high quality brands, such as Global Education, in the study-abroad tutoring market in China.
Our strong reputation is underpinned by our consistently high teaching quality and standards. We have developed our Nine Steps methodology, which standardizes our teachers teaching activities such as class
123
preparation, before-class assessment for students, in-class teaching and after-class review and evaluation. The Nine Steps methodology enables our teachers to obtain critical information about students learning pattern, aptitude and performance, which help them refine their course contents. As our teachers are critical to the quality of our services and our reputation, we take many measures to maintain a team of dedicated and highly qualified teachers, including selective teacher hiring process, continued teacher training and rigorous evaluation, competitive performance-based compensation and opportunities for career advancement.
Our teaching quality for K-12 tutoring services has been recognized by parents. The K-12 group class student retention rate of schools operating under our management for over 12 months reached 65.1% and 70.1% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, which we believe can reflect the parents satisfaction with our tutoring services. In addition, according to our survey of parents conducted in 2017, 89.9% of parents indicated that their childrens academic results improved since attending our classes. In 2017, 95.3% of our students enrolled in study-abroad test preparation courses improved their test scores on such tests, including TOEFL, IELTS, SAT and GRE. In 2017, 766 students who enrolled in our study-abroad consulting programs and applied for overseas universities were admitted into the global top 50 institutions, as ranked by either the QS World University Rankings or U.S. News, including Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University and Columbia University.
Visionary management team and sophisticated talent system
We have an innovative and entrepreneurial management team with a passion for education and extensive operational experience. Our founder and chief executive officer, Mr. Yunlong Sha, previously served as senior vice president at New Oriental Education. With 20 years of operational experience in the education sector, Mr. Yunlong Sha has in-depth-knowledge in operations and integration of schools. Our core management, including Mr. Peng Wang as chief financial officer, Mr. Liang Gao in charge of our groups teaching activities, Mr. Hongwei Zhang as head of our study-abroad business, Mr. Ruguo Zhang as compliance head, Mr. Zhong Zhuang in charge of our operations in Shanghai, and Mr. Yun Xiao as head of our K-12 group class business, are leaders and pioneers in the industry with an average of over 16 years of experience in the education industry. Under our management teams leadership, we have successfully executed our growth strategies to focus on after-school education services and have become an industry leader.
We are focused on attracting, developing and retaining talent which underpins our successful execution of PBS and strategic acquisitions. We have launched systematic career advancement programs, including Puxin Star for top teachers, Puxin Talents for mid-level management and Puxin Leadership for senior management, to build a talent reserve for our long-term growth. We provide participants in these programs with guidance for qualification exam preparations, career coaching and advanced training to enhance their teaching and management skills. All our school principals undergo rigorous internal training to ensure their command of our academic and operational best practices. Part of our school principals compensation is in a form of share incentive plan aligning their interests to our performance. We enjoy strong corporate loyalty evident in our 100% retention rate among our school principals since starting of our business.
Our Strategies
We plan to pursue the following strategies to expand our business and further strengthen our leadership in the education market in China.
Expand our network and geographic coverage
We intend to further strengthen our market position and capture new market opportunities by expanding our network of directly operated learning centers. We plan to acquire additional schools in cities where we already have presence to increase our market share in the local market. We will also seek to acquire schools to penetrate into new cities where we currently do not have presence and the demand for tutoring services is growing rapidly while markets are underserved. We may also consider build learning centers by ourselves if it is cost-efficient and offers us good opportunities to expand into markets where no suitable targets are available.
124
In addition, we seek to acquire companies that are complementary to our business, including education technology companies, Internet platforms and content providers. We target to invest in companies upstream and downstream from our business.
Improve performance, scale and profitability of our schools
We will continue to implement PBS to strengthen lean management over daily operations of our schools and learning centers to promote our organic growth. With PBS, we can eliminate inefficiencies and improve our schools performance to realize synergies created through acquisitions.
We intend to continue cross-selling across business lines to realize synergies and maximize our students lifetime value for our long-term growth. Currently, the majority of our students are elementary school and middle school students. The panoramic range of our service and product offering allows us to maximize the lifetime value of these enrollments by satisfying the entire breadth of our students educational needs. By offering a wide array of high-quality education services for almost all K-12 subjects, we continue to increase the number of courses that each student enrolls. In the meantime, with a younger age of students studying abroad, we also continue to cross-sell our study-abroad tutoring services to K-12 student base, and vice versa, extending our presence in students academic careers. In addition, we also strive to maximize synergies across different business lines within our group and improve our overall operational efficiency through resources sharing.
We will take various measures to improve key performance indicators, such as K-12 group class utilization rate, K-12 group class student retention rate and K-12 course withdrawal rate, to maintain the rigor of our service quality. Our centralized management system for curriculum development, academic training, and information technology will help us concentrate capabilities and simplify core processes.
We plan to further improve our education quality and consulting services. We will refine our Nine Steps methodology to enhance the effect of our teaching activities and improve students academic results.
Cultivate and acquire talent
We believe that the recruitment, retention, motivation and nurturing of talented and experienced management team and teaching faculties are critical to our success. We will continue to invest in our people and attract, cultivate and retain talent.
We will strengthen our performance-based incentive mechanism. We will improve our remuneration system commensurate with position and performance, which can motivate our employees in a scientific, reasonable and effective manner. We plan to continue to increase lateral hires by providing competitive compensation and benefits, ongoing training and better promotion opportunities to attract and retain managerial talent and qualified teachers. We plan to continue our Puxin Talents and Puxin Leadership programs to identify managerial talents and develop mid-level managers who have demonstrated management capabilities and leadership. Through internal development programs and lateral hires, we will continue to strengthen our multi-level and extensive talent cultivation system to attract, nurture and incentivize employees and offer them growth and development opportunities.
Promote online initiatives and invest in technology
We have launched an array of online education services, such as Puxin Superior Classes, Puxin Dual-Teacher Lectures, Recorded Lectures, Foreign Teacher Classes and Puxin Teacher & Student App, to increase students after-class exposure to our services and facilitate reasonable allocation of education resources. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the gross billing of the online education market in China increased from RMB66.7 billion in 2012 to RMB214.3 billion in 2017, representing a CAGR of 26.3%, and it is expected to grow further at a CAGR of 25.2% from 2017 to 2022, reaching RMB659.8 billion in 2022. As this is a market
125
with great potential, we plan to continue devoting additional resources to our online platforms to diversify our revenue sources, enhance customer stickiness and attract potential customers. The online collection of data on student enrollments, study motivations and learning pattern through our web- and mobile-based applications also enables us to efficiently design course contents, schedule classes and arrange classrooms in advance for the purpose of improving the teaching effectiveness and the utilization rate of our teaching facilities and resources.
We intend to upgrade our management systems, including ERP system, CRM system and knowledge management system, to further optimize our management efficiency. We plan to build our ERP system into a platform for data-driven decisions. In addition, we plan to build PBS into our ERP system to monitor the execution of tasks in PBS to further strengthen lean management.
We will invest in artificial intelligence and intelligent learning tools which can collect and analyze data of students and generate accurate profiles of the students. Based on the analysis of student profiles, we can design the educational materials and plan the suitable delivery methods for each student, therefore improve adaptive teaching and learning of teachers and students.
Enhance our brand name
We intend to enhance our brand-name recognition among students and parents through various marketing initiatives. We plan to maintain a consistent corporate image across all of our learning centers and further promote our brand recognition through word-of-mouth marketing. We plan to continue to maintain the established brand names of acquired schools to benefit from their brand recognition in local markets. After the successful integration and expansion to a certain scale, we will use co-branded names for the acquired school to promote our Puxin brand. We will continue to focus on improving our education quality and customer service quality to enhance the recognition of our brand.
Our Services and Programs
We offer a variety of educational services and products to students to improve their academic performance and reach their potential. Our educational services consist of K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad tutoring services. In 2017, 68.9% and 31.1% of our net revenues were derived from K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad tutoring services, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, 55.8% and 44.2% of our net revenues were derived from K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad tutoring services, respectively.
K-12 Tutoring Services
We offer comprehensive after-school tutoring services designed to help students ranging from ages three to 18 to achieve academic excellence and enroll in top schools and universities in China. Our K-12 tutoring services primarily include K-12 after-school tutoring services and English for children program.
K-12 After-school Tutoring Services
Our K-12 after-school tutoring services provide result-oriented educational services in group class settings and through personalized tutoring sessions to help students enhance their academic results, including scores for PRC high school entrance exams, or Zhongkao, and university entrance exams, or Gaokao. We provide a study plan tailored to fit a students aptitude, grade level, past academic performance, future academic goals, and other pertinent factors.
126
Our curricula cover all K-12 academic subjects, including mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, biology, politics science, geography and history. The following table provides a list of our current course offerings:
Kindergarten | Elementary School | Middle School | High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mathematics |
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
English |
p | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese |
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Physics |
| | | | | | | p | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chemistry |
| | | | | | | p | p | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Biology |
| | | | | | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political Science |
| | | | | | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Geography |
| | | | | | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History |
| | | | | | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
● | : Currently offered by us. |
| : Not offered at the corresponding grade level in public schools in China. |
p | : Currently offered by us but not offered at the corresponding grade level in public schools in China due to high demand of learning ahead of the curricula in public schools. |
Group Class Courses
Group class courses are our main form of service offering in terms of the number of student enrollments. We typically enroll a maximum of 50 students for group classes. Group class courses typically range from two to six course hours per week during spring and fall school semesters, and 12 to 16 course hours per week during summer and winter breaks. We charge tuition fees for K-12 courses based on the type of the subject, level of sophistication of the course, geographical region and customer segmentation. The average course fee for our regular group class courses of each school range from RMB22 to RMB133 per hour depending on the type of the subject, level of sophistication of the course, customer segmentation and geographical region. We generally allow students to withdraw from courses and refund tuition for undelivered classes.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, we offered group classes at 201 out of our 212 K-12 learning centers, 239 out of our 281 K-12 learning centers and 223 out of our 275 K-12 learning centers, respectively. We had 373,243, 1,089,117 and 216,342 student enrollments in our K-12 tutoring group class courses, respectively, in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. For schools operating under our management for over 12 months, the K-12 group class student retention rate reached 70.1% and 78.9% and the K-12 group class utilization rate reached 68.6% and 75.4% in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively.
For each new student, we evaluate the students past and current academic performance and future academic goals, and provide course recommendations based on subjects, grade level, as well as timing and budget, to meet his or her learning need. Many of our courses for the same subject and grade level are offered at different levels of pace and sophistication. For example, we offer K-12 mathematics tutoring at three different levels, including: (1) Standard Courses, which are taught at a pace similar or slightly faster than formal public school curriculum with a focus on solidifying students understanding of the fundamental concepts; (2) Advanced Courses, which are taught at a pace significantly faster than formal public school curriculum and include certain contents beyond school curriculum, such as curriculum mixing math competition and formal school materials; and (3) Elite Courses, which are our most advanced courses with a curriculum designed for exceptional students focusing on mathematics competitions. Students are required to pass admission tests to enroll in advanced courses and elite courses. We periodically assess our students progress, and based on the results of such assessment, reassign students to different classes on an as-needed basis to help them progress to the best of their ability.
We strive to provide a supportive learning environment to our students by efficient and responsive communications. Our teachers and teaching assistants keep track of each students performance and progress and
127
regularly communicate with our students and their parents. Each class is assigned a teaching assistant who is in close contact with the students and parents to provide comprehensive supporting services, such as class scheduling, homework assignments and collection of feedback on teaching quality. We also seek to involve the parents of our students in each stage of the tutoring process. During the tutoring sessions and throughout our service period, we periodically communicate with the parents, encourage them to provide feedback and suggestions on our courses and update them on the progress that their children have achieved in our courses.
Personalized Tutoring Courses
In addition to group classes, we also offer personalized K-12 tutoring courses to adapt to each students learning pace, pattern and approach. Our personalized tutoring courses typically consist of no more than six students per session to ensure each student can improve their academic performance by, among other things, addressing weaknesses in particular subjects or topics, strengthening test-taking skills and fostering studying habits and incentives. Our students enroll in a personalized tutoring course two to three times per week during each spring and fall school semester and four to five times per week during each winter and summer break, with each class lasting for approximately two hours. Course fees for our regular personalized tutoring courses typically range from RMB100 to RMB510 per course hour, depending on the level of sophistication of the course and geographical region. We generally allow students to withdraw from courses at any time and refund tuition for undelivered classes.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, we offered personalized tutoring services at 148 out of our 212 K-12 learning centers, 173 out of our 281 K-12 learning centers and 159 out of our 275 K-12 learning centers, respectively, mainly in tier-1 and tier-2 cities in China. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we had 10,448, 32,152 and 8,030 student enrollments in our K-12 personalized tutoring classes.
Our personalized tutoring services generally comprise of three main components: (i) assessment and study plan formation, (ii) personalized tutoring and (iii) monitoring and tracking of an individual students progress. For each new student, we commence with a consultation followed by a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate the students existing academic knowledge, test-taking skills and learning patterns. Our professional consultants and teachers use the results of the assessment to analyze each students academic strengths and weaknesses, and craft customized study plan based on each students aptitude and learning needs. Based on the customized study plans, our teachers will provide individualized sessions to the students to enhance their understanding of the subjects and practice test-taking skills. We have a designated team which continuously monitors and tracks an individual students progress to ensure personalized tutoring courses are tailored to the pace and learning pattern of each student.
English for Children Program
We provide English tutoring services for children in kindergarten through grade six. Our English for children courses are designed to cultivate childrens English skills outside the primary schools English curricula and guide and inspire them to develop self-motivated learning skills. We use course materials published by international education content providers and publishers while tailor the contents to adapt to childrens abilities and needs. We teach students to master the basics of the language in various fun ways, including interactive games, activities and cultural studies.
Our English for children classes are divided into classes of approximately five to 30 students per class. Students attend class one to five times per week during each spring and fall school semesters and one to seven times per week during each winter and summer breaks for 45 minutes to two hours per class. Course fees for our regular English for children courses typically range from RMB26 to RMB120 per course hour, depending on the size of class, level of sophistication and geographical region.
In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we had 67,662, 116,801 and 20,266 student enrollments in our English for children program.
128
Other Services
In addition to the K-12 after-school tutoring services and English for children program, we also offer certain extra-curricular courses to students, such as painting, calligraphy, music, debate and science. Our courses are designed to inspire students creativity, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and enriching their life experience.
As of March 31, 2018, we have four schools providing extra-curricular education courses.
Study-abroad Tutoring Services
Our study-abroad tutoring services are designed to help students prepare for admission tests and applications for high schools, universities and graduate programs primarily in English-speaking countries. We offer study-abroad test preparation courses and study-abroad consulting services through our learning centers located in 25 cities. In addition to our directly operated learning centers, we also have franchised schools operated under the brand of Global Education.
Study-abroad Test Preparation Courses
We offer study-abroad test preparation courses to students taking language and entrance exams used by educational institutions in the United States and Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. We offer test preparation courses for major overseas exams, including IELTS, SSAT, SAT, TOEFL, AP, ACT, A-level, GRE and GMAT.
Our test preparation courses focus on quality instruction and test-taking techniques designed to help students achieve high scores on the admissions and assessment tests. Our experienced teachers generally teach in small and medium-sized classes ranging from one to 26 students. Course fees for our test preparation courses typically range from RMB73 to RMB1,500 per course hour, depending on the size of class, level of sophistication of the course and geographical region. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we had 3,254, 35,718 and 15,828 student enrollments in our study-abroad test preparation courses, respectively.
IELTS preparation courses. Our IELTS preparation courses target students who choose to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in countries that predominately refer to IELTS scores for school and university admissions, such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. We provide IELTS courses in various forms, such as large classroom lectures, small seminar, one-on-one tutoring, and online tutoring. Our IELTS courses generally range from 40 to 202 course hours. Course fees for our regular IELTS preparation courses typically range from RMB73 to RMB234 per course hour.
TOEFL / SAT / SSAT preparation courses. Our TOEFL, SAT and SSAT preparation courses are targeting middle school, high school and college students who desire to pursue education in the United States or Canada. We offer a range of basic and advanced TOEFL courses, and courses for the SAT and SSAT subject tests. Our TOEFL, SAT and SSAT preparation courses generally range from 40 to 183 course hours. Course fees for our regular TOEFL, SAT and SSAT preparation courses typically range from RMB130 to RMB547 per course hour.
Other test preparation courses. We offer test preparation courses for students who take subject-based AP and A-Level exams to supplement their application for universities in the United States and United Kingdom. We also offer preparation courses for GRE and GMAT for students who wish to continue graduate studies in the United States or Canada. We currently operate an international school in Hangzhou to offer internationally accredited education programs, including A-Level, to meet the demands of students who seek to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.
129
Study-abroad Consulting Services
We provide quality guidance for students and working adults who intend to study in United States or Commonwealth countries. In 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, we had 338, 1,935 and 507 student enrollments in our study-abroad consulting services, respectively. In 2017, 766 students who enrolled in our study-abroad consulting programs and applied for overseas universities were admitted into the global top 50 institutions, as ranked by either the QS World University Rankings or U.S. News, including Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University and Columbia University.
We provide one-on-one customized comprehensive one-stop plan for each student, including:
| Assessment and Positioning: To ensure that we accurately advise on the best country, university and major, we first conduct a comprehensive assessment of each student. We assign to each student a professional admission consultant who has in-depth knowledge and experience in admission application for overseas schools and universities. Based on students academic qualifications, career goals, financial status and work experience, our consultants will help them choose the optimal target schools that address their aspirations and goals. |
| Application Guidance: We offer comprehensive guidance for our students throughout the application process. Leveraging their own overseas studying experience and comprehensive expertise of the application requirements and procedures, our consultants provide guidance tailored for each student on their application packages. To help students prepare for the school interviews, we also offer a number of interview preparation sessions. The interview preparation sessions are conducted by professionals who have extensive experience in interview techniques and are well versed with the nature and scope of interview questions that universities usually ask candidates. |
| Visa Assistance: We assist students in preparing for visa applications and interviews. |
Fees for our study-abroad consulting services vary among our learning centers throughout China as well as among service packages, depending on, among other things, local market conditions, type and length of the service, and consultant costs. Consistent with market practices, our service fees, excluding a small portion to cover our costs incurred, are generally refunded if a student fails to gain any admission or obtain the relevant visa.
Online Platforms
In addition to classroom-based educational services and products, we also provide a variety of in-house developed online learning platforms to accommodate our students individual learning habits and objectives.
We developed both web-based and mobile-based platforms for K-12 tutoring services.
Mobile Application
We launched our mobile application, Puxin Teacher & Student App, in February 2017. Our Puxin Teacher & Student App is a one-stop mobile platform among students, teachers and parents.
Through our Puxin Teacher & Student App, we offer Puxin Superior Classes to our students with an engaging learning experience. Puxin Superior Classes provide students with additional courses in a variety of subjects which can be subscribed based on the students interest. Students can view lecture videos online anytime or download for offline viewing based on their own schedules or studying paces. In addition, Puxin Superior Classes make it convenient for students to communicate with teachers. Students can view assignments online, raise questions or obtain teachers review on their coursework. For teachers, our Puxin Teacher & Student App allows them to bring the classroom onto iOS and Android devices. Teachers can use our mobile application to upload their lecture videos and course materials, allocate and collect assignments from students, organize group discussions, provide feedback and track students progress.
130
In addition, our students parents can enroll in new courses, track students study progress and make payments through Puxin Teacher & Student App, which allows us to allocate our teaching recourses in advance according to the data collected online. As of March 31, 2018, in schools which adopted Puxin Teacher & Student App for over three months, 81.7% of our teachers and 72.4% of our enrolled students had opened their accounts on Puxin Teacher & Student App.
Online Products and Services
In addition to our mobile application, we offer a variety of cloud-based products and services for K-12 tutoring and study-abroad tutoring services.
Puxin Dual-Teacher Classrooms. We offer live streaming classes where a teacher from one of our learning center partners with another teacher located in other learning centers to jointly conduct online lectures to students.
Recorded Lectures. We offer recorded lectures online for students to access lectures anytime and anywhere. Online recorded lectures primarily target students from tier-3 and tier-4 cities where we have not yet established learning centers.
Foreign Teacher Classes. We offer online interactive classes for students to interact with native speakers of foreign languages. Our foreign teacher classes are mostly one-on-one classes.
GEDU Online. GEDU Online is the web-based platform of Global Education for students to enroll in online recorded IELTS or other study-abroad test preparation courses. The primary audience for GEDU Online is students in tier-3 and tier-4 cities where we have not yet established presence.
Our Network
We deliver our educational services to students through an extensive network of directly operated learning centers. Our physical network of learning centers comprises K-12 learning centers, study-abroad test preparation learning centers and study-abroad learning centers. As of March 31, 2018, we had 397 learning centers in 35 cities in China. Certain of our K-12 learning centers and study-abroad learning centers share business premises.
131
The following map and table set forth the total number of directly operated learning centers we operate in each province as of March 31, 2018.
132
Number of Learning Centers |
||||||||
K-12 Tutoring |
Study-abroad Tutoring |
|||||||
Beijing |
3 | 28 | ||||||
Shanghai |
10 | 15 | ||||||
Tianjin |
21 | 2 | ||||||
Chongqing |
12 | 1 | ||||||
Guangdong Province |
4 | 18 | ||||||
Jilin Province |
12 | 1 | ||||||
Liaoning Province |
53 | 9 | ||||||
Shandong Province |
21 | 2 | ||||||
Shanxi Province |
27 | 2 | ||||||
Jiangsu Province |
11 | 15 | ||||||
Zhejiang Province |
17 | 5 | ||||||
Henan Province |
19 | 4 | ||||||
Fujian Province |
2 | | ||||||
Shaanxi Province |
14 | 5 | ||||||
Hubei Province |
| 6 | ||||||
Hunan Province |
| 1 | ||||||
Guizhou Province |
25 | 1 | ||||||
Yunnan Province |
7 | 2 | ||||||
Sichuan Province |
17 | 5 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
275 | 122 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
We provide K-12 tutoring services through directly operated learning centers. Each of our directly operated learning centers is administered by a private school or a corporation. Each school or corporation is managed by a principal, who is responsible for daily operations, sales and marketing, academic support and customer services for all the learning centers of the private school or the corporation.
Most of our learning centers have classroom facilities to serve students who attend our courses. Our K-12 learning centers are generally located near elementary schools, middle schools or residential areas. Our study-abroad test preparation learning centers are generally located near colleges and universities or testing centers. Each of our learning centers includes office and classroom space, ranging from 94.4 to 10,153.2 square meters in site area. We lease substantially all of our facilities, office and classroom spaces for each learning centers.
For our study-abroad tutoring services, in addition to our directly operated learning centers, we have franchised schools which are franchisees of Global Education. As of March 31, 2018, we had 196 franchised learning centers operated by the franchisees of Global Education. We charge franchise fees every year ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB300,000 as consideration for the right we granted to the franchisees and do not share any revenue that franchised schools generate. After all of the existing franchise agreements expire or are terminated, we do not plan to renew or grant any rights to third parties to conduct the business of educational services under any of our brands or trademarks.
Centralized and Standardized Management
We have implemented centralized and standardized management throughout our school network to consistently manage key aspects of their operations by applying our Puxin Business System, or PBS. PBS is a standard, common collection of business processes and process improvement methodologies. Designed by our core management team, PBS has reflected our managements accumulated experience in the education industry and incorporated the best practices in the operations and management of our schools.
133
PBS is the primary methodology that we apply throughout the entire operating process, covering strategy deployment, budget planning and management, internal reporting and communication, execution control, and performance review and management. It covers as many as over 3,000 operation and management processes, including, among others, organizational structure, financial management, operating manuals, product development, student recruitment, teacher management, marketing, human resources and knowledge management. PBS sets forth task lists for each operation and management process and contains more than 10,000 tasks that our schools are required to perform during day-to-day school operations. With PBS, our management can monitor the management and operating performance of each school on a timely manner and ensure our group-wide strategies and principles are implemented effectively.
Our PBS is supported and constantly updated by our knowledge management system. We encourage our management and employees to seek continuous improvement in operations and share their firsthand experience within our group. Our knowledge management system at the headquarters collects experience and knowledge submitted in various forms, including weekly, monthly and quarterly work reports, local market surveys, study and research on specific topics, as well as audio and video materials. The dedicated knowledge management staff at our headquarters and the head of each business line periodically review the information submitted by our schools and identify the good practices which will be incorporated into our PBS and followed by our schools during their operations. Our PBS continually incorporates the best practices and eliminates outdated or inefficient practices throughout our schools, which makes it an ever-evolving system containing industry-leading practices.
Our Acquisitions
We have grown our business through strategic acquisitions of businesses. Since our inception, we have acquired 48 schools in China through equity or assets purchases. We have strong capabilities of and rich experiences in successful acquisitions and integration of schools. Through our acquisitions, we have realized significant economies of scale by increasing student enrollments, enlarging our team of teachers and consultants and expanding our geographic reach. Leveraging our comprehensive product and service offerings, we are able to achieve synergies by cross-selling across business lines, sharing facilities and resources and streamlining management and administrative functions.
134
The following tables list our acquisitions:
2015 | ||||||
Acquisitions(1) |
Principal office |
Service offerings |
Time of | |||
Taiyuan Fubusi ( ) |
Taiyuan |
K-12 tutoring |
April 2015 | |||
Guangzhou Yingxun Lixiang ( ) |
Guangzhou |
K-12 tutoring |
May 2015 | |||
Tianjin Shengjia ( ) |
Tianjin |
K-12 tutoring |
June 2015 | |||
Taiyuan Mercan ( ) |
Taiyuan |
K-12 tutoring; study-abroad tutoring |
June 2015 | |||
Dalian Oriental Magic Arts ( ) |
Dalian |
K-12 tutoring |
August 2015 | |||
Shenyang Oriental Magic Arts ( ) |
Shenyang |
K-12 tutoring |
August 2015 | |||
Jinan Daozhen ( ) |
Jinan |
K-12 tutoring |
October 2015 | |||
Beijing Ruibao ( ) |
Beijing |
K-12 tutoring |
November 2015 | |||
Guiyang Tiantian ( ) |
Guiyang |
K-12 tutoring |
November 2015 | |||
Lighthouse Beijing ( ) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
November 2015 | |||
Beijing YESSAT ( YESSAT) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
December 2015 | |||
Jinan Delin ( ) |
Jinan |
K-12 tutoring |
December 2015 | |||
Tianjin Kexin ( ) |
Tianjin |
K-12 tutoring |
December 2015 |
2016 | ||||||
Acquisitions(1) |
Principal office |
Service offerings |
Time of | |||
Jinan Qiru ( ) |
Jinan |
K-12 tutoring |
January 2016 | |||
Nanjing Innovation ( ) |
Nanjing |
K-12 tutoring |
January 2016 | |||
Shaoxing Lingxian ( ) |
Shaoxing |
K-12 tutoring |
January 2016 | |||
Ningbo Weien ( ) |
Ningbo |
K-12 tutoring |
February 2016 | |||
Chengdu Shucai ( ) |
Chengdu |
K-12 tutoring |
March 2016 | |||
Nanjing Zhumengtang ( ) |
Nanjing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
March 2016 | |||
Shenzhen Daiweisi ( ) |
Shenzhen |
Study-abroad tutoring |
April 2016 | |||
Guangzhou Butong ( ) |
Guangzhou |
K-12 tutoring |
May 2016 | |||
Shanghai Xinkebiao ( ) |
Shanghai |
K-12 tutoring |
May 2016 | |||
Guangzhou Qiji ( ) |
Guangzhou |
Study-abroad tutoring |
June 2016 | |||
Beijing Hope ( ) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
June 2016 | |||
Jinan Jinmenqiao ( ) |
Jinan |
Study-abroad tutoring |
July 2016 | |||
Luoyang Caihong ( ) |
Luoyang |
K-12 tutoring |
July 2016 | |||
Beijing Quakers ( ) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
August 2016 | |||
Shenyang Being ( ) |
Shenyang |
K-12 tutoring |
August 2016 | |||
Dalian Tongfang ( ) |
Dalian |
K-12 tutoring |
November 2016 | |||
Xian Yangjian ( ) |
Xian |
K-12 tutoring |
November 2016 | |||
Dalian Zhemei ( ) |
Dalian |
Study-abroad tutoring |
December 2016 | |||
Luzhou Hanlin ( ) |
Luzhou |
K-12 tutoring |
December 2016 |
135
2017 | ||||||
Acquisitions(1) |
Principal office |
Service offerings |
Time of | |||
Shenyang Yingcai ( ) |
Shenyang |
K-12 tutoring |
January 2017 | |||
Beijing Puxing ( ) |
Beijing |
K-12 tutoring |
January 2017 | |||
Tianjin Juming ( ) |
Tianjin |
K-12 tutoring |
February 2017 | |||
Nanjing Baifenbi ( ) |
Nanjing |
K-12 tutoring |
April 2017 | |||
Fanzhuan Chengdu ( ) |
Chengdu |
Online education |
April 2017 | |||
Chengdu Wuyou ( ) |
Chengdu |
K-12 tutoring |
April 2017 | |||
Chongqing Wuyou ( ) |
Chongqing |
K-12 tutoring |
April 2017 | |||
Beijing Zhihuasheng ( ) |
Beijing |
Online education |
May 2017 | |||
Shenyang Zhongying Yulong ( ) |
Shenyang |
K-12 tutoring |
May 2017 | |||
Jilin Shiji Dongfang ( ) |
Jilin |
K-12 tutoring |
June 2017 | |||
Yancheng Tiantian Xiangshang ( ) |
Yancheng |
K-12 tutoring |
June 2017 | |||
Fuzhou Xueyoufang ( ) |
Fuzhou |
K-12 tutoring |
July 2017 | |||
ZMN Education ( )(3) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
July 2017 | |||
Global Education ( ) |
Beijing |
Study-abroad tutoring |
August 2017 | |||
Hangzhou Feiyue ( ) |
Hangzhou |
K-12 tutoring |
September 2017 | |||
Hangzhou Yulan ( ) |
Hangzhou |
Study-abroad tutoring |
September 2017 |
(1) | Acquisitions include equity purchase or assets purchase conducted by our VIE, Puxin Education, and its subsidiaries. |
(2) | Time of acquisitions refers to (i) with respect to equity acquisitions, the time when we obtained the control over the operations and management of the entities acquired, and (ii) with respect to assets acquisitions, the time of closing of the acquisition. |
(3) | In July 2017, we entered into an equity transfer agreement to acquire 100% equity interest in ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or ZMN Education, and obtained the control over the operations and management of ZMN Education. In March 2018, we entered into a restated and amended agreement in connection with this acquisition and Beijing Meitong Education Consulting Co., Ltd., one of Puxin Educations subsidiaries, completed the registration with local government authorities as shareholder of ZMN Education. |
Target Selection and Execution of Acquisitions
We have adopted a systematic approach towards acquisitions by applying our four-stage acquisition target selection funnel process. Below is a flow chart setting forth our four-stage acquisition target selection funnel process.
We have a dedicated acquisition team systematically screen, evaluate and track the potential target schools in China. In stage one, we initiate the process by conducting extensive market research to identify high-quality targets in a specific city or province. We apply a set of rigorous criteria, including the targets geographic location, reputation in the local market, growth potential, key performance indicators (KPIs), synergies with our
136
existing schools and the probability for successful integration, as key considerations for acquisitions. We currently have identified approximately 1,550 potential acquisition targets.
In stage two, we begin outreach and initial conversations with target management and vetting the potential targets internally.
In stage three, when we identify target schools, we conduct thorough and rigorous due diligence on these schools covering business operations, financial management, human resources and marketing of the target schools. During such due diligence process, we identify both the strengths and weakness of the target schools and therefore determine whether to acquire the target schools and the estimated valuation and develop appropriate post-acquisition plans for such schools. We currently have approximately 300 targets with which we are in active discussion regarding the potential acquisitions.
In stage four, we proceed with the acquisition plans for which we have obtained internal pre-approvals subject to certain acquisition conditions and will complete the acquisitions if the acquisition conditions are met. Currently we have obtained internal pre-approvals for approximately 100 targets and are in active negotiations with them.
Our acquisition team is experienced in designing acquisition transaction structure. Leveraging our effective centralized management model and our managements strong execution capability, we are able to efficiently complete the acquisitions and effectively integrate the operations and management of the acquired schools. Since our inception, we identified and contacted approximately 1,550 targets in China as our potential acquisition targets, among which we have acquired equity interests in or assets of 48 schools, including Global Education.
Integration of Acquired Schools
As early as the pre-acquisition due diligence of a target school, our acquisition project team identifies key operating indicators to be improved and proposes growth plan for the target school. We usually assign the acquired school a principal who has extensive experience in operating other schools in our group. Before starting his or her position, the principal will visit the school to understand the operational status and conduct his or her comprehensive research covering the local market landscape, operations of competitors, as well as economic and demographic conditions of the city where the acquired school is located. All of these lay a solid foundation for effective post-acquisition integration.
We implement our PBS at each acquired school to effectively integrate it into our management system and improve its operating performance. Our senior management conduct on-site training to the acquired schools management team and teachers to familiarize them with our culture and operation management system. Based on the methodologies of PBS, we formulate a detailed 100-day execution plan and set forth 21 post-acquisition milestones for each acquired school covering every key operational aspects:
| Student recruitment and marketing: Based on our thorough pre-acquisition due diligence and market research, we take various marketing measures to increase the acquired schools student enrollments. We focus on increasing the existing students retention rate and the number of courses enrolled by each student. In addition, we proactively encourage students and their parents to make referrals to other students and offer classes with promotion prices to attract new students. We also make specific marketing plans for the acquired schools. |
| Curriculum and service offering: Each acquired school will adopt our unified curricula and course materials to provide courses with consistent quality. We formulate full-year syllabi based on the schedules of admission tests of elementary schools, middle schools, Zhongkao and Gaokao to ensure well-organized teaching activities at each acquired school. We also require the acquired schools to implement our standardized student service protocol to offer better services to students and their parents. |
137
| Teachers: We provide comprehensive training for the existing teachers of the acquired schools so that they can adopt and apply our teaching methodologies in their teaching activities. Based on the need of each school, we recruit new teachers and provide them with training on teaching skills and techniques. We conduct systematic performance reviews for existing teachers and provide them with better incentive and career development prospects to ensure the stability of the outstanding teaching staff of the acquired schools. |
| IT systems: We usually integrate the key aspects of an acquired school into our IT systems within three months. Each acquired school is required to apply our unified ERP system, CRM system and knowledge management system. |
| Financial management: Our headquarters perform centralized financial management over acquired schools. We set forth budget plans for each school in relation to the number of classes and student enrollments, as well as performance targets. |
During the entire integration process, our dedicated acquisition team at the headquarters oversees the executions at the acquired schools and provides guidance to the principal. The principal is required to submit daily, weekly and monthly reports about the day-to-day operations of the acquired school to our headquarters for at least three months.
Our systematic integration approach underpins robust post-acquisition growth of the acquired schools. For K-12 tutoring schools we acquired prior to 2017, we achieved a growth in student enrollment in regular-price courses from 441,375 in 2016 to 662,958 in 2017, representing a growth rate of 50.2% on a comparable basis. For these schools, the K-12 group class student retention rate in regular-price courses also increased from 57.7% in the first quarter post acquisition to 70.1% after 12 months post acquisition.
Acquisition Case Study Tianjin Shengjia
In June 2015, we acquired Tianjin Shengjia which is a leading regional K-12 tutoring service provider in Tianjin and the third school we acquired since the inception of our business.
As part of our detailed acquisition process, we conducted comprehensive pre-acquisition market research and due diligence to analyze Tianjin Shgnejias growth potential and formulated detailed integration and improvement plans, in line with PBS. The tasks undertaken as part of the efficient and effective integration include:
| Strategy deployment: based on our analysis of the competitive landscape, local economic condition and regulatory environment, we decided to expand Tianjin Shengjias service offerings to provide English for children program, courses for middle school students and personalized tutoring classes, and improve its student recruitment through providing promotional programs; |
| Budget planning: we developed a detailed budget for 2015 and conducted quarterly reviews of performance to budget; |
| Improved reporting: we implemented a daily and weekly reporting process with the management team of Tianjin Shengjia and organized weekly meetings to review its operations; |
| Talent management: we replaced the existing principal, recruited new teachers and course material development staff and set up training systems for teachers; |
| Student retention: we improved services and products to attract and retain students, which in turn improved the student retention rate; and |
| Performance review and management: we designed and adopted performance-based compensation system for teachers and staff. |
138
As a result of our integration and improvement plans, Tianjin Shengjia improved its operating performance as follows:
| its student enrollments increased by 74.5% from 70,756 in 2016 to 123,496 in 2017, and reached 19,903 in the first quarter of 2018; |
| its K-12 group class retention rate increased from 67.0% in 2016 to 73.8% in 2017, and reached 82.9% in the first quarter of 2018; and |
| it had operating margin of 5.9% in 2017 and 16.0% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the operating margin of (37.6)% in 2016. |
The table below sets forth quarterly student enrollments of Tianjin Shengjia in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018:
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2016 |
June 30, 2016 |
September 30, 2016 |
December 31, 2016 |
March 31, 2017 |
June 30, 2017 |
September 30, 2017 |
December 31, 2017 |
March 31, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student enrollments |
7,221 | 25,943 | 17,963 | 19,629 | 19,406 | 42,712 | 32,081 | 29,297 | 19,903 |
Course Material Development
We emphasize the quality of our course materials which is crucial to effectiveness of our teaching methodologies. Most of our K-12 tutoring curricula and course materials are developed and updated at the course research and development centers in Beijing and Taiyuan with a focus on the universal academic and examination requirements in the PRC education system. Our schools can adopt these curricula and course materials with modifications to satisfy local requirements and demands. We encourage all teachers and consultants to actively participate in our course materials development activities and contribute their talents and experiences. In addition, we had a dedicated team of 318 as of March 31, 2018, which is responsible for developing, updating and improving our curricula and course materials. All the team members have solid education background, extensive teaching experience and research achievements in the field of a certain subject.
We have devoted significant resources to course material development to ensure that our course offerings are up-to-date, engaging and effective. We review and make reference to recent teaching and testing materials of leading public schools curriculum. To address different educational requirements and needs of our students at each grade level, we have also developed curricula and course materials tailored for classes of different difficulty levels based on students learning ability as well as their strengths and weaknesses.
We update our K-12 tutoring and study-abroad tutoring course materials periodically to keep up with the ongoing changes in the standard K-12 curriculum and admission tests for overseas countries. We also look into each years examination papers of Zhongkao and Gaokao and IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and SSAT to update our practice question database and course materials. Our updated course materials are reviewed by an expert group consisting of teachers of public schools, teaching researchers and our own teachers who have significant teaching experience in the subject. At the end of each courses term, we evaluate, update, and improve course materials based upon feedback from teachers, students and parents as well as student performance in their examinations.
Currently, we offer childrens English courses to children in kindergarten through grade six. Our course materials for the childrens English are largely based on materials originally published by international education content providers and publishers.
Our Teachers and Consultants
Our teachers are critical to maintain the quality of our services and to promote our brand and reputation. We have a team of dedicated and highly qualified teachers with enthusiasm for education, whom we believe are
139
essential to maintaining our consistent and high teaching quality. This commitment is reflected in our highly selective teacher hiring process, our emphasis on continued teacher training and rigorous evaluation, our adoption of a performance-based compensation plan, and our offering of a promising career path.
We recruit K-12 teachers based on their teaching experience, learning ability and commitment to working with us in the long term. We hire teachers for the group classes and the personalized services separately. We routinely recruit teachers graduated from universities in China and experienced teachers with a solid track record and strong reputation from local public schools. We look for candidates who have a strong sense of purpose and possess certain level of sales skills. We had 1,778, 3,207 and 3,076 full-time K-12 teachers, 1,527, 2,405 and 2,129 part-time teachers and 688, 1,433 and 1,361 teaching assistants as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
We hire highly qualified teachers with strong English and teaching skills for our study-abroad test preparation courses. Our study-abroad test preparation teachers are generally specialized in teaching particular courses, such as reading, writing, speaking or listening for IELTS or TOEFL. We had 107, 976 and 966 full-time study-abroad test preparation teachers and 63, 1,425 and 847 part-time teachers as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, 33.0% of our test preparation teachers had overseas studying experience and 40.7% held a master or doctoral degree.
We hire consultants who are familiar with comprehensive study-abroad application procedures for our study-abroad consulting services. Our consultants have an average of over three years of consulting experience in this industry. We had 29, 205 and 191 full-time consultants as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, 43.8% of our consultants had overseas studying experience.
The quality of our educational services is critical to our business and our brand and is key to our continued growth and success. We have developed our Nine Steps methodology, which standardizes our teachers teaching activities to implement the best practices across our learning centers to ensure consistent teaching quality. We require our teachers to carry out nine steps in their teaching activities, including (i) class preparation, (ii) before-class assessment, (iii) in-class orientation, (iv) in-class lectures, (v) in-class recaps, (vi) in-class quizzes, (vii) after-class review, (viii) checking homework, and (ix) collecting feedback, and set forth standards for each step. The Nine Steps methodology enables our teachers to obtain critical information about students learning pattern, aptitude and performance which help them refine their course offering. It also stimulates our students to achieve academic excellence.
Each of our newly hired full-time teachers and consultants is required to undergo rigorous training and must continue to participate in periodic training programs that focus on education content, teaching or consulting skills and techniques as well as our corporate culture and values. Our teachers retention, compensation and promotion are to a large extent results oriented. We regularly evaluate the classroom performance and teaching results of our teachers and consultants. Our evaluation takes into consideration various factors, including (i) the K-12 group class utilization rate, (ii) the K-12 group class student retention rate, (iii) the number of students who enroll additional courses, and (iv) the number of students who withdraw from the courses.
We offer our teachers and consultants competitive and performance-based compensation packages and provide them with prospective career development within the company. We have established a remuneration system with clear and detailed performance indicators to evaluate the performance of our teachers, consultants and other staff, which can motivate our employees in a scientific, reasonable and effective manner. We have launched systematic career advancement programs, including Puxin Star for top teachers, Puxin Talents for mid-level management and Puxin Leadership for senior management to build up a talents reserve for our long-term growth. We provide the participants in these programs with career advice, advanced training and team building activities with a purpose to broadening their access to growth and development opportunities.
140
Student Recruitment
We offer comprehensive K-12 tutoring services to students aging from three to 18. Our study-abroad tutoring services are designed to help middle school students, high school students and college students prepare for admission tests and applications for overseas study. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, approximately 42.7%, 38.4% and 37.9%, respectively, of our total enrolled students for K-12 tutoring services were elementary school students and 35.9%, 46.4% and 46.8%, respectively, of our total enrolled students for K-12 tutoring services were middle school students. Our full K-12 curriculum allows us to maximize the lifetime value of these enrollments by satisfying the entire breadth of our students educational needs. In the meantime, with lowering age of students studying abroad, we are able to cross-sell our study-abroad tutoring services to K-12 student base, and vice versa, extending our presence in students academic careers.
We focus on retaining existing students who have enrolled in our courses, as well as attracting new students. We recruit new students through both online and offline channels, such as distributing leaflets, organizing seminars and advertising online. We believe that the greatest contributor to our success in student recruitment has been word-of-mouth referrals by our students and their parents who share their learning experiences at our learning centers with others. Students in our learning centers have significantly improved their results on Zhongkao and Gaokao practice exams, SAT, TOEFL or IELTS, which we believe has enhanced our reputation and increased our word-of-mouth referrals in the markets that we participate in.
In addition to courses we offer at our regular prices, we also offer promotional K-12 tutoring programs to attract new students and at the same time attract existing students to subscribe for more subjects, primarily during the summer and winter breaks, as well as the Labor Day and National Day holidays in China. The prices for such promotional programs are usually at a substantial discount of our regular tuition fees. In 2017, there were 172,772 student enrollments in our promotional programs, 49,435 of which chose to enroll in our regular courses after the promotional programs.
Branding and Marketing
Branding
We have established Puxin as a well-recognized brand among industry participants which has positioned us a leading player with successful integration experience in Chinas after-school education sector. According to a selected survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan, we are named as one of the preferred partners or buyers by 70.8% of the interviewees when they seek potential acquirers of their business.
For our acquired K-12 tutoring schools, we generally continue to use their original brand names to assure stable operations of these schools in the local markets. Once these acquired schools are fully integrated into our group, we operate them under a co-brand with our own Puxin brand, such as Puxin-Lingxian. For our study-abroad tutoring services, we operate under the existing brands of the acquired entities, including Global Education, and manage their brand names as sub-brands within our group.
Marketing
We use a variety of marketing and recruiting methods to attract students and increase student enrollments of our learning centers. We recruit our students primarily through word-of-mouth referrals. Our learning centers generally enjoy high local reputation which has greatly facilitated our student recruitment. Moreover, we engage in a range of marketing activities to enhance our brand recognition among prospective students and their parents.
We place online and mobile advertisements mainly on Baidu.com, Sogou.com and other search engines in China. We also cooperate with innovative media platforms and place advertisements or advertorials on education-focused platforms and mobile apps. Furthermore, we have established online WeChat groups with existing and prospective students and their parents. We regularly place our advertisements and share education-related information in our WeChat groups to keep close interactions with potential students and their parents.
141
In addition to the centralized marketing team working at our headquarters, we also have a sales force in each of our learning centers in different cities. We place outdoor display advertisements or distribute leaflets at public transportation terminals, in schools and in residential areas in selected cities. We distribute informational brochures, posters and flyers to students and parents at locations close to schools and residential areas. We also conduct extensive free information sessions to introduce our programs to our target markets. We regularly conduct information sessions, seminars and workshops to provide prospective students and their parents with opportunities to learn about the products and services that we offer. We also give calls to the parents of our existing students to inform them of our class schedule and relevant promotions.
Competition
The private education market in China is highly fragmented and competitive, and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify. Our major competitors in K-12 tutoring services include TAL, New Oriental and certain local players. Our major competitors in study-abroad tutoring services include New Oriental. We face competition in each type of services we offer, including in online and offline forms, and in each geographic market in which we operate.
We believe that the principal competitive factors in our markets include the following:
| scope and quality of course offerings; |
| quality and performance of the teachers and education services offered; |
| overall student experience and satisfaction; |
| brand recognition; |
| ability to effectively market course offerings to a broad base of prospective students and their parents; |
| cost-effectiveness of courses; |
| ability to attract, train, and retain high-quality teachers; |
| ability to provide students access to courses; and |
| ability to align course offerings to specific needs of students. |
We believe that we are well-positioned to effectively compete in the markets in which we operate on the basis of our innovative approach to K-12 education and study-abroad test preparation tutoring and consulting services, immersive and interactive learning environment, scalable and efficient business model, extensive and high-quality teacher network, education quality, strong course development capabilities and experienced management team. However, some of our current or future competitors may have longer operating histories, better brand recognition, or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than we do. For a discussion of risks related to competition, see Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Business and IndustryWe face intense competition in our industry, and if we fail to compete effectively, we may lose our market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.
Technology
Our technology is crucial to our ability to support our course delivery, business development, service upgrade, study support, back-office operations and expansion. We currently use a combination of commercially available software and hardware and proprietary technology. To closely cope with evolving market conditions and student needs, we also rely on our in-house research and development for new technology initiatives. We promptly enroll our acquired schools onto our technology platform, which effectively facilitates the post-acquisition integration of such schools.
142
We have established an ERP system, which is an integrated system combining various management functions, including (i) data management, (ii) student enrollment management, (iii) teaching affairs administration, (iv) financial and accounting management, (v) data mining and analysis, and (v) data backup and security.
As of March 31, 2018, we had an information technology team of 101 engineers with experience and expertise in the fields of computer sciences and software development. We may further expand this team to meet the requirements of our future research and development.
Intellectual Property
We own copyrights to the course contents we developed in-house.
Our trademarks, software copyrights, domain names, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights distinguish our program from those of our competitors and contribute to our ability to compete in our target markets. We rely on a combination of copyright and trademark law, trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements with our employees to protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, under the employment agreements we enter into with our employees, they acknowledge that the intellectual property made by them in connection with their employment with us are our property. We also regularly monitor any infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights.
As of March 31, 2018, we had registered 257 trademarks which bolster our strong brand recognition in the PRC, among which, 166 trademarks held by Global Education, 75 trademarks held by Puxin and 16 trademarks held by ZMN Education. We also held 155 domain names relating to our business, including our www.pxjy.com website, with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and China Internet Network Information Center, 39 works of art copyright and 62 registered software copyrights in the PRC as of March 31, 2018.
Facilities
We currently lease substantially all of the properties we use to operate our business. We are headquartered in Beijing, and the business premises of our schools and learning centers are located in 35 cities in China. Our leases have terms of one to 15 years. For detailed information about the locations of our facilities, see Our Network.
We believe that the facilities which we currently lease are adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future, and we believe that we will be able to obtain adequate facilities, principally through leasing of additional properties, to accommodate our future expansion plans.
Employees
We are headquartered in Beijing, where most of our senior management and technology teams are based. We also host part of our general and administrative personnel, content development professionals and sales and marketing staff in our Beijing offices.
143
We had a total of 3,703 and 8,882 full-time employees as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The following table sets forth the number of our full-time employees, categorized by function, as of December 31, 2017:
Function |
Number of Full-Time Employees | |||
Teachers, consultants and instructors(1) |
4,608 | |||
Managerial staff |
851 | |||
Sales and marketing |
2,428 | |||
Administrative staff |
895 | |||
Information technology |
100 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
8,882 | |||
|
|
(1) | Include 303 employees who are responsible for developing, updating and improving our curricula and course materials. |
As of March 31, 2018, we had a total of 8,431 employees, a decrease of 5.1% from 8,882 as of December 31, 2017, primarily due to decreases in our general and administrative staff, as well as teachers and consultants, as we continued to optimize our operational efficiency and manage our teacher and consultant team based on evaluation of their classroom performance and teaching results.
We enter into employment contracts with our full-time employees. We also enter into stand-alone confidentiality and non-compete agreements with them. In addition to salaries and benefits, we provide performance-based bonuses for our full-time employees and commission-based compensation for our sales and marketing force.
As required by regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments for our PRC-based full-time employees, including pension, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing funds. We are required under PRC law to make contributions to statutory employee benefit plans from time to time for our PRC-based full-time employees at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of such employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local governments in China.
Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes.
Insurance
Global Education maintains group personal accident insurance and supplemental group personal accident insurance for students attending boarding schools, and ZMN Education maintains personal accident insurance for students. In addition, five Puxin-branded learning centers maintain public liability insurance or campus liability insurance for students. We do not maintain any other liability insurance or property insurance policies covering students, equipment and facilities for injuries, death or losses due to fire, earthquake, flood or any other disaster. Consistent with customary industry practice in China, we do not maintain business interruption insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance. We maintain medical insurance for our management in China. Uninsured injury or death to our staff, or damage to any of our equipment or buildings could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Business and IndustryWe have limited liability insurance coverage and do not carry business disruption insurance.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including actions with respect to intellectual property infringement, violation of
144
third-party licenses or other rights, breach of contract and labor and employment claims. Excepts as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, we are currently not a party to, and we are not aware of any threat of, any legal or administrative proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have any material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash-flow or results of operations.
145
We operate our business in China under a legal regime created and made by PRC lawmakers consisting of the National Peoples Congress, or the NPC, which is the countrys highest legislative body, the State Council, which is the highest authority of the executive branch of the PRC central government, and several ministries and agencies under its authority, including the Ministry of Education, or the MOE, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, the State Administration for Market Regulation (formerly known as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce), or the SAIC, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, or the MCA, and their respective local offices. This section summarizes the principal PRC regulations related to our business.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment in Education
Foreign Investment Industries Guidance Catalog (2017 revision)
Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Industries Guidance Catalog (2017 revision), or the Foreign Investment Catalog, which was promulgated by the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, amended on June 28, 2017, and effective on July 28, 2017, (1) non-academic occupational skill training education is categorized as an encouraged industry for foreign investors, (2) preschool education, high school education and higher education are restricted industries for foreign investors, who foreign investors are only allowed to invest in preschool education, high school education and higher education in cooperative ways with the domestic party playing a dominant role in the cooperation, and (3) compulsory education, i.e. elementary school and middle school education, is a prohibited industry for foreign investors. Other education-related businesses that are not encouraged, restricted or prohibited fall into the allowed industry for foreign investors.
Besides, Sino-foreign cooperation in operating schools is specifically governed by the Regulation on Operating Sino-foreign Schools of the PRC, which was promulgated by the State Council on March 1, 2003, became effective on September 1, 2003 and was amended on July 18, 2013. Pursuant to this regulation, any foreign entity that invests in the education business in China through Sino-foreign cooperation must be an education institution with relevant qualifications and experience in providing high-quality educational services outside China. Any Sino-foreign cooperative school and cooperative education program shall be approved by the relevant PRC authorities and obtain a permit for Sino-foreign cooperation in operating schools.
Additionally, on June 18, 2012, the MOE issued the Implementation Opinions of the MOE on Encouraging and Guiding the Entry of Private Capital in the Fields of Education and Promoting the Healthy Development of Private Education to encourage private investment and foreign investment in the field of education. According to these opinions, the proportion of foreign capital in a Sino-foreign education institution shall be less than 50%.
As of the date of this prospectus, our business falls into the category of allowed industry for foreign investment under the Foreign Investment Catalog.
Regulations on Private Education in the PRC
Education Law of the PRC
On March 18, 1995, the NPC enacted the Education Law of the PRC, or the Education Law, which was amended on August 27, 2009. The Education Law sets forth provisions relating to the fundamental education systems of the PRC, including a school education system comprising preschool education, elementary education, middle education and higher education, a system of nine-year compulsory education, a national education examination system, and a system of education certificates. The Education Law stipulates that the government formulates plans for the development of education, establishes and operates schools and other training institutions. Furthermore, it provides that in principle, enterprises, social organizations and individuals are encouraged to establish and operate schools and other types of training institutions in accordance with PRC laws
146
and regulations. It also provides that no organization or individual is allowed to establish or operate a school or any other education institution for profit-making purposes. Under the amendment enacted on December 27, 2015 and becoming effective on June 1, 2016, the amended Education Law allows organizations and individuals to establish and operate schools or other training institutions for profit-making purposes. Nevertheless, schools and other training institutions sponsored wholly or partially by government financial funds and donated assets remain prohibited from being established as for-profit organizations.
Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC and Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC
The Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC became effective on September 1, 2003 and was amended on June 29, 2013, and the Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC became effective on April 1, 2004. Under these law and rules, private schools are defined as schools established by social organizations or individuals using non-government funds. Private schools that provide diploma- and degree-oriented education, preschool education, self-taught higher education examination and other categories of educational services shall be subject to approval by the education authorities at or above the county level, while private schools engaging in occupational qualification training and occupational skill training shall be subject to approvals from the authorities in charge of labor and social welfare at or above the county level. A duly approved private school will be granted a private school operation permit, and shall be registered with the MCA or its local counterparts as a private non-enterprise entity and obtain a private non-enterprise entity certificate.
According to PRC laws and regulations, entities and individuals who establish private schools are commonly referred to as sponsors rather than owners or shareholders. The economic substance of sponsorship with respect to private schools is substantially similar to that of shareholders ownership with respect to companies in terms of legal, regulatory and tax matters. For example, the name of a sponsor is required to be stated in the private schools articles of association and the private school operation permit, similar to that of shareholders, whose names are stated in the companys articles of association and corporate records filed with relevant authorities. From the perspective of control, the sponsor of a private school also has the right to exercise ultimate control over the school by means such as adopting the private schools constitutional documents and electing the schools decision-making bodies, including the schools board of directors and principals. The sponsor can also profit from the private schools by receiving reasonable returns, as explained in detail below, or disposing of its sponsorship interests in the schools for economic gains. However, the rights of sponsors vis-à-vis private schools differ from the rights of shareholders vis-à-vis companies. For example, under the PRC laws, a companys ultimate decision-making body is its shareholders meeting, while for private schools, it is the board of directors, though the members of which are substantially appointed by the sponsor. The sponsorship interests also differ from the ownership interests with regard to the right to the distribution of residual properties upon liquidation of a private school, mainly because private education is treated as a public welfare undertaking under the current regulations. While private education is treated as a public welfare undertaking under the current regulations, sponsors of a private school may choose to require reasonable returns from the annual net balance of the school after deduction of costs for school operations, donations received, government subsidies (if any), the reserved development fund and other expenses as required by the regulations. Private schools whose sponsors do not require reasonable returns shall be entitled to the same preferential tax treatment as public schools, while the preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools whose sponsors require reasonable returns shall be formulated by the finance authority, taxation authority and other authorities under the State Council.
On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the Decision on Amending the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC, or the Amended Private Education Law, which came into force on September 1, 2017.
Under the Amended Private Education Law, the term reasonable return is no longer used and a new classification system for private schools is established based on whether they are established and operated for the
147
purpose of making profits. Sponsors of private schools may choose to establish non-profit or for-profit private schools at their own discretion, while before the Amended Private Education Law, all private schools shall not be established for for-profit purposes. Nonetheless, school sponsors are not allowed to establish for-profit private schools that are engaged in compulsory education. In other words, the private schools engaged in compulsory education should retain their non-profit status even after the Amended Private Education Law comes into force. We currently intend to register all of our private schools as for-profit schools according to the Amended Private Education Law when it is practically allowed. However, as a matter of practice, most local authorities have not started to accept or approve applications for for-profit schools because the local implementing regulations have not been promulgated and well enforced.
According to the Amended Private Education Law, the key features of the aforesaid new classification system for private schools include the following:
| Sponsors of for-profit private schools are entitled to retain the profits and proceeds from the private schools and the operation surplus may be distributed to the sponsors pursuant to the PRC Company Law and other relevant laws and regulations; |
| Sponsors of non-profit private schools are not entitled to the distribution of profits or proceed from the non-profit schools and all operation surplus of non-profit schools shall be used for the operation of the private schools; |
| For-profit private schools are entitled to set their own tuition and other miscellaneous fees without the obligation to seek prior approvals from or to report to the relevant government authorities. The collection of fees by non-profit private schools, on the other hand, shall be regulated by the provincial, autonomous regional or municipal governments; |
| Both for-profit and non-profit private schools may enjoy preferential tax treatment. Non-profit private schools will be entitled to the same tax benefits as public schools. Taxation policies for for-profit private schools after the Amended Private Education Law takes effect are still unclear as more specific provisions are yet to be introduced; |
| Where there is construction or expansion of a non-profit private school, the private school may acquire the land use rights through allocation by the government as a preferential treatment. Where there is construction or expansion of a for-profit private school, the private school may acquire the land use rights by purchasing them from the government; |
| The remaining assets of non-profit private schools after liquidation shall continue to be used for the operation of non-profit schools. The remaining assets of for-profit private schools shall be distributed to the sponsors in accordance with the PRC Company Law; and |
| The Peoples governments at or above the county level may support private schools by subscribing to their services, providing student loans and scholarships, and leasing or transferring unused state assets. The governments may further take such measures as providing government subsidies, bonus funds and donation incentives to support non-profit private schools. |
Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC
On April 20, 2018, the MOE issued a discussion draft of the proposed Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC, or the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, for public review and comment, which specifies the requirements for the for-profit and non-profit private schools under the Amended Private Education Law.
According to the Amended Draft of the Implementation Rules, certain key requirements for the private training institutions include:
| If a private training institution engages in academic tutoring services regarding the academic subjects and school entrance exams towards children and teenagers, it will be subject to the examination and |
148
approval of the administrative departments for education at or above the county level. The private training institutions providing such academic tutoring services or vocational qualification or vocational skill-oriented trainings through online platforms must apply for the Internet operation licenses and the private school operation permits issued by the administrative departments for education or human resources and social security at the provincial level. Nevertheless, a private training institution is not required to obtain the school operation permit for adult-oriented cultural and educational training or non-academic continuing education or quality enhancement and personality development-oriented training activities, such as trainings on language, arts, sports, science and technology and research skills. |
| Private training institutions are required to have adequate and appropriate venues, facilities, budgets, management experience, course resources, qualified teachers and other resources to provide training services. |
| The private training institutions are allowed to establish tutoring branches within the approved cities after completing the filings for registrations with the approval authorities of such private training institutions and the local educational authorities where the tutoring branches are located. |
| Private training institutions are prohibited from organizing any school admission-related academic competitions, level tests or other similar performance assessment activities for the children and teenagers at the ages of kindergarten, elementary or middle schools. |
| Non-profit private schools are required to set aside no less than 25% of their annual increase in net assets, and for-profit private schools are required to set aside no less than 25% of their annual net income as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC, to their development fund reserves for construction or maintenance of the schools, procurement or upgrading of educational equipment and training for teachers and staff. |
| For-profit private schools may enjoy preferential tax treatments which will be introduced by PRC central government. |
Several Opinions on Encouraging the Operation of Education by Social Forces and Promoting the Healthy Development of Private Education
On December 29, 2016, the State Council issued the Several Opinions of the State Council on Encouraging the Operation of Education by Social Forces and Promoting the Healthy Development of Private Education, or the State Council Opinions, which lowers the barriers to entry into the business of private schools and encourages social forces to enter the education industry. The State Council Opinions also provides that each level of the Peoples governments shall increase their support to the private schools in terms of, among others, financial investment, financial support, autonomy policies, preferential tax treatments, land policies, fee policies, autonomy operation, protection of the rights of teachers and students. Further, the State Council Opinions requires each level of the peoples governments to improve its local policies on government support to for-profit and non-profit private schools by means of preferential tax treatments.
Implementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private Schools
On December 30, 2016, the MOE, the MCA, the SAIC, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Welfare and the State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform jointly issued the Implementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private Schools to reflect the new classification system for private schools as set out in the Amended Private Education Law. Generally, if a private school established before the promulgation of the Amended Private Education Law chooses to register as a non-profit school, it shall amend its articles of association, continue its operation and complete the new registration process. If such private school chooses to register as a for-profit school, it shall conduct financial liquidation process, have the property rights of its assets such as lands, school buildings and net balance authenticated by relevant government authorities, pay up relevant taxes, reapply for a new private school operation permit, reregister as a for-profit school and continue
149
its operation. Specific provisions regarding the above registrations are yet to be introduced by the peoples governments at the provincial level.
Implementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private School in Shanghai
On December 26, 2017, the Shanghai government issued the Shanghai Implementation Regulations for Classification Registration of Private School, or the Shanghai Classification Registration Measures, which came into effect on January 1, 2018. Shanghai is the first provincial government publishing the detailed provincial rules regarding classification registration measures of private schools.
The Shanghai Classification Registration Measures specify the registration authorities for private schools of various types and levels, the registration procedures and the transitional arrangements for existing private schools. Private training institutions (classified as training institutions of cultural education and training institutions of vocational skills training) are required to comply with these regulations.
Pursuant to the Shanghai Classification Registration Measures, sponsors are permitted to set up for-profit private schools and non-profit private schools. However, private schools providing compulsory education may not be registered as for-profit private schools. The private schools that carry out pre-school education, compulsory education, higher education, secondary and lower vocational skills education and cultural training must be approved by the district level education bureau where the private school is registered and make filings with the municipal level education bureau. After obtaining the permit for operating a private school, private schools are required to apply for the legal person registration based on the education level, type and nature in accordance with relevant law and regulations. Approved non-profit private schools which meet relevant requirements shall apply to local branch of the MCA for the registration, while approved for-profit private shall apply to local counterparts of SAIC for the registration. Private schools may not conduct any student recruitment or teaching activities until the foregoing legal person registration is completed regardless of whether such private schools have obtained the private school operation permits.
The private schools established before November 7, 2016 are entitled to elect to register as for-profit private schools or non-profit private schools. They are required to file the written documents about their final decision to the approval authorities before December 31, 2018. Otherwise, the then-existing private schools shall not be registered as for-profit private schools
If a school elects to be registered as a non-profit private school, it must amend its articles of association, improve its governance structure and internal management systems and continue its operation before December 31, 2019. If a school elects to be registered as a for-profit private school, it shall undertake financial liquidation process, define the property right of its assets, pay up the relevant taxes and fees, complete the re-registration process and continue its operation. Private schools primarily providing higher education must complete the above procedures before December 31, 2021 and other schools must finish the above procedures before December 31, 2020.
For-profit private training institutions established before the implementation of the Shanghai Classification Registration Measures shall amend their articles of association, improve their corporate governance structure, perfect the establishing conditions, apply for the permit for a private school operation permit and finish other required procedures before December 31, 2019.
Establishment Standards for Private Training Institutions in Shanghai
On December 18, 2017, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce and Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau jointly issued the Shanghai Establishment Standards for Private Training Institutions, or the Establishment Standards, Shanghai Administration Measures for For-profit Private Training Institutions and Shanghai Administration Measures for Non-profit Private Training Institutions, which are valid from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022.
150
Pursuant to the Establishment Standards, private training institutions are non-academic training institutions established by social legal entities or individuals with non-government funds and specifically engaged in cultural education and vocational skills training. The Establishment Standards also specify requirements on the education sites, teachers, teaching materials and other specific management issues of private training institutions. It stresses that private training institutions shall set up learning centers pursuant to relevant laws and regulations if they conduct training activities outside the locations specified on the private school operation permits. With the permission of approval authority, non-profit private training institutions are allowed to establish learning centers within the approved administrative district but are not entitled to set up learning centers in other districts. For-profit private training institutions may set up learning centers which shall be registered as branches pursuant to relevant regulations of AIC only if such learning centers are registered as branches of the for-profit private schools with the local AIC.
The Shanghai Administration Measures for For-profit Private Training Institutions and Shanghai Administration Measures for Non-profit Private Training Institution further provide detailed rules on the establishment, supervision and management of private training institutions.
Implementing Rules on the Supervision and Administration of For-Profit Private Schools
On December 30, 2016, the MOE, the SAIC and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Welfare jointly issued the Implementing Rules on the Supervision and Administration of For-Profit Private Schools, pursuant to which the establishment, division, merger and other material changes of a for-profit private school shall first be approved by the education authorities or the authorities in charge of labor and social welfare, and then be registered with the competent branch of the SAIC.
For a detailed discussion on how the Amended Private Education Law and the above rules will affect our training institutions, see Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Business and IndustryWe are required to obtain various operating licenses and permits and to make registrations and filings for our tutoring services in China; failure to comply with these requirements may materially and adversely affect our business operations.
In addition to the Amended Private Education Law and the rules above mentioned, more implementing regulations will be introduced to further provide detailed requirements for the operation of non-profit and for-profit private schools:
| the amendment to the Implementation Rules for the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC; |
| the local regulations relating to legal entity registration of for-profit and non-profit private schools; and |
| the specific measures to be formulated and promulgated by the competent authorities responsible for the administration of private schools in the provinces in which our schools are located, including but not limited to the specific measures for registration of pre-existing private schools, the specific requirements for authenticating various parties property rights and payment of taxes and fees of for-profit private schools, taxation policies for for-profit private schools and measures for collection of non-profit private schools fees. |
Circular on Alleviating After-school Burden on Elementary and Middle School Students and Implementing Inspections on After-school Training Institutions
On February 13, 2018, MOE, MCA, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and SAIC jointly promulgated the Circular on Alleviating After-school Burden on Elementary and Middle School Students and Implementing Inspections on After-school Training Institutions, or Circular 3, which came into effect on the same date. Pursuant to Circular 3, the aforesaid government authorities will carry out a series of inspections on after-school training institutions and order those with material potential safety risks to suspend business for self-
151
inspection and rectification and those without proper establishment licenses or school operation permits to apply for relevant qualifications and certificates under the guidance of competent government authorities. Circular 3 mandates that the foregoing inspections and rectification be completed by the end of 2018. Moreover, after-school training institutions must file with the local education authorities and make public the classes, courses, target students, class hours and other information relating to their academic training courses (including primarily courses on Chinese and mathematics). After-school training institutions are prohibited from providing academic training services beyond the scope or above the level of school textbooks, or organizing any academic competitions (such as Olympiad competitions) or level tests for students of elementary or middle schools. In addition, elementary or middle schools may not reference a students performance in the after-school training institutions as one of admission criteria.
Measures of Punishment for Violation of Professional Ethics of Elementary and Secondary School Teachers
On January 11, 2014, MOE promulgated the Measures for Punishment for Violation of Professional Ethics of Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, which prohibits teachers of elementary and secondary schools from providing paid tutoring in schools or in out-of-school training institutions. Some provinces and cities where our schools are located have adopted more stringent regulations which prohibit public school teachers from teaching, on a part-time basis, at private schools or learning centers. For a detailed description of the risk associated with these matters, see Risk FactorsRisk Related to Our Business and IndustryWe may not be able to continue to recruit, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified teachers and consultants.
Regulations Related to Online Business
Internet Information Services
The State Council promulgated the Internet Information Services Administrative Measures, or the Internet Information Measures, on September 25, 2000, and amended on January 8, 2011. According to the Internet Information Measures, Internet information services refers to service activities which provide information to online users through the Internet, which are divided into services of a commercial nature and services of a non-commercial nature. Commercial Internet information services refer to paid services of providing information or creating webpages offered to online users through the Internet, while non-commercial Internet information services refer to services free of charge of providing public information to online users through the Internet. Entities engaging in commercial Internet information services shall obtain a license for Internet information services, or ICP license, from the appropriate telecommunications authorities. Entities engaging in non-commercial Internet information services shall complete filings with the telecommunications authorities.
Broadcasting Audio-Visual Programs through the Internet or Other Information Network
The Administrative Measures Regarding Internet Audio-Visual Program Services, or the Audio-Visual Measures, promulgated by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT (formerly known as the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT), on July 6, 2004 and came into effect on October 11, 2004, applies to the activities relating to the opening, broadcasting, integration, transmission or downloading of audio-visual programs using the Internet or other information networks. Under the Audio-Visual Measures, in order to engage in the business of transmitting audio-visual programs, a license issued by SAPPRFT is required, and audio-visual programs (including the audio-visual products of film and televisions) is defined as audio-visual programs consisting of movable pictures or sounds that can be listened to continuously, which are shot and recorded using video cameras, vidicons, recorders and other audio-visual equipment for producing programs. Foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to carry out such business. On April 13, 2005, the State Council promulgated Certain Decisions on the Entry of Non-state-owned Capital into the Cultural Industry. On July 6, 2005, five PRC governmental authorities, including the SAPPRFT, jointly adopted the Several Opinions on Canvassing Foreign Investment into the Cultural Sector.
152
According to these regulations, non-state-owned capital or foreign investors are not allowed to engage in the business of transmitting audio-visual programs through information networks. However, the Audio-Visual Measures have been repealed according to the Administrative Provisions on Audio-Visual Program Service through Special Network and Directed Transmission that was promulgated by the SAPPRFT on May 4, 2016, and became effective as of June 1, 2016.
To further regulate the provision of audio-visual program services to the public via the Internet, including through mobile networks, within the territory of the PRC, the SAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-Visual Program Service, or the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, on December 20, 2007, which came into effect on January 31, 2008. Under the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, Internet audio-visual program services is defined as the activity of producing, redacting and integrating audio-visual programs, providing them to the general public via Internet, and providing services for other people to upload and transmit audio-visual programs; providers of Internet audio-visual program services are required to obtain a License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs issued by SAPPRFT or to complete certain registration procedures with SAPPRFT. In general, providers of Internet audio-visual program services must be either state-owned or state-controlled entities, and the business to be carried out by such providers must satisfy the overall planning and guidance catalog for Internet audio-visual program service determined by SAPPRFT. In a press conference jointly held by SAPPRFT and MIIT to answer questions relating to the Audio-Visual Program Provisions in February 2008, SAPPRFT and MIIT clarified that providers of Internet audio-visual program services who are engaged in such services prior to the promulgation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions are eligible to re-register with the relevant authorities and continue their operation of Internet audio-visual program services so long as those providers had not violated relevant laws and regulations in the past. On May 21, 2008, SAPPRFT issued a Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Application and Approval of License for the Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs, which further sets out detailed provisions concerning the application and approval process regarding the License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs. The notice also states that providers of Internet audio-visual program services that are engaged in such services prior to the promulgation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions are eligible to apply for the license so long as their violation of the laws and regulations is minor in scope and can be rectified in a timely manner and they have no records of violation during the last three months prior to the promulgation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions. Further, on March 30, 2009, SAPPRFT promulgated the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of the Content of Internet Audio-Visual Programs, which reiterates the pre-approval requirements for the audio-visual programs transmitted via the Internet, including through mobile networks, where applicable, and prohibits certain types of Internet audio-visual programs containing violence, pornography, gambling, terrorism, superstition or other similarly prohibited elements.
On April 1, 2010, SAPPRFT promulgated the Provisional Implementation of the Tentative Categories of Internet Audio-Visual Program Services, or the Categories, which clarifies the scope of Internet audio-visual program services. According to the Categories, there are four categories of Internet audio-visual program services which are further divided into seventeen sub-categories. The third sub-category under the second category covers the making and editing of certain specialized audio-visual programs concerning, among other things, educational content and broadcasting such content to the general public online. However, there are still significant uncertainties relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, in particular, the scope of the term internet audio-visual programs.
Internet Cultural Activities
On February 17, 2011, MOC promulgated the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provisions, which became effective on April 1, 2011. The Internet Culture Provisions require ICP service providers engaging in commercial Internet cultural activities to obtain a permit from the appropriate culture authority. Internet cultural activities include (i) the production, duplication, importation, and broadcasting of Internet cultural products; (ii) the online dissemination whereby cultural products are posted on the Internet or transmitted via the Internet to end users, such as computers, fixed-line telephones, mobile phones, television sets
153
and games machines, for online users browsing, use or downloading; and (iii) the exhibition and comparison of Internet cultural products. Internet cultural products is defined in the Internet Culture Provisions as cultural products produced, broadcasted and disseminated via the Internet, which mainly include Internet cultural products produced specifically for the Internet, such as online music entertainment, online games, online shows and plays, online performances, online works of art and online cartoons, and Internet cultural products produced from cultural products such as music entertainment, games, shows and plays, performances, works of art and cartoons and duplicated for dissemination on the Internet.
Internet Publishing
On February 4, 2016, SAPPRFT and MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Measures of Internet Publishing Services, or the Internet Publishing Measures. According to the Internet Publishing Measures, an entity shall obtain an online publishing services permit to provide online publishing services. Online publishing services refers to the provision of online publications to the public through information networks. Online publications refer to digital works with publishing features such as having been edited, produced or processed and are made available to the public through information networks, including: (i) written works, pictures, maps, games, cartoons, audio/video reading materials and other original digital works containing useful knowledge or ideas in the field of literature, art, science or other fields; (ii) digital works of which the content is identical to that of any published book, newspaper, periodical, audio/video product, electronic publication or the like; (iii) network literature databases or other digital works, derived from any of the aforesaid works by selection, arrangement, collection or other means; and (iv) other types of digital works as may be determined by SAPPRFT.
We are in the process of applying for an ICP license and may also be required to obtain a license for the online transmission of audio-visual programs, an internet culture permit and an online publishing services permit for the operation of our online educational products.
Regulation Relating to Publication Distribution
The State Council promulgated the Administrative Regulations on Publishing, or the Publishing Regulations, on December 25, 2001, and amended them on February 2, 2016. In accordance with the Publishing Regulations, publishing activities refer to the publishing, printing, copying, importation or distribution of publications, such as books, newspapers, periodicals, audio and video products and electronic publications, and an entity engaging in publishing activities is required to obtain an approval from the relevant publication administrative authorities. Under the Administrative Measures for the Publication Market, or the Publication Market Measures, which was jointly promulgated by the SAPPRFT and the MOFCOM and became effective on March 25, 2011, as amended on May 31, 2016, any enterprise or individual who engages in publication distribution activities shall obtain permission from SAPPRFT or its local counterpart. Publication is defined as books, newspapers, periodicals, audio-visual products, and electronic publications, and distributing is defined as general distribution, wholesale, retail, rental, exhibition and other activities, respectively, in the Publication Market Measures. Any enterprise or individual that engages in retail of publications shall obtain a Publication Business Operating License issued by the local counterpart of SAPPRFT at the county level. In addition, any enterprise or individual that holds a Publication Business Operating License shall file with the relevant local counterpart of SAPPRFT that granted such license to it within 15 days since it begins to carry out any online publication distribution business.
Provisions on Intermediary Service for Self-Funded Overseas Studies
On June 17, 1999, the MOE, the Ministry of Public Security and the SAIC jointly promulgated the Provisions on Intermediary Service for Self-Funded Overseas Studies, which became effective on the same date. Pursuant to the regulations, the institutions which intend to carry out intermediary service business shall apply for the Recognition on the Intermediate Service Organization for Self-Funded Overseas Studies with the provincial education authorities. On January 12, 2017, the State Council promulgated the Decision of the State
154
Council on the Third Installment of the Cancelation of the Administrative Licensing Matters Delegated to Local Governments, which, among other things, canceled the Recognition on the Intermediate Service Organization for Self-Funded Overseas Studies, which means that the requirement for intermediate service organizations to obtain Recognition on the Intermediate Service Organization for Self-Funded Overseas Studies from the provincial government for their engaging in intermediate and consulting business activities relating to self-funded overseas studies is canceled. This decision provides that after the cancelation of such requirements, the MOE and the SAIC shall study and develop a contract template for reference, and strengthen their guidance for, regulation on and service to intermediate service organizations and that the relevant industrial association shall take on a self-disciplinary role.
Regulations on Fire Safety
The Fire Safety Law, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on April 29, 1998, amended by the Standing Committee of the NPC on October 28, 2008, and became effective as of May 1, 2009, as well as other relevant detailed fire prevention regulations, require that premises of training institutions and their tutoring branches must either obtain a fire safety assessment permit or complete a fire safety filing. Nevertheless, in accordance with the Provisions on Supervision and Administration of Fire Protection of Construction Projects, which was promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security on July 17, 2012 and became effective on November 1, 2012, a construction project that is not subject to a construction permit is exempted from the fire safety filing requirement. And according to the Provisions on Administration of Construction Permit of Construction Projects, which was promulgated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, a construction project with an investment amount less than RMB300,000 or a construction area of less than 300 square meters is exempted from the requirement of a construction permit.
Pursuant to these regulations, failure to obtain a fire safety assessment permit shall be subject to: (i) orders to suspend the construction of projects, use of such projects or operation of relevant business; and (ii) a fine of between RMB30,000 and RMB300,000. Failure to complete a fire safety filing shall be subject to: (i) orders to make rectifications within a specified time limit; and (ii) a fine of not more than RMB5,000. See Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Our Business and IndustryA significant portion of our training institutions are not in compliance with fire safety regulations.
In addition, fire departments conduct spot inspections irregularly. The training institutions and their tutoring branches that fail to pass such inspections are also subject to monetary penalties and suspension of business operations.
Regulations Relating to Employment, Social Insurance and Housing Provident Fund
Employment
According to the PRC Labor Law, or the Labor Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, or the SCNPC, on July 5, 1994, came into effect January 1, 1995, and was amended on August 27, 2009, an employer shall develop and improve its rules and regulations to safeguard the rights of its employees. An employer shall establish and develop labor safety and health systems, stringently implement national protocols and standards on labor safety and health, get employees to receive labor safety and health education, guard against labor accidents and reduce occupational hazards. Labor safety and health facilities must comply with the relevant national standards. An employer must provide employees with the necessary labor protection gear that complies with labor safety and health conditions stipulated under national regulations, and provide regular health examinations for employees that are engaged in work with occupational hazards. Employees engaged in special operations must receive specialized training and obtain pertinent qualifications. An employer shall develop a vocational training system. Vocational training funds shall be set aside and used in accordance with national regulations, and vocational training for employees shall be carried out systematically based on the actual conditions of the company.
155
The Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on June 29, 2007, amended on December 28, 2012, and came into effect July 1, 2013, combined with the Implementation Regulations on Labor Contract Law, which was promulgated and became effective September 18, 2008, regulate the parties to labor contracts, namely employers and employees, and contain specific provisions relating to the terms of labor contracts. Under the Labor Contract Law and the Implementation Regulations on Labor Contract Law, a labor contract must be made in writing. An employer and an employee may enter into a fixed-term labor contract, an un-fixed term labor contract, or a labor contract that concludes upon the completion of certain work assignments, after reaching agreement upon due negotiations. An employer may legally terminate a labor contract and dismiss its employees after reaching agreement upon due negotiations with its employees or by fulfilling the statutory conditions. Where a labor relationship has already been established without a written labor contract, the written labor contracts shall be entered into within one month from the date on which the employee commences working.
Social Insurance
The Law on Social Insurance of the PRC, which was promulgated on October 28, 2010, and became effective on July 1, 2011, has established social insurance systems of basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work injury insurance and basic medical insurance, and has elaborated in detail the legal obligations and liabilities of employers who do not comply with relevant laws and regulations on social insurance.
According to the Interim Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance Premiums, the Regulations on Work Injury Insurance, the Regulations on Unemployment Insurance and the Trial Measures on Employee Maternity Insurance of Enterprises, enterprises in the PRC shall provide benefit plans for their employees, which include basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work injury insurance and basic medical insurance. An enterprise must provide social insurance by going through social insurance registration with local social insurance authorities or agencies, and shall pay or withhold relevant social insurance premiums for or on behalf of employees.
Housing Provident Fund
According to the Administrative Regulations on the Administration of the Housing Provident Fund, which was promulgated and became effective on April 3, 1999, and was amended on March 24, 2002, housing provident fund contributions paid and deposited both by employees and their unit employer shall be owned by the employees.
A unit employer shall undertake registration of payment and deposit of the housing provident fund in the housing provident fund management center and, upon verification by the housing provident fund management center, open a housing provident fund account on behalf of its employees in a commissioned bank. Employers shall timely pay and deposit housing provident fund contributions in the full amount and late or insufficient payments shall be prohibited. With respect to unit employers who violate the regulations hereinabove and fail to complete housing provident fund payment and deposit registrations or open housing provident fund accounts for their employees, such unit employers shall be ordered by the housing provident fund administration center to complete such procedures within a designated period. Those who fail to complete their registrations within the designated period shall be subject to a fine of between RMB10,000 and RMB50,000. When unit employers are in breach of these regulations and fail to pay deposit housing provident fund contributions in the full amount as they fall due, the housing provident fund administration center shall order such unit employers to pay within a prescribed time limit, failing which an application may be made to a peoples court for compulsory enforcement.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Trademark, Domain Name and Copyright
Trademark
Pursuant to the Trademark Law of the PRC, or the Trademark Law, which was revised on August 30, 2013, and came into effect from May 1, 2014, the term registered trademarks refers to trademarks that have been
156
approved by and registered with the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, and includes commodity trademarks, service trademarks, collective marks and certification marks. The trademark registrant shall enjoy an exclusive right to use the trademark registered under its name, which shall be protected by laws.
Domain Name
Pursuant to the Administrative Measures for Internet Domain Names, which was promulgated by the MIIT on August 24, 2017 and became effective on November 1, 2017, domain name registration is subject to the principle of first come, first served. The domain names registered or used by an organization or individual may not contain any contents prohibited by laws and administrative regulations. A domain name registration applicant is required to provide the domain name registration service agency with true, accurate and complete identity information on the domain name holder.
Copyright and Software Registration
The Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the Copyright Law in 1990 and amended it in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. The amended Copyright Law also requires registration of a copyright pledge. To address the problem of copyright infringement related to the content posted or transmitted over the Internet, the National Copyright Administration and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet on April 29, 2005. This measure became effective on May 30, 2005.
Pursuant to the Computer Software Protection Regulations promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001, and amended on November 8, 2011 and January 30, 2013, respectively, the software copyright owner may go through the registration formalities with a software registration authority recognized by the State Councils copyright administrative department. The owner of a software copyright may authorize others to exercise that copyright, and shall have the right to receive remuneration. In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations, the State Copyright Bureau issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which applies to software copyright registration, license contract registration and transfer contract registration.
Regulations on Tax
PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law
In January 2008, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or PRC EIT Law, took effect. The PRC EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where tax incentives are granted to special industries and projects. Small and micro enterprises meeting certain conditions are entitled to a preferential EIT rate of 20%. Under the PRC EIT Law and its implementation regulations, dividends generated from the business of a PRC subsidiary after January 1, 2008 and payable to its foreign investor may be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10% if the PRC tax authorities determine that the foreign investor is a nonresident enterprise, unless there is a tax treaty with China that provides for a preferential withholding tax rate. Distributions of earnings generated before January 1, 2008 are exempt from PRC withholding tax.
Under the PRC EIT Law, an enterprise established outside China with de facto management bodies within China is considered a resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. A circular issued by the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, in April 2009 regarding the standards used to classify certain Chinese-invested
157
enterprises controlled by Chinese enterprises or Chinese enterprise groups and established outside of China as resident enterprises clarified that dividends and other income paid by such PRC resident enterprises will be considered PRC-source income and subject to PRC withholding tax, currently at a rate of 10%, when paid to non-PRC enterprise shareholders. This circular also subjects such PRC resident enterprises to various reporting requirements with the PRC tax authorities. Under the implementation regulations to the PRC EIT Law, a de facto management body is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise. In addition, the tax circular mentioned above specifies that certain PRC-invested overseas enterprises controlled by a Chinese enterprise or a Chinese enterprise group in the PRC will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: (i) senior management personnel and departments responsible for daily production, operation and management; (ii) financial and personnel decision-making bodies; (iii) key properties, accounting books, the company seal, and minutes of board meetings and shareholders meetings; and (iv) half or more of the senior management or directors who have voting rights.
Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or SAT Circular 81, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. In August 2015, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Administrative Measures for Nonresident Taxpayers to Enjoy Treatment under Tax Treaties, or SAT Circular 60, which became effective on November 1, 2015. SAT Circular 60 provides that nonresident enterprises are not required to obtain pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, nonresident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited may be able to benefit from the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends it receives from Purong Beijing, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under SAT Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules and regulations. However, according to SAT Circular 81 and SAT Circular 60, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future.
In January 2009, the SAT promulgated the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax for Nonresident Enterprises, or the Nonresident Enterprises Measures, pursuant to which entities that have direct obligation to make certain payments to a nonresident enterprise shall be the relevant tax withholders for such nonresident enterprise. Further, the Nonresident Enterprises Measures provide that, in case of an equity transfer between two nonresident enterprises which occurs outside China, the nonresident enterprise which receives the equity transfer payment shall, by itself or engage an agent to, file a tax declaration with the PRC tax authority located at the place of the PRC company whose equity has been transferred, and the PRC company whose equity has been transferred shall assist the tax authorities to collect taxes from the relevant nonresident enterprise. On April 30, 2009, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT jointly issued the Notice on Issues Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or Circular 59. On December 10, 2009, the SAT issued the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of the Enterprise Income Tax concerning Proceeds from Equity Transfers by Nonresident Enterprises, or Circular 698. Both Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retroactively as of January 1, 2008. By promulgating and implementing these two circulars, the PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise by a nonresident enterprise.
158
On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Several Issues Concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Property Transfer by Nonresident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7, to supersede the provisions in relation to the Indirect Transfer as set forth in Circular 698. SAT Bulletin 7 introduces a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Public Notice extends its tax jurisdiction to capture not only Indirect Transfer as set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of immovable property in China and assets held under the establishment and place in China of a foreign company through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. SAT Bulletin 7 also addresses transfer of the equity interest in a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and introduces safe harbor scenarios applicable to internal group restructurings. However, it also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee of the Indirect Transfer as they have to make self-assessment on whether the transaction should be subject to PRC tax and to file or withhold the PRC tax accordingly.
On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Nonresident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect and superseded Circular 698 and the Nonresident Enterprises Measures on December 1, 2017. SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure for the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax. Among other things, the SAT Bulletin 37 provides that:
| for the income from equity investment assets, the competent tax authority for the income tax of the invested enterprise shall be the competent tax authority, while for the income from the dividends, extra dividends and other equity investment, the competent tax authority for the income tax of the enterprise distributing the income shall be the competent tax authority; |
| the withholding obligator shall declare and pay the withheld tax to the competent tax authority in the place where such withholding obligator is located with seven days from the date of occurrence of the withholding obligation; |
| where the income obtained by the withholding obligator and required to be withheld at source is in the form of dividends, extra dividends or any other equity investment gains, the date of occurrence of the obligation for withholding relevant payable tax is the date of actual payment of the dividends, extra dividends or other equity investment gains; |
| for the income tax required to be withheld under Article 37 of the PRC EIT Law, if the withholding obligator fails to withhold in accordance with the law or is unable to perform withholding obligation, the nonresident enterprise obtaining the income shall declare and pay the tax not withheld to the competent tax authority of the place of the occurrence of the income in accordance with Article 39 of the PRC EIT Law and complete the Form of Report on Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax of the Peoples Republic of China; where the nonresident enterprise fails to declare and pay tax in accordance with Article 39 of the PRC EIT Law, the tax authority may order it to pay the tax within a specified time limit and the nonresident enterprise shall declare and pay the tax within the time limit determined by the tax authority; the nonresident enterprise that declares and pays the tax voluntarily before the tax authority orders it to pay tax within a specified time limit shall be deemed as having paid tax as scheduled; |
| the competent tax authority may require the taxpayer, withholding obligator and relevant parties with knowledge of relevant information to provide the contracts and other relevant materials relating to the withholding of tax. The withholding obligator shall set up the account books for withholding and payment of tax and file of contracts and materials to accurately record the withholding and payment of nonresident enterprise income tax; and |
| where the withholding obligator fails to withhold the tax required to be withheld under Article 37 of the PRC EIT Law, the competent tax authority of the place where the withholding agent is located shall order the withholding obligator to make up for the withholding of tax in accordance with Article 23 of the Administrative Punishment Law of the Peoples Republic of China and hold the withholding agent |
159
liable in accordance with the law; if recovery of tax payment from the taxpayer is necessary, the competent tax authority of the place where the income occurs shall implement the recovery in accordance with the law. If the place where the withholding obligator is located is different from the place where the income occurs, the competent tax authority of the place of occurrence of the income that is responsible for recovering the tax payment shall give notice to the competent tax authority of the place where the withholding obligator is located for verifying relevant information. The competent tax authority of the place where the withholding agent is located shall, within five working days from the date where it is determined that the payable tax is not withheld in accordance with the law, send the Contact Letter for Nonresident Enterprise Tax Matters to the competent tax authority of the place of occurrence of income and notify the latter of the tax-related matters of the nonresident enterprise. |
Where nonresident investors were involved in our private equity financing, if such transactions were determined by the tax authorities to lack reasonable commercial purpose, we and our nonresident investors may become at risk of being required to file a return and taxed under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 or to establish that we should not be held liable for any obligations under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37.
PRC Value-added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax
On January 1, 2012, the Chinese State Council officially launched a pilot value-added tax (VAT) reform program, or Pilot Program, applicable to businesses in selected industries. Businesses in the Pilot Program would pay VAT instead of business tax. Pilot industries in Shanghai include industries involving the leasing of tangible movable property, transportation services, product development and technical services, information technology services, cultural and creative services, logistics and ancillary services, certification and consulting services. According to official announcements made by competent authorities in Beijing and Guangdong province, Beijing launched the same Pilot Program on September 1, 2012, and Guangdong province launched its pilot program on November 1, 2012. On May 24, 2013, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Tax Policies in the Nationwide Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax in the Transportation Industry and Certain Modern Services Industries, or the Pilot Collection Circular. The scope of certain modern services industries under the Pilot Collection Circular extends to the inclusion of radio and television services. On August 1, 2013, the Pilot Program was implemented throughout China. On December 12, 2013, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT issued the Circular on the Inclusion of the Railway Transport Industry and Postal Service Industry in the Pilot Collection of Value-added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax, or the 2013 VAT Circular. Among the other things, the 2013 VAT Circular abolished the Pilot Collection Circular, and refined the policies for the Pilot Program. On April 29, 2014, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT issued the Circular on the Inclusion of Telecommunications Industry in the Pilot Collection of Value-added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax. On March 23, 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT issued the Circular on the Comprehensive Promotion of the Pilot Program of the Collection of Value-added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax. Effective from May 1, 2016, the PRC tax authorities collect VAT in lieu of Business Tax on a trial basis within the territory of China, and in industries such as construction industries, real estate industries, financial industries and living service industries. Some of our subsidiaries as a small-scale taxpayer will be required to pay VAT at a tax rate of 3% for the services.
Draft PRC Foreign Investment Law
On January 19, 2015, MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments. The draft Foreign Investment Law purports to change the existing case-by-case approval regime to a filing or approval procedure for foreign investments in China. The MOFCOM, together with other relevant authorities, will determine a catalog for special administrative measures, or the negative list, which will consist of a list of industry categories where foreign investments are strictly prohibited and a list of industry categories where foreign investments are subject to certain restrictions. Foreign investments in business sectors outside of the negative list will only be subject to filing procedures, in contrast to the existing
160
prior approval requirements, whereas foreign investments in the restricted industries must apply for approval from the foreign investment administration authority.
The draft Foreign Investment Law for the first time defines foreign investor, foreign investment, Chinese investor and actual control. A foreign investor is not only determined based on the place of its incorporation, but also on the conditions of the actual control. The draft Foreign Investment Law specifically provides that entities established in China but controlled by foreign investors, such as via contracts or trust, will be treated as foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, whereas foreign investment in China in the foreign investment restricted industries by a foreign investor may nonetheless apply for being, when obtaining market entry clearance by the foreign investment administration authority, treated as a PRC domestic investment if the foreign investor is determined by the foreign investment administration authority as being controlled by PRC entities and/or citizens. In this connection, actual control is broadly defined in the draft Foreign Investment Law to cover the following summarized categories: (i) holding 50% or more of the voting rights of the subject entity; (ii) holding less than 50% of the voting rights of the subject entity but having the power to secure at least 50% of the seats on the board or other equivalent decision making bodies, or having the voting power to materially influence the board, the shareholders meeting or other equivalent decision making bodies; or (iii) having the power to exert decisive influence, via contractual or trust arrangements, over the subject entitys operations, financial matters or other key aspects of business operations. According to the draft Foreign Investment Law, VIEs would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately controlled by foreign investors, and be subject to restrictions on foreign investments. However, the draft Foreign Investment Law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing companies with the variable interest entity structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties.
The draft Foreign Investment Law emphasizes the security review requirements, whereby all foreign investments concerning national security must be reviewed and approved in accordance with the security review procedure. In addition, the draft Foreign Investment Law imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign investors and the applicable FIEs. In addition to the investment implementation report and investment amendment report that are required at each investment and alteration of investment specifics, an annual report is mandatory, and large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be non-compliant with these information reporting obligations may potentially be subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities, and the persons directly responsible may be subject to criminal liabilities.
It is still uncertain when the draft would be signed into law and whether the final version would have any substantial changes from this draft. When the Foreign Investment Law becomes effective, the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations, will be abolished.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange
Regulations on Loans to and Direct Investment in the PRC Entities by Offshore Holding Companies
According to the Implementation Rules for the Provisional Regulations on Statistics and Supervision of Foreign Debt promulgated by SAFE on September 24, 1997 and the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts promulgated by SAFE, the NDRC and the MOF that became effective from March 1, 2003, loans by foreign companies to their subsidiaries in China, which accordingly are foreign-invested enterprises, are considered foreign debts. Pursuant to the Measures for the Administration of Foreign Debt Registration issued by SAFE on April 28, 2013 and the Notice on Matters concerning the Macro-Prudential Administration of Full-Covered Cross-Border Financing issued by the Peoples Bank of China on January 11, 2017, the total amount of accumulated foreign debt borrowed by a foreign-invested enterprise is subject to a upper limit calculated based on a statutory formula, and the foreign-invested enterprise is required to file with SAFE after entering into
161
relevant foreign debt contract and within at least three business days before drawing any money from the foreign debts.
According to applicable PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises, if a foreign holding company makes capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries, which are considered foreign-invested enterprises, the PRC subsidiaries must file with the MOFCOM or its local counterpart in connection with the increase of its registered capital.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules, as amended from time to time up until the date of this prospectus, and various regulations issued by SAFE and other relevant PRC government authorities, Renminbi is freely convertible to the extent of current account items, such as trade and service-related receipts and payments, interest and dividends. Capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, unless expressly exempted by laws and regulations, still require prior approval from SAFE or its provincial branch for conversion of Renminbi into a foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars, and remittance of the foreign currency outside of China. Payments for transactions that take place within China shall be made in Renminbi. Foreign currency revenues received by PRC companies may be repatriated into China or retained outside of China in accordance with requirements and terms specified by SAFE.
Under the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules, foreign-invested enterprises in China may, without the approval of SAFE, make a payment from their foreign exchange accounts at designated foreign exchange banks for paying dividends with certain evidencing documents (e.g., board resolutions and tax certificates), or for trade and services-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial documents evidencing such transactions. They are also allowed to retain foreign currency (subject to a cap approved by SAFE) to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities. In addition, foreign exchange transactions involving overseas direct investment or investment and trading in securities and derivative products abroad are subject to registration with SAFE or its local counterparts and approval from or filling with other relevant PRC government authorities, if necessary.
Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents
SAFE Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Residents Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, issued by SAFE and becoming effective on July 4, 2014, regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents or entities to seek offshore investment and financing and conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, an SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or entities for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate domestic or offshore assets or interests, while round trip investment refers to the direct investment in China by PRC residents or entities through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested enterprises within the PRC through a new entity, merger or acquisition and other ways to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 requires that, before making contribution into an SPV, PRC residents or entities are required to complete foreign exchange registration with SAFE or its local branch. In the event of any change in the basic information such as the domestic individual shareholder, name, operation term, etc. in connection with such SPV, or if there is a capital increase, decrease, equity transfer or swap, merge, spinoff or other material changes in connection with such SPV, the PRC residents or entities shall complete foreign exchange alteration registration formality for offshore investment. SAFE Circular 37 further provides that option or share-based incentive tool holders of a non-listed SPV can exercise the options or share incentive tools to become a shareholder of such non-listed SPV, subject to registration with SAFE or its local branch. In addition, according to the procedural guidelines as attached to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents or entities are only required to register the SPV directly established or controlled (first level).
On February 13, 2015, the SAFE further promulgated the Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment ( SAFE Circular 13), which took
162
effect on June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 13 has amended SAFE Circular 37 by requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing.
As of the date of this prospectus, all PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect interests in our company have completed the necessary registrations with SAFE as required by SAFE Circular 37.
Regulations on Share Incentive Plans
Pursuant to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plan of an Overseas Publicly Listed Company, or SAFE Circular 7, which was issued by SAFE in February 2012, the domestic individuals, including PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year (but excluding the foreign diplomatic personnel and representatives of international organizations), who participate in any share incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, such as its employees, directors, supervisors and other senior management, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and certain other procedures are also required to be completed. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may result in fines and legal sanctions on such domestic individuals and may also limit their capability to contribute additional capital into the wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China and further limit such subsidiarys capability to distribute dividends.
In addition, the State Administration of Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options or restricted shares. Under these circulars, the employees working in the PRC will be subject to PRC individual income tax when they exercise share options or are granted restricted shares. The PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company have the obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes levied on those employees exercising their share options. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC government authorities.
Provisions on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (Revised in 2009)
Under the Provisions on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (Revised in 2009), or the M&A Rules, a foreign investor is required to obtain necessary approvals when (1) such foreign investor acquires any equity interests or subscribes for any new equity interests in a domestic enterprise whereby such domestic enterprise is converted into a foreign-invested enterprise; or (2) such foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise, which then purchases and operates the assets of a domestic enterprise, or such foreign investor purchases the assets of a domestic enterprise and then injects those assets into a foreign-invested enterprise. According to Article 11 of the M&A Rules, where a domestic enterprise or a domestic natural person, through an overseas company established or controlled by it/him/her, acquires a domestic company which is related to or connected with it/him/her, approval from the MOFCOM is required.
For a detailed description of the risks associated with the M&A Rules, see Risk FactorsRisk Factors Related to Doing Business in the PRCCertain PRC regulations, including the M&A Rules and national security regulations, may require a complicated review and approval process which could make it difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
163
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.
Name |
Age | Position/Title | ||||
Yunlong Sha |
42 | Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Peng Wang |
41 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Ming Hu |
46 | Independent Director | ||||
Kehai Xie |
52 | Independent Director | ||||
Xiaoxiao Liu |
32 | Independent Director |
Mr. Yunlong Sha is the founder of our company and has served as chairman of our board and our chief executive officer since 2014. Prior to starting our business in 2014, Mr. Sha served as senior vice president and held various managerial positions at New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. from 2001 to 2014. Mr. Sha received his EMBA degree from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and bachelors degree in law from Renmin University of China.
Mr. Peng Wang has served as our chief financial officer since 2017. Mr. Wang joined us in 2017. Mr. Wang previously served as senior vice president at China Hi-Tech Group Co., Ltd. from October 2016 to October 2017 and served as principal of a school under New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. from March 2010 to October 2016. Mr. Wang received his doctors degree in economics from Renmin University of China.
Ms. Ming Hu has served as our director since 2015 and will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. Ms. Hu also has served as director of CITIC Publishing Group Corporation since September 2016. Ms. Hu previously held various managerial positions at Huayi Brothers Media Corporation from May 2005 to February 2016. Ms. Hu received her masters degree from the University of International Business and Economics.
Mr. Kehai Xie has served as our director since 2014 and will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. Mr. Xie has served as director, president and chief executive officer of Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd. since 2015 and served as senior vice president of Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd. from January 2010 to July 2015. Mr. Xie has also served as chairman of PKU Founder IT Group Co. Ltd. since November 2015 and as chairman of PKU Founder Education Investment Group Co. Ltd. since June 2016. Mr. Xie received his master degree in business administration and bachelors degree from the University of Science and Technology Beijing.
Ms. Xiaoxiao Liu has served as our director since 2018 and will serve as our independent director upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. Ms. Liu has served as vice president of Trustbridge Partners since 2015. Ms. Liu previously served as manager of acquisition and finance department of KPMG from June 2011 to July 2015. Ms. Liu received her bachelors degree in economics from Fudan University.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors will consist of four directors, including three independent directors, namely Ms. Ming Hu, Mr. Kehai Xie and Ms. Xiaoxiao Liu, upon the SECs declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus forms a part. Under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will come into effect upon the completion of this offering, our board of directors will consist of at least three directors. Our directors will be elected by a resolution of the holders of our ordinary shares, or by a resolution of our directors. There is no shareholding requirement for qualification to serve as a member of our board of directors.
164
A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or transaction is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.
Board Committees
Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee under our board of directors. We intend to adopt a charter for each of the committees prior to the completion of this offering. Each committees members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee will consist of Ms. Ming Hu, Mr. Kehai Xie and Mr. Yunlong Sha, and is chaired by Ms. Ming Hu. Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Ming Hu and Mr. Kehai Xie satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. Our audit committee will consist solely of independent directors that satisfy the NYSE and SEC requirements within one year of the completion of this offering. We have determined that Ms. Ming Hu qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
| appointing or removing the independent auditor and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditor; |
| setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditor; |
| reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and managements response; |
| reviewing and approving all related-party transactions; |
| discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditor; |
| discussing with management and the independent auditor major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations; |
| reviewing analyses or other written communications prepared by management or the independent auditor relating to significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; |
| reviewing with management and the independent auditor the effect of key transactions, related-party transactions and off-balance sheet transactions and structures; |
| reviewing with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives; |
| reviewing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management; |
| reviewing our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; |
| reviewing reports from the independent auditor regarding all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by our company; |
| establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints we received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
165
| periodically reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter; |
| evaluating the performance, responsibilities, budget and staffing of our internal audit function and reviewing and approving the internal audit plan; and |
| reporting regularly to the board of directors. |
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee will consist of Mr. Kehai Xie, Ms. Ming Hu and Mr. Yunlong Sha and is chaired by Mr. Kehai Xie. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kehai Xie and Ms. Ming Hu satisfy the independence requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. Our compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our executive officers. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
| reviewing and approving the compensation of our executive officers; |
| reviewing and evaluating our executive compensation and benefits policies generally; |
| in consultation with our chief executive officer, periodically reviewing our management succession planning; |
| reporting to our board of directors periodically; |
| evaluating its own performance and reporting to our board of directors on such evaluation; |
| periodically reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the compensation committee charter and recommending any proposed changes to our board of directors; and |
| selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that persons independence from management. |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Mr. Yunlong Sha, Mr. Kehai Xie and Ms. Xiaoxiao Liu, and is chaired by Mr. Yunlong Sha. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kehai Xie and Ms. Xiaoxiao Liu satisfy the independence requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
| identifying and recommending to the board of directors qualified individuals for membership on the board of directors and its committees; |
| evaluating, at least annually, its own performance and reporting to the board of directors on such evaluation; |
| leading our board of directors in a self-evaluation to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively; |
| reviewing the evaluations prepared by each board committee of such committees performance and considering any recommendations for proposed changes to our board of directors; |
| reviewing and approving compensation (including equity-based compensation) for our directors; |
| overseeing compliance with the corporate governance guidelines and code of business conduct and ethics and reporting on such compliance to the board of directors; and |
| reviewing and assessing periodically the adequacy of its charter and recommending any proposed changes to the board of directors for approval. |
166
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
| convening shareholders annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings; |
| declaring dividends and distributions; |
| appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers; |
| exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and |
| approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register. |
Terms of Directors and Officers
Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by ordinary resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders.
Compensation of Directors and Officers
In 2017, the aggregate cash compensation and benefits that we paid to our directors and executive officers was US$9,702. No pension, retirement or similar benefits have been set aside or accrued for our executive officers or directors. We have no service contracts with any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of employment.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, which will be automatically extended unless either we or the executive officer gives a 30-day prior written notice to terminate such employment. We may terminate the executive officers employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties.
Each executive officer has agreed not to disclose, use, transfer or sell, except in the course of employment with our company and for the purpose of carrying out his or her duties as an officer of our company, any of our confidential information or proprietary data so long as such information or proprietary data remains confidential and has not been disclosed or is not otherwise in the public domain. Each officer has agreed that we shall own all the intellectual property developed by such officer during his or her employment. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for two years following the last date of employment.
167
We expect to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.
Share Incentive Plans
2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan
In December 2014, Puxin Education adopted its 2014 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan. We refer this plan as the Original Plan. Under the Original Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Puxin Education that may be issued will not exceed 158,400,000. The term of the options will not exceed seven years from the date of the grant. We granted 142,783,400 options to purchase Puxin Educations equity interest from 2015 to 2017. In March 2018, we adopted Puxin Limited 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan to replace the Original Plan and granted options to purchase 6,592,538 ordinary shares of Puxin Limited under this plan to replace the granted and outstanding options under the Original Plan. As of March 31, 2018, there were 6,565,494 options outstanding which entitle their holders to purchase 6,565,494 ordinary shares of Puxin Limited under this plan.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan.
Types of Awards. The 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares, restricted share units, share appreciation rights, rights to dividends, dividend equivalent right and other rights or benefits under the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan.
Plan Administration. Before the completion of this offering, the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan is administered by the board of directors. After the completion of this offering, a committee formed in accordance with applicable stock exchange rules shall administer the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan, unless otherwise determined by the board of directors.
Conditions of Award. The board of directors or the committee designated by the board of directors to administer the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan, as the administrator, shall determine the participants, types of awards, numbers of shares to be covered by awards, terms and conditions of each award, and provisions with respect to the vesting schedule, settlement, exercise, cancellation, forfeiture or suspension of awards.
Term of Award. The term of each award shall be fixed by the committee and is stated in the award agreement between recipient of an award and us. No award shall be granted under this 2018 Great Talent Plan after the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the Original Plan.
Transfer Restrictions. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator of the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan, no award and no right under any such award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by the employee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution unless, if so determined by the administrator of the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan, the recipient of an award may, in the manner established by such administrator, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise his or her rights, and to receive any property distributable, with respect to any award upon the death of the recipient.
2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan
Our board of directors adopted the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan in February 2018. The purpose of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan is to enhance our ability to attract and retain highly qualified officers, directors, key employees and other persons, and to motivate such persons to serve us and our affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve our business results and earnings, by providing such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct interest in our operations and future success.
On March 31, 2018, we granted options to purchase a total of 16,400,000 ordinary shares to employees.
168
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan.
Eligibility. Our employees and consultants are eligible to participate in the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan.
Share Reserve. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that will be issued under the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan is 16,400,000.
Types of Awards. The 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares, restricted share units, share appreciation rights, rights to dividends, dividend equivalent right and other rights or benefits under the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan.
Plan Administration. Before the completion of this offering, the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan is administered by the board of directors. After the completion of this offering, a committee formed in accordance with applicable stock exchange rules shall administer the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, unless otherwise determined by the board of directors.
Conditions of Award. The board of directors or the committee designated by the board of directors to administer the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, as the administrator, shall determine the participants, types of awards, numbers of shares to be covered by awards, terms and conditions of each award, and provisions with respect to the vesting schedule, settlement, exercise, cancellation, forfeiture or suspension of awards.
Term of Award. The term of each award shall be fixed by the committee and is stated in the award agreement between recipient of an award and us, provided that the term shall be no more than ten years from the date of grant thereof.
Transfer Restrictions. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, no award and no right under any such award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by the employee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution unless, if so determined by the administrator of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, the recipient of an award may, in the manner established by such administrator, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise his or her rights, and to receive any property distributable, with respect to any award upon the death of the recipient.
Exercise of Award. Any award granted under the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan is exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the administrator under the terms of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan and specified in the award agreement. An award is deemed to be exercised when exercise notice has been given to us in accordance with the terms of the award by the person entitled to exercise the award and full payment for the shares with respect to which the award is exercised.
Amendment, Suspension or Termination. The administrator of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, or any award agreement hereunder or any portion hereof or thereof at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without (i) shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the administrator of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply, (ii) shareholder approval for any amendment to the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan that increases the total number of shares reserved for the purposes of the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan, and (iii) with respect to any award agreement, the consent of the affected recipient of an award, if such action would materially and adversely affect the rights of such recipient under any outstanding award.
169
The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the options granted under our 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan and 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan to our directors and executive officers, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelled after the relevant grant dates.
Name |
Ordinary Shares Underlying |
Exercise Price per Ordinary Share (in US$) |
Date of Grant |
Date of Expiration | ||||
Yunlong Sha |
| | | | ||||
Peng Wang |
* | 7.78 | March 31, 2018 | March 31, 2025 | ||||
Ming Hu |
| | | | ||||
Kehai Xie |
| | | | ||||
Xiaoxiao Liu |
| | | |
* | Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares. |
As of the date of this prospectus, other employees as a group held outstanding options awarded to purchase 22,719,494 ordinary shares of our company, with exercise price of US$0.04 to US$7.78 per share.
170
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, as of the date of this prospectus, by:
| each of our directors and executive officers; |
| all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and |
| each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our ordinary shares. |
The calculations in the shareholder table below assume that there are 164,000,000 ordinary shares on an as-converted basis issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and 185,257,144 ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, including (i) 14,400,000 ordinary shares to be sold by us in this offering in the form of ADSs, and (ii) 18,775,024 ordinary shares converted from our preferred shares and convertible notes, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the ordinary shares. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by them. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all executive officers and directors as a group.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering |
Shares Beneficially Owned after this Offering |
Percentage of Votes Held after this Offering |
||||||||||||||||||
Number | %(1) | Number | % | % | ||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Yunlong Sha(2) |
77,080,000 | 47.0 | 77,080,000 | 41.6 | 41.6 | |||||||||||||||
Ming Hu |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Kehai Xie |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Xiaoxiao Liu |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Peng Wang |
* | * | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group |
77,326,000 | 47.1 | 77,326,000 | 41.7 | 41.7 | |||||||||||||||
Principal Shareholders: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Long bright Limited(3) |
77,080,000 | 47.0 | 77,080,000 | 41.6 | 41.6 | |||||||||||||||
Puxin Nova Limited(4) |
21,761,652 | 13.3 | 21,761,652 | 11.7 | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||
Gao & Tianyi Limited(5) |
8,200,000 | 5.0 | 8,200,000 | 4.4 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||
Long wit Limited(6) |
8,200,000 | 5.0 | 8,200,000 | 4.4 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||
Long belief Limited(7) |
8,200,000 | 5.0 | 8,200,000 | 4.4 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||
Long favor Limited(8) |
17,103,724 | 10.4 | 17,103,724 | 9.2 | 9.2 |
* | Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares on an as-converted basis. |
| The business address of Mr. Yunlong Sha and Mr. Peng Wang is Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China. The business address of Ms. Ming Hu is Room 1208, Tower 2, China Central Place, Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. The business address of Mr. Kehai Xie is Room G-12B-03, Jinyu International, No. 48 Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. The business address of Ms. Xiaoxiao Liu is 655 Haike Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China. |
171
(1) | For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 164,000,000, being the number of ordinary shares on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and (ii) the number of ordinary shares underlying share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus. |
(2) | Represents 77,080,000 ordinary shares held by Long bright Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Yunlong Sha, among which 9,000,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, 4,150,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited and 2,000,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to China Central International Asset Management Co., Limited. |
(3) | Represents 77,080,000 ordinary shares held by Long bright Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Yunlong Sha, among which 9,000,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, 4,150,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited and 2,000,000 ordinary shares are mortgaged to China Central International Asset Management Co., Limited. The registered address of Long bright Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Two, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
(4) | Represents 21,761,652 ordinary shares held by Puxin Nova Limited, a British Virgin Islands company owned by certain employees of our company. The registered address of Puxin Nova Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
(5) | Represents 8,200,000 ordinary shares held by Gao & Tianyi Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Liang Gao. The registered address of Gao & Tianyi Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
(6) | Represents 8,200,000 ordinary shares held by Long wit Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Ms. Chunxiang Tan. The registered address of Long wit Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
(7) | Represents 8,200,000 ordinary shares held by Long belief Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Ms. Chunxiang Tan. Long belief Limited holds these 8,200,000 ordinary shares for using these shares as acquisition consideration for our future acquisitions. Long belief Limited has waived its rights associated with these ordinary shares, including voting right and dividend right. The registered address of Long belief Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
(8) | Represents 17,103,724 ordinary shares held by Long favor Limited. Among these 17,103,724 ordinary shares, 6,592,538 ordinary shares are held for the purpose of transferring such shares to the plan participants according to our option awards under our 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan adopted in March 2018 and 10,511,186 ordinary shares are held for using these shares as acquisition consideration for our future acquisitions. Long favor Limited administers these ordinary shares and acts according to our instructions. Long favor Limited has waived its rights associated with these 17,103,724 ordinary shares including the voting right and dividend right. Long favor Limited is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Mr. Yun Xiao is the sole shareholder. The registered address of Long favor Limited is Start Chambers, Wickhams Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
As of the date of the prospectus, none of our outstanding ordinary shares or preferred shares are held by record holders in the United States. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
See Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances for a description of the history of our share issuances and transfers.
172
Contractual Arrangements
See Corporate History and Structure for a description of the contractual arrangements between our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE, the shareholders of our VIE and certain subsidiaries of our VIE.
Employment Agreements
See ManagementEmployment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements for a description of the employment agreements we have entered into with our senior executive officers.
Share Incentives
See ManagementShare Incentive Plan for a description of share options and stock purchase rights we have granted to our directors, officers and other individuals.
Other Related Party Transactions
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, we had amounts due from Tianjin Puxian Education and Technology Limited Partnership, or Tianjin Puxian, which is one shareholder of Puxin Education, of RMB9,000 and RMB13,000 for miscellaneous expenses paid by Puxin Education on behalf of Tianjin Puxian, respectively. All such outstanding amounts due from Tianjin Puxian were paid off.
As of December 31, 2016, we had amounts due to Mr. Yunlong Sha and Ms. Wenjing Song, who is married to Mr. Yunlong Sha, in an aggregate amount of RMB3.0 million for miscellaneous operating expenses paid by Mr. Yunlong Sha and Ms. Wenjing Song on behalf of Puxin Education. Such outstanding amounts due from us were paid off in 2017.
As of December 31, 2017, we had amounts due to Mr. Yunlong Sha of RMB3.8 million for miscellaneous operating expenses paid by Mr. Yunlong Sha on behalf of Puxin Education. All such amounts due to Mr. Yunlong Share were paid off.
As of March 31, 2018, we had amounts due to Mr. Yunlong Sha of RMB180 million which was paid by Mr. Yunlong Sha on behalf of our group to repurchase an aggregate of 5% equity interest in Puxin Education with preferential feature previously held by Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co,. Ltd. and Ningbo Zhixin New Economy Phase II Equity Investment Limited Partnership in connection with our restructuring arrangements.
173
We were incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands on March 17, 2017, and our affairs are governed by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law (as amended) of Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Law below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital was US$50,000 divided into (i) 988,082,120 ordinary shares with a par value US$0.00005 each, and (ii) 11,917,880 Series A preferred shares with a par value US$0.00005 each. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, all of our issued and outstanding preferred shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.
We plan to adopt a second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace the current amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our authorized share capital immediately prior to the completion of the offering will be US$50,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.00005 each. We will issue 14,400,000 ordinary shares represented by ADSs in this offering. All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to an equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions are met. The following are summaries of material provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares that will become effective upon the closing of this offering.
Ordinary Shares
General. Holders of ordinary shares have the same rights. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of the funds legally available. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Law.
Voting Rights. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders vote, each ordinary share is entitled to one vote. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote. An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting and includes a unanimous written resolution. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name, reducing the share capital or making changes to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions contained in our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.
174
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
| the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; |
| the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares; |
| the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; |
| in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; |
| the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us; and |
| a fee of such maximum sum as the NYSE may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof. |
If our directors refuse to register a transfer, they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the NYSE, be suspended and the register of members closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register of members closed for more than 30 days in any year as our board may determine.
Liquidation. On a return of capital on winding-up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares. The Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated articles of association permit us to purchase our own shares. In accordance with our post-offering amended and restated articles of association and provided the necessary shareholders or board approval have been obtained, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as may be determined by our board of directors.
Variations of Rights of Shares. All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the holders of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by or abrogated by, inter alia, the creation or allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to such existing class of shares.
General Meetings of Shareholders. Shareholders meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least ten calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general
175
shareholders meeting and any other general meeting of our shareholders, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:
(i) | in the case of an annual general meeting by all the shareholders (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
(ii) | in the case of an extraordinary general meeting by a majority in number of the shareholders (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95% in par value of the shares giving that right. |
Voting Rights Attaching to the Shares. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every shareholder present in person and every person representing a shareholder by proxy shall, at a shareholders meeting, each have one vote and on a poll every shareholder and every person representing a shareholder by proxy shall have one vote for each Share of which he or the person represented by proxy is the holder.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will in provide our shareholders with the right to inspect our list of shareholders and to receive annual audited financial statements. See Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Changes in Capital. We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
| increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; |
| consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; |
| subdivide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount; or |
| cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person. |
We may by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Companies Law, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Exempted Company
We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the Companies Law. The Companies Law in the Cayman Islands distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
| an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; |
| an exempted companys register of members is not open to inspection; |
| an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
| an exempted company may issue no par value shares; |
| an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
| an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
176
| an exempted company may register as an exempted limited duration company; and |
| an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
Limited liability means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company. Upon the completion of this offering, we will be subject to reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. We currently intend to comply with the NYSE rules in lieu of following home country practice after the completion of this offering. The NYSE rules require that every company listed on the NYSE hold an annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, our post-offering amended and restated articles of association allow directors to call special meeting of shareholders pursuant to the procedures set forth in our articles.
Registration Rights
Under the shareholders agreement dated February 5, 2018, we have granted certain registration rights to holders of our registrable securities, which include our Series A preferred shares or our ordinary shares converted from the preferred shares. Pursuant to the convertible promissory note due on August 4, 2022 in the principal amount of US$25 million to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, or Haitong, dated August 4, 2017, or the Haitong Note, if we have not completed a qualified initial public offering, or we have not fully repaid the Haitong Note, or the Haitong Note has not converted into preferred shares before or on July 1, 2019, the outstanding principal amount under the Haitong Note will automatically converted into our convertible preferred shares for which we will grant certain registration rights.
Demand Registration Rights
For the Series A preferred share, at any time commencing six months after the closing of this offering, and for the Haitong Note, at any time after the closing of this offering, holders of at least 10% of the registrable securities then outstanding have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering the registration of such registrable securities. In the event of an underwritten offering therein, we are not required to register the registrable securities of a holder unless such holders registrable securities are included in the underwriting and such holder enters into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters selected by us and under the terms as have been agreed upon between us and the underwriters or agreed otherwise. The underwriters of any underwritten offering may exclude up to (i) 70%, for the Series A preferred shares, (ii) 75%, for the Haitong Note, of the number of registrable securities from being included in the applicable registration statement so long as such exclusion is justified. Further, we are not obligated to effect more than two such demand registrations initiated by such holders of registrable securities, except that (i) we fail to perform our obligations under the Form S-3 or Form F-3 registration rights below relating to a demand registration; or (ii) as a result of underwriter cutback, the holders of registrable securities cannot include in the offer all the registrable securities that they have requested to be included therein.
In addition, we have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for up to 90 days if our board determines in good faith judgement that the filing of a registration statement would be materially detrimental to us and our shareholders, provided that within any 12-month period, we do not exercise this right and during such 90 days, we do not file any registration statement pertaining to the public offering of our securities.
Form S-3 or Form F-3 Registration Rights
If we are qualified to use Form S-3 or Form F-3, Holders of registrable securities have the right to request that we file a registration statement under either Form S-3 or Form F-3 and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all or part of the registrable securities owned by such holder. However, we are not obligated to effect any such registration qualification or compliance, if (i) Form S-3 or Form F-3 becomes unavailable for such offering by such holders, or (ii) the holders together with the holders of any other securities
177
of us entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell registrable securities and such other securities at an aggregate price of less than US$1,000,000 to the public; or (iii) within six months preceding the date of such request, we have already effected a registration under the Securities Act other than a registration from which the registrable securities of holders have been duly excluded.
We have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for up to 90 days if our board determines in good faith judgement that the filing of a registration statement would be materially detrimental to us and our shareholders, provided that we may not utilize this deferral right more than once in any 12-month period and during such 90 days, we do not file any registration statement pertaining to the public offering of our securities.
Piggyback Registration Rights
If we propose to file a registration statement for a public offering of our securities (including registration statements relating to secondary offerings of our securities, but excluding those relating to any demand registration or form F-3 registration rights), we must offer holders of registrable securities the opportunity to include all or any part of their securities in this registration. However, we are not required to register the registrable securities of a holder, unless such holders registrable securities are included in the underwriting and such holder enters into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters selected by us and under the terms as have been agreed upon between us and the underwriters, if our initial public offering is for an underwritten offering. The underwriters of any underwritten offering may exclude up to (i) 70% of the number of registrable securities, for Series A preferred share, (ii) 75% of the number of registrable securities for the Haitong Note, from being included in the applicable registration statement so long as such exclusion is justified.
Expenses of Registration
We will pay all expenses relating to any demand, piggyback, Form S-3 or Form F-3 registration, except that shareholders shall bear underwriters discount or selling commission relating to registration and sale of their securities. But for the demand registration right in the Haitong Note, such expenses shall not exceed US$50,000 for each registration in aggregate. We will not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to demand registration rights, if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the holders of a majority of the registrable securities to be registered, unless under a few situations.
Termination of Our Obligation on the Registration Rights
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will have no obligation to effect the demand registration, piggyback registration, or Form S-3 or Form F-3 registration of any registrable securities (i) five years after the completion of this offering, or (ii) if all such registrable securities proposed to be sold by a holder may then be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act in one transaction without exceeding the volume limitations thereunder.
Market Stand-Off Agreement
To the extent requested by the lead underwriters of our securities in connection with a registration relating to a specific proposed public offering, subject to certain conditions, such holder will enter into a lock-up or standoff agreement in customary form to agree not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any registrable securities or our other shares owned by such holder as of the date of such registration for up to 180 days following the effective date of the related registration statement.
Differences in Corporate Law
We were incorporated under, and are governed by, the laws of the Cayman Islands. The corporate statutes of the State of Delaware and the Cayman Islands are similar, and the flexibility available under Cayman Islands law has enabled us to adopt a memorandum and articles of association that will provide shareholders with rights that
178
do not vary in any material respect from those they would enjoy if we were incorporated under Delaware law. Set forth below is a summary of some of the differences between provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders.
Directors Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
Cayman Islands law provides that every director of a Cayman Islands company, in exercising his powers or performing his duties, shall act honestly and in good faith and in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company. Additionally, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the same circumstances taking into account, without limitation, the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of his responsibilities. In addition, Cayman Islands law provides that a director shall exercise his powers as a director for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to the company acting, in a manner that contravenes Cayman Islands law or the memorandum and articles of association of the company.
Written Consent of Directors
Under Delaware corporate law, a written consent of the directors must be unanimous to take effect. Under Cayman Islands law and our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, only a simple majority of the directors will be required to sign a written consent in order for such consent to take effect.
Shareholder Proposals
Under Delaware corporate law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that our directors shall call an annual meeting of the shareholders and may convene any additional meetings as they consider necessary or desirable.
Sale of Assets
Under Delaware corporate law, a vote of the shareholders is required to approve a sale of assets only when all or substantially all assets are being sold to a person other than a subsidiary of the company. Under Cayman Islands law, generally speaking, shareholder approval is not required for the disposal of assets of an exempted company.
179
Redemption of Shares
Under Delaware corporate law, any stock may be made subject to redemption by the corporation at its option, at the option of the holders of that stock or upon the happening of a specified event, provided shares with full voting power remain outstanding. The stock may be made redeemable for cash, property or rights, as specified in the certificate of incorporation or in the resolution of the board of directors providing for the issue of the stock. As permitted by Cayman Islands law and our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, shares may be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by us. However, the consent of the shareholder whose shares are to be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired must be obtained, except as specified in the terms of the applicable class or series of shares or as described under Compulsory Acquisition below. In addition, our directors must be satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately following the purchase, redemption or other acquisition, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities, and we will be able to pay our debts as they fall due.
Compulsory Acquisition
Under Delaware General Corporation Law § 253, in a process known as a short form merger, a corporation that owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of stock of another corporation may either merge the other corporation into itself and assume all of its obligations or merge itself into the other corporation by executing, acknowledging and filing with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of such ownership and merger setting forth a copy of the resolution of its board of directors authorizing such merger. If the parent corporation is a Delaware corporation that is not the surviving corporation, the merger also must be approved by a majority of the outstanding stock of the parent corporation. If the parent corporation does not own all of the stock of the subsidiary corporation immediately prior to the merger, the minority shareholders of the subsidiary corporation party to the merger may have appraisal rights as set forth in § 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Under the Companies Law, where a scheme or contract involving the transfer of shares or any class of shares in a company (in this section referred to as the transferor company) to another company, whether a company within the meaning of the Companies Law or not (in this section referred to as the transferee company) has, within four months after the making of the offer in that behalf by the transferee company, been approved by the holders of not less than 90% in value of the shares affected, the transferee company may, at any time within two months after the expiration of the said four months, give notice in the prescribed manner to any dissenting shareholder that it desires to acquire his shares, and where such notice is given the transferee company shall, unless on an application made by the dissenting shareholder within one month from the date on which the notice was given, the court of the Cayman Islands thinks fit to order otherwise, be entitled and bound to acquire those shares on the terms on which under the scheme or contract the shares of the approving shareholders are to be transferred to the transferee company.
Independent Directors
There are no provisions under Delaware corporate law or under the Companies Law that require a majority of our directors to be independent.
Cumulative Voting
Under Delaware corporate law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the companys certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholders voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions on cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands, but our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not provide for cumulative voting.
180
Removal of Directors
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Similarly, as permitted by Cayman Islands law, our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of shareholders approved by a vote of more than 50% of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on such matter that are present at the meeting of shareholders and are voted.
Mergers
Under Delaware corporate law, one or more constituent corporations may merge into and become part of another constituent corporation in a process known as a merger. A Delaware corporation may merge with a foreign corporation as long as the law of the foreign jurisdiction permits such a merger. To effect a merger under Delaware General Corporation Law § 251, an agreement of merger must be properly adopted and the agreement of merger or a certificate of merger must be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State. In order to be properly adopted, the agreement of merger must be adopted by the board of directors of each constituent corporation by a resolution or unanimous written consent. In addition, the agreement of merger generally must be approved at a meeting of shareholders of each constituent corporation by a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for a supermajority vote. In general, the surviving corporation assumes all of the assets and liabilities of the disappearing corporation or corporations as a result of the merger.
Under the Companies Law, two or more companies may merge or consolidate in accordance with the statutory provisions. A merger means the merging of two or more constituent companies into one of the constituent companies, and a consolidation means the consolidating of two or more constituent companies into a new company. In order to merge or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must be authorized by a resolution of shareholders. One or more companies may also merge or consolidate with one or more companies incorporated under the laws of jurisdictions outside the Cayman Islands if the merger or consolidation is permitted by the laws of the jurisdictions in which the companies incorporated outside the Cayman Islands are incorporated. In respect of such a merger or consolidation, a Cayman Islands company is required to comply with the provisions of the Companies Law, and a company incorporated outside the Cayman Islands is required to comply with the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.
Shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote on the merger or consolidation may still acquire the right to vote if the plan of merger or consolidation contains any provision that, if proposed as an amendment to the memorandum and articles of association, would entitle them to vote as a class or series on the proposed amendment. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting or consent to the written resolution to approve the plan of merger or consolidation.
Conflicts of Interest
Under Delaware corporate law, a contract between a corporation and a director or officer, or between a corporation and any other organization in which a director or officer has a financial interest, is not void as long as (i) the material facts as to the directors or officers relationship or interest are disclosed or known and (ii) either a majority of the disinterested directors authorizes the contract in good faith or the shareholders vote in good faith to approve the contract. Nor will any such contract be void if it is fair to the corporation when it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors, a committee or the shareholders.
As permitted by Cayman Islands law and our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a director interested in a particular transaction will be permitted to vote on it, attend meetings at
181
which it is considered and sign documents on our behalf that relate to the transaction, provided that the material facts of such directors interest in the transaction are disclosed to the other directors or are known by the other directors.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
Delaware corporate law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by that statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an interested shareholder for three years following the date that the person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or group that owns or owned 15% or more of the companys outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This statute has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the company in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable provision. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that these transactions must be entered into in the bona fide best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under Delaware corporate law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporations outstanding shares. Delaware corporate law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the Companies Law, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution, or by an ordinary resolution on the basis that our company is unable to pay our debts as they fall due.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under Delaware corporate law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class, only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of the relevant class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of such class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under Delaware corporate law, with very limited exceptions, a vote of the shareholders of a corporation is required to amend the certificate of incorporation. In addition, Delaware corporate law provides that shareholders have the right to amend the corporations bylaws, but the certificate of incorporation may confer such right on the directors of the corporation.
Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association can be amended by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on such matter that are present at the meeting of shareholders and are voted.
182
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
History of Securities Issuances
The following is summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.
Ordinary Shares
Upon incorporation of Puxin Limited on March 17, 2017, we issued 8,524 ordinary shares to Long bright Limited, 820 ordinary shares to Gao & Tianyi Limited, 492 ordinary shares to Pution Limited and 164 ordinary shares to Prospect Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$4.
On August 4, 2017, we issued 85,231,476 ordinary shares to Long bright Limited, 8,199,180 ordinary shares to Gao & Tianyi Limited, 4,919,508 ordinary shares to Pution Limited and 1,639,836 ordinary shares to Prospect Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$5,000.
On February 5, 2018, we issued 21,761,652 ordinary shares to Puxin Nova Limited, 3,336,744 ordinary shares to Stary International Limited, 40,000 ordinary shares to Long wit Limited, 8,200,000 ordinary shares to Long belief Limited, 1,640,000 ordinary shares to Long faith Limited and 17,103,724 ordinary shares to Long favor Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$2,606.
Preferred Shares
On February 5, 2018, we issued 5,958,940 Series A preferred shares to Trustbridge Partners VI, L.P. for a consideration equivalent to RMB130,806,000 and 5,958,940 Series A preferred shares to Fasturn Overseas Limited for a consideration of US$298.
Notes Issued to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited
On August 4, 2017, pursuant to a notes purchase agreement dated August 1, 2017, we issued a convertible promissory note due on August 4, 2022 in the principal amount of US$25 million and an ordinary promissory note due on August 4, 2019 in the principal amount of US$25 million to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited, or Haitong.
The convertible note bears a compound interest rate of 12% per annum on the outstanding principal amount, or upon an event of default, bears a compound interest rate of 12% per annum on any unpaid and outstanding principal amount and accrued interest. If this offering occurs before or on June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into our ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70%, 65% or 60% of the public offering price of our ordinary shares if this offering is completed before or on December 31, 2018, between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2019, or between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019, respectively. Based on the assumed maximum exercise price of US$7.00 per share, which represents a 30% discount to the high end of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, the convertible note will be automatically converted into 3,571,429 ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. If a qualified initial public offering fails to occur before or on June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into redeemable and convertible preferred shares on July 1, 2019 except that Haitong notifies us of its decision to choose repayment in cash rather than conversion for the principal and accrued interest at least five business days prior to June 30, 2019. In the event of default, Haitong may declare all outstanding payment obligations by us under the convertible note to be immediately due and payable.
183
The ordinary note bears a simple interest rate of 8% per annum on the outstanding principal amount, or upon an event of default, bears a simple interest rate of 12% per annum on any unpaid and outstanding principal amount and accrued interest. The note will become due and payable on August 4, 2019 and Haitong has right to extend the expiration date for one additional year to August 4, 2020.
Haitong and Haitong International Securities Company Limited, an underwriter to this offering, are both wholly owned by Haitong International Finance Company Limited, which is ultimately owned by Haitong International Securities Group Limited.
Convertible Note Issued to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited
On September 29, 2017, pursuant to a convertible note purchase agreement dated August 15, 2017 and an amendment to the convertible note purchase agreement dated September 28, 2017, we issued a convertible promissory note due on September 29, 2021 in the principal amount of US$23 million to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited, or CICC ALPHA.
The convertible note bears a simple interest rate of 15% per annum on the outstanding principal amount. If the Companys initial public offering of its ordinary shares occurs before or on June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount into our ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70% or 55% of the public offering price of our ordinary shares if the Companys initial public offering of its ordinary shares is completed before or on June 30, 2019 or between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively. The portion of the outstanding principal amount that CICC ALPHA elects not to be converted into our ordinary share will be redeemed and repurchased by us on the date of the completion of the initial public offering at a redemption price calculated based on a compound interest rate of 15% per annum. CICC ALPHA has elected to convert the entirety of its convertible promissory note into ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. Based on the assumed maximum exercise price of US$7.00 per share, which represents a 30% discount to the high end of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, the convertible promissory note held by CICC ALPHA will be converted into 3,285,715 ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. If an initial public offering fails to occur before or on June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding amount into preferred shares. In the event of default, CICC ALPHA may request us to immediately redeem the convertible note. If we fail to repay any amount due and payable, default interest shall begin to accrue on the outstanding amount, including the interest accrued hereunder, at a rate of 0.05% per calendar day, compounded daily.
CICC ALPHA is a joint venture established indirectly by China International Capital Corporation Limited and third-party business partners. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, an underwriter to this offering, is indirectly wholly owned by China International Capital Corporation Limited.
Convertible Debt Arrangement with Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd.
On June 15, 2017, Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd., or Huazhong, Mr. Yunlong Sha and Puxin Education entered into a convertible debt investment agreement, or the Original Convertible Debt Agreement. Pursuant to the Original Convertible Debt Agreement, Huazhong provides a credit facility in an amount up to RMB300 million to Puxin Education and has the right to elect to convert the unpaid and outstanding amount under the credit facility into ordinary shares of Puxin Limited upon the initial public offering of Puxin Limited. The conversion price per ordinary share is equal to 90%, 80% and 70% of the public offering price of Puxin Limiteds ordinary shares if its public offering application is submitted before or on December 31, 2018, between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, or between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
On February 8, 2018, we and Huazhong entered into a supplemental agreement to the Original Convertible Debt Agreement. Pursuant to the supplemental agreement, we agreed to grant three warrants for the drawdown amounts of RMB190 million (US$30.3 million) as of February 8, 2018 and a warrant for each drawdown to be
184
made after February 8, 2018 under the credit facility to China Central International Asset Management Co., Ltd., or China Central International, the affiliated entity appointed by Huazhong. Such warrants will entitle China Central International to subscribe Puxin Limiteds ordinary shares after the completion of this offering. As the consideration for such warrants, Huazhong irrevocably waived, and agreed to not exercise, its right to convert the unpaid and outstanding amount under the Original Convertible Debt Agreement into ordinary shares of Puxin Limited. Puxin Education will repay all the drawdown amounts and accrued interest to Huazhong under the Original Convertible Debt Agreement. As of the date of this prospectus, Puxin Education has drawn down an aggregate principal amount of RMB190 million under the credit facility. On March 28, 2018, we issued three warrants to China Central International with a denominated value of RMB50,000,000, RMB90,000,000 and RMB50,000,000, respectively, for the three drawdowns by Puxin Education prior to February 8, 2018. For details of the warrants, see Warrants Issued to China Central International Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Warrants Issued to China Central International Asset Management Co., Ltd.
On March 28, 2018, we issued three warrants to China Central International with a denominated value of RMB50,000,000, RMB90,000,000 and RMB50,000,000, respectively, collectively referred as to China Central International warrants. The China Central International warrants are transferrable, subject to certain restrictions. The number of ordinary shares or preferred shares for which China Central International may subscribe upon exercise of the China Central International warrants will depend on the timing of our initial public offering. China Central International may exercise the warrants, within a period from the completion of the initial public offering till the end of three months upon the expiration of the lock-up period imposed on any shares in relation to this offering, for a number of ordinary shares equal to the denominated value of such warrants divided by the warrant exercise price. The warrant exercise price is 90%, 80% and 70% of the share price for this offering, respectively, if this offering occurs on or before December 31, 2018, between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, or between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. If this offering does not occur on or before December 31, 2020, China Central International may exercise the warrants for a number of preferred shares equal to a percentage of the aggregate number of our share capital outstanding as of the date of exercise on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis which is calculated by dividing the denominated value of the warrants by the product of 15 and the sum of our audited net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the interest paid by Puxin Education to Huazhong from January 1, 2019 till the date of exercise.
185
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, will register and deliver the ADSs. Each ADS will represent ownership of two ordinary shares, deposited with Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent ownership of any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositarys corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY10005, USA. The principal executive office of the depositary is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY10005, USA.
The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.
We will not treat ADS holders as our shareholders and accordingly, you, as an ADS holder, will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs. See Jurisdiction and Arbitration.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American Depositary Receipt. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Holding the ADSs
How will you hold your ADSs?
You may hold ADSs either (1) directly (a) by having an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (b) by holding ADSs in DRS, or (2) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. ADSs will be issued through DRS, unless you specifically request certificated ADRs. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent as of the record date (which will be as close as practicable to the record date for our ordinary shares) set by the depositary with respect to the ADSs.
| Cash. The depositary will convert or cause to be converted any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the ordinary shares or any net proceeds from the sale of any ordinary shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms of the deposit agreement into U.S. dollars if it can do so on a practicable basis, and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States and will distribute promptly the amount thus received. If the depositary shall determine in its judgment that such conversions or transfers are not practical or lawful or if any government approval or license is needed and cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is |
186
possible to do so. It will hold or cause the custodian to hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid and such funds will be held for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. |
Before making a distribution, any taxes or other governmental charges, together with fees and expenses of the depositary, that must be paid, will be deducted. See Taxation. It will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round down fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
| Shares. For any ordinary shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution, either (1) the depositary will distribute additional ADSs representing such ordinary shares or (2) existing ADSs as of the applicable record date will represent rights and interests in the additional ordinary shares distributed, to the extent reasonably practicable and permissible under law, in either case, net of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell ordinary shares which would require it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed ordinary shares sufficient to pay its fees and expenses, and any taxes and governmental charges, in connection with that distribution. |
| Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, the depositary, after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such elective distribution by us, has discretion to determine to what extent such elective distribution will be made available to you as a holder of the ADSs. We must timely first instruct the depositary to make such elective distribution available to you and furnish it with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. The depositary could decide it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to you. In such case, the depositary shall, on the basis of the same determination as is made in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, distribute either cash in the same way as it does in a cash distribution, or additional ADSs representing ordinary shares in the same way as it does in a share distribution. The depositary is not obligated to make available to you a method to receive the elective dividend in shares rather than in ADSs. There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares. |
| Rights to Purchase Additional Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares any rights to subscribe for additional shares, the depositary shall having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such distribution by us, consult with us, and we must determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make these rights available to you. We must first instruct the depositary to make such rights available to you and furnish the depositary with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. If the depositary decides it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make the rights available but that it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell the rights, the depositary will endeavor to sell the rights and in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. |
If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will establish procedures to distribute such rights and enable you to exercise the rights upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary shall not be obliged to make available to you a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for ordinary shares (rather than ADSs).
U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade these ADSs freely in the
187
United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADSs described in this section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.
There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares or be able to exercise such rights.
| Other Distributions. Subject to receipt of timely notice, as described in the deposit agreement, from us with the request to make any such distribution available to you, and provided the depositary has determined such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable and feasible and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will distribute to you anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it may deem practicable, upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. If any of the conditions above are not met, the depositary will endeavor to sell, or cause to be sold, what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash; or, if it is unable to sell such property, the depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration, such that you may have no rights to or arising from such property. |
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if we and/or the depositary determines that it is illegal or not practicable for us or the depositary to make them available to you.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.
Except for ordinary shares deposited by us in connection with this offering, no shares will be accepted for deposit during a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The 180-day lockup period is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances as described in the section entitled Shares Eligible for Future SalesLockup Agreements.
How do ADS holders cancel an American Depositary Share?
You may turn in your ADSs at the depositarys corporate trust office or by providing appropriate instructions to your broker. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the ordinary shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, to the extent permitted by law.
How do ADS holders interchange between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that you are the owner of uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
188
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
You may instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs at any meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities. Otherwise, you could exercise your right to vote directly if you withdraw the ordinary shares. However, you may not know about the meeting sufficiently enough in advance to withdraw the ordinary shares.
If we ask for your instructions and upon timely notice from us by regular, ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, as described in the deposit agreement, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. The materials will include or reproduce (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies; (b) a statement that the ADS holders at the close of business on the ADS record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities represented by such holders ADSs; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given or deemed given in accordance with the second to last sentence of this paragraph if no instruction is received, to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of ordinary shares or other deposited securities. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in writing on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to applicable law and the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, to vote or to have its agents vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities (in person or by proxy) as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. If we timely requested the depositary to solicit your instructions but no instructions are received by the depositary from an owner with respect to any of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs of that owner on or before the date established by the depositary for such purpose, the depositary shall deem that owner to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us with respect to such deposited securities, and the depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote such deposited securities. However, no such instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter if we inform the depositary we do not wish such proxy given, substantial opposition exists or the matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of the ordinary shares.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, there can be no assurance that ADS holders and beneficial owners generally, or any holder or beneficial owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to vote or cause the custodian to vote on the same terms and conditions as the holders of our ordinary shares.
The depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no recourse if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we will give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted at least 30 business days in advance of the meeting date.
189
Compliance with Regulations
Information Requests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall (a) provide such information as we or the depositary may request pursuant to law, including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States of America, our memorandum and articles of association, any resolutions of our board of directors adopted pursuant to such memorandum and articles of association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ordinary shares, ADSs or ADRs are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or ADRs may be transferred, regarding the capacity in which they own or owned ADRs, the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADRs and the nature of such interest, and any other applicable matters, and (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, our memorandum and articles of association, and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such ADS holder or beneficial owner held ordinary shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time such request is made.
Disclosure of Interests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall comply with our requests pursuant to Cayman Islands law, the rules and requirements of NYSE and any other stock exchange on which the ordinary shares are, or will be, registered, traded or listed, or our memorandum and articles of association, which requests are made to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such ADS holder or beneficial owner owns ADS and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADS and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time of such requests.
Fees and Expenses
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs):
Service |
Fees | |
To any person to which ADSs are issued or to any person to which a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash) |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued | |
Cancellation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS cancelled | |
Distribution of cash dividends |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held | |
Distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held | |
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights. |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held | |
Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held | |
Depositary services |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank |
190
As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs) such as:
| fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary shares in the Cayman Islands (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares); |
| expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars; |
| expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities; |
| taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, including any applicable stamp duties, any stock transfer charges or withholding taxes (i.e., when ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit); |
| fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of ordinary shares on deposit; |
| fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to ordinary shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs; and |
| any applicable fees and penalties thereon. |
The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.
The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.
In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.
The depositary may make payments to us or reimburse us for certain costs and expenses, by making available a portion of the ADS fees collected in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to time.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable, or which become payable, on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register or transfer your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any net proceeds, or send to you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes. You agree to indemnify us, the depositary, the
191
custodian and each of our and their respective agents, directors, employees and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any refund of tax, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for you. Your obligations under this paragraph shall survive any transfer of ADRs, any surrender of ADRs and withdrawal of deposited securities or the termination of the deposit agreement.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we: |
Then: | |
Change the nominal or par value of our ordinary shares | The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities. | |
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of the deposited securities | Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities. | |
Distribute securities on the ordinary shares that are not distributed to you, or recapitalize, reorganize, merge, liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take any similar action | The depositary may distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities. |
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of ADR without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, including expenses incurred in connection with foreign exchange control regulations and other charges specifically payable by ADS holders under the deposit agreement, or materially prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended. If any new laws are adopted which would require the deposit agreement to be amended in order to comply therewith, we and the depositary may amend the deposit agreement in accordance with such laws and such amendment may become effective before notice thereof is given to ADS holders.
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, in which case the depositary will give notice to you at least 90 days prior to termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the depositary has told us that it would like to resign, or if we have removed the depositary, and in either case we have not appointed a new depositary within 90 days. In either such case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.
After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other property and deliver ordinary shares and other deposited securities upon cancellation of ADSs after payment of any fees, charges, taxes or other governmental charges. Six months or more after the date of termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest.
192
After such sale, the depositarys only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement except for our obligations to the depositary thereunder.
Books of Depositary
The depositary will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the Company, the ADRs and the deposit agreement.
The depositary will maintain facilities in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs.
These facilities may be closed at any time or from time to time when such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement or at our reasonable written request.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary and the custodian. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. The depositary and the custodian:
| are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct; |
| are not liable if any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents are prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the deposit agreement and any ADR, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of our memorandum and articles of association or any provision of or governing any deposited securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure); |
| are not liable by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the deposit agreement or in our memorandum and articles of association or provisions of or governing deposited securities; |
| are not liable for any action or inaction of the depositary, the custodian or us or their or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information; |
| are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement; |
| are not liable for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement, or otherwise; |
| may rely upon any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party; |
| disclaim any liability for any action or inaction or inaction of any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any |
193
person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, holders and beneficial owners (or authorized representatives) of ADSs, or any person believed in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information; and |
| disclaim any liability for inability of any holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit made available to holders of deposited securities but not made available to holders of ADS. |
The depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability (i) for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, (ii) the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, (iii) any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities, the credit-worthiness of any third party, (iv) for any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, ordinary shares or deposited securities, or (v) for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as depositary.
Jurisdiction and Arbitration
The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs and we have agreed with the depositary that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute arising from or in connection with the deposit agreement and that the depositary will have the right to refer any claim or dispute arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
In addition, the deposit agreement provides that each party to the deposit agreement (including each holder, beneficial owner and holder of interests in the ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any lawsuit or proceeding against the depositary or our company related to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will issue, deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, split-up, subdivide or combine ADSs, make a distribution on an ADS or permit withdrawal of ordinary shares, the depositary may require:
| payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any ordinary shares or other deposited securities and payment of the applicable fees, expenses and charges of the depositary; |
| satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the deposit agreement; and |
| compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal or delivery of deposited securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the depositary may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement and applicable laws, including presentation of transfer documents. |
The depositary may refuse to issue and deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the register of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we determine that it is necessary or advisable to do so.
194
Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADSs
You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares at any time except:
| when temporary delays arise because: (1) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (2) the transfer of ordinary shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders meeting; or (3) we are paying a dividend on our ordinary shares; |
| when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; |
| when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of ordinary shares or other deposited securities; or |
| other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time); or |
| for any other reason if the depositary or we determine, in good faith, that it is necessary or advisable to prohibit withdrawals. |
The depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the deposit agreement any ordinary shares or other deposited securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such ordinary shares.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.
195
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding 7,200,000 ADSs representing 14,400,000 ordinary shares, or approximately 7.8% of our 185,257,144 total outstanding ordinary shares. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our affiliates without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our ADSs. All outstanding ordinary shares prior to this offering are restricted securities as that term is defined in Rule 144 and may be sold only if they are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as those provided in Rules 144 and 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below. Restricted ordinary shares may also be sold outside of the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. This prospectus may not be used in connection with any resale of our ADSs acquired in this offering by our affiliates.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144, a person or entity that has beneficially owned our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, for at least six months and is not our affiliate will be entitled to sell our ordinary shares, including ADSs, subject only to the availability of current public information about us, and will be entitled to sell shares held for at least one year without any restriction. A person or entity that is our affiliate and has beneficially owned our ordinary shares for at least six months will be able to sell, within a rolling three month period, the number of ordinary shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:
(i) | 1% of the then outstanding ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, which will equal approximately 1,852,571 ordinary shares immediately after this offering; and |
(ii) | the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, on NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Sales by affiliates under Rule 144 must be made through unsolicited brokers transactions. They are also subject to manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
Stock Options
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, directors or consultants who purchases our ordinary shares from us pursuant to a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we become a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, such as the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lockup arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lockup period expires.
Form S-8
We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering all ordinary shares which are either subject to outstanding options or may be issued upon exercise of any options or other equity awards which may be granted or issued in the future pursuant to our stock plans. We expect to file this registration statement as soon as practicable after the date of this prospectus. Shares registered under any registration statements will be available for sale in the open market, except to the extent that the shares are subject to vesting restrictions with us or the contractual restrictions described below.
196
Lockup Agreements
We have agreed, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, except in this offering, any of our ordinary shares or ADSs or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or ADSs (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date such lock-up agreement was executed, or certain other exceptions), without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters.
Furthermore, each of our directors and executive officers, existing shareholders and warrant holder as well as certain option holders has also entered into a similar lock-up agreement for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to our ordinary shares, ADSs and securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or ADSs. These restrictions also apply to any ADSs acquired by the foregoing persons in the offering pursuant to the directed share program, if any. These parties collectively own all of our outstanding ordinary shares, without giving effect to this offering.
Other than this offering, we are not aware of any plans by any significant shareholders to dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares. However, one or more existing shareholders or owners of securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for our ADSs or ordinary shares may dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the availability of ADSs or ordinary shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of our ADSs from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs.
Registration Rights
Upon completion of this offering, certain holders of our ordinary shares or their transferees will be entitled to request that we register their shares under the Securities Act, following the expiration of the lockup agreements described above. See Description of Share CapitalRegistration Rights.
197
The following sets forth material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ordinary shares or ADSs. It is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares or ADSs, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it is the opinion of Walkers, our special Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC law, it is the opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of U.S. federal income tax law, it is the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, our U.S. counsel as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described herein of an investment in the ordinary shares or ADSs.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciations and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty or withholding tax. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us or holders levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. No stamp duty is payable in the Cayman Islands on transfers of shares of Cayman Islands companies except those which hold interests in land in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not a party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the ADSs or ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the ADSs or ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
PRC Taxation
In March 2007, the National Peoples Congress of China enacted the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on February 24, 2017. The Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their de facto management bodies located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. The Implementing Rules of the Enterprise Income Tax Law further defines the term de facto management body as the management body that exercises substantial and overall management and control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise.
In addition, SAT Circular 82 issued by SAT in April 2009 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: (a) senior management personnel and departments responsible for daily production, operation and management; (b) financial and personnel decision making bodies; (c) key properties, accounting books, company seal, minutes of board meetings and shareholders meetings; and (d) half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, SAT issued SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details of determination on resident status and administration on post-determination matters.
Our company is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. As such, we do not
198
currently consider our company or any of our overseas subsidiaries to be a PRC resident enterprise. However, there is a risk that the PRC tax authorities may deem our company or any of our overseas subsidiaries as a PRC resident enterprise since a substantial majority of the members of our management team as well as the management team of some of our overseas subsidiaries are located in China, in which case we or the overseas subsidiaries, as the case may be, would be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on worldwide income. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a 10% tax may be withheld on dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders and may be imposed with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC enterprise shareholders from transferring our shares or ADSs if such dividends or gains are deemed to be from sources within the PRC. Furthermore, non-PRC resident individual holders of our shares or ADSs may be subject to tax of 20% on dividends and any gains if such amounts are deemed to be derived from sources within the PRC. Any PRC tax liability may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, it is unclear whether, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our shares or ADSs would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the following are material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of our ADSs or ordinary shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular persons decision to acquire ADSs or ordinary shares.
This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires our ADSs or ordinary shares in this offering and holds the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax considerations that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holders particular circumstances, including alternative minimum or Medicare contribution tax consequences, or differing tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:
| certain financial institutions; |
| dealers or traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; |
| persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, conversion transaction or similar transaction; |
| persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; |
| entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners or investors; |
| tax-exempt entities, individual retirement accounts or Roth IRAs; |
| persons that own or are deemed to own ADSs or ordinary shares representing 10% or more of our voting power or value; or |
| persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business outside the United States. |
If a partnership (or other entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) owns ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning ADSs or ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares.
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to
199
change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is also based, in part, on representations by the Depositary and assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.
As used herein, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
| a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or |
| an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
In general, a U.S. Holder who owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying shares represented by those ADSs.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the discussion under Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules below, distributions paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of ADSs or ordinary shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at reduced rates. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of these reduced tax rates in their particular circumstances.
Dividends will generally be included in a U.S. Holders income on the date of the U.S. Holders (or in the case of ADSs) the depositarys, receipt of the dividends. The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars on such date. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the amount received. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.
Dividends will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. As described in PRC Taxation, dividends paid by the Company may be subject to PRC withholding tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend income will include amounts withheld in respect of PRC withholding tax. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holders circumstances, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments (at a rate not exceeding the applicable rate provided in the Treaty in the case of a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty) generally will be creditable against a U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct such PRC taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.
200
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion under Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules below, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or other taxable disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holders tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares disposed of, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or disposition, the U.S. Holder has owned the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to tax rates that are lower than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
As described in PRC Taxation, gains on the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC taxes. A U.S. Holder is entitled to use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of its U.S. federal income tax liability that is attributable to foreign-source income. Because under the Code capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S.-source income, this limitation may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a credit for all or a portion of any PRC taxes imposed on any such gains. However, U.S. Holders that are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may be able to elect to treat the gain as PRC-source and therefore claim foreign tax credits in respect of PRC taxes on such disposition gains. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for the benefits of the Treaty and the creditability of any PRC tax on disposition gains in their particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that directly or indirectly owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties and gains from assets that produce passive income. Cash is a passive asset for purposes of the PFIC rules. Goodwill that is associated with an active income-producing activity of a non-U.S. corporation is generally an active asset unless, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the non-U.S. corporation is a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) that is not publicly traded for the taxable year. We were a CFC during a portion of 2018, but do not expect to be a CFC for the remainder of 2018.
Because we were both non-publicly traded and a CFC during a portion of 2018, it is not clear whether we can use the value of our assets rather than their tax basis in determining our PFIC status for 2018. We believe it is reasonable to use our assets value for this purpose. Assuming this position is respected, and based upon the nature of our business, the composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets, (which is based on the expected price of our ADSs), we do not expect to be a PFIC for 2018 or in the foreseeable future. However, in light of the uncertainty as to whether the value of our assets (rather than their tax basis) can be taken into account in determining our PFIC status for 2018, and because in any event we have significant cash balances (taking into account the expected proceeds from this offering), it is not clear whether we will be a PFIC for 2018.
In addition, our PFIC status for any taxable year is a factual determination that can be made only after the end of such year, and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets for such year. Moreover, because we hold, and may continue to hold, a significant amount of cash, our PFIC status for any taxable year may depend on the value of our goodwill which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of our ADSs, which may change from time to time. In addition, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules. If it were determined that we are not the owner of the stock of our VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be treated as a PFIC. In light of the foregoing, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current or any future taxable year.
201
If we are a PFIC for 2018 or any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or ordinary shares, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owns ADSs or ordinary shares, even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers as to whether we are a PFIC for 2018 and the availability of a deemed sale election that would allow them to eliminate the continuing PFIC status under certain circumstances.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year and any of our subsidiaries, consolidated affiliated entities or other companies in which we own or are treated as owning equity interests were also a PFIC (any such entity, a Lower-tier PFIC), U.S. Holders would be deemed to own a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each Lower-tier PFIC and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the subsequent paragraph on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) dispositions of shares of Lower-tier PFICs, in each case as if the U.S. Holders held such shares directly, even though the U.S. Holders had not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions.
Generally, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned our ADSs or ordinary shares, gain recognized upon a disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of ADSs or ordinary shares by the U.S. Holder will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of disposition and to years before we became a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income. The amounts allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for that taxable year for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge will be imposed on the tax allocated to each taxable year. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its ADSs or ordinary shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions received (or deemed received) during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holders holding period, whichever is shorter, the distribution will be subject to taxation in the manner. In addition, if we were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or the prior taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
Alternatively, if we were a PFIC and if the ADSs were regularly traded on a qualified exchange, a U.S. Holder could make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described in the preceding paragraph. The ADSs would be treated as regularly traded for any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the ADSs were traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The NYSE, where our ADSs are expected to be listed, is a qualified exchange for this purpose. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize at the end of each taxable year (i) as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs over their adjusted tax basis, or (ii) as ordinary loss any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over their fair market value (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holders tax basis in the ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs in a year when the Company is a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess treated as capital loss). If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, distributions paid on ADSs will be treated as discussed under Taxation of Distributions above. U.S. Holders will not be able to make a mark-to-market election with respect to our ordinary shares or any shares of a Lower-tier PFIC, because such shares will not trade on any stock exchange.
We do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections, which if available could materially affect the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares if we were a PFIC for any taxable year. Therefore, U.S. Holders will not be able to make such elections.
202
If a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally will be required to file annual reports on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8621 (or any successor form) with respect to us, generally with the U.S. Holders federal income tax return for that year.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC for 2018 or any other taxable year and the potential application of the PFIC rules.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient and (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares, unless the ADSs or ordinary shares are held in accounts at financial institutions (in which case the accounts may be reportable if maintained by non-U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares.
203
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated , 2018, the underwriters named below, for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are acting as the representatives, have severally and not jointly agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of ADSs indicated below:
Name of Underwriters |
Number of ADSs | |||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
||||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
||||
Barclays Capital Inc. |
||||
Haitong International Securities Company Limited |
||||
China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited |
||||
|
|
|||
Total |
7,200,000 | |||
|
|
The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the underwriters and the representatives, respectively. The underwriters are offering the ADSs subject to their acceptance of the ADSs from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the ADSs offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of certain certificates, opinions and letters from us, our counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm. The underwriters are obligated, severally and not jointly, to take and pay for all of the ADSs offered by this prospectus if any such ADSs are taken. The underwriters are not required, however, to take or pay for the ADSs covered by the underwriters over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs described below. Any offers or sales of the ADSs in the United States will be conducted by registered broker-dealers in the United States. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and reject orders in whole or in part.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the ADSs directly to the public at the initial public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of US$ per ADS under the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the ADSs, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.
Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. Each of Haitong International Securities Company Limited and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited will offer the ADSs in the United States through its respective SEC-registered broker-dealer affiliate in the United States, i.e., Haitong Securities USA LLC and CICC US Securities, Inc., as well as pursuant to Rule 15a-6 under the Exchange Act.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,080,000 additional ADSs at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the ADSs offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional ADSs as the number listed next to the underwriters name in the preceding table bears to the total number of ADSs listed in the preceding table. If the underwriters option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be US$153,180,000, based on the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range, the total underwriters discounts and commissions would be US$10,722,600 and the total proceeds to us (before expenses) would be US$142,457,400.
204
The table below shows the per ADS and total underwriting discounts and commissions that we will pay to the underwriters. The underwriting discounts and commissions are determined by negotiations among us and the underwriters and are a percentage of the offering price to the public. Among the factors considered in determining the discounts and commissions are the size of the offering, the nature of the security to be offered and the discounts and commissions charged in comparable transactions.
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions |
No Exercise | Full Exercise | ||||||
Per ADS |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Total by us |
US$ | US$ |
The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of ADSs offered by them.
The total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately US$5.0 million. Expenses include the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fees, FINRA-related fees and expenses of the underwriters legal counsel of up to US$100,000, the NYSE listing fee, and printing, legal, accounting and miscellaneous expenses.
We have applied for approval for listing the ADSs on NYSE under the symbol NEW.
We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, subject to certain exceptions, we will not, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus:
| offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs; |
| enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs; or |
| file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any ordinary shares, ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs (other than a registration statement on Form S-8), |
whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
Each of our directors and executive officers, existing shareholders and warrant holder as well as certain option holders has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, such parties, subject to certain exceptions, will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus:
| offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs; or |
| enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs, |
whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs, or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agree that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period,
205
make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any ordinary shares, ADSs or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs.
The restrictions described in the preceding paragraphs are subject to certain exceptions.
Subject to compliance with the notification requirements under FINRA Rule 5131 applicable to lockup agreements with our directors or officers, if the representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lockup agreement for an officer or director of us and provides us with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, we agree to announce the impending release or waiver by issuing a press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Currently, there are no agreements, understandings or intentions, tacit or explicit, to release any of the securities from the lockup agreements prior to the expiration of the corresponding period.
In addition, we have instructed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, not to accept any deposit of any ordinary shares or issue any ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus (other than in connection with this offering), unless we instruct the depositary otherwise.
To facilitate this offering of the ADSs, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the ADSs. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more ADSs than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of ADSs available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of ADSs compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell ADSs in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. In addition, to stabilize the price of the ADSs, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, ADSs in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the ADSs in this offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed ADSs to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the ADSs. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the ADSs above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the ADSs. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
206
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities incurred in connection with the directed share program referred to below. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 576,000 ADSs offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons. We will pay all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the underwriters in connection with offering the ADSs to such persons. Any sales to these persons will be made through a directed share program. The number of ADSs available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved ADSs. Any reserved ADSs not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other ADSs offered by this prospectus.
The address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, United States. The address of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, United States. The address of Barclays Capital Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, United States. The address of Haitong International Securities Company Limited is 22/F Li Po Chun Chambers, 189 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong. The address of China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is 29th Floor, One International Finance Centre, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of ADSs to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, ADSs may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell ADSs to online brokerage account holders. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriters or selling group members website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any underwriter or selling group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.
Pricing of the Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ordinary shares or ADSs. The initial public offering price is determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price are our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings, certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios and market prices of securities and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours, the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering, the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded ordinary share of generally comparable companies, and other factors deemed relevant by the representatives and us. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for the ADSs, or that the ADSs will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
Selling Restrictions
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the ADSs or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ADSs may be distributed or
207
published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
Australia. This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:
(a) | you confirm and warrant that you are either: |
(i) | a sophisticated investor under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act; |
(ii) | a sophisticated investor under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountants certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made; |
(iii) | a person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or |
(iv) | a professional investor within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act; |
and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act, any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance; and
(b) | you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the ADSs issued to you pursuant to this document for resale in Australia within 12 months of those ADSs being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act. |
Canada. The ADSs may be sold in Canada only to purchasers resident or located in the Provinces of Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia, purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ADSs must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts, or NI 33-105, the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Cayman Islands. This prospectus does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ADSs in the Cayman Islands.
European Economic Area. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member
208
State unless the prospectus has been approved by the competent authority in such Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
| to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities; |
| to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than 43,000,000; and (3) an annual net turnover of more than 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; |
| by the underwriters to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or |
| in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive; provided that no such offer of shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any representative of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive. |
Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares within the EEA should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of shares contemplated in this prospectus.
For the purposes of this provision, and your representation below, the expression an offer to the public in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any shares under, the offer of shares contemplated by this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with us and each underwriter that:
| it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and |
| in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (1) the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Directive), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or (2) where shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons. |
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are qualified investors (as defined in the
209
Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Switzerland. The ADSs may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the SIX) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the issuer or the ADSs have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of ADSs will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the offer of ADSs has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (the CISA). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of ADSs.
Dubai International Financial Centre. This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the DFSA). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus. The ADSs to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Hong Kong. The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (1) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong) or (2) to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (3) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Japan. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ADSs will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
210
Peoples Republic of China. This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.
Singapore. This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (2) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where our ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.
United Kingdom. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that: (a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or the FSMA), received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the ADSs in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the ADSs in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
211
EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
Set forth below is an itemization of our total expenses, excluding underwriting discount, which are expected to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of the ADSs by us. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filing fee and the NYSE listing fee, all amounts are estimates.
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
US$ | 20,617 | ||
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filing fee |
US$ | 45,500 | ||
NYSE listing fee |
US$ | 25,000 | ||
Printing and engraving expenses |
US$ | 150,000 | ||
Legal fees and expenses |
US$ | 1,673,887 | ||
Accounting fees and expenses |
US$ | 2,125,399 | ||
Miscellaneous |
US$ | 999,829 | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
US$ | 5,040,232 | ||
|
|
212
We are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to certain legal matters of U.S. federal securities and New York state law. Certain legal matters as to the United States federal and New York law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and certain other legal matters as to Cayman law will be passed upon for us by Walkers. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Tian Yuan Law Firm and for the underwriters by Han Kun Law Offices. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Walkers with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Tian Yuan Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati may rely upon Han Kun Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
213
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 of Puxin Limited included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven months ended July 31, 2017 of ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1 to August 16, 2017 of Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd. included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP are located at 8/F, Deloitte Tower The Towers, Oriental Plaza, 1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing 100738, the Peoples Republic of China.
214
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules under the Securities Act with respect to underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, to be sold in this offering. We have also filed with the SEC a related registration statement on F-6 to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement on Form F-1 and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ADSs.
Immediately upon completion of this offering we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. You may also obtain additional information over the Internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to furnish the depositary with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our written request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders meeting received by the depositary from us.
215
Pages | ||||
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PUXIN LIMITED | ||||
F-3 | ||||
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 |
F-4 | |||
Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 |
F-6 | |||
Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 |
F-7 | |||
F-8 | ||||
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 |
F-9 | |||
F-10 | ||||
F-53 | ||||
INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||||
Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 |
F-58 | |||
F-60 | ||||
F-61 | ||||
F-62 | ||||
F-63 | ||||
Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements |
F-64 | |||
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF | ||||
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD. | ||||
F-93 | ||||
F-94 | ||||
F-95 | ||||
F-96 | ||||
F-97 | ||||
F-98 |
F-1
PUXIN LIMITED
Pages | ||||
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF | ||||
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. | ||||
F-112 | ||||
F-113 | ||||
F-115 | ||||
F-116 | ||||
F-117 | ||||
F-118 |
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Puxin Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Puxin Limited (the Company), its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) and VIEs subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group) as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders deficit and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in Schedule I (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Groups management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United State dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China
March 23, 2018 (April 27, 2018 as to the convenience translation described in Note 2)
We have served as the Companys auditor since 2017.
F-3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB |
USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | 164,684 | 26,255 | |||||||||
Inventories |
| 10,408 | 1,659 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
36,262 | 132,473 | 21,119 | |||||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
9 | 113 | 18 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total current assets |
136,380 | 307,678 | 49,051 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
5,409 | 24,478 | 3,902 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
33,723 | 221,212 | 35,266 | |||||||||
Intangible assets |
55,167 | 243,927 | 38,888 | |||||||||
Goodwill |
346,972 | 1,152,913 | 183,802 | |||||||||
Deferred tax assets |
637 | 3,012 | 480 | |||||||||
Rental deposit |
15,829 | 55,173 | 8,796 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB173,395 and RMB345,100 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
173,395 | 350,446 | 55,869 | |||||||||
Income tax payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
2,925 | 10,022 | 1,598 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
299,017 | 906,480 | 144,514 | |||||||||
Amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
3,048 | 3,836 | 612 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total current liabilities |
478,385 | 1,270,784 | 202,593 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Deferred revenue, non-current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
19,302 | 128,890 | 20,548 | |||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
13,734 | 77,580 | 12,368 | |||||||||
Franchise deposits of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
|
|
3,856 |
|
615 | |||||||
Convertible notes (including convertible notes of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB150,200 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
|
|
499,192 |
|
79,583 | |||||||
Promissory note (including promissory note of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
|
|
162,658 |
|
25,932 | |||||||
Derivative liabilities (including derivative liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
| 18,218 | 2,904 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
511,421 | 2,161,178 | 344,543 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4
PUXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - continued
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB |
USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 19) |
||||||||||||
MEZZANINE EQUITY |
||||||||||||
Convertible redeemable preferred shares |
120,000 | 120,000 | 19,131 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.00005 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017) |
34 | 34 | 5 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
245,064 | 391,099 | 62,350 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| 15,718 | 2,506 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(282,300 | ) | (679,613 | ) | (108,346 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Puxin Limited shareholders deficit |
(37,202 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (43,485 | ) | ||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(102 | ) | (23 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
(37,304 | ) | (272,785 | ) | (43,489 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
594,117 | 2,008,393 | 320,185 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB |
USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | 204,471 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB nil and RMB1,152 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
257,995 | 794,342 | 126,637 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
181,186 | 488,220 | 77,834 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB991 and RMB3,058 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
123,370 | 444,927 | 70,932 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB50,272 and RMB51,625 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
185,496 | 362,748 | 57,831 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses |
308,866 | 807,675 | 128,763 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating loss |
(127,680 | ) | (319,455 | ) | (50,929 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | |||||||||
Interest income |
464 | 549 | 88 | |||||||||
Changes in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,216 | ) | (394,798 | ) | (62,940 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expenses |
388 | 2,436 | 388 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | ||||||
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | 79 | 13 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
(1.29 | ) | (3.98 | ) | (0.64 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating Basic and diluted net loss per share |
98,670,361 | 99,705,361 | 99,705,361 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands of RMB and USD)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB |
USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||||||
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 15,718 | 2,506 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(127,604 | ) | (381,516 | ) | (60,822 | ) | ||||||
Less: comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(48 | ) | 79 | 13 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (381,595 | ) | (60,835 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
Attributable to shareholders of the Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of ordinary Shares |
Ordinary shares |
Additional paid-in capital |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
Accumulated deficit |
Total Puxin Limited shareholders equity |
Non- controlling interest |
Total deficit |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2016 |
97,703,180 | 34 | 161,201 | | (154,744 | ) | 6,491 | (54 | ) | 6,437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year |
| | | | (127,556 | ) | (127,556 | ) | (48 | ) | (127,604 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| | 51,263 | | | 51,263 | | 51,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from shareholders |
| | 32,600 | | | 32,600 | | 32,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option exercised |
1,468,620 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 in RMB |
99,171,800 | 34 | 245,064 | | (282,300 | ) | (37,202 | ) | (102 | ) | (37,304 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2017 |
99,171,800 | 34 | 245,064 | | (282,300 | ) | (37,202 | ) | (102 | ) | (37,304 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year |
| | | | (397,313 | ) | (397,313 | ) | 79 | (397,234 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| | 55,835 | | | 55,835 | | 55,835 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from shareholders |
| | 90,200 | | | 90,200 | | 90,200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| | | 15,718 | | 15,718 | | 15,718 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option exercised |
828,200 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 in RMB |
100,000,000 | 34 | 391,099 | 15,718 | (679,613 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (23 | ) | (272,785 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 in USD |
100,000,000 | 5 | 62,350 | 2,506 | (108,346 | ) | (43,485 | ) | (4 | ) | (43,489 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-8
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB |
USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (397,234 | ) | (63,328 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
3,735 | 20,545 | 3,275 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
10,158 | 23,644 | 3,769 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities |
| 70,336 | 11,213 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
(566 | ) | 350 | 56 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation |
51,263 | 55,835 | 8,901 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(3,147 | ) | (5,822 | ) | (928 | ) | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Inventories |
| (44 | ) | (7 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(9,557 | ) | (32,545 | ) | (5,188 | ) | ||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
(9 | ) | (104 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
107,458 | 200,647 | 31,988 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
43,705 | 140,261 | 22,361 | |||||||||
Income tax payable |
2,925 | 7,097 | 1,131 | |||||||||
Amount due to related parties |
3,048 | 788 | 126 | |||||||||
Franchise deposits |
| (3,488 | ) | (556 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash generated from operating activities |
81,409 | 80,266 | 12,796 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired |
(68,166 | ) | (564,998 | ) | (90,074 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(21,093 | ) | (64,706 | ) | (10,316 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(89,259 | ) | (629,704 | ) | (100,390 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
70,000 | | | |||||||||
Proceeds from convertible notes |
| 461,206 | 73,527 | |||||||||
Proceeds from promissory note |
| 168,180 | 26,812 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
70,000 | 629,386 | 100,339 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
| 3,696 | 590 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
62,150 | 83,644 | 13,335 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the year |
43,368 | 105,518 | 16,822 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the year |
105,518 | 189,162 | 30,157 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information |
||||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
610 | 1,161 | |
185 |
| |||||||
Interest paid |
|
|
|
2,998 | 478 | |||||||
Acquisition consideration payable |
93,585 | 68,199 | 10,873 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | 164,684 | 26,255 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
5,409 | 24,478 | 3,902 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
105,518 | 189,162 | 30,157 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-9
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
Puxin Limited (the Company), was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on March 17, 2017. The Company, its subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) and VIEs subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group) are primarily engaged in providing K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
History
Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Puxin Education or VIE) was founded in September 2014, as a limited liability company in the PRC, by Mr. Yunlong Sha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company. Puxin Education, its subsidiaries and schools are primarily engaged in providing K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services in the PRC.
Puxin Limited was set up to facilitate the Groups future overseas offering and Puxin Educations acquisition of Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing GEDU). Immediately after the acquisition of Beijing GEDU, the operating entity of Beijing GEDU became a subsidiary of Puxin Education. In essence, Puxin Limited was a variable interest entity whereas Puxin Education was the primary beneficiary and through which, Puxin Education acquired Beijing GEDU. Accordingly, Puxin Limited was a part of the consolidated Group where Puxin Education was the holding entity.
In contemplating an initial public offering overseas, in February 2018, the Group undertook a reorganization which includes:
-The holder of the equity interest with preferential feature of Puxin Education sold 5% of its holding to Mr. Yunlong Sha and transferred 3.6335% of the holding to a related party of the holder. Puxin Limited then issued an aggregate 52,082,120 ordinary shares to ordinary shareholders and an aggregate 11,917,880 of preferred Series A shares to preferred shareholders. In addition, preferential rights held by investors of Puxin Education were cancelled (Recapitalization). Consequently, Puxin Limited became the ultimate holding for the Group.
- Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in the education business in China, Puxin Limited, through Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited (Prepshine HK) and its PRC subsidiary, Purong (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Purong Information or WFOE), entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools (collectively, the VIEs), and the shareholders of Puxin Education. The series of contractual agreements include Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement, Exclusive Call Option Agreement, Equity Pledge Agreement, Powers of Attorney, Spousal Consent Letters and Letters of Commitment. The Group believes that these contractual arrangements would enable Puxin Limited to (1) have power to direct the activities that most significantly affects the economic performance of the VIEs, and (2) receive the economic benefits of the VIEs that could be significant to the VIEs. Accordingly, Puxin Limited is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIEs.
The reorganization involves steps and entities all within the same consolidated group, and as a result, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the current corporate structure has been in existence throughout the periods presented. The share and per share data relating to the ordinary shares issued by the Company are presented as if the reorganization occurred at the beginning of the first period presented.
F-10
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
History - continued
The Companys subsidiaries, VIE and VIEs significant subsidiaries and schools as of December 31, 2017 were as follows:(1)
Name |
Later of date of establishment or acquisition |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of direct or indirect economic ownership |
Principal activities | ||||||
Subsidiaries: |
||||||||||
Prepshine HK |
April 13, 2017 | Hong Kong | 100% | Holding company | ||||||
Purong Information |
January 8, 2018 | PRC | 100% | Holding company | ||||||
Beijing GEDU |
August 16, 2017 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Variable interest entity: |
||||||||||
Puxin Education |
September 28, 2014 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
VIEs significant subsidiaries and schools: |
||||||||||
Beijing Shangxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing Shangxin) |
September 28, 2014 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Beijing Meikaida Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing Meikaida) |
June 18, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Beijing Meitong Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Beijing Meitong) |
July 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Yunnan Pude Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (Yunnan Pude) |
January 4, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Taiyuan Puxin Culture and Arts Co., Ltd. (Taiyuan Puxin Arts) |
April 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Taiyuan Fubusi Education School (Taiyuan Fubusi) |
April 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Taiyuan Puxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Taiyuan Puxin Communication) |
June 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Taiyuan Mercan School (Taiyuan Mercan) |
June 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Tianjin Xinsiyuan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Tianjin Xinsiyuan) |
June 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Tianjin Shengjia Training Center (Tianjin Shengjia) |
June 30, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services |
F-11
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
History - continued
Name |
Later of date of establishment or acquisition |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of direct or indirect economic ownership |
Principal activities | ||||||
Guizhou Puxintian Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Guizhou Puxintian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Qingzhen Tiantian English Training School (Qingzhen Tiantian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Baiyun District Tiantian English School (Baiyun Tiantian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Guiyang Wudang Tiantian English School (Wudang Tiantian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Guiyang Huaxi Tiantian Training School (Huaxi Tiantian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Guiyang Yunyan Tiantian Education Training School (Yunyan Tiantian) |
November 22, 2015 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Nanjing Diyu Investment Management Co., Ltd (Nanjing Diyu) |
January 18, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Nanjing Innovation School (Nanjing Innovation) |
January 18, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Shanghai Pukuan Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Pukuan) |
May 5, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Shanghai Xinkebiao Education Training Center (Shanghai Xinkebiao) |
May 5, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Beijing Hope Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Beijing Hope) |
June 21, 2016 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (ZMN Education) |
July 31, 2017 | PRC | 100% | Education services | ||||||
Shanghai Global Career Education & Technology Holdings Limited (Shanghai GEDU) |
August 16, 2017 | PRC | 100% | Education services |
(1) | The net revenues generated from these subsidiaries and schools accounts for RMB256,055 and RMB690,608 of the Groups total net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The English names are for identification purpose only. |
F-12
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements
Puxin Limited, through Prepshine HK and its PRC subsidiary, Purong Information, entered into a series of contractual arrangements, on February 5, and as amended on February 25, 2018, with Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools, and the shareholders of Puxin Education.
| Agreements that transfer economic benefits to the Group: |
Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and the shareholders of VIE, Purong Information has the exclusive right to provide or designate any third party to provide, among other things, education management consultancy services, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support to the VIE and its subsidiaries. In exchange, the VIE and its subsidiaries pay service fees to Purong Information in an amount at Purong Informations discretion. Without the prior written consent of Purong Information, the VIE and its subsidiaries cannot accept services provided by or establish similar cooperation relationship with any third party. Purong Information owns the exclusive intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement unless otherwise provided by PRC laws or regulations. The agreement will remain effective unless unanimously agreed by the parties concerned or unilaterally terminated by Purong Information with a written notice. Unless otherwise required by applicable PRC laws, the VIE and its shareholders do not have any right to terminate the exclusive service agreement.
Equity Pledge Agreement
Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and its shareholders, the VIEs shareholders pledged all of their equity of the VIE to Purong Information as security for performance of the obligations of the VIE and its shareholders under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Purong Information may exercise the right to enforce the pledge immediately. Purong Information may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the equity pledge agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The equity pledge agreement is binding on the VIEs shareholders and their successors. The equity pledge agreement will remain in effect until the fulfillment of all the obligations under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement.
| Agreements that provide the Company effective control over Puxin Education: |
Exclusive Call Option Agreement
Under the exclusive call option agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of the VIE irrevocably granted Purong Information a right to purchase, or designate a third party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests in the VIE at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations at Purong Informations sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The shareholders of the
F-13
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Puxin Education, Purong Information or a designated third party of Purong Information. Without Purong Informations prior written consent, the VIE and its shareholders shall not enter into any major contract or transfer any equity of the VIE. Without Purong Informations prior written consent, the VIE and its shareholders shall not sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of the VIEs assets or allow any encumbrance of any assets, except for the disposal or the encumbrances of the assets that are treated as necessary for their daily business operations with the value of the assets involved in a single transaction not exceeding RMB100. The VIE shall not be dissolved or liquidated without the written consent by Purong Information. This agreement shall remain in effect upon expiry or early termination of this agreement.
Powers of Attorney
Pursuant to the powers of attorney executed by the VIE and the VIEs shareholders, each of them irrevocably authorized Purong Information to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all the equity interest and sponsor interest held by each of them in the VIE or its subsidiaries, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, board meetings or council meetings, signing the resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders or sponsors (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights, appointment rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity or the sponsor interest held in part or in whole).
Spousal Consent Letters
Pursuant to the spousal consent letters executed by the spouses of certain shareholders of the VIE, the signing spouses confirm and agree to the execution of the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the equity pledge agreement described above by the applicable shareholders. They further undertake not to hinder the disposal of the equity and not to make any assertions in connection with the equity of the VIE held by the applicable shareholders, and confirm that the applicable shareholders can perform the relevant transaction documents described above and further amend or terminate such transaction documents without the authorization or consent from such spouse. The spouse of each applicable shareholder agrees and undertakes that if he/she obtains any equity of the VIE held by the applicable shareholders for any reasons, he/she would be bound by the transaction documents described above.
Letters of Commitment
Pursuant to the letters of commitment executed by the shareholder of Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Trustbridge) and the partners of Tianjin Puxian Education Technology LLP (Puxian) and Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership (Ningbo Zhimei), which are the shareholders of the VIE, all the shareholders of Shanghai Trustbridge and all the partners of Puxian and Ningbo Zhimei irrecoverably
F-14
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
promise that they will not pledge, sell or dispose of the equity interest or the partnership interest in Shanghai Trustbridge, Puxian or Ningbo Zhimei held by them, respectively, grant a security interest or a priority right in such equity interest or partnership interest to any third party or enter into any transactions with the same economic results that may affect the priority of the equity pledge and the stable implementation of structural contracts, including the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management service and business cooperation agreement, the equity pledge agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement.
| Risks in relation to VIE structure |
The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Puxin Education and its shareholders are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are legally enforceable. However, the contractual arrangements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:
| Puxin Education and its shareholders may have or develop interests that conflict with the Groups interests, which may lead them to pursue opportunities in violation of the aforementioned contractual agreements. If the Group cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between the Group and the shareholders of Puxin Education, the Group would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of its business, and there is substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. |
| Puxin Education and its shareholders could fail to obtain the proper operating licenses or fail to comply with other regulatory requirements. As a result, the PRC government could impose fines, new requirements or other penalties on the VIE or the Group, mandate a change in ownership structure or operations for the VIE or the Group, restrict the VIE or the Groups use of financing sources or otherwise restrict the VIE or the Groups ability to conduct business. |
| The PRC government may declare the aforementioned contractual arrangements invalid. They may modify the relevant regulations, have a different interpretation of such regulations, or otherwise determine that the Group or the VIE have failed to comply with the legal obligations required to effectuate such contractual arrangements. |
| If the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government may restrict or prohibit the Groups business and operations in China. |
The Groups ability to conduct its business may be negatively affected if the PRC government were to carry out of any of the aforementioned actions. As a result, the Group may not be able to consolidate Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools in the consolidated financial statements as the Group may lose the ability to exert effective control over Puxin Education and its shareholders, and the Group may lose the ability to receive economic benefits from Puxin Education.
The Groups business has been directly operated by the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools accounted for an aggregate of 100% and 99.6%, respectively, of the Groups consolidated total assets, and 100% and 75.2% respectively of the Groups consolidated total liabilities.
F-15
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
The following financial information of the Companys VIE and VIEs subsidiaries and schools after the elimination of inter-company transactions and balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 was included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | 160,274 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
36,262 | 128,928 | ||||||
Total current assets |
136,380 | 299,723 | ||||||
Total assets |
594,117 | 2,000,437 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
478,385 | 1,265,438 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
511,421 | 1,625,964 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, |
||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | ||||||
Net loss |
(127,604 | ) | (331,621 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
81,409 | 80,266 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(89,259 | ) | (141,025 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
70,000 | 140,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
There are no consolidated VIEs assets that are collateral for the VIEs obligations and which can only be used to settle the VIEs obligations. No creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the VIE have recourse to the general credit of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries. No terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support to the VIE. However, if the VIE ever needs financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to the VIE through loans to the shareholders of the VIE or entrustment loans to the VIE.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of presentation and use of estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts in the accompanying financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Group bases its estimates on past experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
F-16
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Basis of presentation and use of estimates - continued
Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Groups financial statements include, but are not limited to, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, impairment assessment of long-lived assets and goodwill, valuation of share-based compensation and payments, purchase price allocation for business acquisition and valuation of ordinary shares, convertible notes and derivative liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial information of the Group. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Business combinations
Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets, liabilities, identifiable intangible assets acquired and non-controlling interest, if any, based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred.
Fair value
Fair value is considered to be the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, amounts due from a related party, other receivables, deposits and amounts due to a related party are recorded at cost which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
F-17
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Financial instruments
The Groups financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, amounts due from/to related parties, other payables, convertible notes, promissory note and derivative liabilities.
Convertible notes
Convertible notes for which the fair value option are elected are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.
Convenience translation
The Groups business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, change in deficit and cash flows from Renminbi (RMB) into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.2726, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 30, 2018, or at any other rate.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks and on hand, which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates market value.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents cash deposits in restricted bank accounts, required by local regulations, for operating schools. The deposits in restricted bank accounts cannot be withdrawn until these schools are closed. Restricted cash is classified as either current or non-current based on when the funds will be released in accordance with the terms of the respective agreement.
Inventories
Inventories, mainly consisting of textbooks, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method.
F-18
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Category |
Estimated useful life | |
Buildings |
37 years | |
Electronic equipment |
3 years | |
Motor vehicles |
5 years | |
Furniture and education equipment |
5 years | |
Leasehold improvement |
Shorter of lease term or estimated economic life |
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.
Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of an intangible asset is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the end of the fourth quarter, or sooner if impairment indicators arise. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the Group may perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not, no further analysis is required. If it is, a prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit, if any.
The first step in the two-step impairment test is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is estimated by applying valuation multiples and/or estimating future discounted cash flows. The selection of multiples is dependent upon assumptions regarding future levels of operating performance as well as business trends and prospects, and industry, market and economic conditions. When estimating future discounted cash flows, the Group considers the assumptions that hypothetical marketplace participants would use in estimating future cash flows. In addition, where applicable, an appropriate discount rate is used, based on an industry-wide average cost of capital or location-specific economic factors. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any.
The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a
F-19
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Goodwill and intangible assets - continued
business combination (i.e., the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all the assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit). If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Based on the result of annual goodwill impairment assessment, no impairment charge was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill consist of student base, definite trademark, relationship with partnership school and franchise agreements, which are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment. The amortization periods are as follows:
Student Base |
2.5 - 7 years | |
Trademark |
5.4 years & Indefinite | |
Relationship with partnership school |
6.4 years | |
Franchise agreement |
3.4 years |
The Group has determined that certain trademarks do not have determinable useful lives. Consequently, the carrying amount of trademarks are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Such impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the trademarks with their carrying amount and an impairment loss is recognized if and when the carrying amounts of the trademarks exceed their fair values. The estimates of fair values of intangible assets not subject to amortization are determined using various discounted cash flow valuation methodologies. Significant assumptions are inherent in this process, including estimates of discount rates. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective intangible assets. No impairment loss was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Group did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized when the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the service has been rendered, (iii) the fees are fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue represents amounts received or receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and sales related tax.
F-20
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
The Group generated its revenues from two business lines as follows:
(i) K-12 tutoring services
The Group offers various types of after-school tutoring services to help students improve their academic performance and qualify for their desired schools and universities.
The after-school tutoring services primarily consist of after-school group class courses and personalized tutoring courses. Tuition fees are generally collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered. Tuition refunds are provided to students if they decide within the trial period that they no longer want to take the course. The Group would not recognize any revenue until the trial class is over.
(ii) Study abroad tutoring services
| Study-abroad test preparation services |
The Group offers study abroad test preparation services to help students prepare for admission tests for high schools, universities and graduate programs in other countries. Tutoring fees are collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue which is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered. Students are entitled to certain trial class of the purchased course and course fee is fully refundable if a student decides not to take the remaining course after the trial class. No refund will be provided to a student who withdraws from a course after the trial period. The Group would not recognize any revenue until the trial class is over.
| Study-abroad consulting services |
The Group offers study abroad consulting services to provide quality advisory guidance for students who intend to study abroad. The Group charges each student an up-front prepaid fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student, and generally recognizes revenue over the service period. Portion of the prepaid services fee are refundable if the student does not successfully gain admission. The non-refundable service fee is recognized as revenue over the service period; and the refundable fee is deferred and recognized as revenue once the contingency is resolved.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, net revenues were as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Services: |
||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
370,712 | 884,148 | ||||||
Study-abroad test preparation services |
59,145 | 334,288 | ||||||
Study-abroad consulting services |
9,324 | 64,126 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenues |
439,181 | 1,282,562 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue primarily consists of tuition fees and consulting service fees received from customers for which the Groups revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue once the criteria for revenue recognition have been met.
F-21
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Value added taxes
On January 1, 2012, the PRC Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation officially launched a pilot VAT reform program (Pilot Program), applicable to businesses in selected industries. Such VAT Pilot Program were phased in Beijing, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Tianjin, Zhejiang, and Hubei between September and December 2012. Businesses in the Pilot Program would pay VAT instead of business tax. Starting from May 1, 2016, the Pilot Program was promoted nationwide in a comprehensive manner in the PRC. With the implementation of the Pilot Program, the Groups certain subsidiaries and schools are subject to VAT at the rate of 3%, as small scale VAT payer, and the remaining subsidiaries and schools are subject to VAT at the rate of 6%, as general VAT payer, which were all previously subject to business tax. The net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded as accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Groups consolidated financial statements.
Since May 2016, in accordance with Cai Shui [2016] No. 68, the nonacademic educational programs and services in short-term training schools are subject to a simple VAT collection method and apply for a 3% VAT rate. Therefore, the Groups nonacademic educational programs and services in short-term training schools which were previously subject to business tax are now subject to VAT.
Business tax
Pursuant to the PRC tax laws, before the implementation of the Pilot Program, tutoring services and consulting services were subject to business tax at the rate of 3% or 5%. Revenue is reported net of business taxes of RMB2,754 for the period from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016.
Operating leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risk of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated economic life.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes will be classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.
Share-based compensation
The Group measures the cost of employee share options based on the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes compensation cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in
F-22
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Share-based compensation - continued
exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. For the graded vesting share options, the Group recognizes the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. When no future services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award of equity instruments, the cost of the award is expensed on the grant date.
Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments. Comprehensive loss is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Net loss per share
Net loss per share, basic and diluted, is computed on the basis of the net loss for the period divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares and of common shares equivalents outstanding when dilutive. Common share equivalents include: (i) outstanding stock options under the Companys share incentive plan which are included under the treasury share method when dilutive, (ii) common shares to be issued under the assumed conversion of the Companys outstanding convertible notes, which are included under the if-converted method when dilutive, and (iii) convertible redeemable participating preferred shares, which are included under the if-converted method when dilutive.
The Groups convertible redeemable participating preferred shares are participating securities as they participate in undistributed earnings on an as-if-converted basis. Accordingly, the Group uses the two-class method whereby undistributed net income is allocated on a pro rata basis to the ordinary shares and preferred shares to the extent that each class may share in income for the period; whereas the undistributed net loss for the period is allocated to ordinary shares only because the convertible redeemable participating preferred shares are not contractually obligated to share the loss.
The computation of diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 does not include common share equivalents, since such inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Contingency
The Group is subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to the operation of its schools. The Group is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses and fees.
Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more future events, are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.
F-23
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Significant risks and uncertainties
Foreign currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into other currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies, international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The Groups cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in RMB amounted to RMB105,515 and RMB184,752 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents and prepayment and other current assets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, substantially all of the Groups cash and cash equivalents were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC.
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In May 2014, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Updates, or ASU, 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. In August 2015, FASB updated this standard to ASU 2015-14, the amendments in this ASU defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09, that the ASU should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. In May 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in this ASU do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this ASU affect only the narrow aspects of Topic 606. The areas improved include: (1) Assessing the Collectability Criterion in Paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and Accounting for Contracts That Do Not Meet the Criteria for Step 1; (2) Presentation of Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes Collected from Customers; (3) Noncash Consideration; (4) Contract Modifications at Transition; (5) Completed Contracts at Transition; and (6) Technical Correction. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this ASU are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by ASU 2014-09).
The Group expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 under the modified retrospective method in the first quarter of 2018. The Group has substantially completed a review of the impacts of the new standard to its existing portfolio of customer contracts. The Group does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 would have a material effect on the amount or timing of its K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad test preparation services revenues, but will be required to assess variable consideration included in its study-abroad consulting service contracts and make judgments and estimates throughout the applicable periods. Certain
F-24
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted - continued
additional financial statement disclosure requirements are mandated by the new standard including disclosure of contract assets and contract liabilities as well as a disaggregated view of revenue. Based on the Groups review, the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Groups consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessees obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessees right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and expects the adoption will result in a material increase in the assets and liabilities on the Groups consolidated balance sheet but is not expected to have a material impact on the Groups consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for our company for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
In May 2017, FASB issued a new pronouncement, ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
F-25
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements
In February 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 modifies existing consolidation guidance related to (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) the evaluation of variable interests for fees paid to decision makers or service providers, (3) the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (4) certain investment funds. These changes are expected to limit the number of consolidation models and place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Group has adopted the new standards in the 2016 fiscal year, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-16 related to the accounting for measurement period adjustments recognized in a business combination. Under the previous standard, when adjustments were made to amounts previously reported as part of a business combination during the measurement period, entities were required to revise comparative information for prior periods. Under the new standard, entities must recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. The Group adopted the new standard in the 2016 fiscal year, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this ASU require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a taxpaying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this ASU. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The amendments in this ASU may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Group adopted this guidance in the 2016 fiscal year, retroactively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09 related to stock compensation to facilitate improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (1) income tax consequences; (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; (3) accruals of compensation costs based on the forfeitures; (4) classification on the statement of cash flows. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period
F-26
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements - continued
total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The Group early adopted the amendments on a retrospective basis and restricted cash has been presented as part of cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, restricted cash of RMB5,409 and RMB24,478 were included in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows, respectively.
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION |
Acquisition of Shanghai Pukuan
On May 5, 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Shanghai Pukuan. The total consideration for the acquisition of Shanghai Pukuan amounted to RMB20,200 which included RMB19,600 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
Shanghai Pukuan operates K-12 tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Shanghai Pukuans training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,887 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
17,121 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
1,120 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(2,568 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(19,807 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
4,700 | 6.7 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(1,175 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
17,922 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
20,200 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the economy of scale, increase in cross-selling opportunities as well as synergy resulting from the acquisition.
F-27
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of Luoyang Pucai Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Luoyang Pucai)
On July 31, 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Luoyang Pucai. The total consideration for the acquisition of Luoyang Pucai amounted to RMB27,900 which included RMB20,500 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
Luoyang Pucai operates K-12 tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Luoyang Pucais training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,494 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
8,113 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
42 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(640 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(10,105 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
2,800 | 4.4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(700 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
25,896 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
27,900 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as
identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the economy of scale, increase in cross-selling opportunities as well as synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Acquisition of Xian Shanghe Culture Development Co., Ltd. (Xian Shanghe)
On November 15, 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Xian Shanghe. The total consideration for the acquisition of Xian Shanghe amounted to RMB27,800 which included RMB25,200 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
F-28
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of Xian Shanghe Culture Development Co., Ltd. (Xian Shanghe) - continued
Xian Shanghe operates K-12 tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Xian Shanghes training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3,998 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
5,874 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
20 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
187 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(3,164 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(8,272 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
3,000 | 3.1 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(750 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
26,907 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
27,800 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Acquisition of Dalian Pude Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Dalian Pude)
On November 28, 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Dalian Pude. The total consideration for the acquisition of Dalian Pude amounted to RMB51,700 which included RMB47,000 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
Dalian Pude operates K-12 tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Dalian Pudes training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
F-29
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of Dalian Pude Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Dalian Pude) - continued
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,475 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
28,060 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
20 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(8,848 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(20,659 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
9,200 | 4.1 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(2,300 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
44,752 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
51,700 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Acquisition of Luzhou Puxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Luzhou Puxin)
On December 31, 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Luzhou Puxin. The total consideration for the acquisition of Luzhou Puxin amounted to RMB18,700 which included RMB14,300 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
Luzhou Puxin operates K-12 tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Luzhou Puxins training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
F-30
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of Luzhou Puxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Luzhou Puxin) - continued
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
165 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
3,372 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
155 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(73 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(3,464 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
5,300 | 4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(1,325 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
14,570 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
18,700 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as
identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Other acquisitions in 2016
In 2016, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in Jinan Qifa Education Consulting Co., Ltd (Jinan Qifa), Nanjing Diyu, Shaoxing Puxin Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Shaoxing Puxin), Ningbo Puxin Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Ningbo Puxin), Chengdu Qidi Wanjuan Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Chengdu Qidi), Nanjing Dreams & Stars Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (Nanjing Dreams), Shenzhen Davis Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Davis), Beijing Hope, Beijing Quakers Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Beijing Quakers) and Shenyang Being Modern Foreign Language School (Shenyang Being) and acquired certain tutoring businesses from third parties (collectively Other 2016 Acquirees). The total consideration for the acquisition of Other 2016 Acquirees amounted to RMB97,377 which included RMB84,677 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
These acquired entities are in the operation of K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Other 2016 Acquirees training centers with its teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
F-31
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Other acquisitions in 2016 - continued
These transactions were considered business acquisitions and therefore were recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
5,280 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
36,412 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
100 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
1,193 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(4,880 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(42,910 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
14,300 | 2.5 - 7 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(3,575 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
91,457 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
97,377 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisitions described above were based on valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from these acquisitions.
Acquisition of ZMN Education
On July 31, 2017, the Group acquired 100% equity interests in ZMN Education. The total consideration for the acquisition of ZMN Education amounted to RMB135,850 which included RMB65,250 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant issued to the sellers which entitle them to purchase the ordinary shares of Long faith Limited, a shareholder of the Company, was recorded at fair value on acquisition date and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the Companys shareholder.
ZMN Education operates study abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of ZMN Educations service centers with its well-known brand and strong teaching team would further enhance the Groups ability to provide high quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
F-32
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of ZMN Education - continued
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
21,407 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13,266 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
1,008 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
9,723 | 3 - 5 years | ||||||
Rental deposits |
7,285 | |||||||
Deferred revenue |
(208,345 | ) | ||||||
Account payables |
(564 | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(32,857 | ) | ||||||
Loans to third parties |
(23,802 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-trademark |
32,400 | 5.4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(8,100 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
324,429 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
135,850 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Acquisition of Beijing GEDU
On August 16, 2017, the Group acquired 100% equity interest in Beijing GEDU for cash consideration of US$72,300 (equivalent to RMB483,687).
Beijing GEDU operates study abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Beijing GEDUs training centers with its well-known brand and strong teaching team would further enhance the Groups ability to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
F-33
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Acquisition of Beijing GEDU - continued
This transaction was considered a business acquisition and therefore was recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
89,437 | |||||||
Inventories |
6,620 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
117,333 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
14,332 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
132,844 | 2-37 years | ||||||
Deferred tax assets |
2,547 | |||||||
Rental deposits |
18,381 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
(6,197 | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(79,167 | ) | ||||||
Income tax payable |
(2,505 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(221,484 | ) | ||||||
Franchise deposits |
(7,344 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-trademark |
140,000 | Indefinite | ||||||
Intangible assets-relationship with partnership school |
5,300 | 6.4 years | ||||||
Intangible assets- franchise agreement |
4,400 | 3.4 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(54,164 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
323,354 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
483,687 | |||||||
|
|
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from the acquisition.
Other acquisitions in 2017
In 2017, the Group acquired 100% equity interest in (i) a group of schools wholly owned by Chongqing Shunbo Technology Co., Ltd., (ii) Shenyang Pude Education Technology Co., Ltd., (iii) a school wholly owned by Mr. Bowen Zhang, (iv) Yancheng Tiantianxiangshang Education Training Co., Ltd., (v) Fuzhou Pude Education Technology Co., Ltd., (vi) a group of schools wholly owned by Hangzhou Shoumu Education Technology Co., Ltd., and acquired certain tutoring businesses from third parties (collectively Other 2017 Acquirees). The total consideration for the acquisition of Other 2017 Acquirees amounted to
F-34
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
Other acquisitions in 2017 - continued
RMB174,770 which included RMB155,170 in cash and the rest was in the form of warrant. The warrant was issued by the major shareholder of the Company to purchase the equity interest of Puxian which was recorded at fair value and accounted for as capital contribution to the Company by the shareholder.
These acquired entities are in the operation of K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services in the PRC. The merging of Other 2017 Acquirees training centers with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students.
These transactions were considered business acquisitions and therefore were recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:
Depreciation or amortization period | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
15,824 | |||||||
Inventories |
256 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13,221 | |||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
63,194 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
1,377 | 3-5 years | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(12,388 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(85,197 | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets-student base |
27,100 | 3.5-5.9 years | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(6,775 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill |
158,158 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
174,770 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisitions described above were based on valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the income, market and cost approach. The Company has incorporated certain assumptions which include projected replacement costs.
The goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the synergy resulting from these acquisitions.
F-35
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | BUSINESS ACQUISITION - continued |
The following information summarizes the results of operations attributable to the acquisitions included in the Groups consolidated statement of operations since the acquisition date:
Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shanghai Pukuan | Luoyang Pucai | Xian Shanghe | Dalian Pude | Luzhou Puxin | Others | |||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
24,430 | 12,420 | 4,139 | 4,089 | | 94,313 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(1,610 | ) | (604 | ) | 319 | (1,154 | ) | | (17,277 | ) |
Year ended December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||
ZMN Education |
Beijing GEDU |
Others | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
39,867 | 197,853 | 114,601 | |||||||||
Net (loss) |
(59,169 | ) | (74,370 | ) | (13,096 | ) |
Pro forma information of acquisitions
The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, as if these above acquisitions had been acquired on January 1, 2016. The unaudited pro forma information combines the historical results of these above acquisitions with the Companys consolidated historical results and includes certain pro forma adjustments, including intangible asset amortization and the incremental interest expense for the respective periods. The pro forma information may not be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2016, and may not be indicative of the Companys future consolidated results. Additionally, the pro forma financial information does not include the impact of possible business model changes and does not reflect pro forma adjustments to conform accounting policies between these above acquisitions and the Company. The unaudited pro forma information is presented below:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | |||||||
pro forma net revenues |
1,519,724 | 1,882,032 | ||||||
pro forma net (loss) |
(291,816 | ) | (511,354 | ) |
4. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Prepaid rental expenses |
26,170 | 71,324 | ||||||
Prepaid other service fees |
7,096 | 45,478 | ||||||
Staff advances |
2,677 | 8,811 | ||||||
Others |
319 | 6,860 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
36,262 | 132,473 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
F-36
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
5. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Buildings |
| 87,792 | ||||||
Electronic equipment |
12,008 | 46,136 | ||||||
Motor vehicles |
1,418 | 10,379 | ||||||
Furniture and education equipment |
9,797 | 45,334 | ||||||
Leasehold improvement |
24,171 | 100,670 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
47,394 | 290,311 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(13,671 | ) | (69,099 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
33,723 | 221,212 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expenses were RMB3,735 and RMB20,545 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
6. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Student base |
66,750 | 97,054 | ||||||
Trademark |
| 172,400 | ||||||
Relationship with partnership school |
| 5,300 | ||||||
Franchise agreement |
| 4,400 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
66,750 | 279,154 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
(11,583 | ) | (35,227 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
55,167 | 243,927 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Amortization expenses were RMB10,158 and RMB23,644 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, the Group expects to record amortization expenses related to intangible assets RMB32,084, RMB27,083, RMB22,482, RMB12,701 and RMB8,565 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, respectively, and RMB1,012 thereafter.
F-37
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
7. | GOODWILL |
The Group has two reporting units that carry goodwill. The changes in carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 were as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Costs: |
||||||||
Beginning balance |
125,468 | 346,972 | ||||||
Acquisition of subsidiaries and schools |
221,504 | 805,941 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Ending balance |
346,972 | 1,152,913 | ||||||
Goodwill impairment loss |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Goodwill, net |
346,972 | 1,152,913 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The Group did not record any impairment of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
8. | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Salary and welfare payable |
62,794 | 178,078 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
8,032 | 50,941 | ||||||
Consideration payable in connection with business acquisitions |
93,585 | 68,199 | ||||||
Advance from third parties (Note) |
| 23,802 | ||||||
Other tax payable |
4,830 | 9,578 | ||||||
Payables for purchase of property, plant and equipment |
1,039 | 1,253 | ||||||
Others |
3,115 | 18,595 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
173,395 | 350,446 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Note: ZMN Education entered into loan agreements with two individuals in 2013 and 2015 for loans at the amount of RMB10,000 and RMB 13,802, respectively.
9. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES |
In June 2017, Puxin Education and Mr. Yunlong Sha entered into a convertible note investment agreement with Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. (Huazhong). Pursuant to this agreement, Huazhong provides a credit facility in an amount up to RMB300,000 to Puxin Education and has the right to elect to convert the unpaid and outstanding amount under the credit facility into ordinary shares of Puxin Limited upon its initial public offering (IPO). The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 90%, 80% and 70% of the public offering price of the ordinary shares if the public offering application is submitted before or by December 31, 2018, between January 1 and December 31, 2019, or between
F-38
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
9. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES - continued |
January 1 and December 31, 2020, respectively. If IPO fails to occur before or by December 31, 2020, the note could be converted to shares. As of December 31, 2017, Puxin Education had drawn down a principal amount of RMB140,000 under the credit facility. The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 12% and has a maturity term of 22 months since the date the issuer received the proceeds and can be extended for another 36 months. Pursuant to the agreement, Puxin Education committed to guarantee Huazhong an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of no less than 18% per annual if Huazhong chooses to withdraw earlier or by the 58th months of investment. Puxin Education is obligated to pay the compensation amount equals to the shortfall to Huazhong. However, if for 20 consecutive trading days, the weighted average trading price provides Huazhong an IRR of above 30%, Puxin Education is no longer liable for the compensation. In the event of (1) certain misconduct by the Company, (2) the Company establishes the planned VIE structure in contemplating a IPO overseas and the Huazhong decided not to convert the note into the shares of the Company, or (3) the total net profits in aggregation of the Company from 2017 to 2019 is less than RMB950,000, Huazhong has the option to redeem the note at a price equal to the principal amount plus any accrued unpaid interest at a rate of 18% per annum. The fair value option was elected for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the convertible note was RMB150,200. Changes in fair value of RMB10,200 were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
On August 4, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$25,000 (equivalent to RMB168,180) to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited (Haitong). The note has a maturity term of 5 years since the date of the note. The convertible note bears a compound interest rate of 12% per annum. If the Companys IPO occurs before or by June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into Puxin Limited ordinary shares upon completion of the IPO. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70%, 65% or 60% of the offering price of the ordinary shares if the IPO is completed before or by December 31, 2018, between January 1 and March 31, 2019, or between April 1 and June 30, 2019, respectively. If IPO fails to occur before or by June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into redeemable and convertible preferred shares on July 1, 2019 except that Haitong notifies the Company of its decision to choose repayment in cash for the principal and accrued interest at least 5 business days prior to June 30, 2019. If the Company contemplates a change-in-control transaction (trade sale) prior to full repayment of the note, Haitong shall have the right to (i) declare all indebtedness under this note become immediately due and payable in full on or prior to the closing of the trade sale; (ii) convert all such indebtedness into such number of converted preferred shares calculated by dividing the outstanding principal amount by the applicable preferred share conversion price on or prior to the closing of the trade sale. The Company elected the fair value option for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the convertible note was US$29,000 (equivalent to RMB188,682). Changes in fair value of US$4,000 (equivalent to RMB27,028) were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
On September 29, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$23,000 (equivalent to RMB153,026) to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited (CICC ALPHA). The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 15% and has a maturity term of 4 years since the date of the note. If the Companys IPO occurs before or by June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount into ordinary shares upon completion of the IPO. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70% or 55% of the public offering price of the ordinary shares if the Companys IPO is completed before or by June 30, 2019 or between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively. The portion of the outstanding principal amount that CICC ALPHA elects not to be converted
F-39
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
9. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES - continued |
into the Companys ordinary share will be redeemed and repurchased by the Company on the completion of the IPO at a redemption price calculated based on a compound interest rate of 15% per annum. If IPO fails to occur before or by June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding amount into preferred shares. In the event of default, CICC ALPHA may request the Company to immediately redeem the convertible note. Pursuant to the agreement, if after IPO, the IRR of the notes holder upon exit is below 25%, the founder, Mr. Yunlong Sha should compensate CICC ALPHA for the shortfall (Floor Return). If the IRR of CICC ALPHA exceeds 30%, CICC ALPHA shall pay Mr. Yunlong Sha certain awards (Founder Awards). The features of Founder Awards and Floor Return are free-standing derivatives that are required to be separately accounted for as derivative liabilities under ASC 815. The Company elected the fair value option for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the derivative liabilities was US$2,800 (equivalent to RMB18,218). Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities aggregated to US$100 (equivalent to RMB676) were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The convertible note consideration received were allocated between the convertible notes and two derivatives using the residual value method. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the convertible note was US$24,640 (equivalent to RMB160,310). Changes in fair value aggregated to US$4,800 (equivalent to RMB32,432) were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
As part of the agreements with the noteholders, the Company and Puxin Education pledged certain equity interest of themselves and its subsidiaries of the Group as described in Note 19. The convertible notes agreements also contain covenants customary for a financing of this size and nature.
10. | PROMISSORY NOTE |
On August 4, 2017, the Company issued promissory note at the principle amount of US$25,000 (equivalent to RMB168,180) to Haitong. The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 8% and has a maturity term of 2 years from the date of issuance.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized interest expense of RMB nil and RMB 5,556, respectively.
The recorded values of promissory note approximate its fair values, as interest rate approximates market rate. The fair value of promissory note was determined as present value of the debt using market interest rates. The promissory note was categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
As part of the agreements with the noteholders, the Company and Puxin Education pledged certain equity interest of themselves and its subsidiaries of the Group as described in Note 19.
11. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis
The Group measured its financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, amounts due from/to related parties, other payables, convertible notes, promissory note and derivative liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2017. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on the quoted market price in an active market. The Group determines the fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities, with the assistance of an independent third-party appraiser, based on Level 3 inputs. To
F-40
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - continued |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis - continued
determine the fair value of the convertible notes, the Group used probability expected return method. To determine the fair value of derivative liabilities, the Group used binomial model.
The key assumptions used in valuation of convertible notes are summarized in the table below:
Probability for conversion |
80% | |||
Probability for redemption |
20% | |||
Remaining life |
2.5 4.8 |
The key assumptions used in valuation of derivative liabilities are summarized in the table below:
Probability for conversion |
80% | |||
Exit period |
2018/6/30 2019/6/30 | |||
Volatility |
40% |
Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
164,684 | | | 164,684 | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
24,478 | | | 24,478 | ||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| | 499,192 | 499,192 | ||||||||||||
Promissory note |
| 162,658 | | 162,658 | ||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| | 18,218 | 18,218 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
189,162 | 162,658 | 517,410 | 869,230 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
100,109 | | | 100,109 | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
5,409 | | | 5,409 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
105,518 | | | 105,518 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The carrying amounts of amounts due from/to related parties approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturity.
F-41
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - continued |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis - continued
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017:
Convertible notes | Derivative liabilities |
|||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2016 and 2017 |
| |||||||
Issuance of convertible notes |
443,242 | 17,964 | ||||||
Changes in fair value |
69,660 | 676 | ||||||
Payment of interest |
(2,998 | ) | | |||||
Exchange rate effect |
(10,712 | ) | (422 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
499,192 | 18,218 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis
The Group measures goodwill at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when it is annually evaluated or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as a result of the impairment assessments. The Group measures purchase price allocation at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of the acquisition dates.
12. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION |
In December 2014, Puxin Education approved the 2014 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan (2014 Great Talent Plan) which provides for the grant of options to eligible employees of the Group. Under 2014 Plan, the maximum aggregate number of units of equity interest of Puxin Education that may be issued shall not exceed 158,400,000. The term of the option shall not exceed 7 years from the date of the grant.
The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements with vesting period ranged from 0 to 5 years.
The Company determined the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using the binomial option pricing model with the assistance from an independent valuation firm, with the following assumptions used in 2016 and 2017.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
Grant date |
2016 | 2017 | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.94%-2.92% | 2.84%-2.97% | ||||||
Volatility |
47% | 45%-47% | ||||||
Dividend yield |
| | ||||||
Exercise multiples |
2.2-2.8 | 2.2-2.8 | ||||||
Life of options |
7.0 | 7.0 | ||||||
Fair value of underlying ordinary shares |
23.66-28.23 | 29.46-48.31 |
F-42
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
12. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued |
(1) | Risk-free interest rate |
Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the daily treasury long term rate of the U.S. Treasury Department with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China.
(2) | Volatility |
The volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the lives of the options was estimated based on the historical stock price volatility of comparable listed companies over a period comparable to the expected term of the options.
(3) | Dividend yield |
The dividend yield was estimated by the Group based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options.
(4) | Exercise multiples |
Exercise multiple represents the value of the underlying share as a multiple of exercise price of the option which, if achieved, results in exercise of the option.
(5) | Life of options |
Life of options is extracted from option agreements.
(6) | Fair value of underlying ordinary shares |
The estimated fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the options as of the respective grant dates was determined based on a valuation with the assistance of a third party appraiser.
F-43
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
12. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued |
The activity in stock options during years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 was set out below:
Outstanding options | ||||||||||||||||||||
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
Weighted average grant date fair value |
Weighted average remaining contractual term (years) |
Aggregate intrinsic value |
||||||||||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2016 |
3,061,880 | 0.27 | 10.00 | 5.69 | ||||||||||||||||
Granted |
2,526,338 | 0.49 | 25.38 | 6.62 | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
1,468,620 | 0.50 | 25.35 | 6.62 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2016 |
4,119,598 | 0.32 | 13.96 | 5.92 | 114,959 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Granted |
3,301,140 | 20.46 | 27.53 | 6.61 | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
828,200 | 0.36 | 35.79 | 6.46 | ||||||||||||||||
Forfeited |
27,044 | 26.20 | 25.01 | 6.57 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2017 |
6,565,494 | 10.33 | 17.99 | 5.57 | 249,333 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2017 |
6,565,494 | 10.33 | 17.99 | 5.57 | 249,333 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Option exercisable as of December 31, 2017 |
1,224,752 | 0.27 | 10.00 | 4.69 | 58,841 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 were RMB40,718 and RMB39,716, respectively. The total fair value of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 was RMB37,223 and RMB29,645, respectively.
For share options that vest on grant date, the cost of award is expensed on the grant date. For the graded vesting share options, the Company recognizes the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. The Company recorded share-based compensation expenses of RMB51,263 and RMB55,835 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, there was RMB75,222 of share-based compensation related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.57 years.
In February 2018, the Company approved the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan (2018 Grand Talent Plan) which provides for the grant of options to eligible employees of the Group. Under 2018 Grand Talent Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued shall not exceed 16,400,000. The term of the option is fixed and shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant. The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements.
13. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES |
In 2015, Puxin Education issued 12.267% of equity interest with preferential feature to Shanghai Trustbridge for a total consideration of RMB120,000, with RMB50,000 and RMB70,000 received in 2015 and early 2016, respectively.
F-44
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
13. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES - continued |
In part of the reorganization as disclosed in Note 1, Shanghai Trustbridge sold 5% of equity interest with preferential feature to Mr. Yunlong Sha and sold 3.6335% of equity interest with preferential feature to one of its related party Ningbo Zhimei. As part of the recapitalization, Shanghai Trustbridge and Ningbo Zhimei then exchanged all of their equity interests with preferential feature of Puxin Education into 5,958,940 and 5,958,940 Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (Series A Shares) of Puxin Limited to Trustbridge Partners VI, L.P. and Fasturn Overseas Limited, respectively, who are their respective overseas related party Companies.
The terms of the Series A shares effectively mirrored those of the equity interest with preferential feature. As this transaction represented an exchange as opposed to an extinguishment of preferred shares, only an increase in fair value required accounting. The Company calculated the increase in fair value of Series A Shares compared to the initial equity interest with preferential feature and concluded the increase was insignificant.
Key terms of Series A Shares are summarized as follows:
Voting Rights
The holders of Series A Shares and ordinary shares shall vote together based on their shareholding ratio.
Dividends
If the Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the holders Series A Shares have same right as ordinary shares to obtain dividends calculated by the proportion of equity interest they hold.
Redemption
Upon the occurrence of events including a non-occurred qualified initial public offering (the IPO) by December 31, 2019, ceasing work or breaking of competition covenant by the founders, and significant violation of the agreement with holders of Series A Shares, the Company shall redeem all the respective outstanding Series A Shares. The redemption price shall be a return at a rate of 8% per annum compounded annually from the applicable investment date to the date on which the applicable redemption amount is paid in full. The redemption value of the convertible redeemable preferred shares was RMB129,799 and RMB140,183 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Liquidation
In the event of liquidation, the holders of Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to the holders of ordinary shares, the relevant amount at a rate of 8% per annum compounded annually from the applicable investment date to the date on which the applicable redemption amount is paid in full.
In the event of insufficient funds available to pay in full the preference amount in respect of Series A Shares, the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the holders of Series A Shares shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among the holders of Series A Shares in proportion to issued price.
In addition, preferential rights held by investors of Puxin Education were cancelled.
F-45
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
13. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES - continued |
Conversion
The holders of the Series A Shares shall have the rights described below with respect to the conversion of the Series A Shares into Ordinary Shares:
Conversion Ratio
The number of ordinary shares to which a holder shall be entitled upon conversion of each Series A Shares shall be the quotient of the per share issue price divided by the then effective Series A Shares conversion price, which shall initially be the per share issue price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for Series A Shares of 1:1.
Optional Conversion
Any Series A Shares may, at the option of the holder thereof, be converted at any time after the date of issuance of such shares, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable ordinary shares based on the then-effective conversion price.
Automatic Conversion
Each Series A Shares shall automatically be converted, based on the then-effective conversion price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable ordinary shares upon the earlier of (i) the closing of an IPO, or (ii) the date specified by written consent or agreement of the majority holders of Series A Shares.
14. | INCOME TAXES |
The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. The Companys subsidiary Prepshine HK is located in Hong Kong and is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for taxable income earned in Hong Kong.
The Companys subsidiary, the VIE and the VIEs subsidiaries and schools, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the PRC entities) are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (EIT), on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008. The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Current tax expense |
3,535 | 8,258 | ||||||
Deferred tax expense |
(3,147 | ) | (5,822 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
388 | 2,436 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
F-46
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
14. | INCOME TAXES - continued |
The principle components of deferred taxes were as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax assets |
||||||||
Accrued expenses |
4,129 | 32,333 | ||||||
Convertible notes change in fair value |
| 2,550 | ||||||
Net operating loss carrying forwards |
19,189 | 78,692 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total deferred tax assets |
23,318 | 113,575 | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(22,681 | ) | (110,563 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Deferred tax assets, net |
637 | 3,012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2017, the Group had net operating loss carried forward of RMB314,768 from the Companys PRC entities, which will expire on various dates from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
||||||||
Acquired intangible assets |
13,734 | 77,580 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
13,734 | 77,580 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations was as follow:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,216 | ) | (394,798 | ) | ||||
Income tax benefit computed at an applicable tax rate of 25% |
(31,804 | ) | (98,699 | ) | ||||
Permanent differences |
13,948 | 13,279 | ||||||
Effect of preferential tax rate |
(28 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||
Change in valuation allowance |
18,272 | 87,882 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
388 | 2,436 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from December 31, 2017.
F-47
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
15. | ORDINARY SHARES |
Upon the incorporation of Puxin Limited on March 17, 2017, the Company issued 8,524 ordinary shares to Long bright Limited, 820 ordinary shares to Gao & Tianyi Limited, 492 ordinary shares to Pution Limited and 164 ordinary shares to Prospect Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$0.004.
On August 4, 2017, the Company issued 99,990,000 ordinary shares to its existing shareholders on a proportional basis for an aggregate consideration of US$5. Such issuance was accounted for as a stock split and, accordingly, all references to numbers of ordinary shares and per-share data in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the stock split and issuance of shares on a retrospective basis.
16. | NET LOSS PER SHARE |
For the purpose of calculating net loss per share as a result of the reorganization as described in Note 1, the number of ordinary shares used in the calculation reflects the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company as if the reorganization took place on January 1, 2016.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Numerator used in basic and diluted net loss per share: |
||||||||
Net loss attributable to Puxin Limited |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Shares (denominator): | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share (Note 1) | 98,670,361 | 99,705,361 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net loss per share basic and diluted | (1.29 | ) | (3.98 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, an incremental weighted average number of 3,473,746 and 4,938,438 ordinary shares from the assumed exercise of share options were not considered in the computation of diluted net loss per share because they would be anti-dilutive given the Companys loss making position.
17. | EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN |
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Groups PRC entities make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amount for such employee benefits, which was expensed as incurred, was RMB33,454 and RMB104,635 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
F-48
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
18. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION |
(1) | Related parties |
Name of related parties |
Relationship with the Group | |
Mr. Yunlong Sha |
The CEO and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company | |
Ms. Wenjing Song |
Spouse of Mr. Yunlong Sha | |
Puxian |
Shareholder of Puxin Education |
(2) | The significant balances between the Group and its related parties were as follows: |
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Amounts due from: |
||||||||
Puxian |
9 | 13 | ||||||
Ms. Wenjing Song |
| 100 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
9 | 113 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Amounts due to: |
||||||||
Mr. Yunlong Sha |
48 | 3,836 | ||||||
Ms. Wenjing Song |
3,000 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
3,048 | 3,836 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
The balances with related parties were interest-free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
19. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Operating lease commitments
Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices and schools consisted of the following at December 31, 2017:
Years ending December 31, |
| |||
2018 |
262,145 | |||
2019 |
189,294 | |||
2020 |
126,210 | |||
2021 |
84,975 | |||
2022 and thereafter |
94,032 | |||
|
|
|||
756,656 | ||||
|
|
Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB74,245 and RMB215,432, respectively.
F-49
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
19. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - continued |
Equity pledge commitment
In June 2017, Puxin Education and Mr. Yunlong Sha entered into a convertible note investment agreement with Huazhong. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into between Huazhong and Puxin Education. Puxin Education pledged its 100% equity interests of Tianjin Xinsiyuan in favor of Huazhong. Mr. Yunlong Sha and Ms. Wenjing Song are joint guarantors under domestic equity pledge agreement.
On August 4, 2017, Puxin Limited issued a convertible note and a promissory note at the principle amount of US$25,000 and US$25,000, respectively, to Haitong. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, an offshore share mortgage agreement was entered into amongst Haitong, Puxin Limited and Long bright Limited (a shareholder of Puxin Limited solely owned by Mr. Yunlong Sha). Pursuant to the offshore share mortgage agreement, Long bright Limited mortgaged its 18% equity interests of Puxin Limited in favor of Haitong. Meanwhile, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into amongst a related party of Haitong, Puxin Education and Dalian Pude and Guizhou Puxintian. Puxin Education pledged its 100% equity interests of Dalian Pude and Guizhou Puxintian in favor of a related party of Haitong. Mr. Yunlong Sha, Ms. Wenjing Song and Long bright Limited are joint guarantors under the offshore share mortgage agreement and domestic equity pledge agreement.
On September 29, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$23,000 to CICC ALPHA. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, an offshore share mortgage agreement was entered into amongst CICC ALPHA, Puxin Limited and Long bright Limited. Pursuant to the offshore share mortgage agreement, Long bright Limited mortgaged its 8.3% equity interests of Puxin Limited in favor of CICC ALPHA. Meanwhile, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into amongst a related party of CICC ALPHA, Mr. Yunlong Sha and Puxin Education, Mr. Yunlong Sha pledged its 4.15% equity interests of Puxin Education in favor of a related party of CICC ALPHA. Mr. Yunlong Sha and Long bright Limited are joint guarantors under the offshore share mortgage agreement and domestic equity pledge agreement.
Contingencies
The Group is in the process of preparing filings and applying for permits of training institutions and tutoring branches. The contingent liability related to not meeting the filing requirements cannot be reasonably estimated, pending on authoritative interpretation and implementation guidance, the Group did not record any liabilities pertaining to this.
On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the Decision on Amending the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC (the Amended Private Education Law), which became effective on September 1, 2017. Due to lack of authoritative interpretation and implementation guidance, the potential impact related to the Group not fully complying with the Amended Private Education Law or any relevant regulations cannot be reasonably estimated at the issuance of this report. As a result, the Group did not record any liabilities pertaining to this.
20. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Groups chief operating decision maker (CODM) has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews financial information of operating segments based on US GAAP amounts when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group.
The Group identified two operating segments, including K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services. All these two operating segments are identified as reportable segments.
F-50
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
20. | SEGMENT INFORMATION - continued |
The Group primary operates in the PRC and all of the Groups long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
The Groups CODM evaluates performance based on the operating segments revenue and gross profit. The revenue and gross profit by segments were as follows:
For the year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||
K-12 | Study abroad | |||||||||||
tutoring services | tutoring services | Consolidated | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
370,712 | 68,469 | 439,181 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
217,797 | 40,198 | 257,995 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
152,915 | 28,271 | 181,186 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||
K-12 | Study abroad | |||||||||||
tutoring services | tutoring services | Consolidated | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
884,148 | 398,414 | 1,282,562 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
555,885 | 238,457 | 794,342 | |||||||||
Gross profit |
328,263 | 159,957 | 488,220 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The total assets for the two reportable segments were shared and indistinguishable for reporting purposes.
21. | RESTRICTED NET ASSETS |
Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Groups PRC entities only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S.
Prior to payment of dividends, pursuant to the PRC laws and regulations, enterprises incorporated in the PRC must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds as determined by the Board of Directors of each company. These reserves include (i) general reserve, and (ii) other reserves at the discretion of the Board of Director.
Subject to certain cumulative limits, the general reserve requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profits as determined under PRC laws and regulations at each year-end until the balance reaches 50% of the PRC entity registered capital; the other reserve appropriations are at the Companys discretion. These reserves can only be used for specific purposes of enterprise expansion and are not distributable as cash dividends. The Companys subsidiaries contributed RMB nil and RMB nil to the general reserve during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Prior to the effectiveness of Amended Private School Operation Law, PRC laws and regulations required private schools that require reasonable returns to contribute 25% of after-tax income before payments of dividend to a fund to be used for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrading of educational facility. For private schools that do not require reasonable returns, this amount should be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase of its net assets as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC.
For the Groups private schools, amount contributed to the reserve of RMB nil and RMB260 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
F-51
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
21. | RESTRICTED NET ASSETS - continued |
The statutory reserves cannot be transferred to the Company in the form of loans or advances and are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
Because the Groups entities in the PRC can only be paid out of distributable profits reported in accordance with PRC accounting standards, the Groups entities in the PRC are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. The restricted amounts include the paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves of the Groups entities in the PRC. The aggregate amount of paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves, which represented the amount of net assets of the Groups entities in the PRC not available for distribution, was RMB75,500 as of December 31, 2017.
22. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2017 through March 23, 2018, the issuance date of these financial statements.
Reorganization
In contemplating an initial public offering overseas, the Group undertook a reorganization in February 2018 as disclosed in Note1.
In connection with the reorganization, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with a convertible note holder, Huazhong, and its related party, China Central International assets Management Co., Ltd. (CCIAM). Per the supplemental agreement, the Company is to issue share warrants to CCIAM relating to the conversion feature embedded in the convertible note issued to Huazhong. The terms of the warrants, such as the total exercisable amount and exercise price and etc., are the same as the terms in the convertible note with Huazhong. At the same time, the embedded conversion feature in the convertible note issued to Huazhong is waived.
F-52
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except share data or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 3) | ||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 4,406 | 702 | |||||||||
Amounts due from a related party |
| 470,552 | 75,017 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total current assets |
| 474,958 | 75,719 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
| 474,958 | 75,719 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| 5,346 | 852 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities |
| 5,346 | 852 | |||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| 348,992 | 55,638 | |||||||||
Promissory note |
| 162,658 | 25,932 | |||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| 18,218 | 2,904 | |||||||||
Investments deficit in subsidiaries and VIEs |
37,202 | 212,506 | 33,878 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
37,202 | 747,720 | 119,204 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.00005 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017) |
34 | 34 | 5 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
245,064 | 391,099 | 62,350 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| 15,718 | 2,506 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(282,300 | ) | (679,613 | ) | (108,346 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
(37,202 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (43,485 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
| 474,958 | 75,719 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-53
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except share data or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 3) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,556 | 886 | |||||||||
Changes in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities |
| 60,136 | 9,587 | |||||||||
Equity in loss of subsidiaries and VIEs |
127,556 | 331,621 | 52,868 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expenses |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-54
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except share data or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 3) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(127,556 | ) | (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: |
||||||||||||
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 15,718 | 2,506 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(127,556 | ) | (381,595 | ) | (60,835 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-55
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except share data or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 3) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
| (397,313 | ) | (63,341 | ) | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Equity in losses of subsidiaries |
| 331,621 | 52,868 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of convertible notes and derivative liabilities |
| 60,136 | 9,587 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| 5,556 | 886 | |||||||||
Net cash generated from operating activities |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Loan to a related party |
| (488,676 | ) | (77,908 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (488,676 | ) | (77,908 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from convertible notes |
| 321,206 | 51,208 | |||||||||
Proceeds from promissory note |
| 168,180 | 26,812 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
| 489,386 | 78,020 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
| 3,696 | 590 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
| 4,406 | 702 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the year |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the year |
| 4,406 | 702 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-56
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except share data or otherwise noted)
1. | BASIS FOR PREPARATION |
The condensed financial information of the Parent Company has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Groups consolidated financial statements except that the Parent Company used the equity method to account for investments in its subsidiary.
2. | INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES |
In its consolidated financial statements, the Parent Company consolidates the results of operations and assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries and schools, and inter-company balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation. For the purpose of the Parent Companys standalone financial statements, its investments in subsidiaries are reported using the equity method of accounting as a single line item and the Parent Companys share of loss from its subsidiaries and VIEs are reported as the single line item of equity in loss of subsidiaries and VIEs.
3. | CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION |
The Groups business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the balance sheet, and the related statement of operations and cash flows from Renminbi (RMB) into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.2726, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 30, 2018, or at any other rate.
F-57
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | As of March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | RMB | USD | ||||||||||||||||
(Note 2) | (Note 2) | (Note 2) | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma | Pro forma | |||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
164,684 | 66,019 | 10,525 | 66,019 | 10,525 | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
10,408 | 9,522 | 1,518 | 9,522 | 1,518 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
132,473 | 145,435 | 23,186 | 145,435 | 23,186 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
113 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets |
307,678 | 220,976 | 35,229 | 220,976 | 35,229 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
24,478 | 28,472 | 4,539 | 28,472 | 4,539 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
221,212 | 225,605 | 35,967 | 225,605 | 35,967 | |||||||||||||||
Intangible assets |
243,927 | 235,875 | 37,604 | 235,875 | 37,604 | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
1,152,913 | 1,152,913 | 183,801 | 1,152,913 | 183,801 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets |
3,012 | 5,203 | 829 | 5,203 | 829 | |||||||||||||||
Rental deposit |
55,173 | 58,609 | 9,344 | 58,609 | 9,344 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
2,008,393 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB345,100 and RMB353,049 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
350,446 | 383,471 | 61,134 | 383,471 | 61,134 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
10,022 | 11,646 | 1,857 | 11,646 | 1,857 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion (including deferred revenue of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB906,480 and RMB761,462 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
906,480 | 775,192 | 123,584 | 775,192 | 123,584 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB3,836 and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
3,836 | 180,000 | 28,696 | 180,000 | 28,696 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,270,784 | 1,350,309 | 215,271 | 1,350,309 | 215,271 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-58
PUXIN LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - continued
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | As of March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | RMB | USD | ||||||||||||||||
(Note2) | (Note2) | (Note2) | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma | Pro forma | |||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue, non-current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
128,890 | 100,025 | 15,946 | 100,025 | 15,946 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
77,580 | 75,516 | 12,039 | 75,516 | 12,039 | |||||||||||||||
Franchise deposits of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group |
3,856 | 1,221 | 195 | 1,221 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible notes (including convertible notes of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB150,200 and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
499,192 | 352,520 | 56,200 | 163,715 | 26,100 | |||||||||||||||
Promissory notes (including promissory notes of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB193,400 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
162,658 | 350,215 | 55,833 | 350,215 | 55,833 | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities (including derivative liabilities of the Consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
18,218 | 17,563 | 2,800 | 17,563 | 2,800 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants ( including warrants of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB nil and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
| 15,100 | 2,407 | 15,100 | 2,407 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
2,161,178 | 2,262,469 | 360,691 | 2,073,664 | 330,591 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 17) |
||||||||||||||||||||
MEZZANINE EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible redeemable preferred shares |
120,000 | 71,088 | 11,333 | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.00005 per share; 100,000,000 and 988,082,120 shares authorized, 100,000,000 and 152,082,120 shares issued and 100,000,000 and 126,778,396 shares outstanding as of December 31,2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively) |
34 | 50 | 8 | 50 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
391,099 | 545,425 | 86,954 | 805,318 | 128,387 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
15,718 | 34,990 | 5,578 | 34,990 | 5,578 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(679,613 | ) | (986,321 | ) | (157,243 | ) | (986,321 | ) | (157,243 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Puxin Limited shareholders deficit |
(272,762 | ) | (405,856 | ) | (64,703 | ) | (145,963 | ) | (23,270 | ) | ||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(23 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | (48 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
(272,785 | ) | (405,904 | ) | (64,711 | ) | (146,011 | ) | (23,278 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
2,008,393 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | 1,927,653 | 307,313 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-59
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note2) | ||||||||||||
Net revenues |
198,203 | 495,708 | 79,028 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB46 and RMB976 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
120,075 | 273,458 | 43,596 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
78,128 | 222,250 | 35,432 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB527 and RMB2,236 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
54,920 | 164,647 | 26,249 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB8,619 and RMB282,202 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
54,177 | 383,373 | 61,119 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses |
109,097 | 548,020 | 87,368 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating loss |
(30,969 | ) | (325,770 | ) | (51,936 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Interest expense |
| 5,040 | 803 | |||||||||
Interest income |
346 | 103 | 16 | |||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 23,665 | 3,773 | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| 900 | 143 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(30,623 | ) | (355,272 | ) | (56,639 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expenses (benefits) |
189 | (223 | ) | (36 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
(16 | ) | (25 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(30,796 | ) | (355,024 | ) | (56,599 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited Basic and diluted |
(0.31 | ) | (3.05 | ) | (0.49 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating basic and diluted net loss per share |
98,951,052 | 116,364,575 | 116,364,575 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-60
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands of RMB and USD)
For the three months ended March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note2) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||||||
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 19,272 | 3,072 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(30,812 | ) | (335,777 | ) | (53,531 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
(16 | ) | (25 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Puxin Limited |
(30,796 | ) | (335,752 | ) | (53,527 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-61
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
Attributable to shareholders of the Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of ordinary Shares |
Ordinary shares |
Additional paid-in capital |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
Accumulated deficit |
Total Puxin Limited shareholders equity |
Non-controlling interest |
Total deficit |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2017 |
99,171,800 | 34 | 245,064 | | (282,300 | ) | (37,202 | ) | (102 | ) | (37,304 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the period |
| | | | (30,796 | ) | (30,796 | ) | (16 | ) | (30,812 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| | 9,192 | | | 9,192 | | 9,192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from shareholders |
| | 1,700 | | | 1,700 | | 1,700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option exercised |
558,636 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2017 in RMB |
99,730,436 | 34 | 255,956 | | (313,096 | ) | (57,106 | ) | (118 | ) | (57,224 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2018 |
100,000,000 | 34 | 391,099 | 15,718 | (679,613 | ) | (272,762 | ) | (23 | ) | (272,785 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the period |
| | | (355,024 | ) | (355,024 | ) | (25 | ) | (355,049 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares |
26,778,396 | 16 | | | | 16 | | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| | 285,414 | | | 285,414 | | 285,414 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| | | 19,272 | | 19,272 | | 19,272 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
| | (131,088 | ) | | | (131,088 | ) | | (131,088 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of adopting Topic 606 (Note 2) |
| | | | 48,316 | 48,316 | | 48,316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2018 in RMB |
126,778,396 | 50 | 545,425 | 34,990 | (986,321 | ) | (405,856 | ) | (48 | ) | (405,904 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2018 in USD (Note 2) |
126,778,396 | 8 | 86,954 | 5,578 | (157,243 | ) | (64,703 | ) | (8 | ) | (64,711 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-62
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
For the three months ended March 31, |
||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note2) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
(30,812 | ) | (355,049 | ) | (56,603 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
2,707 | 13,347 | 2,128 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
4,241 | 8,052 | 1,284 | |||||||||
Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
| 23,665 | 3,773 | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
| 900 | 143 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
20 | 126 | 20 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation |
9,192 | 285,414 | 45,502 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(869 | ) | (4,255 | ) | (678 | ) | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Inventories |
173 | 886 | 141 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(2,790 | ) | (25,707 | ) | (4,099 | ) | ||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
| 113 | 18 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue |
(11,010 | ) | (73,875 | ) | (11,777 | ) | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
10,323 | (12,697 | ) | (2,024 | ) | |||||||
Income tax payable |
(1,267 | ) | 1,624 | 259 | ||||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
9,900 | (3,836 | ) | (612 | ) | |||||||
Franchise deposits |
| (2,635 | ) | (420 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(10,192 | ) | (143,927 | ) | (22,945 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired |
(23,863 | ) | (12,680 | ) | (2,021 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(13,028 | ) | (8,023 | ) | (1,279 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(36,891 | ) | (20,703 | ) | (3,300 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from convertible notes |
| 50,000 | 7,971 | |||||||||
Loan from third parties |
| 20,000 | 3,188 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
| 70,000 | 11,159 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
| (41 | ) | (7 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(47,083 | ) | (94,671 | ) | (15,093 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period |
105,518 | 189,162 | 30,157 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period |
58,435 | 94,491 | 15,064 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information |
||||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
624 | 2,408 | 384 | |||||||||
Acquisition consideration payable |
139,482 | 55,519 | 8,851 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Reconciliation to amounts on unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
51,829 | 66,019 | 10,525 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
6,606 | 28,472 | 4,539 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
58,435 | 94,491 | 15,064 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-63
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
Puxin Limited (the Company) was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on March 17, 2017. The Company, its subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) and VIEs subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group) are primarily engaged in providing K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
History
In contemplating an initial public offering overseas, in February 2018, the Group undertook a reorganization which includes:
-The holder of the equity interest with preferential feature of Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Puxin Education or VIE) sold 5% of its holding to Mr. Yunlong Sha and transferred 3.6335% of the holding to a related party of the holder. Puxin Limited then issued an aggregate 52,082,120 ordinary shares to ordinary shareholders and an aggregate 11,917,880 of preferred Series A shares to preferred shareholders. In addition, preferential rights held by investors of Puxin Education were cancelled (Recapitalization). Consequently, Puxin Limited became the ultimate holding for the Group.
- Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in the education business in China, Puxin Limited, through Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited (Prepshine HK) and its PRC subsidiary, Purong (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Purong Information or WFOE), entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools (collectively, the VIEs), and the shareholders of Puxin Education. The series of contractual agreements include Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement, Exclusive Call Option Agreement, Equity Pledge Agreement, Powers of Attorney, Spousal Consent Letters and Letters of Commitment. The Group believes that these contractual arrangements would enable Puxin Limited to (1) have power to direct the activities that most significantly affects the economic performance of the VIEs, and (2) receive the economic benefits of the VIEs that could be significant to the VIEs. Accordingly, Puxin Limited is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIEs.
The reorganization involves steps and entities all within the same consolidated group, and as a result, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the current corporate structure has been in existence throughout the periods presented. The share and per share data relating to the ordinary shares issued by the Company are presented as if the reorganization occurred at the beginning of the first period presented.
The VIE arrangements
Puxin Limited, through Prepshine HK and its PRC subsidiary, Purong Information, entered into a series of contractual arrangements, on February 5, and as amended on February 25, 2018, with Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools, and the shareholders of Puxin Education.
| Agreements that transfer economic benefits to the Group: |
Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and the shareholders of VIE, Purong Information has the exclusive right to provide or designate any third party to provide, among other things, education management
F-64
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
consultancy services, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support to the VIE and its subsidiaries. In exchange, the VIE and its subsidiaries pay service fees to Purong Information in an amount at Purong Informations discretion. Without the prior written consent of Purong Information, the VIE and its subsidiaries cannot accept services provided by or establish similar cooperation relationship with any third party. Purong Information owns the exclusive intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement unless otherwise provided by PRC laws or regulations. The agreement will remain effective unless unanimously agreed by the parties concerned or unilaterally terminated by Purong Information with a written notice. Unless otherwise required by applicable PRC laws, the VIE and its shareholders do not have any right to terminate the exclusive service agreement.
Equity Pledge Agreement
Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and its shareholders, the VIEs shareholders pledged all of their equity of the VIE to Purong Information as security for performance of the obligations of the VIE and its shareholders under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Purong Information may exercise the right to enforce the pledge immediately. Purong Information may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the equity pledge agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The equity pledge agreement is binding on the VIEs shareholders and their successors. The equity pledge agreement will remain in effect until the fulfillment of all the obligations under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement.
| Agreements that provide the Company effective control over Puxin Education: |
Exclusive Call Option Agreement
Under the exclusive call option agreement among Purong Information, the VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of the VIE irrevocably granted Purong Information a right to purchase, or designate a third party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests in the VIE at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations at Purong Informations sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The shareholders of the VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Puxin Education, Purong Information or a designated third party of Purong Information. Without Purong Informations prior written consent, the VIE and its shareholders shall not enter into any major contract or transfer any equity of the VIE. Without Purong Informations prior written consent, the VIE and its shareholders shall not sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of the VIEs assets or allow any encumbrance of any assets, except for the disposal or the encumbrances of the assets that are treated as necessary for their daily business operations with the value of the assets involved in a single transaction not exceeding RMB100. The VIE shall not be dissolved or liquidated without the written consent by Purong Information. This agreement shall remain in effect upon expiry or early termination of this agreement.
F-65
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
Powers of Attorney
Pursuant to the powers of attorney executed by the VIE and the VIEs shareholders, each of them irrevocably authorized Purong Information to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all the equity interest and sponsor interest held by each of them in the VIE or its subsidiaries, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, board meetings or council meetings, signing the resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders or sponsors (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights, appointment rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity or the sponsor interest held in part or in whole).
Spousal Consent Letters
Pursuant to the spousal consent letters executed by the spouses of certain shareholders of the VIE, the signing spouses confirm and agree to the execution of the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the powers of attorney and the equity pledge agreement described above by the applicable shareholders. They further undertake not to hinder the disposal of the equity and not to make any assertions in connection with the equity of the VIE held by the applicable shareholders, and confirm that the applicable shareholders can perform the relevant transaction documents described above and further amend or terminate such transaction documents without the authorization or consent from such spouse. The spouse of each applicable shareholder agrees and undertakes that if he/she obtains any equity of the VIE held by the applicable shareholders for any reasons, he/she would be bound by the transaction documents described above.
Letters of Commitment
Pursuant to the letters of commitment executed by the shareholder of Shanghai Trustbridge Investment Management Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Trustbridge) and the partners of Tianjin Puxian Education Technology LLP (Puxian) and Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Zhimei Phase V Equity Investment Limited Partnership (Ningbo Zhimei), which are the shareholders of the VIE, all the shareholders of Shanghai Trustbridge and all the partners of Puxian and Ningbo Zhimei irrecoverably promise that they will not pledge, sell or dispose of the equity interest or the partnership interest in Shanghai Trustbridge, Puxian or Ningbo Zhimei held by them, respectively, grant a security interest or a priority right in such equity interest or partnership interest to any third party or enter into any transactions with the same economic results that may affect the priority of the equity pledge and the stable implementation of structural contracts, including the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management service and business cooperation agreement, the equity pledge agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement.
F-66
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
| Risks in relation to VIE structure |
The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Puxin Education and its shareholders are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are legally enforceable. However, the contractual arrangements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:
| Puxin Education and its shareholders may have or develop interests that conflict with the Groups interests, which may lead them to pursue opportunities in violation of the aforementioned contractual agreements. If the Group cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between the Group and the shareholders of Puxin Education, the Group would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of its business, and there is substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. |
| Puxin Education and its shareholders could fail to obtain the proper operating licenses or fail to comply with other regulatory requirements. As a result, the PRC government could impose fines, new requirements or other penalties on the VIE or the Group, mandate a change in ownership structure or operations for the VIE or the Group, restrict the VIE or the Groups use of financing sources or otherwise restrict the VIE or the Groups ability to conduct business. |
| The PRC government may declare the aforementioned contractual arrangements invalid. They may modify the relevant regulations, have a different interpretation of such regulations, or otherwise determine that the Group or the VIE have failed to comply with the legal obligations required to effectuate such contractual arrangements. |
| If the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government may restrict or prohibit the Groups business and operations in China. |
The Groups ability to conduct its business may be negatively affected if the PRC government were to carry out of any of the aforementioned actions. As a result, the Group may not be able to consolidate Puxin Education and its subsidiaries and schools in the consolidated financial statements as the Group may lose the ability to exert effective control over Puxin Education and its shareholders, and the Group may lose the ability to receive economic benefits from Puxin Education.
The Groups business has been directly operated by the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools accounted for an aggregate of 99.6% and 94.3%, respectively, of the Groups consolidated total assets, and 75.2% and 66.1% respectively of the Groups consolidated total liabilities.
F-67
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
The following financial information of the Companys VIE and VIEs subsidiaries and schools after the elimination of inter-company transactions and balances as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 was included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:
As of December 31, 2017 |
As of March 31, 2018 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
160,274 | 64,560 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
128,928 | 121,764 | ||||||
Total current assets |
299,723 | 195,846 | ||||||
Total assets |
2,000,437 | 1,817,976 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,265,438 | 1,126,157 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
1,625,964 | 1,496,319 |
For the three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Net revenues |
198,203 | 493,501 | ||||||
Net loss |
(30,796 | ) | (43,179 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(10,192 | ) | (141,017 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(36,891 | ) | (20,703 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 70,000 |
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Security and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Groups audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
In the opinion of the management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented. The Group believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting policies as used in the preparation of the Groups consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full years.
F-68
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Basis of presentation - continued
The financial information as of December 31, 2017 presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial information of the Group. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Business combinations
Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets, liabilities, identifiable intangible assets acquired and non-controlling interest, if any, based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred. The Group had insignificant acquisitions, individually and in aggregate, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and no acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Convenience translation
The Groups business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi (RMB). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, change in deficit and cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.2726, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 30, 2018, or at any other rate.
Revenue recognition
Adoption of Accounting standard codification (ASC), Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as modified by subsequently issued ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12 and 2016-20 (collectively ASU 2014-09).
On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted Topic 606 applying the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. The Group recorded a net reduction to opening accumulated deficit of RMB48,316 as of January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of
F-69
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
adopting Topic 606. The impacts to revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were an increase of RMB7,933 as a result of adopting Topic 606.
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Group expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
The following table presents the Groups revenues disaggregated by revenue sources. The Groups revenue is reported net of discounts, value added tax and surcharges.
For the three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Services: |
||||||||
K-12 tutoring services - group class |
122,254 | 185,598 | ||||||
K-12 tutoring services - personalized |
53,858 | 90,970 | ||||||
Study-abroad test preparation services |
18,459 | 192,164 | ||||||
Study-abroad consulting services |
3,632 | 26,976 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenues |
198,203 | 495,708 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The following is a description of principal activities from which the Group generates revenue and related revenue recognition policies.
(i) K-12 tutoring services
The Group offers various types of after-school tutoring services to help students improve their academic performance and qualify for their desired schools and universities. The after-school tutoring services primarily consist of after-school group class courses and personalized tutoring courses. The K-12 tutoring services are accounted for as a single performance obligation. Tuition fees are generally collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered. Tuition refunds are provided to students if they decide within the trial period that they no longer want to take the course.
(ii) Study abroad tutoring services
| Study-abroad test preparation services |
The Group offers study abroad test preparation services to help students prepare for admission tests for high schools, universities and graduate programs in other countries. Tutoring fees are collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue which is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered. Students are entitled to certain trial class of the purchased course and course fee is fully refundable if a student decides not to take the remaining course after the trial class. No refund will be provided to a student who withdraws from a course after the trial period. The study-abroad test preparation services are accounted for as a single performance obligation.
F-70
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
| Study-abroad consulting services |
The Group offers study abroad consulting services to provide quality advisory guidance for students who intend to study abroad. The Group charges each student an up-front prepaid fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student. Portion of the prepaid services fee are refundable if the student does not successfully gain admission, which are accounted for as variable consideration under Topic 606. The study-abroad consulting services are accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Group estimates the variable consideration to be earned and recognizes revenue over the service period.
Remaining performance obligations represents the transaction price of contracts for which service has not been performed under study-abroad consulting services. As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated for the remaining performance obligations was RMB121,990. The Group expects to recognize revenue RMB75,119 and RMB35,982 on the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 and 24 months, respectively, with the remainder of RMB10,889 recognized thereafter.
The contract liability consists of deferred revenue and refund liability.
Arrangements with multiple performance obligations
The Groups contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers.
F-71
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
Impact of new revenue guidance on financial statement line items
The following tables presented the impact of adoption of ASC 606 on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018:
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
As Reported |
Balances without adoption of ASC 606 |
Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) |
||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
495,708 | 487,775 | 7,933 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
273,458 | 273,458 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
222,250 | 214,317 | 7,933 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
164,647 | 164,647 | | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
383,373 | 383,373 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses |
548,020 | 548,020 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating loss |
(325,770 | ) | (333,703 | ) | 7,933 | |||||||
Interest expense |
5,040 | 5,040 | | |||||||||
Interest income |
103 | 103 | | |||||||||
Loss on changes in fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants |
23,665 | 23,665 | | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes |
900 | 900 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(355,272 | ) | (363,205 | ) | 7,933 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(355,049 | ) | (362,982 | ) | 7,933 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited |
(355,024 | ) | (362,957 | ) | 7,933 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders of Puxin Limited basic and diluted |
(3.05 | ) | (3.12 | ) | 0.07 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
As Reported |
Balances without adoption of ASC 606 |
Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) |
||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Total assets |
1,927,653 | 1,927,653 | | |||||||||
Total liabilities |
2,262,469 | 2,318,718 | (56,249 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities - refund liabilities |
37,961 | | 37,961 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue, non-current portion |
100,025 | 188,039 | (88,014 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion |
775,192 | 781,388 | (6,196 | ) | ||||||||
Total shareholders deficit |
(405,856 | ) | (462,105 | ) | 56,249 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(986,321 | ) | (1,042,570 | ) | 56,249 |
F-72
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
Practical expedients and exemptions
The Group incurs sales commissions primarily for K-12 tutoring services and study-abroad test preparation services which are expensed when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.
The Group does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which the Group recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the end of the fourth quarter, or sooner if impairment indicators arise. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the Group may perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not, no further analysis is required. If it is, a prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit, if any.
The first step in the two-step impairment test is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is estimated by applying valuation multiples and/or estimating future discounted cash flows. The selection of multiples is dependent upon assumptions regarding future levels of operating performance as well as business trends and prospects, and industry, market and economic conditions. When estimating future discounted cash flows, the Group considers the assumptions that hypothetical marketplace participants would use in estimating future cash flows. In addition, where applicable, an appropriate discount rate is used, based on an industry-wide average cost of capital or location-specific economic factors. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any.
The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination (i.e., the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all the assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit). If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
No impairment charge was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.
F-73
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Significant risks and uncertainties
Foreign currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into other currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies, international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The Groups cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in RMB amounted to RMB184,752 and RMB93,416 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents and prepayment and other current assets. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, substantially all of the Groups cash and cash equivalents were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC.
Unaudited pro forma information
Unaudited pro forma balance sheet information as of March 31, 2018 assumes the automatic conversion of all of the outstanding Series A shares and convertible notes issued to Haitong with automatic conversion feature upon IPO into ordinary shares at the original conversion ratio, as if the conversion had occurred as of March 31, 2018. The convertible notes issued to Haitong will be automatically converted into 3,861,004 ordinary shares at the conversion prices of USD6.48 (equivalent to RMB40.62) which equal to 70% of the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price of the ordinary shares. Pro forma net loss per share is not presented because there was a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, and any potentially dilutive shares would be considered anti-dilutive.
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessees obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessees right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and expects the adoption will result in a material increase in the assets and liabilities on the Groups consolidated balance sheet but is not expected to have a material impact on the Groups consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
F-74
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted - continued
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
In May 2017, FASB issued a new pronouncement, ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers as modified by subsequently issued ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12 and 2016-20 (collectively ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 superseded existing revenue recognition standards with a single model unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., an insurance entitys insurance contracts). The revenue recognition principle in ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Group adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018, as allowed, using the modified retrospective transition method. The Group recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit at the beginning of 2018. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the period presented.
See Note 2 - Revenue recognition, for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures.
F-75
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
3. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
As of March 31, |
|||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Prepaid rental expenses |
71,324 | 50,349 | ||||||
Prepaid other service fees |
45,478 | 81,070 | ||||||
Staff advances |
8,811 | 5,531 | ||||||
Others |
6,860 | 8,485 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
132,473 | 145,435 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
4. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
As of March 31, |
|||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Buildings |
87,792 | 87,792 | ||||||
Electronic equipment |
46,136 | 51,035 | ||||||
Motor vehicles |
10,379 | 10,340 | ||||||
Furniture and education equipment |
45,334 | 44,259 | ||||||
Leasehold improvement |
100,670 | 113,901 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
290,311 | 307,327 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(69,099 | ) | (81,722 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
221,212 | 225,605 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expenses were RMB2,707 and RMB13,347 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
5. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
As of March 31, |
|||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Student base |
97,054 | 97,054 | ||||||
Trademark |
172,400 | 172,400 | ||||||
Relationship with partnership school |
5,300 | 5,300 | ||||||
Franchise agreement |
4,400 | 4,400 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
279,154 | 279,154 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
(35,227 | ) | (43,279 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
243,927 | 235,875 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
F-76
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
5. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS - continued |
Amortization expenses were RMB4,241 and RMB8,052 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
As of March 31, 2018, the Group expects to record amortization expenses related to intangible assets RMB24,032, RMB27,083, RMB22,482, RMB12,701 and RMB8,565 for the period from April 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, respectively, and RMB1,012 thereafter.
6. | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31, 2017 |
As of March 31, 2018 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Salary and welfare payable |
178,078 | 157,701 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
50,941 | 53,976 | ||||||
Consideration payable in connection with business acquisitions |
68,199 | 55,519 | ||||||
Loan from third parties (Note a) |
23,802 | 43,802 | ||||||
Other tax payable |
9,578 | 14,725 | ||||||
Payables for purchase of property, plant and equipment |
1,253 | 5,640 | ||||||
Refund liabilities (Note b) |
| 37,961 | ||||||
Other payables |
18,595 | 14,147 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
350,446 | 383,471 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Note a: | ZMN Education entered into loan agreements with two individuals in 2013 and 2015 at the amount of RMB10,000 and RMB13,802, respectively. In March 2018, Puxin Education entered into interest-free loan agreements for two-month with two third parties at the amount of RMB10,000 and RMB10,000, respectively. |
Note b: | Refund liabilities represented estimated amounts of service fee collected that is subject to refund to the customers in the future related to study-abroad consulting services. |
7. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES |
Notes issued to Huazhong
In June 2017, Puxin Education and Mr. Yunlong Sha entered into a convertible note investment agreement with Jiangyin Huazhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. (Huazhong). Pursuant to this agreement, Huazhong provides a credit facility in an amount up to RMB300,000 to Puxin Education and has the right to elect to convert the unpaid and outstanding amount under the credit facility into ordinary shares of Puxin Limited upon its initial public offering (IPO). The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 90%, 80% and 70% of the public offering price of the ordinary shares if the public offering application is submitted before or by December 31, 2018, between January 1 and December 31, 2019, or between January 1 and December 31, 2020, respectively. If IPO fails to occur before or by December 31, 2020, the note could be converted to shares. As of December 31, 2017, Puxin Education had drawn down a principal amount of RMB140,000 under the credit facility. On February 5, 2018, Puxin Education made another draw-down of RMB50,000. The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 12% and has a maturity term of
F-77
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
7. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES - continued |
Notes issued to Huazhong - continued
22 months since the date the issuer received the proceeds and can be extended for another 36 months. Pursuant to the agreement, Puxin Education committed to guarantee Huazhong an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of no less than 18% per annual if Huazhong chooses to withdraw earlier or by the 58th months of investment. Puxin Education is obligated to pay the compensation amount equals to the shortfall to Huazhong. However, if for 20 consecutive trading days, the weighted average trading price provides Huazhong an IRR of above 30%, Puxin Education is no longer liable for the compensation. In the event of (1) certain misconduct by the Company, (2) the Company establishes the planned VIE structure in contemplating a IPO overseas and the Huazhong decided not to convert the note into the shares of the Company, or (3) the total net profits in aggregation of the Company from 2017 to 2019 is less than RMB950,000, Huazhong has the option to demand Puxin Education to redeem the note at a price equal to the principal amount plus any accrued unpaid interest at a rate of 18% per annum. The fair value option was elected for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the convertible note was RMB150,200.
In February 2018, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with Huazhong, Mr. Yunlong Sha, Puxin Education, China Central International Asset Management Co., Ltd. (China Central International, Huazhongs related party company). Pursuant to the amendment agreement, Huazhong waived its conversion rights to the notes, in return, the Company issued warrants to China Central International, with the total exercise amount equal to the convertible notes of RMB190,000 issued by Puxin Education to Huazhong. The exercise price of warrants are the same as the conversion price stipulated in the original convertible notes agreement. This warrants shall be exercisable (i) from the completion of an IPO and the expiration of three months lock-up period that China Central International is subject to; or (ii) after December 31, 2020.
The amendment of the convertible note to Huazhong was accounted for as an extinguishment of the original convertible note, and issuance of a new note and warrants. With the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser, as of the amendment date, the fair value of the original convertible notes, the new note and the warrants were RMB207,300, RMB193,400 and RMB 14,800, respectively. A loss of RMB900 was recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which was measured as the difference between the reacquisition price of convertible notes (represented by the fair value of the new note and the warrants) and the carrying amount of the extinguished convertible notes.
Loss on changes in the convertible notes fair value of RMB 7,100 from January 1, 2018 to the amendment date were recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Pursuant to the warrants agreement, up until 58 months from the original date of drawdown, if the aggregate profit received by the warrants holder in selling the warrants shares (the Actual Return) is less than a minimum return calculated based on certain formula (the Minimum Return), the Company shall cause Mr. Yunlong Sha and/or Puxin Education to compensate the warrants holder in cash for the difference between the Actual Return and the Minimum Return.
The warrants were recorded as a liability at fair value on issuance date, and subsequently marked to market at each reporting period end. As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of the warrants were RMB15,100. Loss on changes in fair value of RMB300 were recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018. No warrants were exercised or expired for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
F-78
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
7. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES - continued |
Notes issued to Haitong
On August 4, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$25,000 (equivalent to RMB168,180) to Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited (Haitong). The note has a maturity term of 5 years since the date of the note. The convertible note bears a compound interest rate of 12% per annum. If the Companys IPO occurs before or by June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into Puxin Limited ordinary shares upon completion of the IPO. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70%, 65% or 60% of the offering price of the ordinary shares if the IPO is completed before or by December 31, 2018, between January 1 and March 31, 2019, or between April 1 and June 30, 2019, respectively. If IPO fails to occur before or by June 30, 2019, the convertible note will be automatically converted into redeemable and convertible preferred shares on July 1, 2019 except that Haitong notifies the Company of its decision to choose repayment in cash for the principal and accrued interest at least 5 business days prior to June 30, 2019. If the Company contemplates a change-in-control transaction (trade sale) prior to full repayment of the note, Haitong shall have the right to (i) declare all indebtedness under this note become immediately due and payable in full on or prior to the closing of the trade sale; (ii) convert all such indebtedness into such number of converted preferred shares calculated by dividing the outstanding principal amount by the applicable preferred share conversion price on or prior to the closing of the trade sale. The Company elected the fair value option for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the fair value of the convertible note was US$29,000 (equivalent to RMB188,682) and US$30,100 (equivalent to RMB188,805), respectively. Loss on changes in fair value of US1,100 (equivalent to RMB6,989) were recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Notes issued to CICC
On September 29, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$23,000 (equivalent to RMB153,026) to CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited (CICC ALPHA). The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 15% and has a maturity term of 4 years since the date of the note. If the Companys IPO occurs before or by June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount into ordinary shares upon completion of the IPO. The conversion price per ordinary share will be equal to 70% or 55% of the public offering price of the ordinary shares if the Companys IPO is completed before or by June 30, 2019 or between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively. The portion of the outstanding principal amount that CICC ALPHA elects not to be converted into the Companys ordinary share will be redeemed and repurchased by the Company on the completion of the IPO at a redemption price calculated based on a compound interest rate of 15% per annum. If IPO fails to occur before or by June 30, 2020, CICC ALPHA has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding amount into preferred shares. In the event of default, CICC ALPHA may request the Company to immediately redeem the convertible note. Pursuant to the agreement, if after IPO, the IRR of the notes holder upon exit is below 25%, the founder, Mr. Yunlong Sha should compensate CICC ALPHA for the shortfall (Floor Return). If the IRR of CICC ALPHA exceeds 30%, CICC ALPHA shall pay Mr. Yunlong Sha certain awards (Founder Awards). The features of Founder Awards and Floor Return are freestanding derivatives that are required to be separately accounted for as derivative liabilities under ASC 815. The Company elected the fair value option for the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the fair value of the derivative liabilities was US$2,800 (equivalent to RMB18,218) and US$2,800 (equivalent to RMB17,563), respectively. Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities were US$ nil (equivalent to RMB nil) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three
F-79
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
7. | CONVERTIBLE NOTES - continued |
Notes issued to CICC - continued
months ended March 31, 2018. The convertible note consideration received were allocated between the convertible notes and two derivatives using the residual value method. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the fair value of the convertible note was US$24,640 (equivalent to RMB160,310) and US$26,100 (equivalent to RMB163,715), respectively. Changes in fair value aggregated to US$1,460 (equivalent to RMB9,276) were recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
As part of the agreements with the noteholders, the Company and Puxin Education pledged certain equity interest of themselves and its subsidiaries of the Group as described in Note 17. The convertible notes agreements also contain covenants customary for a financing of this size and nature.
8. | PROMISSORY NOTES |
On August 4, 2017, the Company issued promissory note at the principle amount of US$25,000 (equivalent to RMB168,180) to Haitong. The note bears a simple annual interest rate of 8% and has a maturity term of 2 years from the date of issuance.
As disclosed in Note 7, the amendment of the convertible notes to Huazhong was accounted for as an extinguishment of the original convertible notes and issuance of a new note at the same principal amount of RMB190, 000. For the new note, Puxin Education will repay the principle and interest to Huazhong as stipulated in the amendment agreement. The new note bears a simple annual interest rate of 12% and has a maturity term of 22 months since the original date the issuer received the proceeds and can be extended by Puxin Education for another 36 months. If China Central International exercises the warrant, it should surrender the warrant to the Company and make payment to the Company of an amount equal to exercise price in cash, within 5 business days upon the full payment of the principal and all the interests accrued on the principal, or at the option of China Central International, within 5 business days upon the Companys receipt of the note of exercise.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group recognized interest expense of RMB nil and RMB5,040 for the notes, respectively.
The recorded values of promissory notes approximate its fair values, as interest rate approximates market rate. The fair value of promissory notes was determined as present value of the notes using market interest rate. The promissory notes was categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
As part of the agreements with the noteholders, the Company and Puxin Education pledged certain equity interest of theirselves and its subsidiaries of the Group as described in Note 17.
9. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis
The Group measured its financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, other payables, convertible notes, promissory note, derivative liabilities and warrants at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on the quoted market price in an active market. The carrying amounts of amounts due from/to related parties approximate their
F-80
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
9. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - continued |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis - continued
fair values due to their short term maturity. The Group determines the fair value of convertible notes, derivative liabilities and warrants, with the assistance of an independent third-party appraiser, based on Level 3 inputs. To determine the fair value of the convertible notes, the Group used probability expected return method. To determine the fair value of derivative liabilities, the Group used binomial model. To determine the fair value of warrants, the Group used modified discount cash flow model.
The key assumptions used in valuation of convertible notes are summarized in the table below:
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 |
||||
Probability for conversion |
80% | |||
Probability for redemption |
20% | |||
Remaining life |
2.3 - 4.3 |
The key assumptions used in valuation of derivative liabilities are summarized in the table below:
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 |
||||
Probability for conversion |
80% | |||
Exit period |
2018/6/30 - 2019/6/30 | |||
Volatility |
40% |
The key assumptions used in valuation of warrants are summarized in the table below:
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 |
||||
Probability for conversion |
80% | |||
Conversion price discount rate |
90% |
The following tables present the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets |
Significant Other Observable Inputs |
Significant Unobservable Inputs |
||||||||||||||
(Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
164,684 | | | 164,684 | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
24,478 | | | 24,478 | ||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| | 499,192 | 499,192 | ||||||||||||
Promissory note |
| 162,658 | | 162,658 | ||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| | 18,218 | 18,218 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
189,162 | 162,658 | 517,410 | 869,230 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-81
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
9. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - continued |
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis - continued
Fair Value Measurement as of March 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets |
Significant Other Observable Inputs |
Significant Unobservable Inputs |
||||||||||||||
(Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
66,019 | | | 66,019 | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
28,472 | | | 28,472 | ||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
| | 352,520 | 352,520 | ||||||||||||
Promissory notes |
| 350,215 | | 350,215 | ||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities |
| | 17,563 | 17,563 | ||||||||||||
Warrants |
| | 15,100 | 15,100 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
94,491 | 350,215 | 385,183 | 829,889 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2018:
Convertible notes |
Derivative liabilities |
Warrants | ||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2018 |
499,192 | 18,218 | | |||||||||
Issuance of convertible notes |
50,000 | | | |||||||||
Extinguishment of convertible notes |
(207,300 | ) | | | ||||||||
Issuance of warrants |
| | 14,800 | |||||||||
Changes in fair value |
23,365 | | 300 | |||||||||
Exchange rate effect |
(12,737 | ) | (655 | ) | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2018 |
352,520 | 17,563 | 15,100 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Changes in fair value related to balance outstanding as of March 31, 2018 |
16,265 | | 300 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis
The Group measures goodwill at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when it is annually evaluated or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as a result of the impairment assessments. The Group measures purchase price allocation at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of the acquisition dates.
10. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION |
In December 2014, Puxin Education approved the 2014 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan (2014 Great Talent Plan) which provides for the grant of options to eligible employees of the Group. Under 2014 Great Talent Plan, the maximum aggregate number of units of equity interest of Puxin Education that may be issued shall not exceed 158,400,000. The term of the option shall not exceed 7 years from the date of the
F-82
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
10. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued |
grant. The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements with vesting period ranged from 0 to 5 years.
In conjunction with the reorganization, as disclosed in Note 1, the Company adopted the 2018 Great Talent Share Incentive Plan (2018 Great Talent Plan), which was approved by the board of directors of the Company to replace the 2014 Great Talent Plan. To facilitate the share incentive plan, the Company established an employee shareholding platform (the Share Holding Platform). The purpose of the Share Holding Platform is to allow employees of the Group to receive vehicle share incentives. Long favor Limited (Long favor), a British Virgin Islands company was established as a holding vehicle for the Groups Share Holding Platform. Mr. Yun Xiao, a shareholder of the Company serves as the sole shareholder of the Share Holding Platform. Long favor has no activities other than administrating the plan and does not have any employees. On behalf of the Group and subject to approval of board of director of the Company, Mr. Yun Xiao, as the sole shareholder of Long favor, has the authority and responsibility to process the eligible participants to whom awards will be granted, number of shares, terms and conditions of such awards. All shares held by the Share Holding Platform are solely for purpose of future issuance of share incentive options to employees once they exercise, and have been treated as treasury shares in the consolidated financial statements.
The terms of the 2018 Great Talent Plan are substantially the same as those under the 2014 Great Talent Plan, except that the number of options and exercise price were adjusted on a diluted basis in accordance to the shares number of the Company upon the reorganization. As a result, none of the options terms were modified.
In February 2018, the Company also approved the 2018 Grand Talent Share Incentive Plan (2018 Grand Talent Plan) which provides for the grant of options to eligible employees of the Group. Under 2018 Grand Talent Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued shall not exceed 16,400,000.
In March 2018, the Company granted 16,400,000 options under the 2018 Grand Talent Plan for an exercise price of US$7.78 (RMB48.78). The term of the option is fixed and shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant. The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements with vesting period ranged from 0 to 6 years.
The Company determined the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using the binomial option pricing model with the assistance from an independent valuation firm, with the following assumptions used in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
Grant date | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.91 | % | 3.40 | % | ||||
Volatility |
46 | % | 46 | % | ||||
Dividend yield |
| | ||||||
Exercise multiples |
2.2 - 2.8 | 2.2 - 2.8 | ||||||
Life of options |
7.0 | 7.0 | ||||||
Fair value of underlying ordinary shares |
29.46 | 49.67 |
F-83
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
10. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued |
(1) Risk-free interest rate
Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the daily treasury long term rate of the U.S. Treasury Department with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China.
(2) Volatility
The volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the lives of the options was estimated based on the historical stock price volatility of comparable listed companies over a period comparable to the expected term of the options.
(3) Dividend yield
The dividend yield was estimated by the Group based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options.
(4) Exercise multiples
Exercise multiple represents the value of the underlying share as a multiple of exercise price of the option which, if achieved, results in exercise of the option.
(5) Life of options
Life of options was equivalent to 7 years according to the share option scheme.
(6) Fair value of underlying ordinary shares
The estimated fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the options as of the respective grant dates was determined based on a valuation with the assistance of a third party appraiser.
F-84
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and share data, or otherwise noted)
10. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued |
The activity in stock options was set out below:
Outstanding options | ||||||||||||||||||||
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
Weighted average grant date fair value of options |
Weighted average remaining contractual term (years) |
Aggregate intrinsic value |
||||||||||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2017 |
4,119,598 | 0.32 | 13.96 | 5.92 | 114,959 | |||||||||||||||
Granted |
3,301,140 | 20.46 | 27.53 | 6.61 | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
828,200 | 0.36 | 35.79 | 6.46 | ||||||||||||||||
Forfeited |
27,044 | 26.20 | 25.01 | 6.57 | ||||||||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2017 |
6,565,494 | 10.33 | 17.99 | 5.57 | 249,333 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Granted |
16,400,000 | 48.78 | 24.20 | 7.00 | ||||||||||||||||
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018 |
22,965,494 | 37.79 | 22.42 | 6.52 | 272,721 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Options vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2018 |
22,870,897 | 37.79 | 22.42 | 6.52 | 271,598 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Option exercisable as of March 31, 2018 |
12,922,872 | 43.36 | 22.60 | 6.72 | 81,418 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For share options that vest on grant date, the cost of award is expensed on the grant date. For the graded vesting share options, the Company recognizes the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. The Company recorded share-based compensation expenses of RMB9,192 and RMB285,414 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, there was RMB186,766 of share-based compensation related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.04 years.
11. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES |
In 2015, Puxin Education issued 12.267% of equity interest with preferential feature to Shanghai Trustbridge for a total consideration of RMB120,000, with RMB50,000 and RMB70,000 received in 2015 and early 2016, respectively.
In part of the reorganization as disclosed in Note 1, Shanghai Trustbridge sold 5% of equity interest with preferential feature to Mr. Yunlong Sha and 3.6335% of equity interest with preferential feature to one of its related party Ningbo Zhimei. Mr. Yunlong Sha repurchased the equity interest on behalf of the Group. This was accounted for as a share repurchase and the difference between the carrying amount of RMB48,912 and consideration was charged to additional paid-in capital. As part of the recapitalization, Shanghai Trustbridge and Ningbo Zhimei then exchanged all of their equity interests with preferential feature of Puxin Education into 5,958,940 and 5,958,940 Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (Series A Shares) of Puxin Limited to Trustbridge Partners VI, L.P. and Fasturn Overseas Limited, respectively, who are their respective overseas related party Companies. The cash exchange to facilitate the share transfer between Shanghai Trustbridge and Ningbo Zhimei, related parties to each other, has not been completed as of March 31, 2018.
F-85
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES - continued |
The terms of the Series A shares effectively mirrored those of the equity interest with preferential feature. As this transaction represented an exchange as opposed to an extinguishment of preferred shares, only the change in fair value required accounting. The Company calculated the increase in fair value of Series A Shares compared to the initial equity interest with preferential feature and concluded the increase was insignificant.
Key terms of Series A Shares are summarized as follows:
Voting Rights
The holders of Series A Shares and ordinary shares shall vote together based on their shareholding ratio.
Dividends
If the Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the holders Series A Shares have same right as ordinary shares to obtain dividends calculated by the proportion of equity interest they hold.
Redemption
Upon the occurrence of events including a non-occurred qualified IPO by December 31, 2019, ceasing work or breaking of competition covenant by the founders, and significant violation of the agreement with holders of Series A Shares, the Company shall redeem all the respective outstanding Series A Shares. The redemption price shall be a return at a rate of 8% per annum compounded annually from the applicable investment date to the date on which the applicable redemption amount is paid in full. The redemption value of the convertible redeemable preferred shares was RMB140,183 and RMB82,933 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Liquidation
In the event of liquidation, the holders of Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to the holders of ordinary shares, the relevant amount at a rate of 8% per annum compounded annually from the applicable investment date to the date on which the applicable redemption amount is paid in full.
In the event of insufficient funds available to pay in full the preference amount in respect of Series A Shares the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the holders of Series A Shares shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among the holders of Series A Shares in proportion to issued price.
Conversion
The holders of the Series A Shares shall have the rights described below with respect to the conversion of the Series A Shares into Ordinary Shares:
Conversion Ratio
The number of ordinary shares to which a holder shall be entitled upon conversion of each Series A Shares shall be the quotient of the per share issue price divided by the then effective Series A Shares conversion
F-86
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES - continued |
Conversion - continued
price, which shall initially be the per share issue price, resulting in an initial conversion ratio for Series A Shares of 1:1.
Optional Conversion
Any Series A Shares may, at the option of the holder thereof, be converted at any time after the date of issuance of such shares, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable ordinary shares based on the then-effective conversion price.
Automatic Conversion
Each Series A Shares shall automatically be converted, based on the then-effective conversion price, without the payment of any additional consideration, into fully-paid and non-assessable ordinary shares upon the earlier of (i) the closing of an IPO, or (ii) the date specified by written consent or agreement of the majority holders of Series A Shares.
12. | INCOME TAXES |
The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. The Companys subsidiary Prepshine HK is located in Hong Kong and is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for taxable income earned in Hong Kong.
The Companys subsidiary, the VIE and the VIEs subsidiaries and schools, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the PRC entities) are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (EIT), on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008.
The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Current tax expense |
1,058 | 4,032 | ||||||
Deferred tax expense |
(869 | ) | (4,255 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
189 | (223 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
F-87
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
12. | INCOME TAXES - continued |
The principle components of deferred taxes were as follows:
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax assets |
||||||||
Accrued expenses |
32,333 | 42,697 | ||||||
Convertible notes - change in fair value |
2,550 | | ||||||
Net operating loss carrying forwards |
78,692 | 89,314 | ||||||
Total deferred tax assets |
113,575 | 132,011 | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(110,563 | ) | (126,808 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Deferred tax assets, net |
3,012 | 5,203 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2018, the Group had net operating loss carried forward of RMB357,256 from the Companys PRC entities, which will expire on various dates through 2023.
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
||||||||
Acquired intangible assets |
77,580 | 75,516 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
77,580 | 75,516 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations was as follow:
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(30,623 | ) | (355,272 | ) | ||||
Income tax benefit computed at statutory tax rate of 25% |
(7,656 | ) | (88,818 | ) | ||||
Permanent differences |
2,315 | 996 | ||||||
Effect of income tax rate difference in other jurisdictions |
| 71,354 | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance |
5,530 | 16,245 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
189 | (223 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from March 31, 2018.
F-88
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
13. | ORDINARY SHARES |
Upon the incorporation of Puxin Limited on March 17, 2017, the Company issued 8,524 ordinary shares to Long bright Limited, 820 ordinary shares to Gao & Tianyi Limited, 492 ordinary shares to Pution Limited and 164 ordinary shares to Prospect Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$0.004.
On August 4, 2017, the Company issued 99,990,000 ordinary shares to its existing shareholders on a proportional basis for an aggregate consideration of US$5. Such issuance was accounted for as a stock split and, accordingly, all references to numbers of ordinary shares and per-share data in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the stock split and issuance of shares on a retrospective basis.
On February 5, 2018, in connection with the reorganization, the Company issued 21,761,652 ordinary shares to Puxin Nova Limited, 3,336,744 ordinary shares to Stary International Limited, 40,000 ordinary shares to Long wit Limited, 8,200,000 ordinary shares to Long belief Limited, 1,640,000 ordinary shares to Long faith Limited and 17,103,724 ordinary shares to Long favor Limited for an aggregate consideration of US$3.
The ordinary shares of the Company which were issued to Long favor Limited and Long belief Limited were to establish a reserve pool for future issuance of equity share incentive to the Groups employees or for future acquisition payments. All shareholder rights of these 25,303,724 ordinary shares including but not limited to voting rights and dividend rights are unconditionally waived until the corresponding ordinary share are transferred to the employees or the shareholders of future acquiree. While the ordinary shares were issued to Long favor Limited and Long belief Limited, they do not have any of the rights associated with the ordinary shares, and as such the Company accounted for these shares as issued but not outstanding ordinary shares until the waiver is released by the Company, which occurs when the ordinary shares are awarded to the employees or the shareholders of future acquiree. 17,103,724 and 8,200,000 ordinary shares transferred to Long favor Limited and Long belief Limited are considered issued but not outstanding as of March 31, 2018.
14. | NET LOSS PER SHARE |
For the purpose of calculating net loss per share as a result of the reorganization as described in Note 1, the number of ordinary shares used in the calculation reflects the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company as if the reorganization took place at the beginning of the first period presented.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated:
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2018 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Numerator used in basic and diluted net loss per share: |
||||||||
Net loss attributable to Puxin Limited |
(30,796 | ) | (355,024 | ) | ||||
Shares (denominator): |
||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
98,951,052 | 116,364,575 | ||||||
Net loss per share basic and diluted |
(0.31 | ) | (3.05 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, an incremental weighted average number of 3,738,175 and 5,549,912 ordinary shares from the assumed exercise of share options were not considered in the computation of diluted net loss per share because they would be anti-dilutive given the Companys loss making position.
F-89
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
15. | EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN |
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Groups PRC entities make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amount for such employee benefits, which was expensed as incurred, was RMB14,679 and RMB40,660 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
16. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION |
(1) | Related partied Name |
Name of related parties |
Relationship with the Group | |
Mr. Yunlong Sha |
The CEO and the Chairman of the Board | |
of Directors of the Company | ||
Ms. Wenjing Song |
Spouse of Mr. Yunlong Sha | |
Puxian |
Shareholder of Puxin Education |
(2) | The significant balances between the Group and its related parties were as follows: |
As of December 31, 2017 |
As of March 31, 2018 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Amounts due from: |
||||||||
Puxian |
13 | | ||||||
Ms. Wenjing Song |
100 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
113 | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Amounts due to: |
||||||||
Mr. Yunlong Sha |
3,836 | 180,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
3,836 | 180,000 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
In connection with Purong Informations repurchase of 5% equity interest with preferential feature which was held by Shanghai Trustbridge, in January 2018, Mr. Yunlong Sha advanced to Purong Information at the amount of RMB180,000. As of March 31, 2018, such balance due to Mr. Yunlong Sha remained outstanding.
The balances with related parties were interest-free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
F-90
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
17. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Operating lease commitments
Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices and schools consisted of the following at March 31, 2018:
April to December 2018 |
164,193 | |||
2019 |
166,083 | |||
2020 |
123,527 | |||
2021 |
89,003 | |||
2022 and thereafter |
100,668 | |||
|
|
|||
643,474 | ||||
|
|
Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB31,406 and RMB79,392, respectively.
Equity pledge commitment
In June 2017, Puxin Education and Mr. Yunlong Sha entered into a convertible note investment agreement with Huazhong. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into between Huazhong and Puxin Education. Puxin Education pledged its 100% equity interests of Tianjin Xinsiyuan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Tianjin Xinsiyuan) in favor of Huazhong. Mr. Yunlong Sha and Ms. Wenjing Song are joint guarantors under domestic equity pledge agreement.
On August 4, 2017, Puxin Limited issued a convertible note and a promissory note at the principle amount of US$25,000 and US$25,000, respectively, to Haitong. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, an offshore share mortgage agreement was entered into amongst Haitong, Puxin Limited and Long bright Limited (a shareholder of Puxin Limited solely owned by Mr. Yunlong Sha). Pursuant to the offshore share mortgage agreement, Long bright Limited mortgaged its 18% equity interests of Puxin Limited in favor of Haitong. Meanwhile, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into amongst a related party of Haitong, Puxin Education and Dalian Pude Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Dalian Pude) and Guizhou Puxintian Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Guizhou Puxintian). Puxin Education pledged its 100% equity interests of Dalian Pude and Guizhou Puxintian in favor of a related party of Haitong. Mr. Yunlong Sha, Ms. Wenjing Song and Long bright Limited are joint guarantors under the offshore share mortgage agreement and domestic equity pledge agreement.
On September 29, 2017, Puxin Limited issued convertible note at the principle amount of US$23,000 to CICC ALPHA. In conjunction with the note purchase agreement, an offshore share mortgage agreement was entered into amongst CICC ALPHA, Puxin Limited and Long bright Limited. Pursuant to the offshore share mortgage agreement, Long bright Limited mortgaged its 8.3% equity interests of Puxin Limited in favor of CICC ALPHA. Meanwhile, a domestic equity pledge agreement was entered into amongst a related party of CICC ALPHA, Mr. Yunlong Sha and Puxin Education, Mr. Yunlong Sha pledged its 4.15% equity interests of Puxin Education in favor of a related party of CICC ALPHA. Mr. Yunlong Sha and Long bright Limited are joint guarantors under the offshore share mortgage agreement and domestic equity pledge agreement. The equity interests pledged under the domestic equity pledge agreements with Haitong and CICC ALPHA were released in February 2018 in connection with the reorganization.
F-91
PUXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017 AND 2018
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
17. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - continued |
Contingencies
The Group remains in the process of preparing filings and applying for permits of certain training institutions and tutoring branches. The contingent liability related to not meeting the filing requirements cannot be reasonably estimated, pending on authoritative interpretation and implementation guidance, the Group did not record any liabilities pertaining to this.
On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the Decision on Amending the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the PRC (the Amended Private Education Law), which became effective on September 1, 2017. Due to lack of authoritative interpretation and implementation guidance, the potential impact related to the Group not fully complying with the Amended Private Education Law or any relevant regulations cannot be reasonably estimated at the issuance of this report. As a result, the Group did not record any liabilities pertaining to this.
18. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Groups chief operating decision maker (CODM) has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews financial information of operating segments based on US GAAP amounts when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group identified two operating segments, including K-12 tutoring services and study abroad tutoring services. All these two operating segments are identified as reportable segments.
The Group primary operates in the PRC and all of the Groups long-lived assets are located in the PRC. The Groups CODM evaluates performance based on the operating segments revenue and gross profit. The revenue and gross profit by segments were as follows:
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||
K-12 Study abroad tutoring services |
Study abroad tutoring services |
Consolidated | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
176,112 | 22,091 | 198,203 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
105,323 | 14,752 | 120,075 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
70,789 | 7,339 | 78,128 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
K-12 tutoring services |
Study abroad tutoring services |
Consolidated | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
276,568 | 219,140 | 495,708 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
164,264 | 109,194 | 273,458 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
112,304 | 109,946 | 222,250 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
19. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date of March 31, 2018 through April 27, 2018, the issuance date of these financial statements.
F-92
To the Board of Directors of ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (the Company), its subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group), as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, change in deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Groups preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Groups internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2016, and the results of the Groups operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China
February 8, 2018
F-93
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2016 | |||||||
RMB | USD | |||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
38,017 | 5,654 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
1,000 | 149 | ||||||
Amounts due from a related party |
4,250 | 632 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13,275 | 1,974 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
56,542 | 8,409 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
11,598 | 1,725 | ||||||
Rental deposit |
7,543 | 1,122 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
75,683 | 11,256 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion |
174,948 | 26,018 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
511 | 76 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
26,595 | 3,955 | ||||||
Loan from a third party |
13,802 | 2,053 | ||||||
Amounts due to a related party |
10,000 | 1,487 | ||||||
Income tax payable |
323 | 48 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
226,179 | 33,637 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue, non-current portion |
63,981 | 9,516 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
290,160 | 43,153 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
EQUITY |
||||||||
Paid-in capital |
2,000 | 297 | ||||||
Statutory reserve |
600 | 89 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(217,097 | ) | (32,286 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interest |
20 | 3 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL DEFICIT |
(214,477 | ) | (31,897 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT |
75,683 | 11,256 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-94
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, |
For the seven-month period ended July 31, |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
Net revenues |
197,400 | 136,375 | 20,282 | |||||||||
Cost of sales |
114,470 | 57,825 | 8,600 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
82,930 | 78,550 | 11,682 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
80,296 | 47,085 | 7,003 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
64,048 | 43,984 | 6,541 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses |
144,344 | 91,069 | 13,544 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating loss |
(61,414 | ) | (12,519 | ) | (1,862 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
965 | 226 | 34 | |||||||||
Other income |
89 | 43 | 6 | |||||||||
Other expense |
1,260 | 7 | 1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(63,550 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (1,891 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expenses |
883 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(64,433 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (1,891 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. |
(64,433 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (1,891 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-95
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN DEFICIT
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Attributable to shareholders of the Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
paid-in capital |
Additional Paid-in capital |
Statutory reserve |
Accumulated deficit |
Total | Non-controlling interest |
Total deficit |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
2,000 | | 177 | (152,241 | ) | (150,064 | ) | 20 | (150,044 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year |
| | | (64,433 | ) | (64,433 | ) | | (64,433 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Statutory reserve |
| | 423 | (423 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 in RMB |
2,000 | | 600 | (217,097 | ) | (214,497 | ) | 20 | (214,477 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 in USD (Note 2) |
297 | | 89 | (32,286 | ) | (31,900 | ) | 3 | (31,897 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net loss for the period |
(12,709 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (12,709 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution |
11,800 | 2,507 | | | 14,307 | | 14,307 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance as of July 31, 2017 in RMB |
13,800 | 2,507 | 600 | (229,806 | ) | (212,899 | ) | 20 | (212,879 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-96
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, |
For the seven-month period ended July 31, |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
(64,433 | ) | (12,709 | ) | (1,891 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
6,695 | 2,641 | 393 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
30 | | | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
59,534 | (30,584 | ) | (4,548 | ) | |||||||
Income tax payable |
(6,113 | ) | (323 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
(411 | ) | 52 | 8 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(220 | ) | 4,009 | 596 | ||||||||
Amounts due from a related party |
(4,250 | ) | 250 | 37 | ||||||||
Amounts due to a related party |
10,000 | | | |||||||||
Rental deposit |
(7,543 | ) | 258 | 38 | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
5,552 | 6,263 | 931 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,159 | ) | (30,143 | ) | (4,484 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(6,058 | ) | (766 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment |
259 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(5,799 | ) | (766 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Capital contribution |
| 14,307 | 2,128 | |||||||||
Repayment of loans |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 14,307 | 2,128 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(6,958 | ) | (16,602 | ) | (2,470 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the year |
45,975 | 39,017 | 5,804 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the year |
39,017 | 22,415 | 3,334 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information |
||||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
(323 | ) | | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
38,017 | 21,407 | 3,184 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
1,000 | 1,008 | 150 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
39,017 | 22,415 | 3,334 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-97
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
ZMN International Education Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (the Company, ZMN Education) was founded in August 2006. The Company and its subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group) are primarily engaged in providing study abroad application consulting services, readiness training courses and study planning services, in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
As of July 31, 2017, the Companys significant subsidiaries and schools were as follows:
Name |
Date of establishment |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of legal ownership by the Company |
Principal activities | ||||||||||
Significant subsidiaries(1): |
||||||||||||||
ZMN Cultural Communication (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. |
13/06/2016 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Wuhan ZMN Culture Communication Co., Ltd. |
19/10/2015 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Chongqing ZMN Education Information Consulting Service Co., Ltd |
01/04/2016 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Hangzhou ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd. |
17/11/2017 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Beijing Juvenile Line Technology Co., Ltd. |
28/07/2017 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Beijing Haidian District ZMN Education and Training School |
17/06/2017 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Shenyang ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd |
17/02/2012 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Qingdao ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd |
17/06/2014 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Taiyuan ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd |
26/11/2013 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Chengdu ZMN Culture Communication Co., Ltd |
19/05/2014 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Kunming ZMN Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd |
24/06/2014 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
ZMN Education Consulting (Dalian) Co., Ltd |
26/01/2014 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Shanxi ZMN Cultural Communication Limited Liability Company |
13/06/2011 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Henan Province ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd |
14/11/2012 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training | |||||||||
Jilin ZMN Education Consulting Co., Ltd |
28/05/2014 | PRC | 100 | % | Overseas studies consulting & training |
(1) | The net revenues generated from these significant subsidiaries and schools were accounted for RMB 113,257 of the Groups total net revenues for the period ended July 31, 2017. The English names are for identification purpose only. |
F-98
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of presentation and use of estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts in the accompanying financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Group bases its estimates on past experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Groups financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and impairment assessment of long-lived assets. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and schools. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Convenience translation
The Groups business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RenMinBi (RMB). However, periodic reports made to equity owners will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the then current exchange rates, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, and the consolidated statements of operations, change in deficit and cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the period ended July 31, 2017 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB 6.7240, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on July 31, 2017. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on July 31, 2017, or at any other rate.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks and on hand, which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents RMB deposits in restricted bank accounts, required by local regulations, for overseas studies intermediary agency qualification application. Restricted cash is classified as either current or non-current based on when the funds will be released in accordance with the terms of the respective agreement.
F-99
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Fair value
Fair value is considered to the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Financial instruments
The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, amounts due from a related party, other receivables, deposits and amounts due to a related party are recorded at cost which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Category |
Estimated useful life |
Estimated residual value | ||
Electronic equipment |
3 years | 5% | ||
Motor vehicles |
5 years | 5% | ||
Furniture and education equipment |
5 years | 5% | ||
Leasehold improvement |
Shorter of lease term or estimated economic life | |
F-100
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Property, plant and equipment, net - continued
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Group did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017, respectively.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized when the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the service has been rendered, (iii) the fees are fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
The Group generated its revenues from the following:
(i) Study-abroad consulting services
The Group offers study abroad consulting services to provide quality advisory guidance for students who intend to study abroad. The Group charges each student an up-front prepaid fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student and recognizes revenue over the service period.
(ii) Study-abroad test preparation services
The Group offers study abroad test preparation services to help students prepare for admission tests for high schools, universities and graduate programs in other countries. Tutoring fees are collected in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue which is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered.
(iii) Activity services
The Group offers activity services to improve students readiness for applications for high schools, universities and graduate programs in other countries. The Group charges each student an up-front prepaid fee based on the scope of activity services purchased by the student and recognizes revenue as the services are rendered.
F-101
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Revenue recognition - continued
(iv) Bundled services
The Group also offers study-abroad test preparation services, activity services and study-abroad consulting service, at a bundled price, with each representing a separate unit of accounting. The Group allocates the total consideration of the bundled services to each of the deliverable based on their relative selling price. The selling price of each deliverable is determined using vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of selling price. Revenue is recognized for each deliverable in accordance with those that were sold on a standalone basis.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017, net revenues were as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
For the seven-month ended July 31, |
|||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Services: |
||||||||
Study abroad consulting services |
92,620 | 96,883 | ||||||
Study abroad test preparation services |
88,386 | 33,997 | ||||||
Activity services |
16,394 | 5,495 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenues |
197,400 | 136,375 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue consists the charges collected from students on consulting services, test preparation services and activity services, for which the Groups revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue once all four criteria for revenue recognition are met.
Operating leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risk of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated economic life.
Value added taxes
On January 1, 2012, the PRC Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation officially launched a pilot Value Added Tax (VAT) reform program (Pilot Program), applicable to businesses in selected industries. Businesses in the Pilot Program would pay VAT instead of business tax. Starting May 1, 2016, the Pilot Program was promoted nationwide in a comprehensive manner in the PRC. With the implementation of the Pilot Program, kindergarten services, play-and-learn center services, training services and other services which were previously subject to business tax are therefore subject to VAT at the rate of 6% for general VAT payer, or 3% for small scale VAT payer. The net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded as accrued expenses and other current liabilities in Groups consolidated financial statements.
F-102
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Value added taxes - continued
Since May 2016, in accordance with Cai Shui [2016] No. 68, the nonacademic educational programs and services in short-term training schools are subject to a simple VAT collection method and apply for a 3% VAT rate. All of the Groups services are qualified and subject 3% VAT rate which were previously subject to business tax.
Business tax
Pursuant to the PRC tax laws, before the implementation of the Pilot Program, overseas study consulting services, training services and other services were subject to business tax at the rate of 3% or 5%. Revenue is reported net of business taxes of RMB 922 for the period from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes will be classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.
Contingency
The Group is subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to the operation of its schools, environmental, product, taxing authorities and other matters, and are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses and fees.
Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more future events, are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.
Comprehensive income
The Group had no items of other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2016 and seven-month period ended July 31, 2017. As such, the Group is not required to report other comprehensive income or comprehensive income.
F-103
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Significant risks and uncertainties
Foreign currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The cash and cash equivalents of the Group included aggregate amounts of RMB 38,017, which were denominated in RMB, at December 31, 2016, representing 100% of the cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2016.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, amounts due from/to related parties and prepayment and other current assets. As of July 31, 2017, substantially all of the Groups cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC.
There are no revenues or accounts receivable from customers which individually represent greater than 10% of the total net revenues or accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017, respectively.
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In May 2014, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Updates, or ASU, 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. In August 2015, FASB updated this standard to ASU 2015-14, the amendments in this ASU defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09, that the ASU should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.
In May 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in this ASU do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this ASU affect only the narrow aspects of Topic 606. The areas improved include: (1) Assessing the Collectability Criterion in Paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and Accounting for Contracts That Do Not Meet the Criteria for Step 1; (2) Presentation of Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes Collected from Customers; (3) Noncash Consideration; (4) Contract Modifications at Transition; (5) Completed Contracts at Transition; and (6) Technical Correction. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09). The Group expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 under the modified retrospective method in the first quarter of 2018. The Group has substantially completed a review of the impacts of the new standard to its existing portfolio
F-104
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted - continued
of customer contracts. The Group does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 would have a material effect on its current revenue recognition policies, except that it will be required to assess variable consideration which is applicable in its study-abroad consulting service contracts and make judgments and estimates throughout the applicable periods. Certain additional financial statement disclosure requirements are mandated by the new standard including disclosure of contract assets and contract liabilities as well as a disaggregated view of revenue.
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessees obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessees right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard on the consolidated financial statements.
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements
In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a taxpaying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The amendments in this Update may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Group early adopted this guidance in the 2016 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The Group early adopted the amendments and restricted cash has been presented as part of
F-105
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements - continued
cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended July 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, restricted cash of RMB1, 000 are included in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
3. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Prepaid rental expenses |
7,090 | |||
Staff advances (a) |
2,441 | |||
Prepaid current deposit |
1,888 | |||
Prepaid other service fees |
1,544 | |||
Others |
312 | |||
|
|
|||
13,275 | ||||
|
|
(a) | Staff advances were provided to staff for business traveling and related use which are expensed as incurred. |
4. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
December, 31 | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Electronic equipment |
6,633 | |||
Motor vehicle |
3,252 | |||
Leasehold improvement |
10,831 | |||
Furniture and education equipment |
1,391 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
22,107 | |||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(10,509 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
11,598 | ||||
|
|
Depreciation expenses were RMB 6,695 and RMB 2,641 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017, respectively.
F-106
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
5. | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:
December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Salary and welfare payable |
20,530 | |||
Other payable |
2,613 | |||
Other tax payable |
2,561 | |||
Accrued expense |
891 | |||
|
|
|||
26,595 | ||||
|
|
6. | Loan from a third party |
The loan from a third party was as follows:
December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Loan from Mr. Bin Dan |
13,802 | |||
|
|
|||
13,802 | ||||
|
|
On October 22, 2015, the Group entered into a loan agreement with Mr. Bin Dan and obtained the loan amounting to RMB 13,802. As of December 31, 2016, the group accrued RMB 890 of interest.
7. | PAID IN CAPITAL AND ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL |
December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Paid-in capital |
2,000 | |||
Additional paid-in capital |
| |||
|
|
|||
2,000 | ||||
|
|
The Companys registered capital was RMB 9,230, in which RMB 2,000 has been paid by the equity owners and recorded as paid in capital as of December 31, 2016.
According to the revised article of corporation dated June 19, 2017, the Company increased its registered capital to RMB 13,800, and the capital injection was fully made as of July 31, 2017. Additional paid-in capital of RMB 2,507 was also paid by equity owners as of July 31, 2017.
8. | INCOME TAXES |
The Company and its subsidiaries and schools, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the PRC entities) are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (EIT), on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008.
F-107
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
8. | INCOME TAXES - continued |
The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
For the seven-month period ended July 31, |
|||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Current tax expense |
883 | | ||||||
Deferred tax expense |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
883 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The principle components of deferred taxes were as follows:
December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Deferred tax assets |
||||
Accrued expenses |
2,763 | |||
Net operating loss carried forward |
24,167 | |||
|
|
|||
Total deferred tax assets |
26,930 | |||
Less: valuation allowance |
(26,930 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Deferred tax assets, net |
| |||
|
|
As of December 31, 2016, the Group had accumulated net operating loss carried forward of RMB 96,668, which will expire on various dates from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2020.
The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations is as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2016 |
For the seven-month period ended July 31, 2017 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(63,550 | ) | (12,709 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income benefit expense computed at an applicable tax rate of 25% |
(15,888 | ) | (3,177 | ) | ||||
Permanent differences |
268 | 65 | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance |
16,503 | 3,112 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
883 | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the period ended December 31, 2016. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from December 31, 2016.
F-108
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
9. | EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN |
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Groups PRC entities make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were RMB14,187 and RMB10,330 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and seven-months period ended July 31, 2017, respectively.
10. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION |
(1) | Related parties |
Name of related parties |
Relationship with the Group | |
Mr. Lie Zhang |
Shareholder of the Company | |
Mr. Qiyong Chen |
Management and Shareholder of the Company |
(2) | The significant balances between the Group and its related parties are as follows: |
December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Amounts due to: |
||||
Mr. Lie Zhang |
10,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
10,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Amounts due from: |
||||
Mr. Qiyong Chen |
4,250 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
4,250 | |||
|
|
The balances with related parties were interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
F-109
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | COMMITMENTS |
Operating lease commitments
Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices consisted of the following at July 31, 2017:
Period ending December 31, |
||||
2017 |
14,567 | |||
2018 |
21,688 | |||
2019 |
12,110 | |||
2020 |
2,121 | |||
2021 |
| |||
|
|
|||
50,486 | ||||
|
|
Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the seven-months period ended July 31, 2017, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB41,349 and RMB25,543, respectively.
12. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Groups chief operating decision maker (CODM) has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the financial information of operating segments when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and is identified on the basis of the internal financial reports that are provided to and regularly reviewed by the Groups CODM. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and seven-month period ended July 31, 2017, the Groups CODM reviewed the financial information of the education business carried out by the Group on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the Group has one operating segment, which is the provision of educational services. The Group operates solely in the PRC and all of the Groups long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
13. | RESTRICTED NET ASSETS |
Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Groups PRC entities only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Companys entities.
Prior to payment of dividends, pursuant to the PRC laws and regulations, enterprises incorporated in the PRC must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds as determined by the Board of Directors of each company. These reserves include (i) general reserve, and (ii) other reserves at the discretion of the Board of Director.
Subject to certain cumulative limits, the general reserve requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profits as determined under PRC laws and regulations at each year-end until the balance reaches 50% of the PRC entity registered capital; the other reserve appropriations are at the Companys discretion. These reserves can only be used for specific purposes of enterprise expansion and are not distributable as cash
F-110
ZMN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTING (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND
THE SEVEN-MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
13. | RESTRICTED NET ASSETS - continued |
dividends. The Companys subsidiaries didnt accrue this general reserve during the year ended December 31, 2016 and seven-months period ended July 31, 2017, respectively because of net loss in both periods.
Prior to the effective of the Amended Private School Operation Law, PRC laws and regulations required private school that require reasonable returns to contribute 25% of after-tax income before payments of dividend to a fund to be used for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrading of educational facility. For private schools that do not require reasonable returns, this amount should be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase of its net assets as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC. For the Groups private schools, amounts contributed to the reserve of nil and nil for the year ended December 31, 2016 and seven months period ended July 31, 2017, respectively.
These reserves are included as statutory reserves in the consolidated statements of changes in deficit. The statutory reserves cannot be transferred to the Company in the form of loans or advances and are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
Because the Groups entities in the PRC can only be paid out of distributable profits reported in accordance with PRC accounting standards, the Groups entities in the PRC are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. The restricted amounts include the paid-in capital and statutory reserves of the Groups entities in the PRC. The aggregate amount of paid-in capital and statutory reserves, which represented the amount of net assets of the Groups entities in the PRC not available for distribution, was RMB 4,650 as of December 31, 2016.
14. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On July 31, 2017, the Group was 100% acquired by Puxin Education Technology Group Co., Ltd. for cash and warrant consideration amounted to RMB 135,850, which is subject to further adjustments base on a pre-agreed formula.
F-111
To the Board of Directors of Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd. (the Company), its consolidated variable interest entity (VIE), VIEs subsidiaries and schools (collectively, the Group), as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, change in equity (deficit) and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 to August 16, 2017.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Groups preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Groups internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2016, and the results of the Groups operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 to August 16, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China
February 8, 2018
F-112
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2016 | |||||||
RMB | USD | |||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
173,904 | 25,995 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of RMB 497 as of December 31, 2016) |
7,352 | 1,099 | ||||||
Inventories |
8,637 | 1,291 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
85,326 | 12,754 | ||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
178,186 | 26,635 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
453,405 | 67,774 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||
Restricted cash |
14,261 | 2,132 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
61,120 | 9,136 | ||||||
Long-term investments |
11,481 | 1,716 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets |
660 | 99 | ||||||
Rental deposits |
16,458 | 2,460 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
557,385 | 83,317 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB 2,275 as of December 31, 2016) |
2,484 | 371 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB 65,340 as of December 31, 2016) |
79,478 | 11,880 | ||||||
Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB 34 as of December 31, 2016) |
34 | 5 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, current portion (including deferred revenue of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB 177,038 as of December 31, 2016) |
201,699 | 30,149 | ||||||
Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of nil as of December 31, 2016) |
56,308 | 8,417 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
340,003 | 50,822 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
F-113
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - continued
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2016 | 2016 | |||||||
RMB | USD (Note 2) |
|||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue, non-current portion (including deferred revenue of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB 1,145 as of December 31, 2016) |
1,145 | 171 | ||||||
Franchise deposits (including franchise deposits of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of nil as of December 31, 2016) |
8,429 | 1,260 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
349,577 | 52,253 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12) |
||||||||
EQUITY |
||||||||
Paid in capital |
155,146 | 23,191 | ||||||
Statutory reserve |
27,387 | 4,094 | ||||||
Accumulated profit |
25,275 | 3,779 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL EQUITY |
207,808 | 31,064 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY |
557,385 | 83,317 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-114
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, |
Period from January 1, to August 16, |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||||||
(Note 2) | ||||||||||||
Net revenues |
653,026 | 421,428 | 62,994 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues |
342,787 | 204,786 | 30,611 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross profit |
310,239 | 216,642 | 32,383 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Selling expenses |
274,152 | 187,988 | 28,100 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
167,570 | 87,170 | 13,030 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses |
441,722 | 275,158 | 41,130 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating loss |
(131,483 | ) | (58,516 | ) | (8,747 | ) | ||||||
Interest income |
4,123 | 3,191 | 477 | |||||||||
Government subsidy income |
245 | 2,649 | 396 | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries (Note 3) |
5,309 | 5,621 | 840 | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of real estate property |
43,744 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes and loss from equity method investment |
(78,062 | ) | (47,055 | ) | (7,034 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expenses |
591 | 1,141 | 171 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss from equity method investment |
4,030 | 16 | 2 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(82,683 | ) | (48,212 | ) | (7,207 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-115
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Paid in capital |
Statutory reserve |
Accumulated profit (deficit) |
Total equity (deficit) |
|||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
155,146 | 26,829 | 108,516 | 290,491 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year |
| | (82,683 | ) | (82,683 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision of statutory reserve |
| 558 | (558 | ) | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2016 in RMB |
155,146 | 27,387 | 25,275 | 207,808 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December, 31 2016 in USD (Note 2) |
23,191 | 4,094 | 3,779 | 31,064 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss for the period |
| | (48,212 | ) | (48,212 | ) | ||||||||||
Deemed distribution to shareholders (Note 7 & 11) |
| | (161,753 | ) | (161,753 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision of statutory reserve |
| 259 | (259 | ) | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of August 16, 2017 in RMB |
155,146 | 27,646 | (184,949 | ) | (2,157 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-116
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, |
Period from January 1 to August 16, |
|||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | USD (Note 2) |
||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net Loss |
(82,683 | ) | (48,212 | ) | (7,207 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
22,420 | 12,562 | 1,878 | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
(43,695 | ) | (974 | ) | (146 | ) | ||||||
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries |
(5,309 | ) | (5,621 | ) | (840 | ) | ||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
(2,471 | ) | 274 | 41 | ||||||||
Inventory reserve |
2,720 | (902 | ) | (135 | ) | |||||||
Loss from equity method investment |
4,030 | 16 | 2 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(660 | ) | (1,887 | ) | (282 | ) | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
1,537 | 3,984 | 596 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(2,222 | ) | (6,857 | ) | (1,025 | ) | ||||||
Inventories |
531 | 2,867 | 429 | |||||||||
Rental deposit |
(668 | ) | (1,924 | ) | (288 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
33 | 3,712 | 555 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(12,769 | ) | 3,629 | 542 | ||||||||
Income taxes payable |
(5,019 | ) | 2,471 | 369 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue |
12,658 | 18,640 | 2,786 | |||||||||
Franchise deposits |
(6,313 | ) | (1,085 | ) | (162 | ) | ||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
(3,201 | ) | (53,852 | ) | (8,050 | ) | ||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
9,188 | (46,252 | ) | (6,914 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(111,893 | ) | (119,411 | ) | (17,851 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(33,598 | ) | (19,571 | ) | (2,925 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
29,785 | 46,724 | 6,984 | |||||||||
Cash surrendered related to disposal of subsidiaries |
(119 | ) | (138 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||
Loans repaid from related parties |
| 8,000 | 1,196 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities |
(3,932 | ) | 35,015 | 5,234 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(115,825 | ) | (84,396 | ) | (12,617 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the year |
303,990 | 188,165 | 28,127 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the year |
188,165 | 103,769 | 15,510 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information |
||||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
2,083 | 2,327 | 348 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
173,904 | 89,437 | 13,369 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
14,261 | 14,332 | 2,141 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
188,165 | 103,769 | 15,510 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-117
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
Beijing Global Education & Technology Co., Ltd. (the Company) was incorporated under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC) on September 4, 2006. The Company, its subsidiary, its consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) and VIEs subsidiaries and schools (collectively the Group) are primarily engaged in providing an extensive range of educational programs and services in the PRC with a focus on English training and test preparation.
On August 16, 2017, the shareholder Global Education & Technology (HK) Ltd., (GEDU HK) which owned 100% equity interest of the Group, entered into a transaction for the sale of entire equity interest to Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited.
As of August 16, 2017, details of the VIE and VIEs significant subsidiaries and schools were as follows:
Name (1) |
Date of establishment or acquisition |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of legal ownership by the Company |
Principal activities | ||||||||
Variable interest entity: |
||||||||||||
Shanghai Global Career Education & Technology Holdings Limited. (Shanghai GEDU) |
August 25, 2006 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Investment holding | ||||||||
VIEs significant subsidiaries and training schools: |
||||||||||||
Beijing Global Zhuo Er Ying Cai Culture Distribution Co., Ltd. |
April 8, 2008 |
|
PRC |
|
|
Consolidated VIE |
|
Sale of education materials and online courses services | ||||
Beijing Haidian District Global IELTS Training School |
January 7, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Beijing Chaoyang District Global IELTS Training School |
March 10, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Global Wuhu (Beijing) Overseas Study Consulting Co., Ltd. |
December 17, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Overseas study consulting services | ||||||||
Beijing Global Zoubian Tianxia Travel Agency Co., Ltd. |
June 17, 2014 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Travel agency services | ||||||||
Global Career (Tianjin) Education and Technology Co., Ltd. |
June 16, 2008 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Tianjin Hexi District Global IELTS Training School |
February 16, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Shenyang Global IELTS Training School |
January 1, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Changchun Hafu Culture Communication Co. Ltd. |
December 17, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Advertisement services | ||||||||
Changchun Chaoyang District IELTS Education Training School |
July 3, 2011 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Shanghai Yangpu District Global IELTS Training School |
August 28, 2007 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services |
F-118
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
Name (1) |
Date of establishment or acquisition |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of legal ownership by the Company |
Principal activities | ||||||||
Suzhou Yisi Qiantu Education Consulting Co.,Ltd. |
November 4, 2008 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Suzhou Global Elite Training Center |
December 10, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Nanjing Global Education Training School |
July 31, 2008 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Wuxi Global Career Education Consulting Co., Ltd. |
September 24, 2008 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Wuxi Global IELTS Training Center |
May 31, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Nantong Qiantu Yisi Education Consulting Co., Ltd. |
July 21, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Nantong Chongchuan District Global IELTS Training Center |
November 18, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Hangzhou Xiacheng District Global Foreign Language Training School |
March 1, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Ningbo Haishu District Elite IELTS Training School |
July 18, 2011 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Ningbo Yinzhou District Elite IELTS Training School |
December 14, 2012 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Wuhan Tianxia Elite Education Consulting Co., Ltd. |
September 13, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Wuhan Global English Training School |
November 22, 2011 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Changsha Furong District Global IELTS Training School |
August 25, 2006 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Guangzhou Tianxia Qiantu Education Information Consulting Co., Ltd. |
October 27, 2009 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services | ||||||||
Guangzhou Yuexiu District Global Elite Training Center |
November 21, 2006 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Shenzhen Global IELTS Training Center |
July 29, 2011 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Chengdu Global English School |
January 28, 2008 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Xian Yanta District Aobo Foreign Language Training Center |
May 10, 2010 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Tianjin Heping District Global IELTS Training School |
May 5, 2017 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services |
F-119
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
Name (1) |
Date of establishment or acquisition |
Place of establishment |
Percentage of legal ownership by the Company |
Principal activities | ||||||||
Shanghai Huangpu District Kaiyu Culture Commercial Training Center |
August 25, 2006 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Training services | ||||||||
Shenzhen Global Qiantu Information Consulting Co., Ltd. |
July 22, 2011 | PRC | Consolidated VIE | Consulting services |
(1) | The net revenues generated from these significant subsidiaries and schools accounted for 97% of the Groups total net revenues for the period ended August 16, 2017. The English names is for identification purpose only. |
The VIE arrangements
PRC laws and regulations restrict foreign ownership and investment in the education industry at the school level. As the Company is deemed a foreign legal person under PRC laws, accordingly the Companys subsidiary is not eligible to engage in the provision of training services.
To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, the Company operates substantially all of its education services through its VIE, Shanghai GEDU, and the VIEs subsidiaries and schools in the PRC. The VIE and its subsidiaries and schools hold leases and other assets necessary to provide education services and generate revenues. To provide the Companys effective control over the VIE and the ability to receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools, a series of contractual arrangements were entered into amongst the Company, Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders on September 6, 2006. The term of such arrangement is 10 years and renewed for another 10 years on September 6, 2016.
| Agreements that transfer economic benefits to the Group: |
Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive consultation and service agreement, the Company engages operational consultant and agrees to provide consulting service related to Shanghai GEDU education and training operational activities and business development. The Company owns the intellectual property rights developed by either the Company or Shanghai GEDU in the performance of this agreement. Without the prior written consent of the Company, Shanghai GEDU shall not accept any services subject to this agreement from any third parties. Shanghai GEDU pays to the Company quarterly service fees, which substantially represents the entire residual economic interest of Shanghai GEDU. Unless Shanghai GEDU terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for ten years. Upon request by the Company, contractual parties to this agreement shall extend the term of this agreement prior to its expiration. Other contractual parties to this agreement cannot terminate this agreement unilaterally.
F-120
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
Equity Pledge Agreement
Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, Shanghai GEDUs Nominee Shareholders pledged all of their respective equity interests in Shanghai GEDU to the Company to guarantee Shanghai GEDUs performance, and shareholders obligations under the contractual arrangements between the Shanghai GEDU, its Nominee Shareholders and the Company. If Shanghai GEDU or its Nominee Shareholders breach their contractual obligations under these agreements, the Company, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Shanghai GEDU and priority in receiving the proceeds from such disposal. Shanghai GEDUs Nominee shareholders also agree that, during the term of the equity pledge agreement, they will not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests. The equity pledge became effective on April 2, 2010, which was when the pledge of equity interests contemplated in the equity pledge agreement was registered with the relevant administration for industry and commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law, and will remain effective until Shanghai GEDU and its shareholders fully performed all their obligations under the relevant contractual arrangements or discharged all their obligations under those agreements.
| Agreements that provide the Company effective control over Shanghai GEDU: |
Business Operation Agreement
Pursuant to the business operation agreement, Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders agreed to, (i) without prior written consent of the Company, Shanghai GEDU will not conduct any transactions that may have substantial effects on its assets, businesses, personnel, obligations, rights, or business operations. (ii) Shanghai GEDU will accept and follow the Companys instructions in relation to Shanghai GEDUs daily operational and financial management, election of directors, general manager, financial controller, school principals, and other senior management executives designated by the Company. (iii) the shareholders will transfer any dividends, income, or interests received as the shareholders of Shanghai GEDU immediately and unconditionally to the Company. Unless the Company terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for ten years. Upon request by the Company, contractual parties to this agreement shall extend the term of this agreement prior to its expiration. Other contractual parties to this agreement cannot terminate this agreement unilaterally.
Power of Attorney
Pursuant to the power of attorney, each of Shanghai GEDUs Nominee Shareholders irrevocably authorized the Company, or any person(s) designated by the Company, as the attorney-in-fact to act on his or her behalf on all matters pertaining to Shanghai GEDU and to exercise all of his or her rights as a shareholder of Shanghai GEDU, including but not limited to convene shareholders meeting, vote and sign any resolution as a shareholder, appoint directors, supervisors and officers, amend article of association, as well as the right to sell, transfer, pledge and dispose of all or a portion of the shares held by such shareholder. In addition, each such shareholders also undertakes that he or she will not engage in any activities in violation of this power of attorney or cause conflict of interest between the Company and Shanghai GEDU or its subsidiaries and schools. The power of attorney will remain in
F-121
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
force and irrevocable as long as the applicable shareholder remains a shareholder of Shanghai GEDU, unless the Company instructs to the contrary in writing.
Exclusive purchase option agreement
Under the exclusive purchase option agreement among Nominee Shareholders of Shanghai GEDU, Shanghai GEDU and the Company, Nominee Shareholders of Shanghai GEDU irrevocably granted the Company or its designated person an exclusive option to purchase from Nominee Shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the equity interests in Shanghai GEDU for the higher of (i) RMB 0.001 or (ii) the minimum amount of consideration permitted by the applicable law. The Company or its designated person has sole discretion to decide when to exercise the option. This agreement is effective for 10 years and renewable or early terminable at the Companys sole discretion.
As a result of these contractual arrangements, the Company (1) has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected the economic performance of Shanghai GEDU, and (2) received the economic benefits of Shanghai GEDU. In making the conclusion that the Company is the primary beneficiary of Shanghai GEDU, the articles of association of Shanghai GEDU provided that the Nominee Shareholders of Shanghai GEDU have the power to, in a shareholders meeting: (i) approve the operating strategy and investment plan; (ii) elect the members of board of directors and approve their compensation; and (iii) review and approve the annual budget and earnings distribution plan. Consequently, the Companys rights under the business operation agreement and powers of attorney have reinforced the Companys abilities to direct the activities most significantly impacting Shanghai GEDUs economic performance. The Company also believes that this ability to exercise control ensured that Shanghai GEDU would continue to execute and renew service agreements and pay service fees to the Company. By charging service fees, and by ensuring that service agreements were executed and renewed indefinitely, the Company has the rights to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from Shanghai GEDU.
| Risks in relation to VIE structure |
The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are legally enforceable. However, the contractual arrangements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:
| Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders may have or develop interests that conflict with the Groups interests, which may lead them to pursue opportunities in violation of the aforementioned contractual agreements. If the Group cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between the Group and the Nominee Shareholders of Shanghai GEDU, the Group would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of its business, and there is substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. |
| Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders could fail to obtain the proper operating licenses or fail to comply with other regulatory requirements. As a result, the PRC government could impose fines, new requirements or other penalties on the VIE or the Group, mandate a change in ownership structure or operations for the VIE or the Group, restrict the VIE or the Groups use of financing sources or otherwise restrict the VIE or the Groups ability to conduct business. |
F-122
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
| The PRC government may declare the aforementioned contractual arrangements invalid. They may modify the relevant regulations, have a different interpretation of such regulations, or otherwise determine that the Group or the VIE have failed to comply with the legal obligations required to effectuate such contractual arrangements. |
| If the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government may restrict or prohibit the Groups business and operations in China. |
The Groups ability to conduct its business may be negatively affected if the PRC government were to carry out of any of the aforementioned actions. As a result, the Group may not be able to consolidate Shanghai GEDU and its subsidiaries and schools in the consolidated financial statements as the Group may lose the ability to exert effective control over Shanghai GEDU and its Nominee Shareholders, and the Group may lose the ability to receive economic benefits from Shanghai GEDU.
The Groups business has been directly operated by the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools. For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the VIE and its subsidiaries and schools accounted for an aggregate of 44% of the Groups consolidated total assets, and 70% of the Groups consolidated total liabilities.
The following financial information of the Companys VIE and VIEs subsidiaries and schools after the elimination of inter-company transactions for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017 were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:
As of December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Total current assets |
173,476 | |||
Total assets |
243,833 | |||
Total current liabilities |
244,687 | |||
Total liabilities |
245,832 | |||
|
|
For the year ended December 31, |
For the period from January 1 to August 16, |
|||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Net revenues |
636,836 | 410,871 | ||||||
Net loss |
62,767 | 26,647 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
54,606 | 27,333 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
21,705 | 19,959 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
There are no consolidated VIEs assets that are collateral for the VIEs obligations and which can only be used to settle the VIEs obligations. No creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the VIE have recourse to the general credit of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiary. No terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, require the Company or its subsidiary
F-123
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - continued |
The VIE arrangements - continued
to provide financial support to the VIE. However, if the VIE ever needs financial support, the Company may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to the VIE through loans to the shareholders of the VIE or entrustment loans to the VIE.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of presentation and use of estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the Groups financial statements include, but are not limited to, consolidation of the VIE, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and impairment of long-lived assets. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its VIE and VIEs subsidiaries and schools. All profits, transactions and balances among the Company, its VIE and VIEs subsidiaries and schools have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Convenience translation
The Groups business is primarily conducted in China and almost all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi (RMB). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the then current exchange rates, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, and the consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity (deficit) and cash flows for the period ended August 16, 2017 from RMB into US dollars are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB 6.6900, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on August 16, 2017. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on August 16, 2017, or at any other rate.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks and on hand, which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
F-124
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents RMB deposits in restricted bank accounts for operating schools required by some local regulations. The deposits in restricted bank accounts cannot be withdrawn until these school are closed. Restricted cash is classified as non-current based on the terms of the respective agreement.
Inventories
Inventories, mainly consisting of textbooks, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method.
Fair value
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Financial instruments
The Groups financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, amounts due from/to related parties and other payables. The carrying amount of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
F-125
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating doubtful collection, historical experience, account balance aging and prevailing economic conditions. Allowance is reversed when the underlying balance of doubtful accounts are subsequently collected. Accounts receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Category |
Estimated useful life |
Estimated residual value | ||
Buildings |
50 years | 5% | ||
Electronic equipment |
2-3 years | 5% | ||
Motor vehicles |
5 years | 5% | ||
Furniture and education equipment |
5 years | 5% | ||
Leasehold improvement and building improvement | Shorter of lease term or estimated economic life | |
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation expenses were RMB 22,420 and RMB 12,562 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, respectively.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Group did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017.
Long-term investments
The Groups long-term investments consist of equity method investments.
For an investee company over which the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest, the Group accounts for the investment under the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Group has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%. Other factors, such as representation on the investees board of directors, voting rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are also considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate.
F-126
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Long-term investments - continued
An impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value and this condition is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Group did not record any impairment losses on its equity method investments for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized when the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the service has been rendered, (iii) the fees are fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is stated net of discounts and sales related tax.
The Group generated its revenues from the following:
(i) Educational programs and services
Educational programs and services consist of test preparation and language training courses. Course fees are generally paid in advance and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Course fee revenue is recognized proportionately as the tutoring sessions are delivered.
(ii) Franchising fees
The Group generates revenue by franchising schools under the brand name of GEDU. Initial franchise fees represent provision of initial setup services. Initial franchising fees collected in advance are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue when the schools commence operations. The initial franchising fees are non-refundable and the Group does not have significant continuing obligations related to the initial franchising fees after the schools commence operations.
The Group provides continuing supporting services to the franchised schools including marketing and advertising services. The related annual franchise fees are received upfront and the revenue is deferred and evenly recognized over the applicable subsequent annual period.
(iii) Study abroad consulting services
The Group offers study abroad consulting services to provide quality guidance for students who intend to study in United States or other countries. The Group charges each student an up-front prepaid fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student and recognizes revenue over the service period.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, net revenues were as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
Period from January 1 to August 16, |
|||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Services: |
||||||||
Educational programs and services |
615,927 | 404,196 | ||||||
Franchising fees |
15,979 | 9,931 | ||||||
Study abroad consulting services |
9,565 | 4,017 | ||||||
Other services |
11,555 | 3,284 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenues |
653,026 | 421,428 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
F-127
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue primarily consists of tuition fees received from customers, initial franchise fees and annual franchise fees received from franchisees, and study abroad consulting services fees received from customers, for which the Groups revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue once the criteria for revenue recognition have been met.
Operating leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risk of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Value added taxes
On January 1, 2012, the PRC Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation officially launched a pilot Value-added tax (VAT) reform program (Pilot Program), applicable to businesses in selected industries. Businesses in the Pilot Program would pay VAT instead of business tax. Starting May 1, 2016, the Pilot Program was promoted nationwide in a comprehensive manner in the PRC. With the implementation of the Pilot Program, training services, franchising services and other services which were previously subject to business tax are therefore subject to VAT at the rate of 6% for general VAT payer, or 3% for small scale VAT payer. The net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded as accrued expenses and other current liabilities in Groups consolidated financial statements.
Pursuant a circular jointly released by the Ministry of Finance and Finance and State Administration of Taxation, the Group is subject to a VAT exemption for the proceeds received from customers for education material sales.
Business tax
Pursuant to the PRC tax laws, before the implementation of the Pilot Program, trainings services, Franchising services and other services were subject to business tax at the rate of 3% or 5%. Revenue is reported net of business taxes of RMB 7,471 for the period from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes will be classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.
F-128
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Government subsidies
The government subsidies provided by the local government mainly included the supporting funds and the tax return for encouraging development of the Group. Government subsidies are recognized upon receipt as government subsidy income because the subsidies are not intended to compensate for specific expenditure and not subject to future return. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, RMB 245 and RMB 2,649 were received and recognized, respectively.
Comprehensive income
The Group has no items of other comprehensive income in any of the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017. As such, the Group is not required to report other comprehensive income or comprehensive income.
Contingency
The Group is subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to the operation of its schools, environmental, product, taxing authorities and other matters, and are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses and fees.
Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more future events, are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.
Significant risks and uncertainties
Foreign currency risk
RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of the Group included aggregate amounts of RMB 188,165, which were denominated in RMB, at December 31, 2016, representing 100% of the cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2016.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties and prepayment and other current assets. As of August 16, 2017, substantially all of the Groups cash and cash equivalents were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from customers in the PRC. The risk with respect to accounts receivable is mitigated by credit evaluations the Group performs on its customers and its ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances.
F-129
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Significant risks and uncertainties - continued
There are no revenues or accounts receivable from customers which individually represent greater than 10% of the total net revenues or accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017.
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In May 2014, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Updates, or ASU, 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. In August 2015, FASB updated this standard to ASU 2015-14, the amendments in this Update defer the effective date of Update 2014-09, that the Update should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.
In May 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in this Update do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this Update affect only the narrow aspects of Topic 606. The areas improved include: (1) Assessing the Collectability Criterion in Paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and Accounting for Contracts That Do Not Meet the Criteria for Step 1; (2) Presentation of Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes Collected from Customers; (3) Noncash Consideration; (4) Contract Modifications at Transition; (5) Completed Contracts at Transition; and (6) Technical Correction. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by Update 2014-09).
The Group expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 under the modified retrospective method in the first quarter of 2018. The Group has substantially completed a review of the impacts of the new standard to its existing portfolio of customer contracts. The Group does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 would have a material effect on its current revenue recognition policies. However, certain additional financial statement disclosure requirements are mandated by the new standard including disclosure of contract assets and contract liabilities as well as a disaggregated view of revenue.
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessees obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessees right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after
F-130
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted - continued
December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements
In February 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810)Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 modifies existing consolidation guidance related to (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) the evaluation of variable interests for fees paid to decision makers or service providers, (3) the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (4) certain investment funds. These changes are expected to limit the number of consolidation models and place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Group has adopted the new standards in the 2016 fiscal year, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In July 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11). Topic 330 currently requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market, with market value represented by replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less a normal profit margin. ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments in the ASU should be applied prospectively with early application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Group early adopted the amendments in the 2016 fiscal year. The adoption of the amendments did not have a material effect to the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-16 related to the accounting for measurement period adjustments recognized in a business combination. Under the previous standard, when adjustments were made to amounts previously reported as part of a business combination during the measurement period, entities were required to revise comparative information for prior periods. Under the new standard, entities must recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. The Group adopted the new standard in the 2016 fiscal year, which did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a taxpaying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The amendments in this Update may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Group early adopted this guidance in the 2016 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
F-131
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Newly adopted accounting pronouncements - continued
In November 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The Group early adopted the amendments and restricted cash has been presented as part of cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017.
3. | DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES |
Disposal of Jinan Global Tianxia Foreign Language Training Center (Jinan School)
In April 2016, the Group disposed 100% equity interest in Jinan School to Ms. Xuelian Zhang for cash consideration of RMB915. At the disposal date, Jinan School had accumulated deficit which resulted in the Group deriving a gain from the deconsolidation. The disposal gain recognized by the Group was RMB 1,580 recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Disposal of Chongqing Yuzhong Global IELTS Training Center (Chongqing School)
In June 2016, the Group disposed 100% equity interest in Chongqing School to Mr. Hong Zeng for cash consideration of RMB nil. The Group also reimbursed RMB 149 for relevant disposal expenses incurred. At the disposal date, Chongqing School had accumulated deficit which resulted in the Group deriving a gain from the deconsolidation. The disposal gain recognized by the Group was RMB 2,489 and recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Disposal of Beijing Wuhu Zhongshi Consulting Co., Ltd. Chengdu Branch (Wuhu Chengdu)
In June 2016, the Group disposed 100% equity interest in Wuhu Chengdu to Chengdu Global IELTS Education Consulting Co., Ltd. (Chengdu Education) for cash consideration of RMB nil. At the disposal date, Wuhu Chengdu had accumulated deficit which resulted in the Group deriving a gain from the disposal. The disposal gain recognized by the Group was RMB 1,240 and recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Disposal of Hangzhou Global IELTS Education and Technology Co., Ltd. (Hangzhou Company)
In June 2017, the Group disposed 100% equity interest in Hangzhou Company to Ms. Shuying Zhang for the cash consideration of RMB 1,005. At the disposal date, Hangzhou Company had accumulated deficit which resulted in the Group deriving a gain from the deconsolidation. The disposal gain recognized by the Group was RMB 5,621 and recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the period from January 1, 2017 to August 16, 2017.
F-132
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
4. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET |
Accounts receivable, net consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Accounts receivable |
7,849 | |||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts |
(497 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Accounts receivable, net |
7,352 | |||
|
|
Movement of allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Balance at beginning of the year |
(3,427 | ) | ||
Additions |
| |||
Reversal of allowance for doubtful accounts |
2,930 | |||
|
|
|||
Balance at end of the year |
(497 | ) | ||
|
|
5. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Receivable of disposal property, plant and equipment (Note) |
42,370 | |||
Prepaid rental expenses |
15,337 | |||
Prepaid advertising and search engine expense |
9,696 | |||
Prepaid other service fees |
4,431 | |||
Deposit with third parties |
2,966 | |||
Value added taxes recoverable |
2,943 | |||
Prepayments to suppliers |
1,802 | |||
Others |
5,781 | |||
|
|
|||
85,326 | ||||
|
|
Note: | On October 14, 2016, the Group entered into a transaction with third parties to sell its real estate property with a consideration of RMB 91,330. The amount of receivable was RMB 42,370 for the year ended December 31, 2016. |
F-133
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
6. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Buildings |
20,837 | |||
Electronic equipment |
16,323 | |||
Furniture and education equipment |
18,297 | |||
Motor vehicles |
5,031 | |||
Leasehold improvement and building improvement |
61,549 | |||
Total |
122,037 | |||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(60,917 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
61,120 | ||||
|
|
Depreciation expenses were RMB 22,420 and RMB 12,562 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, respectively.
7. | LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS |
Equity method investments
Long-term investments consisted of the following:
As of December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Equity method investments |
||||
Pearson (Guizhou) Education Co. Ltd. |
11,481 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
11,481 | |||
|
|
In April 2013, the Group invested cash consideration of RMB 16,361 to set up a joint venture, Pearson Guizhou, with a related party Pearson Education Asia Limited (Pearson Asia), which is an entity owned by the Groups shareholder, and obtained 87.4% equity interest in ownership and 50% dividend rights. The Group holds one seat out of three of the board of directors of Pearson Guizhou. Subject to the articles of association of Pearson Guizhou, the adoption of any resolution of the board of directors shall require the affirmative vote of all directors of Pearson Guizhou. The Group used the equity method to account for the investment, because the Group had the ability to exercise significant influence but did not have control over the investee.
In June 2017, the Group entered into a transaction to dispose the 87.4% equity interest in Pearson Guizhou to its related party Pearson Asia with a nominal cash consideration of RMB0.001. As the transaction was conducted between the Company and a related party which controlled by the same Group of the seller, such transaction is deemed a distribution to the shareholders, with a disposal loss of RMB 11,465 recorded as a reduction of retained earnings.
F-134
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
7. | LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS - continued |
The Group shared loss of RMB 4,030 and RMB 16 from its equity method investments during the year ended December 31, 2016 and period ended August 16, 2017 prior to the disposal, respectively.
8. | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31, 2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Accrued employee payroll and welfare benefits |
50,380 | |||
Advertising and professional service fee |
10,180 | |||
Accrued expenses |
4,307 | |||
Payable for purchase of property and equipment |
4,248 | |||
Deposit from students |
2,035 | |||
Individual taxes withholding |
2,676 | |||
Other tax payable |
1,575 | |||
Others |
4,077 | |||
|
|
|||
79,478 | ||||
|
|
9. | PAID IN CAPITAL |
Year ended December 31, 2016 |
||||
RMB | ||||
Paid-in capital |
155,146 | |||
|
|
The Company has RMB 155,146 registered capital, in which RMB 155,146 has been paid by the equity owners to the company and recorded as paid in capital as of December 31, 2016.
10. | INCOME TAXES |
The Company, the VIE and the VIEs subsidiaries and schools, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the PRC entities) are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (EIT), on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008.
The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2016 |
Period from January 1 to August 16, 2017 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Current tax expense |
1,251 | 3,028 | ||||||
Deferred tax expense |
(660 | ) | (1,887 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
591 | 1,141 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
F-135
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
10. | INCOME TAXES - continued |
The principle components of deferred taxes were as follows:
As of December 31, 2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Deferred tax assets |
||||
Accrued expenses |
10,661 | |||
Inventory reserve |
3,437 | |||
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable |
1,461 | |||
Net operating loss carry-forwards |
70,515 | |||
|
|
|||
Total deferred tax assets |
86,074 | |||
Less: valuation allowance |
(85,414 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Deferred tax assets, net |
660 | |||
|
|
The net operating loss carry forwards for the Group was RMB 282,060 as of December 31, 2016, which will expire on various dates from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2021.
The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations is as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
Period from January 1 to August 16, |
|||||||
2016 | 2017 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(78,062 | ) | (47,055 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income tax benefit computed at an applicable tax rate of 25% |
(19,516 | ) | (11,764 | ) | ||||
Permanent differences |
385 | 578 | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance |
19,722 | 12,327 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
591 | 1,141 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from August 16, 2017.
11. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION |
(1) | Related parties |
Name of related parties |
Relationship with the Group | |
GEDU HK |
Shareholder of the Company | |
Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Peisheng Yucai (Beijing) Technology Development Ltd. |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Pearson Shared Services Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK |
F-136
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION - continued |
(1) | Related parties - continued |
Name of related parties |
Relationship with the Group | |
Pearson Education Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Pearson Education Asia Ltd. |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Pearson Guizhou |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Shanghai Global Elite Education (Shanghai) Company Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Beijing Wall Street English Training Center Company Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Wall Street English Training Center (Shanghai) Company Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Wall Street English Training Center (Guangdong) Company Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
LCCIEB Training Consultancy Co., Ltd. |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK | |
Sunnykey International Holdings Limited |
Controlled by the controlling shareholder of GEDU HK |
(2) | The significant related party transactions were as follows: |
Year ended December 31, 2016 |
Period from January 1 to August 16, 2017 |
|||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Rental expense recorded: |
||||||||
Shanghai Global Elite Education (Shanghai) Company Limited |
628 | 393 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Interest income recorded: Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. |
2,336 | 1,416 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Service fee recorded: Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. |
28,678 | 11,055 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
F-137
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
11. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION - continued |
(3) | The significant balances between the Group and its related parties were as follows: |
As of December 31, |
||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Amounts due from: |
||||
Peisheng Yucai (Beijing) Technology Development Ltd. (i) |
63,139 | |||
Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (ii) |
59,604 | |||
GEDU HK (iii) |
33,942 | |||
Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (iii) |
17,314 | |||
Wall Street English Training Center (Shanghai) Company Limited (iii) |
1,294 | |||
Beijing Wall Street English Training Center Company Limited (iii) |
1,272 | |||
Wall Street English Training Center (Guangdong) Company Limited (iii) |
922 | |||
Pearson Education Limited (iii) |
623 | |||
LCCIEB Training Consultancy Co., Ltd. (iii) |
76 | |||
|
|
|||
178,186 | ||||
|
|
As of December 31, |
||||
2016 | ||||
RMB | ||||
Amounts due to: |
||||
Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (iv) |
19,163 | |||
Shanghai Global Elite Education (Shanghai) Company Limited (iii) |
17,092 | |||
Pearson Education Limited (iii) |
11,730 | |||
Pearson Shared Services Limited (iii) |
4,715 | |||
Sunnykey International Holdings Limited (iii) |
2,378 | |||
Pearson Education Asia Ltd. (iii) |
1,087 | |||
Pearson Guizhou (iii) |
143 | |||
|
|
|||
56,308 | ||||
|
|
(i) | The balance is the loan with interest rate 6%, the amount of RMB62,000 was waived to the Group in 2017. |
(ii) | The balance is the loan with interest rate 4.35%, the amount of RMB 50,000 was waived and the amount of RMB 8,000 was repaid to the Group in 2017. |
(iii) | The balances with related parties represents interest-free, unsecured borrowing which were repayable on demand. |
(iv) | The balance were the service fee the related parties charged the Group. |
On August 16, 2017, GEDU HK entered into a transaction to sell its entire equity interest holding of the Group to Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited (see Note 16). An amount due from GEDU HKs parent company and its sister companies under common control (net of amount due to those companies) of RMB 150,288 was waived by the Group as part of the above mentioned equity transaction, and were recorded as a deemed distribution to the shareholders (a reduction of retained earnings).
F-138
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
12. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Operating lease commitments
Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices and schools consisted of the following at August 16, 2017:
Years ending December 31, 2017 |
39,789 | |||
2018 |
73,906 | |||
2019 |
39,865 | |||
2020 |
15,505 | |||
2021 and thereafter |
4,565 | |||
|
|
|||
173,630 | ||||
|
|
Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB 108,967 and RMB 72,307, respectively.
Contingencies
The Group is in the process of preparing filings and applying for permits of training institutions and tutoring branches. Since the contingent liability related to not meeting the filing requirements cannot be reasonably estimated, the Group did not record any liabilities pertaining to this.
13. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Groups chief operating decision maker (CODM) has been identified as the President of the Group, who reviews financial information of operating segments when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and is identified on the basis of the internal financial reports that are provided to and regularly reviewed by the Groups CODM. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, the Groups CODM reviewed the financial information of the education business carried out by the Group on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the Group has one operating segment, which is the provision of educational services. The Group operates solely in the PRC and all of the Groups long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
14. | EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN |
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Groups PRC entities make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amount for such employee benefits, which was expensed as incurred, was RMB 54,167 and RMB 36,386 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017.
F-139
BEIJING GLOBAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST 16, 2017
(In thousands of RMB and USD, or otherwise noted)
15. | RESTRICTED NET ASSETS |
Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Groups PRC entities only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Companys entities.
Prior to payment of dividends, pursuant to the PRC laws and regulations, enterprises incorporated in the PRC must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds as determined by the Board of Directors of each company. These reserves include (i) general reserve, and (ii) other reserves at the discretion of the Board of Director.
Subject to certain cumulative limits, the general reserve requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profits as determined under PRC laws and regulations at each year-end until the balance reaches 50% of the PRC entity registered capital; the other reserve appropriations are at the Companys discretion. These reserves can only be used for specific purposes of enterprise expansion and are not distributable as cash dividends. The Company, the VIE, and VIEs subsidiaries, contributed RMB 472 and RMB 119 to the general reserve for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, respectively.
Prior to the effective of the Amended Private School Operation Law, PRC laws and regulations required private schools that require reasonable returns to contribute 25% of after-tax income before payments of dividend to a fund to be used for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrading of educational facility. For the Groups private schools, amounts contributed to the reserve of RMB 86 and RMB 140 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period ended August 16, 2017, respectively.
These reserves are included as statutory reserves in the consolidated statements of changes in equity. The statutory reserves cannot be transferred to the Company in the form of loans or advances and are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
Because the Groups entities in the PRC can only be paid out of distributable profits reported in accordance with PRC accounting standards, the Groups entities in the PRC are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. The restricted amounts include the paid-in capital and statutory reserves of the Groups entities in the PRC. The aggregate amount of paid-in capital and statutory reserves, which represented the amount of net assets of the Groups entities in the PRC not available for distribution, were RMB 126,018 as of December 31, 2016.
16. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On August 16, 2017, GEDU HK sold and transferred 100% equity interest of the Group to Prepshine Holdings Co., Limited, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Puxin Limited, for a total cash consideration of US$72,300 (equivalent to RMB 483,687).
F-140
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 6 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, to the fullest extent permissible under Cayman Islands law every director and officer of our company shall be indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by him in connection with the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions as a director or officer of our company, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by him in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
Pursuant to the form of indemnification agreements to be filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this registration statement, we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or executive officer.
The form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
II-1
ITEM 7 | RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES |
During the past three years, we have issued the following securities (including options to acquire our ordinary shares) without registering the securities under the Securities Act. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, regarding transactions not involving a public offering, or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. None of the transactions involved an underwriter.
Purchaser |
Date of Issuance | Number of Securities | Consideration in U.S. Dollars | |||
Long bright Limited |
March 17, 2017 | 8,524 ordinary shares | US$1 | |||
Gao & Tianyi Limited |
March 17, 2017 | 820 ordinary shares | US$1 | |||
Pution Limited |
March 17, 2017 | 492 ordinary shares | US$1 | |||
Prospect Limited |
March 17, 2017 | 164 ordinary shares | US$1 | |||
Long bright Limited |
August 4, 2017 | 85,231,476 ordinary shares | US$4,262 | |||
Gao & Tianyi Limited |
August 4, 2017 | 8,199,180 ordinary shares | US$410 | |||
Pution Limited |
August 4, 2017 | 4,919,508 ordinary shares | US$246 | |||
Prospect Limited |
August 4, 2017 | 1,639,836 ordinary shares | US$82 | |||
Haitong International Investment Holdings Limited |
August 4, 2017 |
US$25,000,000 |
N/A | |||
CICC ALPHA Eagle Investment Limited |
September 29, 2017 |
US$23,000,000 |
N/A | |||
Puxin Nova Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 21,761,652 ordinary shares | US$1,089 | |||
Stary International Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 3,336,744 ordinary shares | US$167 | |||
Long wit Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 40,000 ordinary shares | US$2 | |||
Long belief Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 8,200,000 ordinary shares | US$410 | |||
Long faith Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 1,640,000 ordinary shares | US$82 | |||
Long favor Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 17,103,724 ordinary shares | US$856 | |||
Trustbridge Partners VI, L.P. |
February 5, 2018 | 5,958,940 Series A preferred shares |
U.S. dollars equivalent to RMB130,806,000 | |||
Fasturn Overseas Limited |
February 5, 2018 | 5,958,940 Series A preferred shares |
US$298 | |||
China Central International Asset Management Co., Ltd. |
March 28, 2018 | Warrants with value of RMB50,000,000, RMB90,000,000 and RMB50,000,000, respectively |
N/A | |||
Certain employees |
March 31, 2018 | 22,992,538 options to purchase 22,992,538 ordinary shares* |
Exercise price ranging from US$0.04 and US$7.78 |
* | In reliance on the exemption of Rule 701 under the Securities Act, all the options were granted by our company under the share incentive plans that we adopted on February 12, 2018 and March 27, 2018, respectively. At the time of each option grant, we were not a reporting company under section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 or an investment company registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Each share incentive plan is a compensatory benefit plan as defined under Rule 701 that we established to provide share incentives to directors, officers and employees of our company and our affiliates, as well as consultants and advisors who render our company or one of our affiliates bona fide services, other than services in connection with the offer or sale of securities of our |
II-2
company or any of our affiliates, as applicable, in a capital raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of that entitys securities. |
ITEM 8 | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(a) | Exhibits |
See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-4 of this registration statement.
(b) | Financial Statement Schedules |
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in our consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
ITEM 9 | UNDERTAKINGS |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant under the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
PUXIN LIMITED
EXHIBIT INDEX
II-4
II-5
* | To be filed by amendment. |
| Previously filed. |
II-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, China, on June 1, 2018.
PUXIN LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Yunlong Sha | |
Name: Yunlong Sha | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
II-7
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Yunlong Sha and Peng Wang as an attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the Shares), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the Registration Statement) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 1, 2018.
Signature |
Title | |
/s/ Yunlong Sha |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | |
Name: Yunlong Sha | ||
* |
Director | |
Name: Ming Hu | ||
* |
Director | |
Name: Kehai Xie | ||
* |
Director | |
Name: Xiaoxiao Liu | ||
* |
Chief Financial Officer | |
Name: Peng Wang | (principal financial and accounting officer) |
*By: | /s/ Yunlong Sha | |
Name: Yunlong Sha | ||
Attorney-in-fact |
II-8
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Under the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Puxin Limited, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York, on June 1, 2018.
Authorized U.S. Representative | ||
By: | /s/ Colleen A. De Vries | |
Name: Colleen A. De Vries | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
II-9
Exhibit 4.2
Puxin Limited Certificate Number INCORPORATED IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS UNDER THE COMPANIES LAW Number of Shares [Number] (AS AMENDED OR REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME) [Number] THE AUTHORISED CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY IS USD 50,000.00 DIVIDED INTO 1,000,000,000 ORDINARY SHARES OF PAR VALUE USD 0.00005 EACH THIS CERTIFIES THAT [Name] OF [Address] IS THE OWNER OF [Number] fully paid ORDINARY shares of USD 0.00005 each IN THE COMPANY Puxin Limited (the Company) transferable on the books of the Company by the holder hereof in person or by a duly authorised attorney upon surrender of this certificate to the Company. This certificate and the shares represented are issued and shall be held subject to the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. EXECUTED on behalf of the Company this day of Director
Exhibit 4.3
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
by and among
PUXIN LIMITED
as Issuer,
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
as Depositary,
AND
THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED HEREUNDER
Dated as of [●], 2018
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of [●], 2018, by and among (i) Puxin Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with its principal executive office at Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100080, the Peoples Republic of China and its registered office at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands (together with its successors, the Company), (ii) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as depositary, with its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, United States of America (the Depositary, which term shall include any successor depositary hereunder) and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish an ADR facility with the Depositary to provide for the deposit of the Shares and the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited;
WHEREAS, the Depositary is willing to act as the depositary for such ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are accepted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the actions of the Company and the transactions contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
All capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise clearly indicated:
SECTION 1.1 Affiliate shall have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act.
1
SECTION 1.2 Agent shall mean such entity or entities as the Depositary may appoint under Section 7.8 hereof, including the Custodian or any successor or addition thereto.
SECTION 1.3 American Depositary Share(s) and ADS(s) shall mean the securities represented by the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to this Deposit Agreement and evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive [●] Share[s], until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 hereof or a change in Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.9 hereof with respect to which additional American Depositary Receipts are not executed and delivered and thereafter each American Depositary Share shall represent the Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
SECTION 1.4 Article shall refer to an article of the American Depositary Receipts as set forth in the Form of Face of Receipt and Form of Reverse of Receipt in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto.
SECTION 1.5 Articles of Association shall mean the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 1.6 ADS Record Date shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.7 hereof.
SECTION 1.7 Beneficial Owner shall mean as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner may exercise any rights or receive any benefits hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs in which such Beneficial Owner has an interest.
SECTION 1.8 Business Day shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not (a) a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and (b) a day on which the market(s) in which ADSs are traded are closed.
SECTION 1.9 Commission shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.10 Company shall mean Puxin Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its successors.
SECTION 1.11 Corporate Trust Office when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
SECTION 1.12 Custodian shall mean, as of the date hereof, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, having its principal office at 57/F International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., Peoples Republic of China, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereinafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5 hereof as a successor or an additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require. The term Custodian shall mean all custodians, collectively.
2
SECTION 1.13 Deliver, Deliverable and Delivery shall mean, when used in respect of American Depositary Shares, Receipts, Deposited Securities and Shares, the physical delivery of the certificate representing such security, or the electronic delivery of such security by means of book-entry transfer, as appropriate, including, without limitation, through DRS/Profile. With respect to DRS/Profile ADRs, the terms execute, issue, register, surrender, transfer or cancel refer to applicable entries or movements to or within DRS/Profile.
SECTION 1.14 Deposit Agreement shall mean this Deposit Agreement and all exhibits annexed hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended and supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 1.15 Depositary shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.
SECTION 1.16 Deposited Securities as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received or deemed to be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and held hereunder, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section 4.6.
SECTION 1.17 Dollars and $ shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.
SECTION 1.18 DRS/Profile shall mean the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities pursuant to which ownership of ADSs is maintained on the books of the Depositary without the issuance of a physical certificate and transfer instructions may be given to allow for the automated transfer of ownership between the books of DTC and the Depositary. Ownership of ADSs held in DRS/Profile is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto.
SECTION 1.19 DTC shall mean The Depository Trust Company, the central book-entry clearinghouse and settlement system for securities traded in the United States, and any successor thereto.
SECTION 1.20 DTC Participants shall mean participants within DTC.
SECTION 1.21 Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.22 Foreign Currency shall mean any currency other than Dollars.
SECTION 1.23 Foreign Registrar shall mean the entity, if any, that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares or, if no such agent is so appointed and acting, the Company.
3
SECTION 1.24 Holder shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose. A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. A Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of those Beneficial Owners of the ADRs registered in such Holders name.
SECTION 1.25 Indemnified Person and Indemnifying Person shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.26 Losses shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.27 Memorandum shall mean the memorandum of association of the Company.
SECTION 1.28 Opinion of Counsel shall mean a written opinion from legal counsel to the Company who is acceptable to the Depositary.
SECTION 1.29 Receipt(s); American Depositary Receipt(s); and ADR(s) shall mean the certificate(s) or statement(s) issued by the Depositary evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, as such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. References to Receipts shall include physical certificated Receipts as well as ADSs issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 1.30 Registrar shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed by the Depositary to register ownership of Receipts and transfer of Receipts as herein provided, and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary for such purposes. Registrars (other than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
SECTION 1.34 Restricted Securities shall mean Shares which (i) have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering and subject to resale limitations under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, or (ii) are held by an officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate of the Company or (iii) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Cayman Islands, under a shareholders agreement, shareholders lock-up agreement or the Articles of Association or under the regulations of an applicable securities exchange unless, in each case, such Shares are being sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a transaction (x) covered by an effective resale registration statement or (y) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as hereafter defined) and the Shares are not, when held by such person, Restricted Securities.
SECTION 1.36 Securities Act shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
4
SECTION 1.37 Shares shall mean ordinary shares in registered form of the Company, par value $0.00005 each, heretofore or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid. References to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares, whether or not stated in the particular instance; provided, however, that in no event shall Shares include evidence of rights to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which pre-emptive rights have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; provided further, however, that, if there shall occur any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or any other event described in Section 4.9 hereof in respect of the Shares, the term Shares shall thereafter, to the extent permitted by law, represent the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or event.
SECTION 1.38 United States or U.S. shall mean the United States of America.
ARTICLE II.
APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.1 Appointment of Depositary. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as exclusive depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
SECTION 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
(a) Form. Receipts in certificated form shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Receipts may be issued in denominations of any number of American Depositary Shares. No Receipt in certificated form shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been dated and signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and Delivered, in the case of Receipts in certificated form, and each Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, in either case as hereinafter provided, and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts in certificated form bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and Delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of Receipt to the contrary, to the extent available by the Depositary, ADSs shall be evidenced by Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless certificated Receipts are specifically requested by the Holder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of Receipt, regardless of whether their Receipts are in certificated form or are issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile.
5
(b) Legends. In addition to the foregoing, the Receipts may, and upon the written request of the Company shall, be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the text thereof, such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be (i) necessary to enable the Depositary and the Company to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs may be traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, (iii) necessary to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs or ADSs are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise or (iv) required by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed, for all purposes, to have notice of, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the legends set forth, in the case of Holders, on the ADR registered in the name of the applicable Holders or, in the case of Beneficial Owners, on the ADR representing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owners.
(c) Title. Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the form of Receipt, title to a Receipt (and to the ADSs evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of certificated Receipts) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Holder thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt, unless such holder is the Holder thereof.
6
SECTION 2.3 Deposits.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited by any person (including the Depositary in its individual capacity but subject, however, in the case of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7 hereof) at any time beginning on the 181st day after the date of the prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form F-1 under which the ADSs are first sold or on such earlier date as the Company (with the approval of the underwriters referred to in the said prospectus) may specify in writing to the Depositary, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if any, are closed, by Delivery of the Shares to the Custodian. Except for Shares deposited by the Company in connection with the initial sale of ADSs under the registration statement on Form F-1, no deposit of Shares shall be accepted under this Deposit Agreement prior to such date. Every deposit of Shares shall be accompanied by the following: (A)(i) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form, appropriate instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to the Custodian, (ii) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in bearer form, such Shares or the certificates representing such Shares and (iii) in the case of Shares Delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such book-entry transfer to the Custodian or that irrevocable instructions have been given to cause such Shares to be so transferred, (B) such certifications and payments (including, without limitation, the Depositarys fees and related charges) and evidence of such payments (including, without limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such Shares by way of receipt) as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, (C) if the Depositary so requires, a written order directing the Depositary to execute and Deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary provided at the cost of the person seeking to deposit Shares) that all conditions to such deposit have been met and all necessary approvals have been granted by, and there has been compliance with the rules and regulations of, any applicable governmental agency and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect of any such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of the Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by confirmation or such additional evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Cayman Islands, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulator of currency exchange. The Depositary may issue Receipts against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited Securities, or any Shares or other Deposited Securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with reasonable written instructions of the Company that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares specifically identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Companys compliance with the securities laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, provided that the Company shall indemnify the Depositary and the Custodian for any claims and losses arising from not accepting the deposit of any Shares identified in the Companys instructions.
(b) As soon as practicable after receipt of any permitted deposit hereunder and compliance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Custodian shall present the Shares so deposited, together with the appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer or endorsement, duly stamped, to the Foreign Registrar for transfer and registration of the Shares (as soon as transfer and registration can be accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made) in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a nominee, in each case for the account of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as the Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.
7
(c) In the event any Shares are deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit, the Depositary is authorized to take any and all actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the issuance of such ADSs and to ensure that such ADSs are not fungible with other ADSs issued hereunder until such time as the entitlement of the Shares represented by such non-fungible ADSs equals that of the Shares represented by ADSs prior to such deposit. The Company agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued contain rights different from those of any other Shares theretofore issued and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of such non-fungible Shares upon Delivery to the Custodian.
SECTION 2.4 Execution and Delivery of Receipts. After the deposit of any Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are Deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex, SWIFT, facsimile or electronic transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of the fees, expenses, taxes and/or other charges owing hereunder), shall issue the ADSs representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary and shall execute and Deliver a Receipt registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or persons are entitled.
SECTION 2.5 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
(a) Transfer. The Depositary, or, if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of, proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York, of the United States, of the Cayman Islands and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and Deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered.
(b) Combination and Split Up. The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts and upon payment to the Depositary of the applicable fees and charges set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, execute and Deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
8
(c) Co-Transfer Agents. The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Holders or persons entitled to such Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity, in each case to the same extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.5 (other than the Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.
(d) Substitution of Receipts. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated Receipt with a Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, or vice versa, execute and Deliver a certificated Receipt or deliver a statement, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the relevant Receipt.
SECTION 2.6 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.10 hereof and any other provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of such American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares so surrendered. American Depositary Shares may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such American Depositary Shares (if held in certificated form) or by book-entry Delivery of such American Depositary Shares to the Depositary.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case, subject to Sections 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 5.9, hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect) to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title of the Deposited Securities as may be legally required, as the case may be, to or for the account of such person.
9
The Depositary may refuse to accept for surrender American Depositary Shares only in the circumstances described in Article (4) of the Receipt. Subject thereto, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.
At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt by the Depositary of such direction, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.7 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc..
(a) Additional Requirements. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the Delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt hereto, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1 hereof and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts or American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
10
(b) Additional Limitations. The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfers of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject, in all cases, to Section 7.10 hereof.
(c) The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
SECTION 2.8 Lost Receipts, etc. To the extent the Depositary has issued Receipts in physical certificated form, in case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt (which, in the discretion of the Depositary may be issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless specifically requested otherwise) in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Holder thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and Delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond in form and amount acceptable to the Depositary and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.9 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records. All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. Cancelled Receipts shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
SECTION 2.10 Maintenance of Records. The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.6, substitute Receipts Delivered under Section 2.8 and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.9, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States.
11
ARTICLE III.
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 3.1 Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties and to provide such other information and documentation as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations hereunder. The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Section 7.10 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities, until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositarys and the Companys satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Companys sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.1. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under Section 3.1 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts or withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 3.2 Liability for Taxes and Other Charges. If any present or future tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary and such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed liable therefor. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining fully liable for any deficiency. In addition to any other remedies available to it, the Depositary and the Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to Deliver ADRs, to register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section 7.10 hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 3.2 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
12
SECTION 3.3 Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Each person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance and cancellation of American Depositary Shares in respect thereof and the transfer of such American Depositary Shares. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
SECTION 3.4 Compliance with Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association and applicable law, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to (a) provide such information as the Company or the Depositary may request pursuant to law (including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, any resolutions of the Companys Board of Directors adopted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the Shares, ADSs or Receipts are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or Receipts may be transferred), (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such Holder and Beneficial Owner held Shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are Holders or Beneficial Owners at the time such request is made and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (c) comply with all applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law, the rules and requirements of any stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed and the Articles of Association regarding any such Holder or Beneficial Owners interest in Shares (including the aggregate of ADSs and Shares held by each such Holder or Beneficial Owner) and/or the disclosure of interests therein, whether or not the same may be enforceable against such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts to forward upon the request of the Company, and at the Companys expense, any such request from the Company to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
13
ARTICLE IV.
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1 Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms hereof, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof) be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.6 hereof) and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders of the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
SECTION 4.2 Distribution in Shares. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof and shall, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of Delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary may withhold any such distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company (including an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the expense of the Company) that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act or is exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act. To the extent such distribution may be withheld, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such distribution in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of applicable taxes and/or governmental charges and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof.
14
SECTION 4.3 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders of ADSs. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders of ADRs, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof (including, without limitation, any legal opinions of counsel in any applicable jurisdiction that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Company) and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, if a Holder elects to receive the proposed dividend in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or in ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
15
SECTION 4.4 Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Distribution to ADS Holders. Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. In the event any of the conditions set forth above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section 4.4(b) below or, if timing or market conditions may not permit, do nothing thereby allowing such rights to lapse. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges). Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs).
(b) Sale of Rights. If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the extent necessary to determine such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
(c) Lapse of Rights. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) hereof or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described in Section 4.4(b) hereof, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
16
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes at its expense the Depositary with opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
SECTION 4.5 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution and shall indicate whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such distribution be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable.
(b) Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and the request of the Company to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite determinations set forth in (a) above, the Depositary may distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (ii) net of any taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
17
(c) If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders or requests the Depositary not to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary does not receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such distribution is not reasonably practicable or feasible, the Depositary shall endeavor to sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the net proceeds, if any, of such sale received by the Depositary (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms of Section 4.1 hereof. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration and Holders and Beneficial Owners shall have no rights thereto or arising therefrom.
SECTION 4.6 Conversion of Foreign Currency. Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and in the judgment of the Depositary such Foreign Currency can at such time be converted on a practicable basis (by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law) into Dollars transferable to the United States and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and shall distribute such Dollars (net of any fees, expenses, taxes and/or other governmental charges incurred in the process of such conversion) in accordance with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for interest thereon. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Holders on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.
In converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion may be calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem necessary, practicable and at nominal cost and expense. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to file or cause to be filed, or to seek effectiveness of any such application or license.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practical or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied, or not obtainable at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the Depositary shall, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable laws and regulations, either (i) distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to the Holders entitled to receive such Foreign Currency or (ii) hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same.
18
Holders and Beneficial Owners are directed to refer to Section 7.9 hereof for certain disclosure related to conversion of Foreign Currency.
SECTION 4.7 Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the ADS Record Date), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.6 hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
SECTION 4.8 Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Companys expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary, or in which instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with this Section 4.8, including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
19
In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Deposited Securities, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.
In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Section 4.8. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.
20
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 hereof, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
SECTION 4.9 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, amalgamation, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is otherwise a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and receipt of an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the Companys expense satisfactory to the Depositary (stating that such distributions are not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations), execute and deliver additional Receipts, as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts. In either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change, shall also be made. The Company agrees that it will, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of Receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt of an Opinion of Counsel (furnished at the Companys expense) satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
SECTION 4.10 Available Information. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the Commissions website at www.sec.gov or at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A.
21
SECTION 4.11 Reports. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company agrees to provide to the Depositary, at the Companys expense, all such documents that it provides to the Custodian. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company and in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof, also mail to Holders by regular, ordinary mail delivery or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary) copies of notices and reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof.
SECTION 4.12 List of Holders. Promptly upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
SECTION 4.13 Taxation; Withholding. The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company or its agents such information from its records as the Company may request to enable the Company or its agents to file necessary tax reports with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Company and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner to provide and/or file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Company, the Depositarys or the Custodians obligations under applicable law. The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained by the Beneficial Owner or Holder or out of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 4.13 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
The Company shall remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency any amounts required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such governmental authority or agency. Upon any such withholding, the Company shall remit to the Depositary information, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, about such taxes and/or governmental charges withheld or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to the applicable governmental authority) therefor. The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders (i) any taxes withheld by it; (ii) any taxes withheld by the Custodian, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Custodian and (iii) any taxes withheld by the Company, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holders or Beneficial Owners income tax liability.
22
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary shall withhold the amount required to be withheld and may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and/or charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes and/or charges to the Holders entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership of the American Depositary Shares, including without limitation, tax consequences resulting from the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) being treated as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations issued thereunder) or otherwise.
ARTICLE V.
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar. Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary or if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers, combination and split-up of Receipts, the surrender of Receipts and the Delivery and withdrawal of Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary or the Registrar as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositarys or the Registrars knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time and from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company.
23
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups, and to countersign such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more securities exchanges, markets or automated quotation systems, (i) the Depositary shall be entitled to, and shall, take or refrain from taking such action(s) as it may deem necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of such securities exchange(s), market(s) or automated quotation system(s) applicable to it, notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement; and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide the Depositary such information and assistance as may be reasonably necessary for the Depositary to comply with such requirements, to the extent that the Company may lawfully do so.
Each Registrar and co-registrar appointed under this Section 5.1 shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.2 Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall be prevented or forbidden from, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this Deposit Agreement, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of American Depositary Shares or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement or otherwise.
24
The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), the Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.3 Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipts to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s) or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 hereof, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement or the applicable ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, directors, officers, affiliates, employees or agents (including without limitation, the Agents), shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liabilities be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary).
The Depositary and its directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effects of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company, or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as Depositary.
25
SECTION 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof) and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in this Section 5.4. In the event that notice of the appointment of a successor depositary is not provided by the Company in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof if a successor depositary has not been appointed), and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under this Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG.
26
SECTION 5.5 The Custodian. The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary for the Deposited Securities for which the Custodian acts as custodian and shall be responsible solely to it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with respect to any Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian to deliver the Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained by it as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may request, to the Custodian designated by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate to do so, it may appoint an additional entity to act as Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. After any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the Deposited Securities without any further act or writing and shall be subject to the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of such successor depositary.
SECTION 5.6 Notices and Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association that may be relevant or pertain to such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.
The Company will also transmit to the Depositary (a) English language versions of the other notices, reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) English language versions of the Companys annual and other reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company and at the Companys expense, for the mailing of copies thereof to all Holders, or by any other means as agreed between the Company and the Depositary (at the Companys expense) or make such notices, reports and other communications available for inspection by all Holders, provided, that, the Depositary shall have received evidence sufficiently satisfactory to it, including in the form of an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law or of any other applicable jurisdiction, furnished at the expense of the Company, as the Depositary reasonably requests, that the distribution of such notices, reports and any such other communications to Holders from time to time is valid and does not or will not infringe any local, U.S. or other applicable jurisdiction regulatory restrictions or requirements if so distributed and made available to Holders. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings. The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association along with the provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, in connection with the Shares, in each case, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof, and promptly upon any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of such amendment thereto or change therein, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof. The Depositary may rely upon such copy for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
27
The Depositary will make available, at the expense of the Company, a copy of any such notices, reports or communications issued by the Company and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares governed by such provisions at the Depositarys Corporate Trust Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office.
SECTION 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. The Company agrees that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an issuance, sale or distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering of rights to subscribe for Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an issuance of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an issuance of rights to subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (v) an elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi) a redemption of Deposited Securities, (vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited Securities, or solicitation of consents or proxies, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger, subdivision, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets, (viii) any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of assets which affects the Deposited Securities or (ix) a distribution of property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take all steps necessary to ensure that the application of the proposed transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act or the securities laws of the states of the United States). In support of the foregoing, the Company will furnish to the Depositary at its request, at the Companys expense, (a) a written opinion of U.S. counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating whether or not application of such transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners (1) requires a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and/or (3) dealing with such other issues requested by the Depositary; (b) a written opinion of Cayman Islands counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating that (1) making the transaction available to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of the Cayman Islands and (2) all requisite regulatory consents and approvals have been obtained in the Cayman Islands; and (c) as the Depositary may request, a written Opinion of Counsel in any other jurisdiction in which Holders or Beneficial Owners reside to the effect that making the transaction available to such Holders or Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. If the filing of a registration statement is required, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration statement has been declared effective and that such distribution is in accordance with all applicable laws or regulations. If, being advised by counsel, the Company determines that a transaction is required to be registered under the Securities Act, the Company will either (i) register such transaction to the extent necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the transaction to avoid the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (iii) direct the Depositary to take specific measures, in each case as contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to prevent such transaction from violating the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
28
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates will at any time (i) deposit any Shares or other Deposited Securities, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares or other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired by the Company or by any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for such Shares, securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to subscribe for such securities, unless such transaction and the securities issuable in such transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities Act or have been registered under the Securities Act (and such registration statement has been declared effective).
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any proposed transaction.
SECTION 5.8 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, any Custodian and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any losses, liabilities, taxes, costs, claims, judgments, proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel together with, in each case, value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) (collectively referred to as Losses) which the Depositary or any agent (including without limitation, the Agents) thereof may incur or which may be made against it as a result of or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers and duties under this Agreement or that may arise (a) out of or in connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or withdrawal of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be, (b) out of or in connection with any offering documents in respect thereof or (c) out of or in connection with acts performed or omitted, including, but not limited to, any delivery by the Depositary on behalf of the Company of information regarding the Company in connection with this Deposit Agreement, the Receipts, the American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or any Deposited Securities, in any such case (i) by the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates, except to the extent any such Losses arise out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from any Losses which may arise out of acts performed or omitted to be performed by the Depositary arising out of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Depositary or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and/or Affiliates be liable for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages to the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners or any other person.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an Indemnified Person) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the Indemnifying Person) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such Indemnified Person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such Indemnified Persons rights to indemnification except to the extent the Indemnifying Person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the Indemnifying Person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No Indemnified Person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Indemnifying Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
29
The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any party hereto.
SECTION 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary. The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary the Depositarys fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively as provided for under Article (9) of the Receipt. All fees and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in Section 6.1 hereof. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request.
The Depositary and the Company may reach separate agreement in relation to the payment of any additional remuneration to the Depositary in respect of any exceptional duties which the Depositary finds necessary or desirable and agreed by both parties in the performance of its obligations hereunder and in respect of the actual costs and expenses of the Depositary in respect of any notices required to be given to the Holders in accordance with Article (20) of the Receipt.
In connection with any payment by the Company to the Depositary:
(i) | all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company shall be paid or be procured to be paid by the Company (and any such amounts which are paid by the Depositary shall be reimbursed to the Depositary by the Company upon demand therefor); |
(ii) | such payment shall be subject to all necessary applicable exchange control and other consents and approvals having been obtained. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours to obtain all necessary approvals that are required to be obtained by it in this connection; and |
(iii) | the Depositary may request, in its sole but reasonable discretion after reasonable consultation with the Company, an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law, the laws of the Cayman Islands or of any other relevant jurisdiction, to be furnished at the expense of the Company, if at any time it deems it necessary to seek such an Opinion of Counsel regarding the validity of any action to be taken or instructed to be taken under this Agreement. |
The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees, charges and expenses and to reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary.
30
All payments by the Company to the Depositary under this Clause 5.9 shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim, and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature, imposed by the Cayman Islands or by any department, agency or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.
The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
SECTION 5.10 Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions. From time to time or upon request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Depositary may rely on such list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Memorandum and Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law as if they held the number of Shares their ADSs represent. The Company shall, in accordance with Article (24) of the Receipt, inform Holders and Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any other limitations on ownership of Shares that the Holders and Beneficial Owners may be subject to by reason of the number of ADSs held under the Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law, as such restrictions may be in force from time to time.
The Company may, in its sole discretion, but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, including but not limited to, the removal or limitation of voting rights or the mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADRs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association; provided that any such measures are practicable and legal and can be undertaken without undue burden or expense, and provided further the Depositarys agreement to the foregoing is conditional upon it being advised of any applicable changes in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall have no liability for any actions taken in accordance with such instructions.
31
ARTICLE VI.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1 Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1 and applicable law, the Receipts outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable and not materially prejudicial to the Holders without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commissions, the Depositarys or the Companys website or upon request from the Depositary).The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Share or Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended and supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
32
SECTION 6.2 Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination, provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 hereof, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.6 hereof and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to Deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and American Depositary Shares, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary hereunder. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
33
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1 Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection by any Holder during business hours.
SECTION 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to the extent specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties hereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships.
SECTION 7.3 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares shall be parties to the Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of any Receipt by acceptance hereof or any beneficial interest therein.
SECTION 7.5 Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or electronic transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Puxin Limited, Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100080, the Peoples Republic of China, Attention: Chunxiang Tan or to any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary or at which it may be effectively given such notice in accordance with applicable law.
34
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Companys expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, USA, Attention: ADR Department, telephone: +1 212 250-9100, facsimile: + 1 212 797 0327 or to any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.
Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Companys expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an air courier service. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid, as the case may be.
SECTION 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Subject to the Depositarys rights under the third paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary agree that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto agree that any judgment and/or order from any such New York court can be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Cogency Global Inc., (the Process Agent), now at 10 E. 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10016, United States of America, as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or state court as described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to be available to act as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Process Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Process Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5 hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.
35
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
The Company, the Depositary and by holding an American Depositary Share (or interest therein) Holders and Beneficial Owners each agree that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any claim or dispute or difference of whatever nature between or involving the parties hereto arising directly or indirectly from the relationship created by this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled to refer such dispute or difference for final settlement by arbitration (Arbitration) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the Rules) then in force. The arbitration shall be conducted by three arbitrators, one nominated by the Depositary, one nominated by the Company, and one nominated by the two party-appointed arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the confirmation of the nomination of the second arbitrator. If any arbitrator has not been nominated within the time limits specified herein and in the Rules, then such arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The seat and place of any reference to arbitration shall be New York City, New York, and the procedural law of such arbitration shall be New York law. The language to be used in the arbitration shall be English. The fees of the arbitrator and other costs incurred by the parties in connection with such Arbitration shall be paid by the party or parties that is (are) unsuccessful in such Arbitration.
Holders and Beneficial Owners understand, and holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein, such Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon the Deposit Agreement, American Depositary Shares, Receipts or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or by virtue of ownership thereof, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Holders and Beneficial Owners agree that the provisions of this paragraph shall survive such Holders and Beneficial Owners ownership of American Depositary Shares or interests therein.
36
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.
SECTION 7.7 Assignment. Subject to the provisions and exceptions set forth in Section 5.4 hereof, this Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.
SECTION 7.8 Agents. The Depositary shall be entitled, in its sole but reasonable discretion, to appoint one or more agents (the Agents) of which it shall have control for the purpose, inter alia, of making distributions to the Holders or otherwise carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.
SECTION 7.9 Affiliates etc. The Depositary reserves the right to utilize and retain a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of Shares, rights, securities, property or other entitlements hereunder and to engage in the conversion of Foreign Currency hereunder. It is anticipated that such division and/or Affiliate(s) will charge the Depositary a fee and/or commission in connection with each such transaction, and seek reimbursement of its costs and expenses related thereto. Such fees/commissions, costs and expenses, shall be deducted from amounts distributed hereunder and shall not be deemed to be fees of the Depositary under Article (9) of the Receipt or otherwise. Persons are advised that in converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars the Depositary may utilize Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates (collectively, DBAG) to effect such conversion by seeking to enter into a foreign exchange (FX) transaction with DBAG. When converting currency, the Depositary is not acting as a fiduciary for the holders or beneficial owners of depositary receipts or any other person. Moreover, in executing FX transactions, DBAG will be acting in a principal capacity, and not as agent, fiduciary or broker, and may hold positions for its own account that are the same, similar, different or opposite to the positions of its customers, including the Depositary. When the Depositary seeks to execute an FX transaction to accomplish such conversion, customers should be aware that DBAG is a global dealer in FX for a full range of FX products and, as a result, the rate obtained in connection with any requested foreign currency conversion may be impacted by DBAG executing FX transactions for its own account or with another customer. In addition, in order to source liquidity for any FX transaction relating to any foreign currency conversion, DBAG may internally share economic terms relating to the relevant FX transaction with persons acting in a sales or trading capacity for DBAG or one of its agents. DBAG may charge fees and/or commissions to the Depositary or add a mark-up in connection with such conversions, which are reflected in the rate at which the foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs.
37
SECTION 7.10 Exclusivity. The Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for the issuance or administration of depositary receipts evidencing any class of stock of the Company so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as Depositary hereunder.
SECTION 7.11 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
SECTION 7.12 Titles. All references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. The words this Deposit Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to the Deposit Agreement as a whole as in effect between the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement are included for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Deposit Agreement.
38
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PUXIN LIMITED and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
PUXIN LIMITED |
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS |
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
39
EXHIBIT A
CUSIP
ISIN
American Depositary Shares (Each | ||||
American Depositary Share | ||||
representing [●] | ||||
Fully Paid Ordinary Shares) |
[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
for
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED ORDINARY SHARES
of
Puxin Limited
(Incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands)
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as depositary (herein called the Depositary), hereby certifies that is the owner of American Depositary Shares (hereinafter ADS), representing deposited ordinary shares, each of Par Value of U.S. $[●] including evidence of rights to receive such ordinary shares (the Shares) of Puxin Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (hereinafter referred to), each ADS represents [●] Share[s] deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch (the Custodian). The ratio of Depositary Shares to shares of stock is subject to subsequent amendment as provided in Article IV of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositarys Corporate Trust Office is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts (Receipts), all issued or to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of [●], 2018 (as amended from time to time, the Deposit Agreement), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time, received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, other securities, property and cash are herein called Deposited Securities). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the Custodian.
40
Each owner and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association (as in effect on the date of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. To the extent there is any inconsistency between the terms of this Receipt and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the terms of the Deposit Agreement shall prevail. Prospective and actual Holders and Beneficial Owners are encouraged to read the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the American Depositary Shares into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such American Depositary Shares. The Receipt evidencing the American Depositary Shares held through DTC will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. So long as the American Depositary Shares are held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial interests in the Receipt registered in the name of DTC (or its nominee) will be shown on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by (i) DTC (or its nominee), or (ii) DTC Participants (or their nominees).
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and Article (9) hereof) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.10 of the Deposit Agreement, Article (22) hereof and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby is entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADS so surrendered. ADS may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such ADS (if held in registered form) or by book-entry delivery of such ADS to the Depositary.
41
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect), to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title for the Deposited Securities or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available) as the case may be to or for the account of such person. Subject to Article (4) hereof, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for Delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt of such direction by the Depositary, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by laws of the State of New York, of the United States, of the Cayman Islands and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and expenses incurred by, and charges of, the Depositary, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt(s) (and if necessary, cause the Registrar to countersign such Receipt(s)) and deliver same to or upon the order of the person entitled to such Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
42
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts and ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary or the Company consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Share are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (22) hereof.
The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands, the rules and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are made to provide information as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owner at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to forward any such requests to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
43
(6) Liability of Holder for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining fully liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article (22) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received.
The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
Holders understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which may exceed the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
(7) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares (and the certificates therefor) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares, have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired or been validly waived. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance, cancellation and transfer of ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
44
(8) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, subject as provided below and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, subject as provided below, from time to time to provide to the Depositary such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes and/or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information as the Depositary deems necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Article (22) hereof or the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositarys and the Companys satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Companys sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
(9) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary reserves the right to charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the ADSs are listed:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be);
45
(iii) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs held for the distribution of cash dividends;
(iv) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs held for the distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds, including proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements;
(v) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; and
(vi) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the ADSs an annual fee of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs, such fee to be assessed against Holders of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, any person depositing Shares for deposit and any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex, facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the depositor depositing or person withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs;
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable;
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred by the Depositary or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary from time to time.
46
Any other fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary or the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement shall be for the account of the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (20) hereof.
The Depositary may make payments to the Company and/or may share revenue with the Company derived from fees collected from Holders and Beneficial Owners, upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
(10) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) is transferable by delivery of the Receipt, provided it has been properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, such Receipt being a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes. The Depositary shall have no obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this Receipt registered on the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owners representative is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary.
(11) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose, unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, for the issuance and transfer of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
(12) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositarys or the Registrars knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
47
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (22) hereof.
Dated: | DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST | |||||
COMPANY AMERICAS, as Depositary | ||||||
By: | ||||||
By: |
The address of the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
48
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(13) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis, into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of the applicable fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
49
In the event that (x) the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, (y) if the Company, in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has either (a) furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), or (b) fails to timely deliver the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of taxes and/or governmental charges, and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, upon provision of all documentation required under the Deposit Agreement, (including, without limitation, any legal opinions the Depositary may request under the Deposit Agreement) determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to Article (14) hereof and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If such elective distribution is not lawful or reasonably practicable or if the Depositary did not receive satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the Cayman Islands, in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
50
Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Company shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date and establish procedures (x) to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges). Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public and/or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms hereof and in the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act and/or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes to the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactorily to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
51
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
Upon receipt of a notice regarding property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine, after consultation with the Company, whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes and/or governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the proceeds of such sale received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(14) Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the ADS Record Date), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
52
(15) Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Companys expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary, or in which instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with this Article (15), including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Deposited Securities, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.
53
In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Article (15). Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
(16) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it otherwise is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company shall so requests, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to this form of Receipt specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
54
(17) Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement or otherwise. The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
55
(18) Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Depositary and its directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as Depositary.
(19) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement if a successor depositary has not been appointed), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York and if it shall have not appointed a successor depositary the provisions referred to in Article (21) hereof and correspondingly in the Deposit Agreement shall apply. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under the Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG..
56
(20) Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article (20), and applicable law, this Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges of the Depositary in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commissions, the Depositarys or the Companys website or upon request from the Depositary). The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
57
(21) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments) and except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
58
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
(22) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws; Regulatory Compliance. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
(23) Certain Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
(24) Ownership Restrictions. Owners and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Memorandum and Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law as if they held the number of Shares their American Depositary Shares represent. The Company shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.
(25) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
59
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto whose taxpayer identification number is and whose address including postal zip code is , the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: | Name: |
| ||||
By: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. | ||||||
If the endorsement be executed by an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, the person executing the endorsement must give his/her full title in such capacity and proper evidence of authority to act in such capacity, if not on file with the Depositary, must be forwarded with this Receipt. |
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
60
ARTICLE I. | DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.1 | Affiliate | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.2 | Agent | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.3 | American Depositary Share(s) and ADS(s) | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.4 | Article | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.5 | Articles of Association | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.6 | ADS Record Date | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.7 | Beneficial Owner | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.8 | Business Day | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.9 | Commission | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.10 | Company | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.11 | Corporate Trust Office | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.12 | Custodian | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.13 | Deliver and Delivery | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.14 | Deposit Agreement | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.15 | Depositary | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.16 | Deposited Securities | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.17 | Dollars and $ | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.18 | DRS/Profile | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.19 | DTC | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.20 | DTC Participants | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.21 | Exchange Act | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.22 | Foreign Currency | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.23 | Foreign Registrar | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.24 | Holder | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.25 | Indemnified Person and Indemnifying Person | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.26 | Losses | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.27 | Memorandum | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.28 | Opinion of Counsel | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.29 | Receipt(s); American Depositary Receipt(s); and ADR(s) | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.30 | Registrar | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.34 | Restricted Securities | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.36 | Securities Act | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.37 | Share(s) | 5 | ||||||
SECTION 1.38 | United States or U.S. | 5 | ||||||
ARTICLE II. | APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS | 5 | ||||||
SECTION 2.1 | Appointment of Depositary | 5 | ||||||
SECTION 2.2 | Form and Transferability of Receipts | 5 | ||||||
SECTION 2.3 | Deposits | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.4 | Execution and Delivery of Receipts | 8 | ||||||
SECTION 2.5 | Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of | |||||||
Receipts | 8 | |||||||
SECTION 2.6 | Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited | |||||||
Securities | 9 | |||||||
SECTION 2.7 | Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of | |||||||
Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc. | 10 | |||||||
SECTION 2.8 | Lost Receipts, etc. | 11 |
SECTION 2.9 | Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records | 11 | ||||||
SECTION 2.10 | Maintenance of Records | 11 | ||||||
ARTICLE III. | CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS | 12 | ||||||
SECTION 3.1 | Proofs, Certificates and Other Information | 12 | ||||||
SECTION 3.2 | Liability for Taxes and Other Charges | 12 | ||||||
SECTION 3.3 | Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 3.4 | Compliance with Information Requests | 13 | ||||||
ARTICLE IV | THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES. | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 4.1 | Cash Distributions | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 4.2 | Distribution in Shares | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 4.3 | Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 4.4 | Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares | 16 | ||||||
SECTION 4.5 | Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares | 17 | ||||||
SECTION 4.6 | Conversion of Foreign Currency | 18 | ||||||
SECTION 4.7 | Fixing of Record Date | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 4.8 | Voting of Deposited Securities | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 4.9 | Changes Affecting Deposited Securities | 21 | ||||||
SECTION 4.10 | Available Information | 21 | ||||||
SECTION 4.11 | Reports | 22 | ||||||
SECTION 4.12 | List of Holders | 22 | ||||||
SECTION 4.13 | Taxation; Withholding | 22 | ||||||
ARTICLE V. | THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY | 23 | ||||||
SECTION 5.1 | Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar | 23 | ||||||
SECTION 5.2 | Exoneration | 24 | ||||||
SECTION 5.3 | Standard of Care | 25 | ||||||
SECTION 5.4 | Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary | 26 | ||||||
SECTION 5.5 | The Custodian | 27 | ||||||
SECTION 5.6 | Notices and Reports | 27 | ||||||
SECTION 5.7 | Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. | 28 | ||||||
SECTION 5.8 | Indemnification | 29 | ||||||
SECTION 5.9 | Fees and Charges of Depositary | 30 | ||||||
SECTION 5.10 | Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions | 31 | ||||||
ARTICLE VI. | AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION | 32 | ||||||
SECTION 6.1 | Amendment/Supplement | 32 | ||||||
SECTION 6.2 | Termination | 33 | ||||||
ARTICLE VII. | MISCELLANEOUS | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.1 | Counterparts | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.2 | No Third-Party Beneficiaries | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.3 | Severability | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.4 | Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.5 | Notices | 34 | ||||||
SECTION 7.6 | Governing Law and Jurisdiction | 35 |
62
SECTION 7.7 | Assignment | 37 | ||||||
SECTION 7.8 | Agents | 37 | ||||||
SECTION 7.9 | Affiliates etc | 37 | ||||||
SECTION 7.10 | Exclusivity | 38 | ||||||
SECTION 7.11 | Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws | 38 | ||||||
SECTION 7.12 | Titles | 38 | ||||||
EXHIBIT A | 40 | |||||||
EXHIBIT B | 49 |
63
Exhibit 5.1
Partners: | 1 June 2018 | |||||
Paul Aherne Joanne Collett Mark Cummings Amelia Hall Tim Haynes Fraser Hern Kristen Kwok Arwel Lewis Callum McNeil Jenny Nip Andy Randall James Webb Denise Wong Xu Yin |
* * * **** *** * * ** ** * ** ** * * |
Puxin Limited Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion No. 18 Danling Street Haidian District, Beijing, 100080 Peoples Republic of China
Dear Sirs
PUXIN LIMITED |
We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to Puxin Limited (the Company) in connection with the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the Registration Statement), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the offering by the Company of American Depositary Shares representing the Companys Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.00005 each (the Ordinary Shares). We are furnishing this opinion as exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the originals, copies or translations of the documents listed in Schedule 1.
In giving this opinion we have relied upon the assumptions set out in Schedule 2, which we have not independently verified.
We are Cayman Islands Attorneys at Law and express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands in force and as interpreted at the date of this opinion. We have not, for the purposes of this opinion, made any investigation of the laws, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction.
Based upon the foregoing examinations and assumptions and upon such searches as we have conducted and having regard to legal considerations which we consider relevant, and subject to the qualifications set out in Schedule 3, and under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we give the following opinions in relation to the matters set out below.
1. | The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated with limited liability, validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and is in good standing with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. |
2. | Based on our review of the Amended and Restated M&A (as defined in Schedule 1), the authorised share capital of the Company is currently US$50,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares of par value 0.00005 each. |
Walkers
15th Floor, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
T +852 2284 4566 F +852 2284 4560 www.walkersglobal.com
Bermuda | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Dubai | Dublin | Guernsey | Hong Kong | Jersey | London | Singapore
*Admitted in England and Wales; **Admitted in BVI; ***Admitted in Cayman Islands; ****Admitted in South Australia, Australia
Walkers works in exclusive association with Taylors in Bermuda, a full service commercial law firm providing advice on all aspects of Bermuda law.
WALKERS |
Page 2 |
3. | The issue and allotment of the Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement has been duly authorized. When allotted, issued and fully paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement and when appropriate entries have been made in the Register of Members of the Company, the Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, allotted and fully paid, and there will be no further obligation on the holder of any of the Ordinary Shares to make any further payment to the Company in respect of such Ordinary Shares. |
4. | The statements under the caption Taxation in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects. |
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the headings Enforceability of Civil Liabilities, Legal Matters and elsewhere in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
This opinion is limited to the matters referred to herein and shall not be construed as extending to any other matter or document not referred to herein.
This opinion shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Yours faithfully
/s/ WALKERS
WALKERS
WALKERS |
Page 3 |
SCHEDULE 1
LIST OF DOCUMENTS EXAMINED
1. | The Certificate of Incorporation dated 17 March 2017, Amended Memorandum and Articles of Association as adopted on 5 February 2018, the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as conditionally adopted by special resolution on 17 May 2018 and effective upon the commencement of the trading of the Companys American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the Amended and Restated M&A), the Register of Members, Register of Directors and the Register of Mortgages and Charges of the Company, copies of which have been provided to us by its registered office in the Cayman Islands (together the Company Records). |
2. | A Certificate of Good Standing dated 30 May 2018 in respect of the Company issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the Certificate of Good Standing). |
3. | The Cayman Online Registry Information System (CORIS), the Cayman Islands General Registrys online database, searched on 31 May 2018. |
4. | A copy of executed written resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company dated 17 May 2018, and a copy of executed written resolutions of the shareholders of the Company dated 17 May 2018 (the Resolutions). |
5. | A certificate from a director of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto (the Directors Certificate). |
6. | The Registration Statement. |
WALKERS |
Page 4 |
SCHEDULE 2
ASSUMPTIONS
1. | The originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic. All documents purporting to be sealed have been so sealed. All copies are complete and conform to their originals. Any translations are a true translation of the original document they purport to translate. |
2. | The Company Records are complete and accurate and all matters required by law and the Memorandum and Articles to be recorded therein are completely and accurately so recorded. |
3. | The Contents of the Directors Certificate are true and accurate as at the date of this opinion and there is no information not contained in the Directors Certificate that will in any way affect this Opinion. |
4. | The conversion of the any shares in the capital of the Company will be effected via legally available means under Cayman law. |
WALKERS |
Page 5 |
SCHEDULE 3
QUALIFICATIONS
1. | Our opinion as to good standing is based solely upon receipt of the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar. The Company shall be deemed to be in good standing under section 200A of the Companies Law on the date of issue of the certificate if all fees and penalties under the Companies Law have been paid and the Registrar has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Companies Law. |
2. | We accept no responsibility for any liability in relation to any opinion which was given in reliance on the Directors Certificate. |
WALKERS |
Page 6 |
Puxin Limited
Floor 16, Chuangfu Mansion, No. 18 Danling Street
Haidian District, Beijing, 100080
Peoples Republic of China
1 June 2018
Walkers
15/F Alexandra House
18 Chater Road
Central
Hong Kong
Dear Sirs,
Puxin Limited (the Company) Directors Certificate
I, Yunlong Sha, being a director of the Company, am aware that you are being asked to provide a legal opinion (the Opinion) in relation to certain aspects of Cayman Islands law. Capitalised terms used in this certificate have the meaning given to them in the Opinion. I hereby certify that:
1. | the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as adopted by special resolution passed on 17 May 2018 remain in full force and effect and are otherwise unamended; |
2. | the written resolutions of the shareholders dated 17 May 2018 were executed (and where by a corporate entity such execution has been duly authorised if so required) by and on behalf of all shareholders in the manner prescribed in the articles of association of the Company, the signatures and initials thereon are those of a person or persons in whose name the resolutions have been expressed to be signed, are in full force and effect at the date hereof and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect; |
3. | the written resolutions of the board of directors dated 17 May 2018 were executed by all the directors in the manner prescribed in the articles of association of the Company, the signatures and initials thereon are those of a person or persons in whose name the resolutions have been expressed to be signed, are in full force and effect at the date hereof and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect; and |
4. | there is no contractual or other prohibition (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting it from issuing and allotting the Ordinary Shares. |
I confirm that you may continue to rely on this Certificate as being true and correct on the day that you issue the Opinion unless I have previously notified you personally to the contrary.
[Signature Page to Follow]
WALKERS |
Page 7 |
Signature: /s/ Yunlong Sha
Yunlong Sha
Director
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-225047 of our report dated March 23, 2018 (April 27, 2018 as to the convenience translation described in Note 2) relating to the consolidated financial statements of Puxin Limited, its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) and VIEs subsidiaries and schools as of and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts) appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the headings Experts in such Prospectus.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Beijing, the Peoples Republic of China
June 1, 2018
ZMOK7+<)1$HB
M41*)P2B*03 '3TU*J!7$JF(B/34*PP4*(E$2B)1$HB41*(E$2B)1$HB41*(E
M$4HF /*/94@$F@14A'4=1XU;P1W2BA52234HE0B41*(E$2B)1$HB41*(E$2B
M)1$HB41*(H".E2 2:!%2$1'I_0JP!::G@B5E4)1$HB41*(E$2B)11P4HC4JI
M-5"BA*(IJPN=T-X+*H51$HB41*(E$2B)1$HB41*(E$2B)1% 3 7IUXT14Q'7
MV/S<1K*UM,2H6D9!'2TY%4.!T'EON$C<-2JH7+#JIF#4. E.4*V>CXZBQIX%
MD@/>,3P5I-?J-+>[I;)"1WQ-&0LL?@<_D,/R1K7C@.\MR[!Q[ZDJ55*(E$2B
M)1$HBZ#7&65*(E$2B)1$HB41:D^^_>V_X.7=_I]H5LH?JF?\_#^+,M1/]>6W
M[-"*G[%6)H?!X(K&1DHZ(8NI.7D&,5&LDA7>2$D
M[;L$OPEG3QTHFW;I%ZS', 5:&&:XE;# QTDSC0-:"YQ/4 *DGO+!<7-O9
MP.N;N1D5LP5<][@UK1UESB !W25X 575W=7UPZZO9'RW+S5SWN+G$]9)))7M%E86>G6S++3XHX+2,4:R-
MH8UHZ@UH 'O+.B(!\KKK" 2:!U
L>W\ZB*6B*-%)-, E%"Z17&67@H5*J37 )P*'YN/Z-0K*D)M?8HG!2T
M1*(E$6IO?OWMO^#=X?Z=:%;.'ZIG_/P_BS+57'UW:_LUQ^/;K;*UBVJ41*(O
M@9XV&&L+0F.8/-K6TRL\XWEDJU;6>7U^?5)-OOF+MNP6DD@C+6^"]TC,6NIFJ2\D@DBA
MX<%\=>U3M?:UIHD.ZX[<-W9=7T,3IFN=5\;89*A[:EE V-H:0T&H&/$'\W5?
M5J^'4HBM'#I-N74?..(>:77CU\1["UC?(&CNK)!;OG=48,Z3]G2M?6547.)U
M!U$>CYD #L .@*X;G%QJ>*W,3(XFY6#!4:A2E$5RFX4)P-YQ>P?A>T/3QJ%#
MH^@X%7Q%2*= Z#\X(:#I^?18G-+>*QK_ /70_8P_LCU(7,M_%'?5B8H:+
M.#0U5D=(HB *$(1X0;E:2/":MZF]N.?
3-N1[E,C@PF9.$#J)F<-B 8 '9,Y7;"UB*2]T+7NST^U<(YWS-;02$4:X.
M<80&O()'C T(:XT6J?SDYEZ'/%IVX]M=IJEXTRVS('OJ8@:N:YC1.XNC:0'>
M(02"Y@JOM[C"YKCO'&U@W9=]KK61=ET6;;EP7'9KA191Q: TN+7AHSE#I,PP=NF4I,JEB7VLV)$O'CA6$N^';+**
MLDG;&:=VO=D<@HIY[A@VFHY<[4Y]3B1-,P^=K5'#,SNJ 1')W%]?S!RF$-==
M!$.CIT$ UK@KFK'R,+$7"T/%3T1&3D8LHD=Q&RT>TE&"PH*D51.LS>HK-SF1
M5*!BB)1$I@ 0T&N1;W5W92BXLY)(;@ T
M;CO=8@T2YN-%C$NK,B)B92H+JCH^,0VI#?C$ =-%W#:NEZ#)KMK
M;ZV\Q:4^4"62M"&T/QOB@NH"X#P02>BJ^_&%;O\ "YV*[Q\UWC@?)>2;_FF.
M*+3@\28\QK,W#DBTKXO*[%KA2NO%4+<,(TG$[PF9!_&6XNS]8N5&D:Z<'%-4
MZB1B(^*:C9
W@@-RYT\LK61/BC9E+)G-<6Y&@&4.R#,X 5 !J
M?=['4N6>P]UW5YI%S
%CV-D-:]59):>O+'\:5W'"@T0$Z#IH#X6I5M29XKRZ
MABDMX9)&02@"1K7$->&FK0]H(#@#B X&AQ"XDVGV=Q/%
!/O+LSW^DM;/RQKN9
MBML'B"W'"'QWEO*ELRT/@.VG,1>]D[?+KEK5SY<-LRALG^KEK>PV>$D=^4.@JY"J?UVA3^_6=MU,T<:CNKAR:;9R'Q,O>-/\BRZ-UZ:>DM
MX=)T%-/ZQ0!Z_P!-7(;?_=MIWEP9=&%:QOPZB/XQ\"N_C*P?@5
&GL!Y:<57Q^Y19)!?O/,/\,.OYX.CVS5R5QI(\OA-X
M*^$Q$D^=0Y4R ',)SF I2ZZ#P,(](UA<1ES'P1_"L36N>
'L<.@C^$'@0<"*@K@:EIUGJ]A-IFH,$EE/&6/:>D'N]
M!'$$8@T(Q7X3O$R\+K*6RS((3MH,+DR-M[NE^RB;!O$A/C!>#)^G!LGDM$WY
M%6["M48