Skip to main content

Newsroom

RLX Technology Announces Unaudited Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

BEIJING, Aug. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RLX Technology Inc. ("RLX Technology" or the "Company") (NYSE: RLX), a leading branded e-vapor company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Net revenues were RMB2,541.4 million (US$393.6 million), representing an increase of 6.0% from RMB2,398.5 million in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Gross margin was 45.1%, compared to 46.0% in the first quarter of 2021.
  • U.S. GAAP net income was RMB824.3 million (US$127.7 million), compared with U.S. GAAP net loss of RMB267.0 million in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Non-GAAP net income[1] was RMB651.8 million (US$100.9 million), representing an increase of 6.8% from RMB610.5 million in the first quarter of 2021.

[1] Non-GAAP net (loss)/income is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

 

"In the second quarter of 2021, our business continued to develop as we increased our efforts to further improve underage protection and product safety," said Ms. Ying (Kate) Wang, Co-founder, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of RLX Technology. "With our strategic focus on technology investment and brand building, we strive to make RELX a trusted brand for adult smokers with state-of-the-art products, industry-leading technologies and scientific advances. Going forward, we will further enhance investments in scientific research, strengthen our distribution and retail network, and improve our supply chain and production capabilities, to create more value for our users and shareholders alike."

Second Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

Net revenues increased by 6.0% to RMB2,541.4 million (US$393.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB2,398.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net revenues from sales to offline distributors, which was mainly attributable to the expansion of the Company's distribution and retail network. The Company believes that the slowdown in Q2 quarterly sequential revenue growth was primarily due to external factors including the negative publicity on the e-vapor industry in the latter half of the second quarter, coupled with the fact that the draft new rules announced on March 22, 2021 had not been formally confirmed and no new implementation details had been revealed, which had an adverse impact on our sales. Impacts from such external factors, along with recent extreme weather in several provinces of China and tightened social restrictions on a national level due to delta outbreaks, may persist after the second quarter and be difficult to predict.

Gross profit increased by 3.8% to RMB1,146.5 million (US$177.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB1,104.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Gross margin was 45.1% in the second quarter of 2021, compared to 46.0% in the first quarter of 2021.

Operating expenses were RMB167.2 million (US$25.9 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of 86.3% from RMB1,216.0 million in the first quarter of 2021. The significant decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to the recognition of share-based compensation expenses of positive RMB172.5 million (US$26.7 million), consisting of (i) share-based compensation expenses of positive RMB51.5 million (US$8.0 million) recognized in selling expenses, (ii) share-based compensation expenses of positive RMB41.4 million (US$6.4 million) recognized in general and administrative expenses, and (iii) share-based compensation expenses of positive RMB79.7 million (US$12.3 million) recognized in research and development expenses. The significant fluctuations in share-based compensation expenses were primarily due to the changes in the fair value of the share incentive awards that the Company granted to its employees as affected by the significant fluctuations of the share price of the Company.

Selling expenses decreased by 56.8% to RMB126.0 million (US$19.5 million) in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB291.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by (i) the fluctuation of share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits, partially offset by an increase in branding material expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 93.5% to RMB46.1 million (US$7.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB712.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by (i) the fluctuation of the share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits, partially offset by an increase in legal and other consulting fees.

Research and development expenses decreased by 102.3% to positive RMB4.9 million (US$0.8 million) in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB211.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by (i) the fluctuation of the share-based compensation expenses, (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits, partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses.

Income from operations was RMB979.3 million (US$151.7 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with loss from operations of RMB111.9 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Income tax expense was RMB204.2 million (US$31.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with RMB176.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in taxable income.

U.S. GAAP net income was RMB824.3 million (US$127.7 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with U.S. GAAP net loss of RMB267.0 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP net income was RMB651.8 million (US$100.9 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 6.8% from RMB610.5 million in the first quarter of 2021.

U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per American depositary share ("ADS") were RMB0.595 (US$0.092) and RMB0.591 (US$0.092), respectively, in the second quarter of 2021, compared to U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS of both RMB0.174 in the first quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS[2] were RMB0.470 (US$0.073) and RMB0.467 (US$0.072), respectively, in the second quarter of 2021, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS of both RMB0.398 in the first quarter of 2021.

[2] Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

 

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term bank deposits, short-term investments and long-term bank deposits of RMB14,880.8 million (US$2,304.7 million), compared to RMB14,437.8 million as of March 31, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, approximately US$1,642.9 million (RMB10,610.1 million) was denominated in U.S. dollars.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on August 20, 2021 (8:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on August 20, 2021).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States (toll free):

+1-888-317-6003

International:

+1-412-317-6061

Hong Kong, China (toll free):

+800-963-976

Hong Kong, China:

+852-5808-1995

Mainland China:

400-120-6115

Participant Code:

3064741

 

Participants should dial-in at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "RLX Technology Inc." with the Participant Code as set forth above.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.relxtech.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until August 27, 2021, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

 

United States:

+1-877-344-7529

International:

+1-412-317-0088

Replay Access Code:

10159403

 

About RLX Technology Inc.

RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) is a leading branded e-vapor company in China. The Company leverages its strong in-house technology and product development capabilities and in-depth insights into adult smokers' needs to develop superior e-vapor products. RLX Technology Inc. sells its products through an integrated offline distribution and "branded store plus" retail model tailored to China's e-vapor market.

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

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses Non-GAAP net income and Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is computed using Non-GAAP net income and the same number of ADSs used in U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income/(loss) per ADS calculation.

The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company believes that they help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that are included in net income/(loss). The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance, as they could provide useful information about its operating results, enhances the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management in its financial and operational decision making.

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. They should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income/(loss), basic and diluted net income/(loss) per ADS or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review its historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures 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. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

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

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB are made at a rate of RMB6.4566 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on June 30, 2021 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollars amounts referred could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; trends and competition in China's e-vapor market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; PRC governmental policies, laws and regulations relating to the Company's industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is current as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

In China:

RLX Technology Inc.
Head of Investor Relations
Sam Tsang
Email: ir@relxtech.com 

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: RLX@tpg-ir.com 

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: RLX@tpg-ir.com

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 
 

As of

 

December 31

June 30,

June 30,

 

2020

2021

2021

 

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

     

Current assets: 

     

Cash and cash equivalents

1,113,988

6,525,659

1,010,696

Restricted cash

340,813

500

77

Short-term bank deposits

493,282

2,300,950

356,372

Receivables from online payment platforms

862

2,706

419

Short-term investments

1,473,349

3,547,674

549,465

Accounts and notes receivable

20,089

22,794

3,530

Inventories, net

329,123

649,707

100,627

Amounts due from related parties

21,006

5,027

779

Prepayments and other current assets

74,383

316,623

49,039

Total current assets

3,866,895

13,371,640

2,071,004

Non-current assets: 

     

Property, equipment and leasehold improvement, net

74,500

120,748

18,701

Intangible assets, net

5,393

6,816

1,056

Long-term investments

4,000

12,000

1,859

Deferred tax assets

6,000

815

126

Right-of-use assets, net

91,743

101,857

15,776

Long-term bank deposits

-

2,506,002

388,130

Other non-current assets

11,354

25,099

3,887

Total non-current assets

192,990

2,773,337

429,535

Total assets

4,059,885

16,144,977

2,500,539

       

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts and notes payable

1,459,782

2,177,407

337,237

Contract liabilities

320,434

118,093

18,290

Salary and welfare benefits payable

179,558

321,837

49,846

Taxes payable

363,644

357,494

55,369

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

116,929

263,771

40,853

Amounts due to related parties

11,174

-

-

Lease liabilities - current portion

45,073

54,751

8,480

Total current liabilities 

2,496,594

3,293,353

510,075

       

Non-current liabilities:

     

Deferred tax liabilities

5,210

5,210

807

Lease liabilities - non-current portion

49,448

49,824

7,717

Total non-current liabilities

54,658

55,034

8,524

Total liabilities

2,551,252

3,348,387

518,599

       

Shareholders' equity:

     

Ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value; 15,000,000,000 shares
    authorized; 1,436,815,570 shares issued and outstanding as of
    December 31, 2020; 1,570,790,570 shares issued and
    1,345,854,800 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021)

94

103

16

Additional paid in capital

1,589,857

12,329,779

1,909,640

Statutory reserves

1,000

1,000

155

(Accumulated deficit)/retained earnings

(81,640)

475,635

73,666

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(678)

(9,927)

(1,537)

Total shareholders' equity

1,508,633

12,796,590

1,981,940

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

4,059,885

16,144,977

2,500,539

 

 

 

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 
 

For the three months ended

 

For the six months ended

 

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

 

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

 

2020

2021

2021

2021

 

2020

2021

2021

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 

RMB

RMB

US$

                 

Net revenues

712,500

2,398,496

2,541,402

393,613

 

1,081,102

4,939,898

765,093

Cost of revenues

(450,069)

(1,294,423)

(1,394,916)

(216,045)

 

(685,221)

(2,689,339)

(416,526)

Gross profit

262,431

1,104,073

1,146,486

177,568

 

395,881

2,250,559

348,567

                 

Operating expenses:

               

Selling expenses

(85,756)

(291,535)

(126,005)

(19,516)

 

(159,821)

(417,540)

(64,669)

General and administrative expenses

(36,426)

(712,814)

(46,056)

(7,133)

 

(70,111)

(758,870)

(117,534)

Research and development expenses

(27,573)

(211,634)

4,911

761

 

(51,850)

(206,723)

(32,017)

Total operating expenses

(149,755)

(1,215,983)

(167,150)

(25,888)

 

(281,782)

(1,383,133)

(214,220)

                 

Income/(loss) from operations

112,676

(111,910)

979,336

151,680

 

114,099

867,426

134,347

                 

Other income/(expense):

               

Interest income, net

8,835

9,414

16,069

2,489

 

13,487

25,483

3,947

Investment income

1,367

14,927

23,868

3,697

 

2,889

38,795

6,009

Others, net

315

(3,167)

9,185

1,423

 

12,954

6,018

932

Income/(loss) before income tax

123,193

(90,736)

1,028,458

159,289

 

143,429

937,722

145,235

Income tax expense

(34,482)

(176,293)

(204,154)

(31,619)

 

(42,619)

(380,447)

(58,924)

Net income/(loss)

88,711

(267,029)

824,304

127,670

 

100,810

557,275

86,311

                 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income:

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(209)

175,523

(184,772)

(28,618)

 

513

(9,249)

(1,432)

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income

(209)

175,523

(184,772)

(28,618)

 

513

(9,249)

(1,432)

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

88,502

(91,506)

639,532

99,052

 

101,323

548,026

84,879

                 

Net income/(loss) per ordinary share/ADS

               

- Basic

0.062

(0.174)

0.595

0.092

 

0.070

0.382

0.059

- Diluted

0.062

(0.174)

0.591

0.092

 

0.070

0.381

0.059

                 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares/ADSs

               

- Basic

1,436,815,570

1,532,086,681

1,385,410,036

1,385,410,036

 

1,436,815,570

1,457,602,981

1,457,602,981

- Diluted

1,436,815,570

1,532,086,681

1,394,565,595

1,394,565,595

 

1,436,815,570

1,462,159,428

1,462,159,428

 

 

 

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 
 

For the three months ended

 

For the six months ended

 

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

 

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

 

2020

2021

2021

2021

 

2020

2021

2021

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 

RMB

RMB

US$

Net income/(loss)

88,711

(267,029)

824,304

127,670

 

100,810

557,275

86,311

Add: share-based compensation expenses

               

       Selling expenses

5,669

120,703

(51,473)

(7,972)

 

9,295

69,230

10,722

       General and administrative
        expenses

6,553

618,493

(41,404)

(6,413)

 

11,475

577,089

89,380

       Research and development expenses

8,816

138,313

(79,666)

(12,339)

 

14,071

58,647

9,083

Non-GAAP net income

109,749

610,480

651,761

100,946

 

135,651

1,262,241

195,496

                 

Non-GAAP net income per ordinary
   share/ADS

               

- Basic

0.076

0.398

0.470

0.073

 

0.094

0.866

0.134

- Diluted

0.076

0.398

0.467

0.072

 

0.094

0.863

0.134

Weighted average number of ordinary
   shares/ADSs

               

- Basic

1,436,815,570

1,532,086,681

1,385,410,036

1,385,410,036

 

1,436,815,570

1,457,602,981

1,457,602,981

- Diluted

1,436,815,570

1,532,086,681

1,394,565,595

1,394,565,595

 

1,436,815,570

1,462,159,428

1,462,159,428

 

 

 

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 
 

For the three months ended

 

For the six months ended

 

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

 

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

 

2020

2021

2021

2021

 

2020

2021

2021

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 

RMB

RMB

US$

Net cash generated from operating activities

570,525

827,565

649,441

100,585

 

500,434

1,477,006

228,759

Net cash used in investing activities

(829,091)

(2,814,247)

(3,620,360)

(560,722)

 

(1,896,193)

(6,434,607)

(996,594)

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

234,948

10,037,422

(6,174)

(956)

 

1,051,268

10,031,248

1,553,642

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents
   and restricted cash

6,425

144,226

(146,515)

(22,692)

 

14,090

(2,289)

(355)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents and
   restricted cash

(17,193)

8,194,966

(3,123,608)

(483,785)

 

(330,401)

5,071,358

785,452

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the
   period

170,884

1,454,801

9,649,767

1,494,558

 

484,092

1,454,801

225,321

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the
   period

153,691

9,649,767

6,526,159

1,010,773

 

153,691

6,526,159

1,010,773

 

 

SOURCE RLX Technology Inc.