Aurora Mobile Limited Announces Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurora Mobile Limited (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: JG), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

• Revenues were RMB74.1 million (US$10.2 million), a decrease of 8% year-over-year.
• Cost of revenues was RMB21.8 million (US$3.0 million), a decrease of 18% year-over-year.
• Gross profit was RMB52.3 million (US$7.2 million), a decrease of 3% year-over-year.
• Total operating expenses were RMB60.0 million (US$8.2 million), a decrease of 25% year-over-year.
• Net loss was RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million), compared with a net loss of RMB20.7 million for the same quarter last year.
• Net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders was RMB6.8 million (US$0.9 million), compared with a net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders of RMB20.4 million for the same quarter last year.
• Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB14.5 million for the same quarter last year.
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was at positive RMB4.5 million (US$0.6 million), compared with a negative RMB6.7 million for the same quarter last year.

Mr. Weidong Luo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Mobile, commented, “This 3rd quarter of 2023 has been a great quarter for us operationally and financially. Firstly, two of our business lines recorded sequential revenue growth in each of the 3 quarters of 2023. In particular, Developer Services - Subscription revenues grew 15% quarter-over-quarter and Vertical Applications revenue grew 6% quarter-over-quarter driven by Financial Risk Management revenue grew 11% quarter-over-quarter. Secondly, our gross profits in absolute dollar terms also grew in each of the 3 quarters in 2023. Thirdly, we achieved yet another lowest OPEX since IPO in this quarter. Last, but not least, we achieved Adjusted EBITDA positive this quarter.

Developer Services - Subscription revenues were RMB46.7 million, up 12% year-over-year and 15% quarter-over-quarter. This was mainly driven by increases in both ARPU and customer numbers year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter.

Our overseas product, EngageLab, has reached major key milestones in this quarter:

(1)   we now have more than 100 paying customers;

(2)   these customers came from 16 different countries and regions (including Hong Kong and Taiwan). In this quarter alone, we added 4 new countries;

(3)   Thirdly, the cumulative signed contract value has exceeded RMB10 million.

Vertical Applications recorded the quarterly revenue growth in each of the quarters in 2023. In Q3’2023, it grew another 6% quarter-over-quarter fueled by the strong revenue growth from the Financial Risk Management segment.”  

Mr. Shan-Nen Bong, Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Mobile, added, “In Q3’2023, we have yet another record low quarterly operating expenses at RMB60.0 million. The 3^rd quarter operating expenses was down 25% year-over-year and 6% quarter-over-quarter. Maintaining low level of operating expenses is of critical importance to us. This was the main reason why we are able to record the lowest quarterly net loss in since IPO and turned Adjusted EBITDA positive in this quarter.

Our AR turnover days was at a healthy level of 40 days in this quarter. This is relatively consistent year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter.

Total Deferred Revenue, which represents cash collected in advance from customers for future contract performance, continued to be at high balance of RMB130.6 million. This is the 7^th consecutive quarter where our deferred revenue balance has exceeded RMB130 million.”

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Revenues were RMB74.1 million (US$10.2 million), a decrease of 8% from RMB80.4 million in the same quarter of last year, attributable to a 10% decrease in revenue from Developer Services (mainly due to weakness in Value-Added Service revenue) and a 4% decrease in revenue from Vertical Applications.

Cost of revenues was RMB21.8 million (US$3.0 million), a decrease of 18% from RMB26.4 million in the same quarter of last year. The decrease was mainly due to a RMB8.5 million decrease in media cost, which is partially offset by a RMB1.9 million increase in technical service fee and a RMB1.8 million increase in short message cost.

Gross profit was RMB52.3 million (US$7.2 million), a decrease of 3% from RMB54.0 million in the same quarter of last year. The gross profit grew sequentially in each of the first 3 quarters of 2023 and recorded the highest quarterly number in 2023 to-date.

Total operating expenses were RMB60.0 million (US$8.2 million), a decrease of 25% from RMB80.0 million in the same quarter of last year.

• Research and development expenses were RMB32.8 million (US$4.5 million), a decrease of 14% from RMB38.3 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB5.1 million decrease in bandwidth costs, a RMB4.7 million decrease in personnel costs, and a RMB4.5 million decrease in depreciation expense. The impact is partially offset by a RMB7.0 million increase in cloud costs.
• Sales and marketing expenses were RMB21.8 million (US$3.0 million), a decrease of 10% from RMB24.2 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB3.0 million decrease in personnel costs.
• General and administrative expenses were RMB5.4 million (US$0.7 million), a decrease of 69% from RMB17.6 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB2.9 million decrease in personnel costs, a RMB1.0 million decrease in professional fee, and an one-time RMB7.6 million gain on disposal of property and equipment.

Loss from operations was RMB7.7 million (US$1.1 million), compared with RMB26.0 million in the same quarter of last year. The loss from operations reduced by 70% year-over-year.

Net Loss was RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million), compared with RMB20.7 million in the same quarter of last year. The net loss reduced by 66% year-over-year.

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB14.5 million in the same quarter of last year.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) turned positive at RMB4.5 million (US$0.6 million) compared with a negative RMB6.7 million for the same quarter of last year.

The cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investment were RMB98.4 million (US$13.5 million) as of September 30, 2023 compared with RMB116.3 million as of December 31, 2022.

Update on Share Repurchase

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had repurchased a total of 2,685,312 ADS, of which 854,213 ADSs, were repurchased during the third quarter in 2023.

Conference Call

The Company will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:30 p.m. Beijing time on the same day).

All participants must register in advance to join the conference using the link provided below. Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Conference access information will be provided upon registration.

Participant Online Registration: 
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI9ad70a87fcb9492a9f1ae13d03b3126 ...

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Aurora Mobile’s website at https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company defines adjusted net income/ (loss) as net loss excluding share-based compensation, reduction in force charges, impairment of long-term investment and change in fair value of foreign currency swap contract. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding interest expense, depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of land use right, income tax expenses/(benefits), share-based compensation, reduction in force charges, impairment of long-term investment and change in fair value of foreign currency swap contract.

The Company believes that adjusted net income/ (loss) and adjusted EBITDA help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that it includes in loss from operations and net loss.

The Company believes that adjusted net income/ (loss) and adjusted EBITDA provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management in their 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. One of the key limitations of using adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company’s operations. Further, the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance. The Company encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included at the end of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its 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 Aurora Mobile’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: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Aurora Mobile Limited

Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises' digital transformation.

For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact: 
Aurora Mobile Limited 
[e-mail]

Christensen 
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

In U.S.
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Footnote:

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of September 29, 2023.

AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares and per share data)
		Three months ended												Nine months ended
		September 30, 2022			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2023						September 30, 2022			September 30, 2023
		RMB			RMB			RMB			US$			RMB			RMB			US$
Revenues		80,431			73,331			74,058			10,150			241,908			212,822			29,170
Cost of revenues		(26,403	)		(25,620	)		(21,756	)		(2,982	)		(75,904	)		(66,817	)		(9,158	)
Gross profit		54,028			47,711			52,302			7,168			166,004			146,005			20,012
Operating expenses
Research and development		(38,275	)		(30,243	)		(32,797	)		(4,495	)		(119,047	)		(94,721	)		(12,983	)
Sales and marketing		(24,178	)		(20,009	)		(21,750	)		(2,981	)		(73,787	)		(60,649	)		(8,313	)
General and administrative(1)		(17,569	)		(13,873	)		(5,436	)		(745	)		(69,366	)		(33,582	)		(4,603	)
Total operating expenses		(80,022	)		(64,125	)		(59,983	)		(8,221	)		(262,200	)		(188,952	)		(25,899	)
Loss from operations		(25,994	)		(16,414	)		(7,681	)		(1,053	)		(96,196	)		(42,947	)		(5,887	)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net		(449	)		(118	)		26			4			(3,713	)		(67	)		(9	)
Interest income		276			354			269			37			1,915			953			131
Interest expenses		(194	)		(218	)		(209	)		(29	)		(2,815	)		(650	)		(89	)
Other income/ (expenses)		5,479			(7,514	)		411			56			24,010			(3,787	)		(519	)
Change in fair value of structured deposits		49			-			11			2			52			24			3
Change in fair value of foreign currency swap contract		-			-			-			-			764			-			-
Loss before income taxes		(20,833	)		(23,910	)		(7,173	)		(983	)		(75,983	)		(46,474	)		(6,370	)
Income tax benefits/ (expenses)		110			179			177			24			(25	)		506			69
Net loss		(20,723	)		(23,731	)		(6,996	)		(959	)		(76,008	)		(45,968	)		(6,301	)
Less: net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests		(296	)		(715	)		(225	)		(31	)		(2,357	)		(1,115	)		(153	)
Net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders		(20,427	)		(23,016	)		(6,771	)		(928	)		(73,651	)		(44,853	)		(6,148	)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders		(20,427	)		(23,016	)		(6,771	)		(928	)		(73,651	)		(44,853	)		(6,148	)
Net loss per share, for Class A and Class B common shares:
Class A and B Common Shares - basic and diluted		(0.26	)		(0.29	)		(0.08	)		(0.01	)		(0.93	)		(0.56	)		(0.08	)
Shares used in net loss per share computation:
Class A Common Shares - basic and diluted		62,306,416			62,943,573			62,731,319			62,731,319			62,168,880			62,813,504			62,813,504
Class B Common Shares - basic and diluted		17,000,189			17,000,189			17,000,189			17,000,189			17,000,189			17,000,189			17,000,189
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		3,472			2,787			(343	)		(47	)		7,300			1,640			225
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax		3,472			2,787			(343	)		(47	)		7,300			1,640			225
Total comprehensive loss		(17,251	)		(20,944	)		(7,339	)		(1,006	)		(68,708	)		(44,328	)		(6,076	)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests		(296	)		(715	)		(225	)		(31	)		(2,357	)		(1,115	)		(153	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders		(16,955	)		(20,229	)		(7,114	)		(975	)		(66,351	)		(43,213	)		(5,923	)
(1) Starting from January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses.

AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
		As of
		December 31, 2022			September 30, 2023
		RMB			RMB			US$
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		116,128			87,890			12,046
Restricted cash		132			491			67
Short-term investment		-			10,000			1,371
Accounts receivable		29,727			31,255			4,284
Prepayments and other current assets		30,401			23,650			3,242
Amounts due from a related party		255			-			-
Total current assets		176,643			153,286			21,010
Non-current assets:
Long-term investments		141,901			134,941			18,495
Property and equipment, net		14,947			1,939			266
Operating lease right-of-use assets(2)		33,756			6,556			899
Intangible assets, net		23,947			19,539			2,678
Goodwill		37,785			37,785			5,179
Other non-current assets		4,128			5,456			748
Total non-current assets		256,464			206,216			28,265
Total assets		433,107			359,502			49,275
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term loan		5,000			5,000			685
Accounts payable		18,169			20,229			2,773
Deferred revenue and customer deposits		138,804			130,588			17,899
Operating lease liabilities(2)		18,133			6,393			876
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities		75,333			70,956			9,725
Total current liabilities		255,439			233,166			31,958
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred revenue		3,585			-			-
Operating lease liabilities(2)		6,959			968			133
Deferred tax liabilities		4,824			4,303			590
Other non-current liabilities		4,058			560			77
Total non-current liabilities		19,426			5,831			800
Total liabilities		274,865			238,997			32,758
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		30,552			29,864			4,093
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares		50			50			7
Treasury shares		(1,689	)		(1,859	)		(255	)
Additional paid-in capital		1,037,007			1,043,930			143,083
Accumulated deficit		(925,982	)		(971,424	)		(133,145	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		18,304			19,944			2,734
Total shareholders’ equity		127,690			90,641			12,424
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity		433,107			359,502			49,275
(2) The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and the respective updates for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Results for three months ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 are presented under the new accounting standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company's historical accounting practices under ASC 840.

AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
		Three months ended												Nine months ended
		September 30, 2022			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2023						September 30, 2022			September 30, 2023
		RMB			RMB			RMB			US$			RMB			RMB			US$
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss/ (Income):
Net loss		(20,723	)		(23,731	)		(6,996	)		(959	)		(76,008	)		(45,968	)		(6,301	)
Add:
Share-based compensation		4,470			4,168			2,848			390			14,654			10,054			1,378
Reduction in force charges		1,712			1,051			619			85			5,903			2,358			323
Impairment of long-term investment		-			9,660			5,604			768			7,016			15,264			2,092
Change in fair value of foreign currency swap contract		-			-			-			-			(764	)		-			-
Adjusted net (loss)/ income		(14,541	)		(8,852	)		2,075			284			(49,199	)		(18,292	)		(2,508	)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net loss		(20,723	)		(23,731	)		(6,996	)		(959	)		(76,008	)		(45,968	)		(6,301	)
Add:
Income tax (benefits)/ expenses		(110	)		(179	)		(177	)		(24	)		25			(506	)		(69	)
Interest expenses		194			218			209			29			2,815			650			89
Depreciation of property and equipment		5,868			1,799			868			119			18,854			4,853			665
Amortization of intangible assets		1,665			1,589			1,519			208			4,412			4,714			646
Amortization of land use right		183			811			-			-			183			994			136
EBITDA		(12,923	)		(19,493	)		(4,577	)		(627	)		(49,719	)		(35,263	)		(4,834	)
Add:
Share-based compensation		4,470			4,168			2,848			390			14,654			10,054			1,378
Reduction in force charges		1,712			1,051			619			85			5,903			2,358			323
Impairment of long-term investment		-			9,660			5,604			768			7,016			15,264			2,092
Change in fair value of foreign currency swap contract		-			-			-			-			(764	)		-			-
Adjusted EBITDA		(6,741	)		(4,614	)		4,494			616			(22,910	)		(7,587	)		(1,041	)

AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
UNAUDITED SAAS BUSINESSES REVENUE
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
		Three months ended												Nine months ended
		September 30, 2022			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2023						September 30, 2022			September 30, 2023
		RMB			RMB			RMB			US$			RMB			RMB			US$
Developer Services		57,003			52,072			51,534			7,063			172,009			149,071			20,432
Subscription		41,692			40,526			46,659			6,395			114,391			124,693			17,091
Value-Added Services		15,311			11,546			4,875			668			57,618			24,378			3,341
Vertical Applications		23,428			21,259			22,524			3,087			69,899			63,751			8,738
Total Revenue		80,431			73,331			74,058			10,150			241,908			212,822			29,170
Gross Profits		54,028			47,711			52,302			7,168			166,004			146,005			20,012
Gross Margin		67.2	%		65.1	%		70.6	%		70.6	%		68.6	%		68.6	%		68.6	%