BEIJING, Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Waterdrop Inc. (“Waterdrop”, the “Company” or “we”) (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Financial and Operational Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2024
Mr. Peng Shen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop, commented, “We are delighted to announce another quarter of robust profitability, with net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders reaching 2.5 times that of the third quarter last year.
Our insurance business has achieved a 14.8% quarter-over-quarter growth in FYP and maintained an operating profit margin above 20%. We delivered solid FYP growth in both short-term and long-term insurance, driven by user acquisition, innovative tailor-made products, and the contribution of Shenlanbao. I believe with our data-driven user insights, unique product offerings, and diversified distribution channels, we are well-positioned to maintain a strong competitive advantage.
This quarter marks a significant milestone for our medical crowdfunding business and the industry as a whole, following the issuance of the ‘Measures for Administration of Online Service Platforms for Individuals Seeking Financial Help’ released by Ministry of Civil Affairs of PRC and other government departments on September 5, 2024. The Measures for Administration officially announce the legal framework of fundraising sector, and offer guidance on management and information transparency.
During this quarter, our digital clinical trial solution income continued its growth, realizing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 17.4%. We collaborated with a total of 184 pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (“CROs”). Moreover, we enrolled 909 patients and initiated services for 88 new programs during the third quarter of 2024.
We are also delighted to report notable progress in AI. Internally, ‘AI Consultant’, a conversational AI agent powered by our ‘Waterdrop Guardian’ large language model, has reached the capacity to generate million yuan in monthly premiums by serving user inquires. Meanwhile, a new application, ‘AI Service Quality Agent’, was deployed to streamline the service quality inspection process by replacing manual work. Externally, we launched ‘AI Top Sales Platform 3.0’, a conversational AI platform that customizes AI sales agents for businesses, and have initiated pilots with insurance carriers and companies in non-insurance sectors.
We value the trust from our investors and prioritize shareholder returns. By the end of November 2024, the Company had cumulatively repurchased approximately 50.9 million ADSs from the open market. Moreover, we recently completed our second special cash dividend of approximately US$7.3 million.
With our strong execution capability, ample cash reserves and continuous profitability, we will continue to focus on fostering sustainable growth, and strive to deliver substantial returns to our shareholders and investors.”
Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2024
Operating revenue, net
Net operating revenue for the third quarter of 2024 increased by 2.6% year over year to RMB704.1 million (US$100.3 million) from RMB686.5 million for the same period of 2023. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, net operating revenue increased by 4.1%.
Operating costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses decreased by 1.6% year over year to RMB677.7 million (US$96.6 million) for the third quarter of 2024. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, operating costs and expenses increased by 8.6%.
Operating profit for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB26.5 million (US$3.8 million), as compared with an operating loss of RMB2.1 million for the third quarter of 2023 and an operating profit of RMB52.4 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Interest income for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB36.0 million (US$5.1 million), as compared with RMB32.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 and RMB37.5 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Income tax benefit for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB7.8 million (US$1.1 million), as compared with RMB1.5 million for the third quarter of 2023 and an income tax expense of RMB7.0 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Net profit attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB92.8 million (US$13.2 million), as compared with RMB36.7 million for the same period of 2023, and RMB88.3 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Adjusted net profit attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders (non-GAAP(1)) for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB126.0 million (US$18.0 million), as compared with RMB74.3 million for the same period of 2023, and RMB108.7 million for the second quarter of 2024.
Cash position(2)
As of September 30, 2024, cash position of the Company was RMB3,440.1 million (US$490.2 million), as compared with RMB3,571.6 million as of December 31, 2023.
(1) See the sections entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” and “Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for more information about the non-GAAP
measures referred to in this announcement.
(2) Cash position includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term debt investments included in long-term investments.
Share Repurchase Programs
Pursuant to the share repurchase programs launched in September 2021, September 2022, September 2023 and September 2024, respectively, we had cumulatively repurchased approximately 50.9 million ADSs from the open market with cash for a total consideration of approximately US$102.3 million as of November 30, 2024.
Supplemental Information
We organize and report our business in three operating segments:
The table below sets forth the segment operating results, with the nine-month comparative figures retrospectively adjusted to conform to this presentation.
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023
June 30,
2024
September 30,
2024
September
30, 2023*
September 30,
2024
RMB
RMB
RMB
USD
RMB
RMB
USD
(All amounts in thousands)
Operating revenue, net
Insurance
619,269
573,832
600,726
85,603
1,753,049
1,781,335
253,838
Crowdfunding
35,971
69,323
65,839
9,382
122,670
202,512
28,858
Others
31,238
33,001
37,576
5,354
95,624
101,150
14,414
Total consolidated operating
revenue, net
686,478
676,156
704,141
100,339
1,971,343
2,084,997
297,110
Operating profit/(loss)
Insurance
145,200
122,955
122,501
17,457
399,914
374,619
53,383
Crowdfunding
(68,793)
(22,936)
(17,902)
(2,551)
(194,058)
(73,075)
(10,413)
Others
(43,713)
(27,450)
(31,716)
(4,520)
(128,157)
(90,598)
(12,911)
Total segment operating
profit
32,694
72,569
72,883
10,386
77,699
210,946
30,059
Unallocated item**
(34,762)
(20,205)
(46,413)
(6,614)
(111,081)
(85,748)
(12,219)
Total consolidated operating
(loss)/profit
(2,068)
52,364
26,470
3,772
(33,382)
125,198
17,840
Total other income
36,914
38,366
60,842
8,670
126,520
141,989
20,233
Profit before income tax
34,846
90,730
87,312
12,442
93,138
267,187
38,073
Income tax benefit/(expense)
1,479
(7,026)
7,843
1,118
14,609
(7,771)
(1,107)
Net profit
36,325
83,704
95,155
13,560
107,747
259,416
36,966
* Starting from the second quarter of 2023, our chief operating decision maker began managing the business through three
operating segments and assessing performance and allocating resources under this new operating segment structure. The
nine-month comparative figures were retrospectively adjusted to conform to this presentation.
** The share-based compensation and impairment of intangible assets acquired from business combination represent
unallocated items in the segment information because our management does not consider these as part of the segment
operating performance measure.
Exchange Rate
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“USD” or “US$”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB7.0176 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on September 30, 2024 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
The Company uses non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders, in evaluating the Company’s operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders represents net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expense attributable to our ordinary shareholders, foreign currency exchange gain or losses, impairment of intangible assets acquired from business combination and related tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments
The non-GAAP financial measure is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools and when assessing the Company’s operating performance, investors should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss or other consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the Company’s historical non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measure presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measure differently, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure to our data.
The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance.
For more information on the non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned “Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Waterdrop may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop’s beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Waterdrop’s mission, goals and strategies; Waterdrop’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry in China; Waterdrop’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; Waterdrop’s expectations regarding its relationships with consumers, insurance carriers and other partners; competition in the industry and relevant government policies and regulations relating to insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Conference Call Information
Waterdrop’s management team will hold a conference call on December 11, 2024 at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
International:
1-412-317-6061
United States Toll Free:
1-888-317-6003
Hong Kong Toll Free:
800-963976
Hong Kong:
852-58081995
Mainland China:
4001-206115
Chinese Line (Mandarin) Entry Number:
4533234
English Interpretation Line (Listen-only Mode) Entry Number:
2061532
Participants can choose between the Chinese and the English interpretation lines. Please note that the English interpretation option will be in listen-only mode. Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Elite Entry Number to join the call.
Telephone replays will be accessible two hours after the conclusion of the conference call until December 18, 2024 by dialing the following numbers:
United States Toll Free:
1-877-344-7529
International:
1-412-317-0088
Chinese Line Access Code:
6305770
English Interpretation Line Access Code:
9765426
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.waterdrop-inc.com/.
About Waterdrop Inc.
Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.
For investor inquiries, please contact
Waterdrop Inc.
WATERDROP INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
As of
December 31, 2023
September 30, 2024
RMB
RMB
USD
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
396,905
442,145
63,005
Restricted cash
577,121
474,683
67,642
Short-term investments
2,996,527
1,912,873
272,582
Accounts receivable, net
693,110
755,427
107,647
Current contract assets
572,871
631,507
89,989
Amount due from related parties
65
250
36
Prepaid expense and other assets
189,846
192,153
27,381
