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6-K 1 tm2332401d1_6k.htm FORM 6-K

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of December 2023

 

Commission File Number: 001-39117

 

 

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Building B6, Universal Business Park,

No. 10 Jiuxianqiao Road,

Chaoyang District, Beljing,100015, People's Republic of China

+86 10 8965-0708
(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 


 

SIGNATURE

 

 

      36Kr Holdings Inc.
         
         
Date: December 7, 2023   By: /s/ Dagang Feng
        Name: Dagang Feng
        Title: Co-chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Press Release

 

3

EX-99.1 2 tm2332401d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

 

BEIJING, December 07, 2023 / PRNEWSWIRE / - 36Kr Holdings Inc. (“36Kr” or the “Company” or “We”) (NASDAQ: KRKR), a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

 

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

 

· Number of followers1 as of September 30, 2023 reached 32.1 million, an increase of 19.8% from 26.8 million as of September 30, 2022.

 

· Total revenues increased by 2.5% to RMB97.0 million (US$13.3 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB94.6 million in the same period of 2022.

 

· Revenues from online advertising services increased by 11.4% to RMB71.2 million (US$9.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB63.9 million in the same period of 2022.

 

· Revenues from enterprise value-added services were RMB14.2 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB23.6 million in the same period of 2022.

 

· Revenues from subscription services increased by 61.9% to RMB11.5 million (US$1.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB7.1 million in the same period of 2022.

 

 

1 “Number of followers” refers to the aggregate number of followers across the official accounts we own and/or operate on various social media and online platforms, including but not limited to Weixin, Weibo, Zhihu, Toutiao, Xinhua Net, Douyin and Bilibili.

 

 


 

Selected Operating Data

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
    2022     2023  
Online advertising services                
Number of online advertising services end customers     231       215  
Average revenue per online advertising services end customer (RMB’000)2     276.8       331.3  
                 
Enterprise value-added services                
Number of enterprise value-added services end customers     93       80  
Average revenue per enterprise value-added services end customer (RMB’000)3     253.4       177.8  
                 
Subscription services                
Number of individual subscribers     99       28  
Average revenue per individual subscriber (RMB)4     5,186.8       68,675.9  
                 
Number of institutional investors     149       138  
Average revenue per institutional investor (RMB’000)5     44.3       69.5  

 

Mr. Dagang Feng, Co-chairman and CEO of 36Kr, commented, “We delivered another quarter of solid top-line growth in the third quarter of 2023 despite uncertainties in the macro environment. Our advertising services achieved double-digit growth year over year, and our subscription services’ growth pace further accelerated, demonstrating the resilience and vitality of our businesses. We continuously enriched our content ecosystem, expanded our products and service offerings, and deepened the integration of AI applications across our various business scenarios. Underpinned by our content creation prowess and effective, omni-channel distribution matrix, the number of our followers surpassed 32 million as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 20% from a year ago. Moving forward, we will remain at the forefront of innovation and fortify our position as a leading service platform in the New Economy industry, while embracing generative AI technology’s enormous potential and seizing future growth opportunities.”

 

Ms. Lin Wei, Chief Financial Officer of 36Kr, added, “We maintained our growth trajectory in the third quarter of 2023. Total revenues increased by 2.5% year over year to RMB97.0 million, driven by a decent advertising performance as well as the robust momentum of our subscription business, which grew 11% and 62% year over year respectively. Meanwhile, our gross margin remained stable at the 56% level as we persistently optimized our cost structure and streamlined our spending. Looking ahead, we will further boost our core competitive edges, refine our AI-empowered product innovation and pursue broader monetization opportunities. We believe our peerless content, rising brand influence, and high-quality services connecting participants across the New Economy will continue to help shape the industry landscape and drive our long-term sustainable growth.”

 

 

2 Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services end customers in the same period.

3 Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services end customers in the same period.

4 Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period.

5 Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investors in the same period.

 

 


 

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

 

Total revenues increased by 2.5% to RMB97.0 million (US$13.3 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB94.6 million in the same period of 2022.

 

· Online advertising services revenues increased by 11.4% to RMB71.2 million (US$9.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB63.9 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to more innovative marketing solutions we provided to our customers.

 

· Enterprise value-added services revenues decreased by 39.6% to RMB14.2 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter of 2023, from RMB23.6 million in the same period of 2022, as certain of our offline events and other value-added services were negatively impacted by the macro economy challenges.

 

· Subscription services revenues increased by 61.9% to RMB11.5 million (US$1.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB7.1 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to our continuous efforts to offer high-quality subscription products and training programs to our subscribers.

 

Cost of revenues was RMB42.3 million (US$5.8 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB35.5 million in the same period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher fulfillment costs and content costs.

 

Gross profit was RMB54.6 million (US$7.5 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB59.1 million in the same period of 2022. Gross profit margin was 56.3% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 62.4% in the same period of 2022.

 

Operating expenses were RMB77.5 million (US$10.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB62.1 million in the same period of 2022.

 

· Sales and marketing expenses were RMB32.4 million (US$4.4 million) in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 0.7% from RMB32.2 million in the same period of 2022. The slight increase was primarily attributable to the increase in payroll-related expenses, partially offset by the decrease in marketing related expenses.

 

· General and administrative expenses were RMB36.9 million (US$5.1 million) in the third quarter of 2023, a 122.6% increase compared to RMB16.6 million in the same period of 2022. The fluctuation was primarily attributable to certain one-off expenses including severance payments as we optimized our organization and office lease termination fees occurred in the quarter, as well as the increase in allowance for credit losses.

 

· Research and development expenses were RMB8.3 million (US$1.1 million) in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 38.1% from RMB13.4 million in the same period of 2022, as we proactively embrace AI technology and streamlined our research and development teams, resulting in a decrease in payroll-related expenses.

 

Share-based compensation expenses recognized in cost of revenues, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, as well as general and administrative expenses totaled RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.6 million in the same period of 2022.

 

Other income was RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB5.7 million in the same period of 2022.

 

Income tax expenses were RMB0.02 million (US$0.002 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to RMB0.17 million in the same period of 2022.

 

Net loss was RMB18.9 million (US$2.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to net income of RMB2.5 million in the same period of 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss6 was RMB17.5 million (US$2.4 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net income of RMB5.1 million in the same period of 2022.

 

Net loss attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders was RMB18.9 million (US$2.6 million) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to net income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders of RMB1.7 million in the same period of 2022.

  

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both RMB0.452 (US$0.062) in the third quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted net income per ADS of RMB0.042 in the same period of 2022.

 

Certain Balance Sheet Items

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB116.0 million (US$15.9 million), compared to RMB136.5 million as of June 30, 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to small-sized long-term investments in certain New-Economy entities in the third quarter of 2023, as well as net cash outflow from operating activities.

 

 

6 Non-GAAP adjusted income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses.

 

 


 

Conference Call

 

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on December 07, 2023 (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on December 07, 2023).

 

For participants who wish to join the call by phone, please access the link provided below to complete the pre-registration and dial in 5 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, each participant will receive dial-in details to join the conference call.

 

Event Title: 36Kr Holdings Inc. Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Pre-registration link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10035361-b8fs5d.html

 

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.36kr.com.

 

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week from the date of the conference, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

 

United States: +1-855-883-1031
International: +61-7-3107-6325
Hong Kong, China: 800-930-639
Mainland China: 400-120-9216
Replay PIN: 10035361

 

About 36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

36Kr Holdings Inc. is a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China with the mission of empowering New Economy participants to achieve more. The Company started its business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings, covering a variety of industries in China's New Economy with diverse distribution channels. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, the Company has expanded its offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies. The Company is supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through diverse service offerings and the significant brand influence, the Company is well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

 

For more information, please visit: http://ir.36kr.com.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In evaluating its business, the Company considers and uses two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these two 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 presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the Company’s management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company also believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance.

 

These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP 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 these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company performance. The Company encourages investors to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

 

Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses.

 

Adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted net income/(loss) before interest income, interest expenses, income tax expense/(credit), depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets.

 

 


 

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations 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 Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi 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 Federal Reserve Board on of September 29, 2023.

 

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. Statements that are not historical facts, including 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 goal and strategies; the Company’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our business and industry; the Company’s expectations regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; the Company’s expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company’s ability to provide high-quality content in a timely manner to attract and retain users; the Company’s ability to retain and hire quality in-house writers and editors; the Company’s ability to maintain cooperation with third-party professional content providers; the Company’s ability to maintain relationship with third-party platforms; general economic and business condition in China; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; 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 SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

In China:

 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

Investor Relations 

Tel: +86 (10) 8965-0708 

E-mail: ir@36kr.com

 

Piacente Financial Communications 

Jenny Cai 

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677 

E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com

 

In the United States:

 

Piacente Financial Communications 

Brandi Piacente 

Tel: +1-212-481-2050 

E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com

 

 


 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    June 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2023     2023     2023  
    RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000  
Assets                        
Current assets:                        
Cash and cash equivalents     98,106       65,967       9,042  
Restricted cash     100       100       14  
Short-term investments     38,245       49,903       6,840  
Accounts receivable, net     156,858       147,260       20,184  
Receivables due from related parties     320       394       54  
Prepayments and other current assets     28,384       20,344       2,788  
Total current assets     322,013       283,968       38,922  
Non-current assets:                        
Property and equipment, net     2,269       6,051       829  
Intangible assets, net     1,193       1,153       158  
Long-term investments     139,718       149,325       20,467  
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net     24,547       37,603       5,154  
Total non-current assets     167,727       194,132       26,608  
Total assets     489,740       478,100       65,530  
                         
Liabilities                        
Current liabilities:                        
Accounts payable     43,055       49,917       6,842  
Salary and welfare payables     38,412       41,950       5,750  
Taxes payable     4,740       5,062       694  
Deferred revenue     27,781       24,916       3,415  
Amounts due to related parties     1,067       1,225       168  
Accrued liabilities and other payables     18,410       22,617       3,100  
Short-term bank loan     14,950       14,950       2,049  
Operating lease liabilities     34,477       7,288       999  
Total current liabilities     182,892       167,925       23,017  
Non-current liabilities:                        
Operating lease liabilities     8,667       29,529       4,047  
Other non-current liabilities     394       284       39  
Total non-current liabilities     9,061       29,813       4,086  
Total liabilities     191,953       197,738       27,103  
                         
Shareholders’ equity                        
Ordinary shares     694       694       95  
Treasury stock     (11,578 )     (11,578 )     (1,587 )
Additional paid-in capital     2,063,375       2,064,785       283,002  
Accumulated deficit     (1,758,517 )     (1,777,437 )     (243,617 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (4,707 )     (4,894 )     (671 )
Total 36Kr Holdings Inc.’s shareholders’ equity     289,267       271,570       37,222  
Non-controlling interests     8,520       8,792       1,205  
Total shareholders’ equity     297,787       280,362       38,427  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity     489,740       478,100       65,530  

 

 


 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
   

September 30,

2022

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2022

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2023

 
    RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000  
Revenues:                                                
Online advertising services     63,934       71,236       9,764       159,374       170,124       23,317  
Enterprise value-added services     23,565       14,222       1,949       47,244       40,990       5,618  
Subscription services     7,109       11,508       1,577       19,304       25,740       3,528  
Total revenues     94,608       96,966       13,290       225,922       236,854       32,463  
Cost of revenues     (35,541 )     (42,339 )     (5,803 )     (90,222 )     (112,388 )     (15,404 )
Gross profit     59,067       54,627       7,487       135,700       124,466       17,059  
Operating expenses:                                                
Sales and marketing expenses     (32,168 )     (32,384 )     (4,439 )     (89,267 )     (97,220 )     (13,325 )
General and administrative expenses     (16,559 )     (36,864 )     (5,053 )     (30,373 )     (71,730 )     (9,831 )
Research and development expenses     (13,385 )     (8,289 )     (1,136 )     (40,507 )     (37,326 )     (5,116 )
Total operating expenses     (62,112 )     (77,537 )     (10,628 )     (160,147 )     (206,276 )     (28,272 )
Loss from operations     (3,045 )     (22,910 )     (3,141 )     (24,447 )     (81,810 )     (11,213 )
Other income/(expenses):                                                
Share of (loss)/income from equity method investments     (69 )     (220 )     (30 )     285       (527 )     (72 )
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary     -       3,366       461       38,019       3,366       461  
Long-term investment income     -       -       -       18,464       -       -  
Short-term investment income     449       251       34       1,635       1,027       141  
Government grant     916       226       31       3,351       1,021       140  
Others, net     4,404       401       55       7,008       5,164       708  
(Loss)/income before income tax     2,655       (18,886 )     (2,590 )     44,315       (71,759 )     (9,835 )
Income tax (expenses)/credit     (166 )     (17 )     (2 )     (171 )     173       24  
Net (loss)/income     2,489       (18,903 )     (2,592 )     44,144       (71,586 )     (9,811 )
Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests     (746 )     (17 )     (2 )     (1,386 )     358       49  
Net (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders     1,743       (18,920 )     (2,594 )     42,758       (71,228 )     (9,762 )
                                                 
Net (loss)/income     2,489       (18,903 )     (2,592 )     44,144       (71,586 )     (9,811 )
Other comprehensive income                                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments     1,916       (187 )     (26 )     3,748       966       132  
Total other comprehensive income     1,916       (187 )     (26 )     3,748       966       132  
Total comprehensive (loss)/income     4,405       (19,090 )     (2,618 )     47,892       (70,620 )     (9,679 )
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests     (746 )     (17 )     (2 )     (1,386 )     358       49  
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders     3,659       (19,107 )     (2,620 )     46,506       (70,262 )     (9,630 )
                                                 
Net (loss)/income per ordinary share (RMB)                                                
Basic     0.002       (0.018 )     (0.002 )     0.041       (0.068 )     (0.009 )
Diluted     0.002       (0.018 )     (0.002 )     0.041       (0.068 )     (0.009 )
Net (loss)/income per ADS (RMB)                                                
Basic     0.042       (0.452 )     (0.062 )     1.037       (1.709 )     (0.234 )
Diluted     0.042       (0.452 )     (0.062 )     1.037       (1.709 )     (0.234 )
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in per share calculation                                                
Basic     1,035,476,294       1,046,515,168       1,046,515,168       1,031,290,397       1,041,904,687       1,041,904,687  
Diluted     1,035,476,294       1,046,515,168       1,046,515,168       1,031,290,397       1,041,904,687       1,041,904,687  
Weighted average number of ADS used in per ADS calculation                                                
Basic     41,419,052       41,860,607       41,860,607       41,251,616       41,676,187       41,676,187  
Diluted     41,419,052       41,860,607       41,860,607       41,251,616       41,676,187       41,676,187  

 

 


 

36Kr Holdings Inc.

 

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
   

September 30,

2022

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2022

   

September 30,

2023

   

September 30,

2023

 
    RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000  
Net (loss)/income     2,489       (18,903 )     (2,592 )     44,144       (71,586 )     (9,811 )
Share-based compensation expenses     2,575       1,410       193       9,268       5,117       701  
Non-GAAP adjusted net (loss)/income     5,064       (17,493 )     (2,399 )     53,412       (66,469 )     (9,110 )
Interest income, net     (323 )     (59 )     (8 )     (564 )     (743 )     (102 )
Income tax expenses     166       17       2       171       (173 )     (24 )
Depreciation and amortization expenses     479       564       77       1,423       1,257       172  
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA     5,386       (16,971 )     (2,328 )     54,442       (66,128 )     (9,064 )