BEDU Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited

SG&A expenses from continuing operations decreased 33.0% YoY 
Management to hold a conference call today at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time

CAMBRIDGE, England and FOSHAN, China, Jan. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited ("Bright Scholar," the "Company," "we" or "our") (NYSE: BEDU), a global premier education service company, today announced its unaudited financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2025, ended November 30, 2024.

Effective the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company changed its presentation currency from Renminbi ("RMB") to Great Britain Pound ("GBP") to better align with the Company's business activities and reflect the Company's performance. In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended November 30, 2024, are stated in GBP. Prior period numbers have been recast into the new reporting currency.

FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue from continuing operations was GBP44.7 million, compared to GBP53.3 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.
• Overseas Study Counselling revenue from continuing operations increased by 5.8% to GBP9.6 million.
• Net income from continuing operations was GBP4.0 million, compared to GBP5.0 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. Adjusted net income^[1] was GBP4.4 million, compared to GBP5.1 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Revenue from continuing operations by Segment^[2]

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

Mr. Robert Niu, Chief Executive Officer of Bright Scholar, commented, "We are pleased to deliver solid first quarter results for fiscal year 2025 amid an evolving external environment, demonstrating the effectiveness of our reorganized business structure and focus on our "dual-engine" growth strategy. During the quarter, we continued to propel the expansion of our Schools business while also improving operational efficiency and quality, freeing our resources to promote educational excellence. In addition, we consistently advanced our global recruitment initiatives aimed at attracting prospective international students, successfully expanding our product and service offerings to more international markets. Looking ahead, we will persist in streamlining our global operations and enhancing efficiency while simultaneously seizing the market's extensive growth opportunities to strengthen our market share and our position as a leading global education service provider."

Ms. Cindy Zhang, Chief Financial Officer of Bright Scholar, added, "Fiscal year 2025 is off to an encouraging start, highlighted by a significant reduction in SG&A expenses and year-over-year growth in our Overseas Study Counselling business in the first quarter. Our total revenue from continuing operations was GBP44.7 million, with Overseas Study Counselling revenue from continuing operations increasing by 5.8% year over year to GBP9.6 million. Moreover, we decreased SG&A expenses by 33.0% year over year through ongoing efforts to optimize our cost structure and streamline operations. In addition, we have initiated a share repurchase plan underscoring our commitment to enhancing shareholder value. By maintaining a healthy balance sheet and consistently executing our "dual-engine" growth strategy, we are confident of creating sustainable value for our customers and shareholders over the long term."

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST FISCAL QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Revenue from Continuing Operations

Revenue was GBP44.7 million, compared to GBP53.3 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Schools: Revenue contribution was GBP25.7 million, compared to GBP28.2 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Overseas Study Counselling: Revenue contribution was GBP9.6 million, compared to GBP9.1 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Others: Revenue contribution was GBP9.4 million, compared to GBP16.0 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Cost of Revenue from Continuing Operations

Cost of revenue was GBP31.7 million, compared to GBP35.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Gross Profit, Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Profit from Continuing Operations

Gross profit was GBP13.0 million, compared to GBP17.9 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. Gross margin was 29.2%, compared to 33.5% for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted gross profit^[6] from continuing operations was GBP13.2 million, compared to GBP18.0 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses from Continuing Operations

Total SG&A expenses were GBP8.4 million, representing a 33.0% decrease from GBP12.6 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. The decrease was mainly due to the improvement in operational efficiency in our Schools business.

Operating Income, Operating Margin and Adjusted Operating Income from Continuing Operations

Operating income was GBP4.8 million, compared to GBP6.3 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. Operating margin was 10.7%, compared to 11.8% for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted operating income^[7] was GBP5.2 million, compared to GBP6.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income

Net income was GBP4.0 million, compared to GBP6.6 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted net income was GBP4.4 million, compared to GBP5.1 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted EBITDA^[8]

Adjusted EBITDA was GBP6.4 million, compared to GBP7.6 million for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Net income per Ordinary Share/ADS and Adjusted Net Earnings per Ordinary Share/ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders from continuing operations were GBP0.03 each, compared to GBP0.04 each for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share^[9] attributable to ordinary shareholders were GBP0.04 and GBP0.03, compared to GBP0.04 and GBP0.04 for the same quarter last fiscal year, respectively.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ADS holders from continuing operations were GBP0.13 each, compared to GBP0.16 each for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS^[10] attributable to ADS holders were GBP0.14 each, compared to GBP0.16 each for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Cash and Working Capital

As of November 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of GBP47.5 million, compared to GBP54.3 million as of August 31, 2024.

Change in Segment Reporting

Starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company updated its segment reporting to reflect its strategic focus. The Company now reports the Overseas Schools business as the Schools business, the overseas study counselling portion of Complementary Education Services as the Overseas Study Counselling business, and Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services and Complementary Education Services (excluding overseas study counselling) as Others. Prior period segment information has been retrospectively revised to conform to the current presentation.

Authorization of Share Repurchase Plan

On January 22, 2025, BEDU's board of directors authorized a share repurchase plan under which the Company may repurchase up to US$1.2 million of the Company's ADSs over the next 12 months.

The Company may periodically repurchase its ADSs for cash in various means, including without limitation, open market purchases, block transactions and privately negotiated transactions, in compliance with applicable federal securities laws. In addition, the share repurchase program may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Board any time without prior notice. The number of ADSs repurchased and the timing of repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including without limitation, price, trading volume and general market conditions, along with the Company's working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors. Repurchases under the share repurchase program will be funded from the Company's existing cash and cash equivalents or future cash provided by operating activities.

CONFERENCE CALL

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time) on January 24, 2025.

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

Mainland China:                  4001-201203
Hong Kong:                         800-905945
United States:                     1-888-346-8982
International:                       1-412-902-4272

Participants should dial in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited."

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

A replay of the conference call will be accessible after the conclusion of the live call until January 31, 2025, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States Toll Free:      1-877-344-7529
International:                       1-412-317-0088
Replay Passcode:               6100559

CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION

The Company's reporting currency is GBP. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the prevailing exchange rates at the balance sheet date for the convenience of readers. Translations of balances in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, and cash flows from GBP into U.S. dollars as of and for the quarter ended November 30, 2024, are solely for the readers' convenience and were calculated at the rate of GBP1.00=US$1.2699, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on November 29, 2024. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on November 29, 2024, or at any other rate.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In evaluating our business, we consider and use certain non-GAAP measures, including primarily adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders basic and diluted as supplemental measures to review and assess our 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. We define adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations as gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations excluding amortization of intangible assets. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) excluding interest income/(expense), net, income tax expense/(benefit), depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expenses, and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations as operating income/(loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets. Additionally, we define adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, basic and diluted, as adjusted net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders (net income/(loss) to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax) divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted ordinary shares or ADSs.

We incur amortization expense of intangible assets related to various acquisitions that have been made in recent years. These intangible assets are valued at the time of acquisition and are then amortized over a period of several years after the acquisition. We believe that exclusion of these expenses allows greater comparability of operating results that are consistent over time for the Company's newly-acquired and long-held business, as the related intangibles do not have a significant connection to the growth of the business. Therefore, we provide exclusion of amortization of intangible assets to define adjusted gross profit from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net income/(loss), and adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, basic and diluted. In addition, the strategic move to dispose of the non-core businesses is viewed as discontinued operations, which is a non-recurring item. The exclusion facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Therefore, we provide exclusion of income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, to define adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders, basic and diluted.

We present the non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. Such non-GAAP measures include adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders basic and diluted. Non-GAAP financial measures enable our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expenses, and without considering the impact of non-operating items such as interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; share-based compensation expenses; amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and without considering the impact of non-recurring item, i.e. income/(loss) from discontinued operations. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance.

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 these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; depreciation and amortization; share-based compensation expense; tax effect of amortization of intangible assets have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of these non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA or adjusted net income/(loss). 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.

About Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited

Bright Scholar is a premier global education service Group. The Company primarily provides quality international education to global students and equips them with the critical academic foundation and skillsets necessary to succeed in the pursuit of higher education.  

For more information, please visit: https://ir.brightscholar.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's business plans and development, which can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

IR Contact:
Email: BEDU@thepiacentegroup.com
Phone: +86 (10) 6508-0677/ +1-212-481-2050

Media Contact:
Email: media@brightscholar.com

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SOURCE Bright Scholar Education Holdings Ltd.