Company to Hold Conference Call on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET


ATA Inc. ("ATA" or the "Company", Nasdaq: ATAI), a company focused on providing students with quality educational experiences and services in China and abroad, today announced preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Recent Operating & Financial Highlights

  • ATA paid a special cash dividend of US$6.00 per ADS on August 24, 2018, in connection with the final closing of the sale of its former subsidiary ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Co, Ltd. (“ATA Online”) (the “Transaction”).
  • ATA continues working toward completing the acquisition of Beijing Biztour International Travel Service Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Biztour”), a provider of international educational study tour and travel services for students in China who are interested in overseas study tours primarily in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia, and anticipates closing in the fourth quarter of 2018. Details related to the anticipated acquisition were announced in an August 16, 2018, press release.
  • ATA’s Board of Directors approved the Second Amendment and Restatement of 2008 Employee Share Incentive Plan in October 2018, which primarily serves to extend the plan’s term, expand the option pool thereunder, and change the number of common shares automatically added to the option pool each calendar year during its term.
  • RMB214.3 million (US$31.2 million) in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2018

ATA’s Corporate StatusIn connection with the completion of the Transaction, ATA no longer conducts the testing development and delivery business previously operated by ATA Online. After payment of the US$6.00 per ADS special cash dividend to existing shareholders of ATA, remaining proceeds received from the Transaction totaled approximately US$31.2 million in cash as of September 30, 2018, which ATA intends to use to explore potential merger and acquisition opportunities in the education sector, such as the acquisition of Beijing Biztour, while continuing to support the Company’s remaining businesses, including:  

(i) development of K-12 education assessment tools and content;(ii) collaboration with Nanjing University in connection with Project Shuang Chuang;(iii) collaboration with the Education and Research Institute of Tsinghua University on several research projects; and(iv) strategic investments in certain education technology companies.

Management CommentaryMr. Jack Huang, ATA’s President, stated, “Having completed the final closing of the Transaction during the third quarter of 2018, we are now fully focused on ATA and its future. Our long-term goal is to leverage ATA’s expertise in assessment/education technologies and services, as well as our industry relationships, to scale the growth of well-established education enterprises to expand our presence in China and beyond, transforming ATA into a leading international education service provider. The anticipated acquisition of Beijing Biztour is one such opportunity, and our initial goal is to increase outreach to support a growing population of students seeking learning experiences outside the classroom, specifically the educational international travel programs. While we are working closely with Beijing Biztour to complete the acquisition, we continue to explore other merger and acquisition opportunities within the education sector and support the remaining portion of ATA’s businesses. This month, we appointed Ms. Nan Sun who previously served as general manager of EURASIA Education, a subsidiary of New Oriental, as the new CEO of Beijing Biztour. Ms. Sun has over 18 years of experience in the international education space and US market. We believe her vision and insight will prove valuable as we look to leverage ATA’s resources to expand Beijing Biztour’s educational study tour business.”

Mr. Huang continued, “ATA intends to maintain its listing status on the Nasdaq Stock Market and continues working to maximize shareholder interests by enhancing the value of our Company. Our management team has a history of successfully returning capital to shareholders, and we expect to utilize our strong financial position to continue pursuing opportunities in the education industry. We believe our expertise in assessment/learning technologies and reputation within the education sector will allow us to take advantage of exciting prospects within the growing and evolving education sector in China.”

GAAP Results

Impact of ATA Online Transaction on the Company’s Financial StatementsDue to the closing of the Transaction, balance sheet items related to the disposed business lines will no longer be consolidated into ATA’s financial statements as of September 30, 2018. For the periods presented in this press release, the results of discontinued operations, less applicable income taxes, pertaining to the time period prior to the disposal date are reported as two separate components of income (loss) on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss): 1) loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, and 2) gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes. 

ATA recognized a gain from the disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of RMB913.0 million (US$132.9 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Income tax incurred for the disposal of discontinued operations was RMB211.7 million (US$30.8 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, of which RMB122.7 million (US$17.9 million) and RMB89.1 million (US$13.0 million) were incurred in the three months ended June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2018, respectively.

2018 Third QuarterATA’s total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018, were RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million), compared to RMB2.1 million in the prior-year period. This decrease was primarily due to the reclassification of approximately RMB1.5 million in rental income from net revenues to other operating income, net, as a result of the adoption of new revenue guidance ASC 606, effective January 1, 2018. Related costs of approximately RMB0.5 million were also reclassified from cost of revenues to other operating income, net.

Loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2018, improved to RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million), compared to RMB14.5 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to the reversal of RMB9.3 million in deferred taxes accrued for discontinued operations.

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2018, was RMB1.0 billion (US$147.8 million), compared to a loss of RMB2.1 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to an RMB1.0 billion gain from the disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes.

Balance Sheet HighlightsAs of September 30, 2018, ATA’s cash and cash equivalents were RMB214.3 million (US$31.2 million), working capital was RMB200.5 million (US$29.2 million), and total shareholders’ equity was RMB293.5 million (US$42.7 million); compared to RMB53.5 million, RMB225.1 million, and RMB365.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.

Conference Call and Webcast Information (With Accompanying Presentation)ATA will host a conference call at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 8, 2018, during which management will discuss the results of the quarter ended September 30, 2018. To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers about 10 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time:

U.S. & Canada (Toll-Free):   +1 (888) 339-2688  
International (Toll):   +1 (617) 847-3007  
       
    Toll-Free Local Access
China:   (800) 990 1344 (400) 881 1630
Hong Kong:     3002 1672
       
Participant Passcode:   47700595  

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed at the investor relations section of ATA’s website at www.atai.net.cn or by clicking the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/274/28159.     

An accompanying slide presentation in PDF format will also be made available 30 minutes prior to the conference call on the same investor relations section of ATA’s website. To listen to the webcast, please visit ATA’s website a few minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

A replay will be available shortly after the call on the investor relations section of ATA's website and will remain available for 90 days.

About ATA Inc.ATA is focused on providing quality educational experiences and services for students throughout China and abroad. ATA aims to offer online and on-campus education programs through a network of global education partners. For more information, please visit ATA’s website at www.atai.net.cn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking StatementsThis announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "intend," "look forward to," "outlook," "plan," "should," "will," and similar terms and include, among other things, statements regarding the Transaction, ATA’s future growth and results of operations, ATA’s plans for mergers and acquisitions generally, the anticipated benefits to ATA’s expansion efforts into the international education studies market, the anticipated acquisition of Beijing Biztour, and the ability of ATA and Beijing Biztour to cooperate effectively and to introduce offerings and build partnerships.

The factors that could cause the Company’s actual financial and operating results to differ from what the Company currently anticipates may include its ability to leverage its existing competency-focused assessment and education service capabilities, its ability to identify and execute on M&A opportunities within the education sector, the economy of China, uncertainties with respect to China’s legal and regulatory environments, and other factors stated in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for its nine-month transition period ended December 31, 2017, and other filings that ATA has made with the SEC. The filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and at ATA’s website at www.atai.net.cn. For additional information on the risk factors that could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects, please see the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Form 20-F for the nine-month transition period ended December 31, 2017.

The preliminary results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, remain subject to the finalization of the Company’s year-end closing and reporting processes.

The forward-looking statements in this release involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections about ATA and the markets in which it operates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that its expectations and assumptions expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that its expectations and assumptions will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

Currency Convenience TranslationThe Company's financial information is stated in Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the People’s Republic of China. The translations of RMB amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, into U.S. dollars are included solely for the convenience of readers and have been made at the rate of RMB6.8680 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate as of September 30, 2018, in New York for cable transfers in RMB per U.S. dollar as set forth in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").

About Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresTo supplement ATA's consolidated financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, ATA uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss, and basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share and ADS excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss.

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 GAAP. ATA believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information about its performance by excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss, which may not be indicative of its operating performance.

ATA believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to ATA's historical performance. ATA computes its non-GAAP financial measures using a consistent method from period to period. ATA believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss and basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share and per ADS excluding share-based compensation expense and foreign currency exchange gain or loss is that share-based compensation charges and foreign currency exchange gain or loss have been, and are expected to continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in ATA's business.

Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The table captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures" shown at the end of this news release has more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to the non-GAAP financial measures used by ATA.

For more information on our company, please contact the following individuals:

At the Company   Investor Relations
ATA Inc.   The Equity Group Inc.
Amy Tung, CFO   Carolyne Y. Sohn, Senior Associate
+86 10 6518 1122 x 5518   415-568-2255
amytung@atai.net.cn   csohn@equityny.com
     
    Katherine Yao, Senior Associate
    +86 10 6587 6435
    kyao@equityny.com 
     
    Adam Prior, Senior Vice President
    212-836-9606
    aprior@equityny.com

ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESUNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

        December 31,   September 30,   September 30,  
          2017   2018   2018  
        RMB   RMB   USD  
ASSETS                  
Current assets:                  
Cash and cash equivalents       53,478,494     214,311,852     31,204,405    
Accounts receivable, net       52,907     412,783     60,102    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets       3,270,988     5,261,579     766,101    
Convertible bond           14,289,135     2,080,538    
Assets classified as held for sale       310,014,014            
Total current assets       366,816,403     234,275,349     34,111,146    
                   
Long-term investments       70,021,699     72,771,699     10,595,763    
Property and equipment, net       42,302,632     40,197,548     5,852,875    
Intangible assets, net       6,088,483     4,739,434     690,075    
Other assets       4,004,039     14,502,408     2,111,591    
Assets classified as held for sale       79,208,251            
Total assets       568,441,507     366,486,438     53,361,450    
                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
Current liabilities:                  
Short-term loan           15,000,000     2,184,042    
Accrued expenses and other payables       28,018,521     17,427,040     2,537,426    
Deferred revenues       2,443,302     1,393,700     202,927    
Liabilities classified as held for sale       111,304,107            
Total current liabilities       141,765,930     33,820,740     4,924,395    
                   
Deferred revenues       799,145     676,593     98,514    
Deferred income tax liabilities       22,797,747            
Liabilities classified as held for sale       1,701,675            
Total liabilities       167,064,497     34,497,333     5,022,909    
                   
Mezzanine equity-redeemable non-controlling interests       36,304,276     38,455,363     5,599,208    
                   
Shareholders’ equity:                  
Common shares       3,534,871     3,534,871     514,687    
Treasury shares       (27,737,073 )   (27,737,073 )   (4,038,595   )  
Additional paid-in capital       389,897,690     413,855,709     60,258,548    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss       (26,850,955 )   (38,133,927 )   (5,552,407 )  
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)       25,884,905     (57,985,838 )   (8,442,900 )  
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to ATA Inc.       364,729,438     293,533,742     42,739,333    
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests       343,296            
Total shareholders’ equity       365,072,734     293,533,742     42,739,333    
Commitments and contingencies                  
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity       568,441,507     366,486,438     53,361,450    
                         
                         

ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESUNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

        Three-month Period Ended  
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,  
          2017   2018   2018  
        RMB   RMB   USD  
Net revenues       2,131,655     1,085,095     157,993    
Cost of revenues       916,115     1,446,334     210,590    
  Gross profit (loss)       1,215,540     (361,239 )   (52,597 )  
                   
Operating expenses:                  
Research and development        5,093,738     4,165,581     606,520    
Sales and marketing       1,689,314     1,405,475     204,641    
General and administrative       9,624,066     7,002,864     1,019,638     
Total operating expenses       16,407,118     12,573,920     1,830,799    
  Other operating income, net           961,613     140,014    
Loss from continuing operations       (15,191,578 )   (11,973,546 )   (1,743,382 )  
Other income (expense):                  
Share of net loss of equity method investments       (423,651 )          
Interest income, net of interest expenses       472,799     634,102     92,327    
Foreign currency exchange gain, net       2,281     572,019     83,288    
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes       (15,140,149 )   (10,767,425 )   (1,567,767 )  
Income tax expense (benefit)       (688,191 )   (9,291,959 )   (1,352,935 )  
  Loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes       (14,451,958 )   (1,475,466 )   (214,832 )  
Discontinued operations:                  
Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes       (2,069,530 )   (20,266,946 )   (2,950,924 )  
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes           1,035,617,392     150,788,787    
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes       (2,069,530 )   1,015,350,446     147,837,863    
Net income (loss)       (16,521,488 )   1,013,874,980     147,623,031    
  Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests from   continuing operations       (424,615 )   (775,073 )   (112,853 )  
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-redeemable non-controlling interests from discontinued operations       (138,007 )   174,114     25,351    
Net income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (15,958,866 )   1,014,475,939     147,710,533    
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to ATA Inc.       (14,027,343 )   (700,393 )   (101,979 )  
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to ATA Inc.       (1,931,523 )   1,015,176,332     147,812,512    
                   
Other comprehensive income (loss):                  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes       (154,844 )   (11,041,461 )   (1,607,668 )  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (16,113,710 )   1,003,434,478     146,102,865    
                   
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.34 )   21.83     3.18    
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.68 )   43.66     6.36    
Basic and diluted losses from continuing operations   per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.30 )   (0.34 )   (0.05 )  
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) from discontinued operations   per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.04 )   22.17     3.23    
Basic and diluted losses from continuing operations   per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.60 )   (0.68 )   (0.10 )  
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) from discontinued operations   per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.08 )   44.34     6.46    
                         
                         

ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESUNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

        Nine-month Period Ended  
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,  
          2017   2018   2018  
        RMB   RMB   USD  
Net revenues       5,615,070     1,380,670     201,029    
Cost of revenues       3,316,462     4,114,677     599,108    
Gross profit (loss)       2,298,608     (2,734,007 )   (398,079 )  
                   
Operating expenses:                  
Research and development        14,163,662     13,019,380     1,895,658    
Sales and marketing       4,120,536     3,707,404     539,808    
General and administrative       29,079,241     31,893,670     4,643,808    
Total operating expenses       47,363,439     48,620,454     7,079,274    
  Other operating income, net           2,814,544     409,805    
Loss from continuing operations       (45,064,831 )   (48,539,917 )   (7,067,548 )  
Other income (expense):                  
Share of net loss of equity method investments       (1,457,312 )          
Change in fair value of long-term investment           2,750,000     400,408    
Interest income, net of interest expenses       1,288,860     1,086,783     158,238    
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net       (643,294 )   990,459     144,214    
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes       (45,876,577 )   (43,712,675 )   (6,364,688 )  
Income tax expense (benefit)       21,112,306     (22,797,748 )   (3,319,416 )  
   Loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes       (66,988,883 )   (20,914,927 )   (3,045,272 )  
Discontinued operations:                  
Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes       (12,207,027 )   (16,518,181 )   (2,405,092 )  
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes           912,963,071     132,929,975    
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes       (12,207,027 )   896,444,890     130,524,883    
Net income (loss)       (79,195,910 )   875,529,963     127,479,611    
  Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests from continuing operations       (544,469 )   (2,251,809 )   (327,870 )  
  Net loss attributable to non-redeemable non-controlling interests from discontinued operations       (539,111 )   (10,607 )   (1,544 )  
Net income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (78,112,330 )   877,792,379     127,809,025    
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to ATA Inc.       (66,444,414 )   (18,663,118 )   (2,717,402 )  
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to ATA Inc.       (11,667,916 )   896,455,497      130,526,427    
Other comprehensive income (loss):                  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes       (1,346,488 )   (11,282,972 )   (1,642,832 )  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (79,458,818 )   866,509,407     126,166,193    
                   
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (1.83 )   18.78     2.73    
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (3.66 )   37.56     5.46    
Basic and diluted losses from continuing operations   per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (1.58 )   (1.05 )   (0.16 )  
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) from discontinued operations   per common share attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.25 )   19.83     2.89    
Basic and diluted losses from continuing operations   per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (3.16 )   (2.10 )   (0.32 )  
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) from discontinued operations   per ADS attributable to ATA Inc.       (0.50 )   39.66     5.78    
                         
                         

RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES

        Three-month Period Ended   Nine-month Period Ended
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2017   2018     2017   2018
        RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
                     
GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (15,958,866 )   1,014,475,939     (78,112,330 )   877,792,379  
Share-based compensation expenses       4,995,707     8,301,400     14,085,876     13,605,254  
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain), net       (2,281 )   (1,493,037 )   635,877     (6,250,539 )
Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ATA Inc.       (10,965,440 )   1,021,284,302     (63,390,577 )   885,147,094  
                     
GAAP earnings (losses) per common share attributable to ATA Inc.            
Basic and diluted       (0.34 )   21.83     (1.83 )   18.78  
                     
Non-GAAP earnings (losses) per common share attributable to ATA Inc.        
Basic and diluted       (0.23 )   21.98     (1.51 )   18.94  

 

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