Financial Performance - The Group's revenue for the year ended 31 December 2024 was approximately RMB1,947.2 million, a decrease of 17.2% compared to RMB2,352.4 million in 2023[12]. - The gross profit for the same period was approximately RMB870.2 million, reflecting a gross margin of 44.7%[12]. - The Group's profit for the year was RMB47.7 million, a significant decline of 60.6% from RMB121.2 million in 2023[12]. - Total revenue decreased by approximately 17.2% to approximately RMB1,947.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from approximately RMB2,352.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023[77]. - The decrease in revenue was mainly due to the suspension of new student enrollment in online formal education, which began in the autumn of 2022[78]. - Gross profit decreased by approximately 31.0% from approximately RMB1,260.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB870.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with gross profit margin declining from approximately 53.6% to approximately 44.7%[87][91]. - Other income and gains decreased by approximately 17.5% from approximately RMB181.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB149.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024[88][92]. - Selling expenses decreased by approximately 21.5% from approximately RMB229.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB180.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024[95][99]. - Administrative expenses decreased by approximately 4.2% from approximately RMB504.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB483.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024[97][100]. - Other expenses increased by approximately 21.3% from approximately RMB153.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB185.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets[98][101]. - Finance costs decreased by approximately 22.0% from approximately RMB174.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB136.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024[103][106]. - The Group recorded a net profit of RMB47.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a net profit of approximately RMB121.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023[105][108]. - Adjusted net profit for the Reporting Period decreased by approximately RMB93.9 million or approximately 34.3% compared to 2023, with an adjusted net profit margin dropping from approximately 11.7% to approximately 9.3%[111][112]. Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of 31 December 2024 were approximately RMB11,255.4 million, with a gearing ratio of approximately 37.0%[17]. - As of December 31, 2024, the Group had net current assets of approximately RMB758.5 million, with current assets decreasing to approximately RMB4,222.3 million from RMB4,312.7 million as of December 31, 2023[113]. - Current liabilities decreased from approximately RMB3,775.2 million as of December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB3,463.8 million as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to the repayment of interest-bearing bank and other borrowings[114]. - The Group's interest-bearing bank and other borrowings amounted to approximately RMB2,198.3 million as of December 31, 2024, with effective interest rates ranging from 2.2% to 10.0% per annum[121][124]. - The gearing ratio increased to approximately 37.0% as of December 31, 2024, up from 35.9% as of December 31, 2023, due to a slight increase in interest-bearing borrowings[136]. Capital Expenditure and Commitments - The Group's capital expenditure on infrastructure capabilities was approximately RMB384.4 million during the reporting period[17]. - Capital expenditure for the year ended December 31, 2024, was approximately RMB384.4 million, mainly for the construction of school buildings and upgrading online education facilities[119][123]. - Capital commitments at the end of the Reporting Period included approximately RMB86.6 million for equipment and RMB164.6 million for buildings, totaling RMB342.996 million[117]. Education Services and Development - The Group aims to strengthen its position as a leading "Internet+" vocational education group by advancing high-quality development and building a digital service platform ecosystem[18]. - The Group operates over 1,900 learning centers across all 31 provinces in China, connecting approximately 3.1 million C-end users and 4 million job opportunities, serving a total scale of more than 50 million users[23]. - As of December 31, 2024, the Group managed 10 schools with a total student population of approximately 100,000, including around 61,000 full-time undergraduate students[25]. - The Group's online education services are supported by partnerships with approximately 350 domestic key universities and institutions, providing services through over 1,900 learning centers nationwide[31]. - The Group's vocational education network integrates eight business sectors, including on-campus education, online education services, and human resources services[23]. - The Group's schools offer a total of 119 undergraduate majors, 138 junior college majors, and 35 secondary vocational majors[25]. - The integration of industry and education has been promoted, with successful projects recognized by the Ministry of Education, including "New Engineering" and "New Liberal Arts" initiatives[26]. - The Group aims to continue benefiting from favorable policies in vocational education and plans to enhance its digital intelligence and employment service capabilities[20]. - The Group's comprehensive employment service capabilities connect colleges, students, and enterprises to achieve precise matching for talent employment[22]. - The Group's integration of industry and education focuses on strategic emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain[49]. - The Group cooperated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Baidu to issue Generative AI Training Standards and Certifications[49]. - The Group's education informatization services include a user-centric, end-to-end education service cloud platform[53]. - The Group's integrated platform supports collaboration in various strategic emerging industries, including AI and big data[52]. Government Support and Policies - The government allocated RMB31.257 billion to support the modernization and high-quality development of vocational education, which will benefit the Group's education businesses in China[15]. - The Chinese government allocated RMB 31.257 billion to support the modernization and high-quality development of vocational education in 2024[61]. - The National Education Work Conference in January 2024 emphasized enhancing the adaptability and attractiveness of vocational education[63]. - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued an action plan to cultivate digital talents to support the digital economy from 2024 to 2026[65]. - The Ministry of Education's policies are promoting the integration of various forms of continuing education, including online education, to enhance the sector's development[81]. Human Resources and Management - As of December 31, 2024, the Group employed approximately 6,700 employees, a decrease from approximately 6,900 employees in 2023[142][146]. - The Group reviewed and increased employee salaries in 2024 to motivate better performance, with increments based on performance, experience, and industry practices[143][146]. - The Group participates in various employee social security plans, including pension, medical, maternity, work-related injury, unemployment insurance, and housing provident fund[143][146]. - The Group provides training programs for existing and newly recruited employees and sponsors attendance at job-related training courses[144][146]. Leadership and Governance - Mr. Li Xuechun has over 20 years of experience in the education industry and has been the Chairman of the Board since January 17, 2006[147][149]. - Ms. Zhang Weiping, with over 20 years of experience in the education industry, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and has been with the Group since April 2007[151][152]. - Mr. Zuo Yichen, the President of the Company, has over 20 years of experience in finance and education, having joined the Group in August 2016[153][154]. - Mr. Lam Ngai Lung has served as the Chief Financial Officer since May 22, 2016, and has over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance[155]. - Mr. Liang Xingchao, aged 56, appointed as a non-executive director in December 2024, has been the deputy general manager of Shenzhen OCT Capital since December 2018[159]. - Ms. Li Yanping, aged 63, has over 30 years of experience in the financial service industry and has been a non-executive director since June 2017[160]. - Mr. Chan Ngai Sang, Kenny, aged 60, has over 35 years of experience in accounting and is an independent non-executive director since March 2017[164]. - Mr. Yu Huangcheng, aged 49, has served as an investment director at Kunwu Jiuding Capital since March 2010 and is an independent non-executive director since March 2017[165]. - Mr. Wang Wei Hung, Andrew, aged 69, has over 30 years of legal experience and has been an independent non-executive director since March 2017[168]. Risks and Challenges - Key operational risks include changes in market conditions of formal higher education and the regulatory environment in the PRC education industry[187]. - The Group's exposure to interest rate risk is primarily related to bank loans with floating interest rates, with no current use of derivative contracts for hedging[189]. - The Group faces competition from other school operators offering similar quality education and scale[187]. - The Group's management emphasizes the importance of risk management for its success[192]. - The Group has established risk management structures and measures to properly manage financial risks, detailed in the corporate governance report[197]. Legal and Arbitration Matters - The Group is involved in an arbitration dispute regarding a put option for the sale of 49% shares in Leed International, with the Vendors claiming an inflated exit price of approximately RMB2.18 billion[125]. - The Group has a dispute regarding the put option for the acquisition of 49% of Leed International, with the Vendors claiming an inflated exit price of RMB2,180,735,576.50[126]. - As of December 31, 2024, the Group made no provision related to the ongoing arbitration concerning the put option[127]. - The total principal amount of loans extended to Leed National Education Technology (Beijing) Limited is RMB400,000,000, secured by a pledge of 49% shares in Leed International[129]. - The Vendors and Leed National filed for arbitration claiming the obligation to repay the loan has been extinguished, while the Group counter-claimed for repayment of the principal and unpaid interest[129]. - As of December 31, 2024, certain buildings valued at approximately RMB79.2 million and time deposits of RMB551.3 million were pledged to secure bank loans[134]. - The conditional injunction order issued by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands restricts the Group from enforcing share charges over the 49% stake in Leed International[132]. - The arbitration with CIETAC regarding the loan repayment is still ongoing as of the date of the annual report[131]. Future Outlook - The Group anticipates promising long-term prospects for its "internet +" vocational education business[84][89]. - The Group aims to increase student enrollment and raise tuition rates as part of its growth strategy[187]. - The Group aims to maintain a balance between funding continuity and flexibility through internally generated cash flows and other borrowings, regularly reviewing major funding positions to ensure adequate financial resources[196].
民生教育(01569) - 2024 - 年度财报