RLX Technology Q3 net revenues decreased by 34%

RLX Technology stock tumbled 10% in premarket trading after reporting quarterly results.

RLX Technology Inc., a branded e-vapor company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

• Net revenueswereRMB1,676.7 million(US$260.2 million), representing a decrease of 34.0% fromRMB2,541.4 millionin the second quarter of 2021.
• Gross marginwas 39.1%, compared to 45.1% in the second quarter of 2021.
• U.S. GAAP netincomewasRMB976.4 million(US$151.5 million), compared withRMB824.3 millionin the second quarter of 2021.
• Non-GAAP net income[1]wasRMB452.7 million(US$70.3 million), compared withRMB651.8 millionin the second quarter of 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

Net revenues decreased by 34.0% toRMB1,676.7 million(US$260.2 million) in the third quarter of 2021 fromRMB2,541.4 millionin the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was as a result of volatile market conditions, including (i) the negative publicity on the e-vapor industry since the latter half of the second quarter, (ii) the fact that the draft new rules announced onMarch 22, 2021had not been formally confirmed in this quarter, and (iii) evolving COVID-19 restrictions in response to outbreaks inChina, which had an adverse impact on our sales and channel inventory management.

Gross profit decreased by 42.8% to RMB656.0 million (US$101.8 million) in the third quarter of 2021 fromRMB1,146.5 millionin the second quarter of 2021.

Gross margin was 39.1% in the third quarter of 2021, compared to 45.1% in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to (i) an increase in direct cost related to promotional activities and (ii) an increase in inventory provision.

Operating expenses were positiveRMB241.3 million(US$37.5 million) in the third quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of 244.4% fromRMB167.2 millionin the second quarter of 2021. The significant decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to the recognition of share-based compensation expenses of positiveRMB523.7 million(US$81.3 million), consisting of (i) share-based compensation expenses of positiveRMB90.8 million(US$14.1 million) recognized in selling expenses, (ii) share-based compensation expenses of positiveRMB320.1 million(US$49.7 million) recognized in general and administrative expenses, and (iii) share-based compensation expenses of positiveRMB112.8 million(US$17.5 million) recognized in research and development expenses. The significant fluctuations in share-based compensation expenses were primarily due to the changes in the fair value of the share incentive awards that the Company granted to its employees as affected by the significant fluctuations of the share price of the Company.

Selling expenses decreased by 55.1% to RMB56.5 million (US$8.8 million) in the third quarter of 2021 fromRMB126.0 millionin the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by the (i) fluctuation of share-based compensation expenses and (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits, partially offset by an increase in branding material expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 649.8% to positiveRMB253.2 million(US$39.3 million) in the third quarter of 2021 fromRMB46.1 millionin the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by the (i) fluctuation of the share-based compensation expenses and (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits.

Research and development expensesdecreased by 808.3% to positiveRMB44.6 million(US$6.9 million) in the third quarter of 2021 from positiveRMB4.9 millionin the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by the (i) fluctuation of the share-based compensation expenses and (ii) a decrease in salaries and welfare benefits, partially offset by (i) an increase in software and technical expenses and (ii) an increase in consulting expenses.

Income from operations wasRMB897.3 million (US$139.3 million) in the third quarter of 2021, compared withRMB979.3  million in the second quarter of 2021.

Income tax expense wasRMB121.4 million (US$18.8 million) in the third quarter of 2021, compared withRMB204.2 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in taxable income.

U.S. GAAPnet income wasRMB976.4 million (US$151.5 million) in the third quarter of 2021, compared withRMB824.3 million in the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP net incomewasRMB452.7 million(US$70.3 million) in the third quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of 30.5% fromRMB651.8 millionin the second quarter of 2021.

U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per American depositary share ("ADS") wereRMB0.724(US$0.112) andRMB0.717(US$0.111), respectively, in the third quarter of 2021, compared to U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS ofRMB0.595andRMB0.591, respectively, in the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP basic and diluted netincome per ADS[2]wereRMB0.334(US$0.052) andRMB0.332(US$0.051), respectively, in the third quarter of 2021, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS ofRMB0.470andRMB0.467, respectively, in the second quarter of 2021.