Tuniu Announces Unaudited Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Net Revenues in Q2 2017 Increased by 53.8% Year-Over-Year

Gross Profit in Q2 2017 Increased by 84.5% Year-Over-Year

NANJING, China, Aug. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ: TOUR) ("Tuniu" or the "Company"), a leading online leisure travel company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2017

• Net revenues in the second quarter of 2017 increased by 53.8% year-over-year, compared with Non-GAAP^[1] net revenues, to RMB460.1 million (US$67.9 million^[2]).
• Revenues from packaged tours in the second quarter of 2017 increased by 57.7% year-over-year, compared with Non-GAAP revenues from packaged tours, to RMB339.3 million (US$50.1 million).
• Gross profit in the second quarter of 2017 increased by 84.5% year-over-year, compared with Non-GAAP gross profit, to RMB240.6 million (US$35.5 million).

Comparison of Revenues

We adopted ASC 606 new revenue standard effective January 1, 2017 by applying the full retrospective method. To increase comparability of operating results and help investors better understand our business performance and operating trends, we have provided the following comparison between revenues, cost of revenues and gross profit for the second quarter of 2017 and the relevant Non-GAAP adjusted data for corresponding period in 2016:

Additional information regarding our Non-GAAP definition and reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP results are provided at the end of this announcement.

Mr. Donald Yu, Tuniu's co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to report a strong quarter of performance for the second quarter of 2017. Net revenues increased by 54% year-over-year while gross profit increased by over 84% year-over-year. Tuniu already holds the largest share of the market, yet we are able to continue strengthening our leading position relative to our peers. In 2014, we launched our direct procurement initiative and accumulated years of experience in inventory management and procurement. This expertise will be valuable going forward as we place a greater emphasis on our direct procurement strategy."

Mr. Alex Yan, Tuniu's co-founder, President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "During the quarter, both air ticketing and hotel booking grew organically beyond expectations. Our relationships with suppliers have strengthened and deepened. With the establishment of these relationships, we have been able to synergize these products with our core leisure travel packages, in particular our self-guided tours."

Mr. Conor Yang, Tuniu's Chief Financial Officer, said, "During the quarter, we were able to continue narrowing our losses. Our operating expenses decreased both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of revenue. As we realize the benefits of economies of scale in areas such as branding and technology, we will work on further improvements to our profitability."

Second Quarter 2017 Results

Net revenues were RMB460.1 million (US$67.9 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 53.8%, compared with Non-GAAP net revenues, from the corresponding period in 2016.

• Revenues from packaged tours, substantially all of which are recognized on a net basis, were RMB339.3 million (US$50.1 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 57.7%, compared with Non-GAAP revenues from packaged tours, from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the growth of organized tours and self-guided tours.
• Other revenues, were RMB120.8 million (US$17.8 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 37.7%, compared with Non-GAAP other revenues, from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was due to a rise in revenue generated from financial services and commission fees received from other travel-related products, such as transportation ticketing and accommodation reservation.

Cost of revenues was RMB219.5 million (US$32.4 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 30.1%, compared with Non-GAAP cost of revenues, from the corresponding period in 2016. As a percentage of net revenues, cost of revenues was 47.7% in the second quarter of 2017, compared to 56.4% as a percentage of Non-GAAP net revenues in the corresponding period in 2016.

Gross profit was RMB240.6 million (US$35.5 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 84.5%, compared with Non-GAAP gross profit, from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase in gross profit and gross margin was primarily due to improved economies of scale, increased operational efficiency and optimized supply chain management.

Operating expenses were RMB529.2 million (US$78.1 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year decrease of 41.1% from the corresponding period in 2016. Share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets, which were allocated to operating expenses, were RMB57.9 million (US$8.5 million) in the second quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP operating expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets, were RMB471.2 million (US$69.5 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year decrease of 44.1%.

• Research and product development expenses were RMB146.6 million (US$21.6 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 3.8%. Non-GAAP research and product development expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets of RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million), were RMB144.4 million (US$21.3 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing an increase of 3.5% from the corresponding period in 2016. Research and product development expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 31.9% in the second quarter of 2017, decreasing from 47.2% as a percentage of Non-GAAP net revenues in the corresponding period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in efficiency resulting from economies of scale and implementation of new systems.
• Sales and marketing expenses were RMB221.9 million (US$32.7 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year decrease of 64.3%. Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets of RMB34.6 million (US$5.1 million), were RMB187.3 million (US$27.6 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year decrease of 68.2% from the corresponding period in 2016. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 48.2% in the second quarter of 2017, decreasing from 207.6% as a percentage of Non-GAAP net revenues in the corresponding period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in brand promotion spending and preference for marketing channels with higher ROI.
• General and administrative expenses were RMB166.1 million (US$24.5 million) in the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 17.4%. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets of RMB21.2 million (US$3.1 million), were RMB144.9 million (US$21.4 million) for the second quarter of 2017, representing a year-over-year increase of 21.4% from the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase in expenses associated with the Company's business and product category expansion. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 36.1% in the second quarter of 2017, decreasing from 47.3% as a percentage of Non-GAAP net revenues in the corresponding period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in efficiency resulting from economies of scale and optimization of administrative personnel.

Loss from operations was RMB288.6 million (US$42.6 million) in the second quarter of 2017, compared to a loss from operations of RMB769.9 million in the second quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP loss from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets, was RMB230.4 million (US$34.0 million) in the second quarter of 2017.

Net loss was RMB270.8 million (US$39.9 million) in the second quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of RMB756.9 million in the second quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP net loss, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets, was RMB212.6 million (US$31.4 million) in the second quarter of 2017.

Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB270.6 million (US$39.9 million) in the second quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB754.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets, was RMB212.4 million (US$31.3 million) in the second quarter of 2017.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB4.5 billion (US$666.1 million).

Business Outlook

For the third quarter of 2017, Tuniu expects to generate RMB761.5 million to RMB787.7 million of net revenues, which represents 45% to 50% growth year-over-year compared with Non-GAAP net revenues in the corresponding period in 2016. This forecast reflects Tuniu's current and preliminary view on the industry and its operations, which is subject to change.

Conference Call Information

Tuniu's management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time, on August 16, 2017, (9:00 am, Beijing/Hong Kong Time, on August 17, 2017) to discuss the second quarter 2017 financial results.

To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers:

A telephone replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference through August 23, 2017. The dial-in details are as follows:

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

About Tuniu

Tuniu (Nasdaq:TOUR) is a leading online leisure travel company in China that offers a large selection of packaged tours, including organized and self-guided tours, as well as travel-related services for leisure travelers through its website tuniu.com and mobile platform. Tuniu has over 1,800,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) of packaged tours, covering over 400 departing cities throughout China and all popular destinations worldwide. Tuniu provides one-stop leisure travel solutions and a compelling customer experience through its online platform and offline service network. For more information, please visit http://ir.tuniu.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 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. Tuniu may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Tuniu's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but are not limited to the following: Tuniu's goals and strategies; the growth of the online leisure travel market in China; the demand for Tuniu's products and services; its relationships with customers and travel suppliers; the Company's ability to offer competitive travel products and services; Tuniu's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; competition in the online travel industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company's structure, business and industry; and the general economic and business condition in China and elsewhere. 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. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and Tuniu does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company's unaudited consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company has provided Non-GAAP information related to net revenue, cost of revenues, research and product development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses, operating expenses, loss from operations, net loss, net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders-basic and diluted and net loss per ADS, which excludes adjustment on net basis and timing of revenue recognition as in 2017, share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets. We believe that the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing underlying business performance and operating trends, and management and investors benefit from referring to these Non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our financial performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. 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.

A limitation of using Non-GAAP financial measures excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets is that share-based compensation expenses and amortization of acquired intangible assets have been – and will continue to be – significant recurring expenses in the Company's business. You should not view Non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

China
Maria Xin
Vice President
Tuniu Corporation
Phone: +86-25-8685-3178
E-mail: ir@tuniu.com

(Financial Tables Follow)

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SOURCE Tuniu