GlobeNewswire Inc | May 20, 2021 07:30AM EDT

May 20, 2021

BEIJING, May 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET) (the "Company"), an integrated Internet advertising, precision marketing, data analytics and other value-added blockchain services provider serving enterprise clients, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter of 2021 Financial Results

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, revenues increased by $4.01 million, or 91.5%, to $8.40 million from $4.38 million for the same period last year. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the increase in revenues from our Internet advertising and related services business segment, as a result of economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak since the second half of last year.

Cost of revenues

Total cost of revenues increased by $5.63 million, or 161.5%, to $9.11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $3.49 million for the same period last year. The increase in cost of revenues was primary attributable to the increase in costs associated with distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service we purchased from key search engines and cost related to providing Internet advertising services on our ad portals, which was in line with the increase in the related revenues.

Gross profit (loss) and gross profit (loss) margin

Gross loss was $0.72 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to gross profit of $0.90 million for the same period last year, which was primarily due to the negative gross margin rate incurred by our main stream of service revenues. Gross loss margin was 8.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to a gross profit margin of 20.5% for the same period last year.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.14 million, or 83.0%, to $0.03 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $0.17 million for the same period last year. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.80 million, or 64.4%, to $1.00 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $2.80 million for the same period last year. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses and allowance for doubtful accounts, which decrease was partially offset by the increase in general administrative expenses due to the office shutdown in the first fiscal quarter last year, as a result of COVID-19 outbreak during that period.

Research and development expenses decreased by $0.14 million, or 65.4%, to $0.08 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $0.21 million for the same period last year. The decrease in research and development expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

Operating loss

Loss from operations was $1.82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $2.28 million for the same period last year. Operating loss margin was 21.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 51.9% for the same period last year.

Other income, net

Total other income increased to $2.48 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $0.04 million for the same period last year, which was primarily attributable to the increase in gain from change in fair value of warrant liabilities.

Net income (loss) attributable to CNET and earnings (loss) per share

Net income attributable to CNET was $0.69 million, or earnings per share of $0.02, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This compared to a net loss attributable to CNET of $2.31 million, or loss per share of $0.11, for the same period last year.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $15.79 million, compared to $4.30 million as of December 31, 2020. Accounts receivable, net was $1.69 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $2.41 million as of December 31, 2020. Working capital was $8.36 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $4.86 million as of December 31, 2020.

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.71 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.52 million for the same period last year. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.87 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $1.12 million for the same period last year. Net cash provided by financing activities was $17.11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.43 million for the same period last year.

About ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Beijing, China, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (the Company) offers Internet advertising, precision marketing, data analytics and other value-added services for enterprise clients. Leveraging its fully integrated services platform, proprietary database, and cutting-edge algorithms, ZW Data Action Technologies delivers customized, result-driven business solutions for small and medium-sized enterprise clients in China. The Company also develops blockchain and artificial intelligence enabled web/mobile applications and software solutions for general public, enterprise clients, and government agencies. More information about the Company can be found at: http://www.zdat.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. will be those anticipated by ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

For more information, please contact:

Sherry ZhengWeitian Group LLCEmail: shunyu.zheng@weitian-ir.comPhone: +1 718-213-7386

ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

March 31, December 31, 2021 2020 (US $) (US $) (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents * $ 15,785 $ 4,297 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful 1,694 2,407 accounts of $4,217 and $4,247, respectively *Prepayment and deposit to suppliers * 7,194 4,657 Due from related parties, net * 102 61 Other current assets, net * 1,765 1,462 Total current assets 26,540 12,884 Long-term investments * 404 67 Operating lease right-of-use assets * 2,199 48 Property and equipment, net * 61 60 Intangible assets, net * 3,603 2,557 Blockchain platform applications development costs 4,403 4,406 Long-term deposits and prepayments * 793 39 Deferred tax assets, net * 624 606 Total Assets $ 38,627 $ 20,667 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable * $ 1,226 $ 608 Advances from customers * 1,592 1,436 Accrued payroll and other accruals * 286 489 Taxes payable * 3,385 3,430 Operating lease liabilities * 267 18 Lease payment liabilities related to short-term 200 203 leases *Other current liabilities * 306 333 Warrant liabilities 10,919 1,505 Total current liabilities 18,181 8,022

Long-term liabilities: Operating lease liabilities-Non current * 1,953 32 Long-term borrowing from a director 133 134 Total Liabilities 20,267 8,188 Commitments and contingencies Equity: ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.?s stockholders? equityCommon stock (US$0.001 par value; authorized50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 31,304,915 31 26 shares and 26,062,915 shares at March 31, 2021 andDecember 31, 2020, respectively)Additional paid-in capital 54,980 49,772 Statutory reserves 2,598 2,598 Accumulated deficit (40,295 ) (40,980 )Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,110 1,129 Total ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.?s 18,424 12,545 stockholders? equity Noncontrolling interests (64 ) (66 )Total equity 18,360 12,479 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 38,627 $ 20,667

*All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Companys general assets.

ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (US $) (US $) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues From unrelated parties $ 8,396 $ 4,371 From related parities - 13 Total revenues 8,396 4,384 Cost of revenues 9,113 3,485 Gross (loss)/profit (717 ) 899 Operating expenses Sales and marketing expenses 28 165 General and administrative expenses 996 2,796 Research and development expenses 74 214 Total operating expenses 1,098 3,175 Loss from operations (1,815 ) (2,276 ) Other income/(expenses) Interest income/(expense), net 1 (1 )Other expenses (24 ) (1 )Change in fair value of warrant liabilities 2,507 46 Total other income 2,484 44 Income/(loss) before income tax benefit/(expense) 669 (2,232 )and noncontrolling interestsIncome tax benefit/(expense) 18 (78 )Net income/(loss) 687 (2,310 )Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling (2 ) - interestsNet income/(loss) attributable to ZW Data Action $ 685 $ (2,310 )Technologies Inc.

Net income/(loss) $ 687 $ (2,310 )Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain (19 ) 72 Comprehensive income/(loss) 668 (2,238 )Comprehensive income attributable to (2 ) (1 )noncontrolling interestsComprehensive income/(loss) attributable $ 666 $ (2,239 )to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. Earnings/(loss) per share Earnings/(loss) per common share Basic and diluted $ 0.02 $ (0.11 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 28,505,181 20,397,406

ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (US $) (US $) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cash flows from operating activities Net income/(loss) $ 687 $ (2,310 )Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) tonet cash (used in)/provided by operating activitiesDepreciation and amortization 112 207 Amortization of operating lease right-of-use 36 3 assetsShare-based compensation expenses 100 1,919 Provision for allowances for doubtful - 410 accountsDeferred taxes (18 ) (5 )Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (2,507 ) (46 )Changes in operating assets and liabilities Accounts receivable 700 (255 )Prepayment and deposit to suppliers (2,630 ) 2,236 Due from related parties - 29 Other current assets 7 (5 )Long-term deposits and prepayments (794 ) (1,125 )Accounts payable 628 (147 )Advances from customers 169 123 Accrued payroll and other accruals (188 ) 34 Other current liabilities 25 319 Taxes payable (18 ) 94 Lease payment liability related to short-term (1 ) 37 leasesOperating lease liabilities (14 ) - Net cash (used in)/provided by operating (3,706 ) 1,518 activities Cash flows from investing activities Cash effect of deconsolidation of VIEs? (8 ) - subsidiariesInvestments and advances to ownership (385 ) - investee entitiesShort-term loan to an unrelated party (312 ) (815 )Payment for purchase of software technologies (1,160 ) - Payment for blockchain platform applications - (302 )development costsNet cash used in investing activities (1,865 ) (1,117 )

Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrant 17,111 - (net of cash offering cost of US$1,600)Repayment of short-term bank loan - (430 )Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 17,111 (430 ) Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and (52 ) (19 )cash equivalents Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 11,488 (48 )equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the 4,297 1,603 periodCash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 15,785 $ 1,555