BEIJING, May 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KE Holdings Inc. ("Beike" or the "Company") (NYSE:BEKE), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Business and Financial Highlights for the First Quarter 2024 Gross transaction value (GTV)1 was RMB629.9 billion (US$87.2 billion), a decrease of 35.2% year-over-year. GTV of existing home transactions was RMB453.2 billion (US$62.8 billion), a decrease of 31.8% year-over-year. GTV of new home transactions was RMB151.8 billion (US$21.0 billion), a decrease of 45.4% year-over-year. GTV of home renovation and furnishing was RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion), an increase of 26.1% year-over-year. GTV of emerging and other services was RMB21.5 billion (US$3.0 billion), a decrease of 19.3% year-over-year. Net revenues were RMB16.4 billion (US$2.3 billion), a decrease of 19.2% year-over-year. Net income was RMB432 million (US$60 million). Adjusted net income2 was RMB1,392 million (US$193 million). Number of stores was 44,216 as of March 31, 2024, a 7.1% increase from one year ago. Number of active stores3 was 42,593 as of March 31, 2024, a 7.5% increase from one year ago. Number of agents was 442,705 as of March 31, 2024, a 1.6% increase from one year ago. Number of active agents4 was 399,159 as of March 31, 2024, a 3.0% decrease from one year ago. Mobile monthly active users (MAU)5 averaged 47.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 45.4 million in the same period of 2023. Mr. Stanley Yongdong Peng, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Beike, commented, "As the existing housing market plays an increasingly important role, China's real estate industry is accelerating its transformation into a new era. We have prioritized quality and efficiency, making new strides across multiple business lines. We actively connect with quality stores in the industry and innovate the community mini-store models under our self-owned brand Lianjia, significantly enhancing our community presence and service capabilities, gradually establishing the infrastructure for a one-stop residential services platform. We deeply explore customer needs and have made numerous new attempts to enhance our online and offline service capabilities in housing transactions and our new initiatives. These include innovative ways of connecting with customers through short videos and live streaming, and providing various protections to address tenants' core concerns." "In this era of transformation, we embrace new possibilities, focusing on customer experience as we actively tackle challenges. We believe that these efforts will help the Company achieve sustained growth," concluded Mr. Peng. Mr. Tao Xu, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Beike, added, "The housing market saw a year-over-year decline in the first quarter, primarily due to the high performance from early last year as a result of the release of pent-up demands from the pandemic. However, if compared with the typical first quarter market performance, the existing home market was fairly stable in the first quarter of this year. For performance in the first quarter, our net revenues reached RMB16.4 billion; gross margin stood at 25.2%; net income reached RMB432 million; adjusted net income was RMB1,392 million. In response to an evolving market environment, we actively advance our "one body, three wings" strategy. Revenues of home renovation and furnishing, home rental services, emerging and other services grew by 112.9% year-over-year in the first quarter, accounting for an increasing portion of our total revenue at 35% and surging by 21.7 percentage points from the same period of 2023. Revenue from home renovation and furnishing business reached RMB2.4 billion, rising by 71.1% year-over-year. Revenue from home rental services reached RMB2.6 billion, up 189.3% year-over-year. Our "one-stop residential services platform" model is further taking shape. We remained steadfast in enhancing shareholder returns, refining the Company's capital structure, and optimizing capital operation efficiency. In the first quarter, we allocated approximately US$220 million to share repurchases. We are committed to providing our shareholders with sustained returns, navigating through cycles together. We will fully support our business through optimizing financial resource allocation. At the same time, we will maintain our high standards for risk management and capital allocation efficiency, contributing to the long-term development of our business." First Quarter 2024 Financial Results Net Revenues Net revenues decreased by 19.2% to RMB16.4 billion (US$2.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB20.3 billion in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease of net revenues from existing home transaction services and new home transaction services, partially offset by the increase of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing and home rental services. Total GTV decreased by 35.2% to RMB629.9 billion (US$87.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB971.5 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to a) the high base effect on housing transaction market in the first quarter of 2023 due to the release of pend-up demand after the ease of COVID-19 containment restrictions and the peak of transactions concentrated in February and March of 2023, and b) the sluggish new home transactions market due to weakness in both supply and demand in the first quarter of 2024. Net revenues from existing home transaction services decreased by 37.6% to RMB5.7 billion (US$0.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB9.2 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the decrease of the GTV of existing home transactions of 31.8% to RMB453.2 billion (US$62.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB664.3 billion in the same period of 2023. The difference in year-over-year change rate between the GTV of existing home transaction services and that of net revenues was primarily attributable to a higher contribution from GTV of existing home transaction services served by connected agents on the Company's platform, for which revenue is recorded on a net basis from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, while for GTV served by Lianjia brand, the revenue is recorded on a gross commission revenue basis.Among that, (i) commission revenue decreased by 40.2% to RMB4.6 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB7.7 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in GTV of existing home transactions served by Lianjia stores of 37.9% to RMB179.2 billion (US$24.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB288.8 billion in the same period of 2023; and (ii) revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company's platform, decreased by 23.5% to RMB1.1 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1.4 billion in the same period of 2023, mainly due to a decrease of GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company's platform of 27.0% to RMB274.0 billion (US$37.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB375.5 billion in the same period of 2023. Net revenues from new home transaction services decreased by 41.5% to RMB4.9 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB8.4 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the decrease of GTV of new home transactions of 45.4% to RMB151.8 billion (US$21.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB277.9 billion in the same period of 2023. Among that, the GTV of new home transactions completed on Beike platform through connected agents, dedicated sales team with the expertise on new home transaction services and other sales channels decreased by 46.6% to RMB121.3 billion (US$16.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB227.0 billion in the same period of 2023, and the GTV of new home transactions served by Lianjia brand decreased by 40.1% to RMB30.5 billion (US$4.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB50.9 billion in the same period of 2023. Net revenues from home renovation and furnishing increased by 71.1% to RMB2.4 billion (US$0.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1.4 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to a) the increase of orders driven by the synergetic effects from customer acquisition and conversion between home transaction services and home renovation and furnishing business, b) a larger contribution from furniture and home furnishing sales (in categories such as customized furniture, soft furnishings, and electrical appliances), and c) enhanced delivery capabilities. Net revenues from home rental services increased by 189.3% to RMB2.6 billion (US$0.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB0.9 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of the number of rental units under the Carefree Rent model. Net revenues from emerging and other services were RMB0.7 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB0.4 billion in the same period of 2023. Cost of Revenues Total cost of revenues decreased by 12.0% to RMB12.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB13.9 billion in the same period of 2023. Commission – split. The Company's cost of revenues for commissions to connected agents and other sales channels was RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB5.6 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the decrease in the GTV of new home transactions completed through connected agents and other sales channels. Commission and compensation – internal. The Company's cost of revenues for internal commission and compensation decreased by 30.9% to RMB3.6 billion (US$0.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB5.2 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the GTV of existing home transactions and new home transactions completed through Lianjia agents. Cost of home renovation and furnishing. The Company's cost of revenues for home renovation and furnishing increased by 71.1% to RMB1.7 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1.0 billion in the same period of 2023, which was primarily attributable to the growth of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing. Cost of home rental services. The Company's cost of revenues for home rental services increased by 150.8% to RMB2.5 billion (US$0.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1.0 billion in the same period of 2023, which was primarily attributable to the growth of net revenues from home rental services. Cost related to stores. The Company's cost related to stores was RMB685 million (US$95 million) in the first quarter of 2024, relatively flat compared with RMB686 million in the same period of 2023. Other costs. The Company's other costs decreased to RMB379 million (US$52 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB424 million in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the decreased tax and surcharges in line with the decreased net revenues. Gross Profit Gross profit decreased by 35.1% to RMB4.1 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB6.3 billion in the same period of 2023. Gross margin was 25.2% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 31.3% in the same period of 2023. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to a) a higher contribution of net revenues from home rental services with a relatively lower contribution margin than other revenue streams, b) a lower contribution margin for existing home transaction services led by the decreased net revenues from existing home transaction services and relatively flat fixed compensation costs for Lianjia agents, c) a lower contribution margin for new home transaction services led by a higher commission-split as percentage of net revenues from new home transaction services paid to connected agents and other channels, and the decreased net revenues from new home transaction services with relatively flat fixed costs, and d) partially offset by a higher contribution of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. Income (Loss) from Operations Total operating expenses increased by 21.9% to RMB4.1 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB3.4 billion in the same period of 2023. General and administrative expenses increased by 24.5% to RMB2,019 million (US$280 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1,621 million in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the increase of personnel costs, provision for credit loss and share-based compensation expenses compared to the same period of 2023. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 25.5% to RMB1,624 million (US$225 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB1,294 million in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the increase in sales and marketing expenses for home renovation and furnishing business in line with the growth of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing. Research and development expenses were RMB467 million (US$65 million) in the first quarter of 2024 relatively flat with RMB457 million in the same period of 2023. Income from operations was RMB12 million (US$2 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to income from operations of RMB2,978 million in the same period of 2023. Operating margin was 0.1% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 14.7% in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a) a lower gross margin due to the decreased contribution margins of existing and new home transaction services and the change of revenue structure and b) the increased contribution of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing and home rental services, which was still in the ramp-up period with a relatively lower operating margin than that of home transaction services in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period of 2023. Adjusted income from operations6 was RMB960 million (US$133 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB3,830 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted operating margin7 was 5.9% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 18.9% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA8 was RMB1,666 million (US$231 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB4,625 million in the same period of 2023. Net Income (Loss) Net income was RMB432 million (US$60 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB2,750 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted net income was RMB1,392 million (US$193 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB3,561 million in the same period of 2023. Net Income (Loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s Ordinary Shareholders Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders was RMB432 million (US$60 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB2,747 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders9 was RMB1,392 million (US$193 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB3,558 million in the same period of 2023. Net Income (Loss) per ADS Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders10 were RMB0.38 (US$0.05) and RMB0.37 (US$0.05) in the first quarter of 2024, respectively, compared to RMB2.32 and RMB2.26 in the same period of 2023, respectively. Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders11 were RMB1.21 (US$0.17) and RMB1.18 (US$0.16) in the first quarter of 2024, respectively, compared to RMB3.01 and RMB2.92 in the same period of 2023, respectively. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-Term Investments As of March 31, 2024, the combined balance of the Company's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments amounted to RMB60.8 billion (US$8.4 billion). Change in Business Line Presentation In view of the increased scale and business importance of the Company's home rental services, the Company has decided to separately report the financials of home rental services, to help investors better understand the Company's revenue structure and margin trends, from the first quarter of 2024 onwards, which is also in accordance with the way report to the Company's chief operating decision maker. Prior period results have been recast to conform to this updated presentation for the current year. Home rental services involve rental property management and operation services with respect to dispersed and centralized properties, and other rental-related services including monetization of platform traffic and online rental management services, which were previously classified mainly under the "emerging and other services" business line. For the avoidance of doubt, brokerage services relating to home rentals continue to be a part of "existing home transaction services" business line. Please see the "Unaudited Segment Contribution Measure" included in this press release for the revised segment presentation. These changes do not affect unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations or unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Share Repurchase Program As previously disclosed, the Company established a share repurchase program in August 2022 and upsized and extended it in August 2023, under which the Company may purchase up to US$2 billion of its Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs until August 31, 2024, subject to obtaining another general unconditional mandate for the repurchase from the shareholders of the Company at the next annual general meeting to continue its share repurchase after the expiry of the existing share repurchase mandate granted by the annual general meeting held on June 15, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company in aggregate has purchased approximately 76.6 million ADSs (representing approximately 229.8 million Class A ordinary shares) on the New York Stock Exchange with a total consideration of approximately US$1,129.8 million under this share repurchase program since its launch. Conference Call Information The Company will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 23, 2024 (8:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Thursday, May 23, 2024) to discuss the financial results. For participants who wish to join the conference call using dial-in numbers, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Dial-in numbers, passcode and unique access PIN would be provided upon registering. Participant Online Registration: English Line: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10038355-ju0pgc.html Chinese Simultaneous Interpretation Line (listen-only mode): https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10038354-7dw3bc.html A replay of the conference call will be accessible through May 30, 2024, by dialing the following numbers: United States: +1-855-883-1031 Mainland, China: 400-1209-216 Hong Kong, China: 800-930-639 International: +61-7-3107-6325 Replay PIN (English line): 10038355 Replay PIN (Chinese simultaneous interpretation line): 10038354     A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://investors.ke.com. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.2203 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 29, 2024, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company uses adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Beike believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its net income (loss). Beike also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that these non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in the Company's business. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to gross profit, net income (loss) or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company's data. Beike encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, and (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vi) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (vii) impairment of investments. Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted. Please see the "Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results" included in this press release for a full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to its respective comparable GAAP measure. About KE Holdings Inc. KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building infrastructure and standards to reinvent how service providers and customers efficiently navigate and complete housing transactions and services in China, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation and furnishing, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China's leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 22 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build its infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release, as well as Beike's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about KE Holdings Inc.'s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Beike's goals and strategies; Beike's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company's revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike's ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike platform; competition in the industry in which Beike operates; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry; Beike's ability to protect the Company's systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike's dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company's platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.'s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China:KE Holdings Inc.Investor RelationsSiting LiE-mail: Piacente Financial Communications Jenny CaiTel: +86-10-6508-0677E-mail: In the United States:Piacente Financial Communications Brandi PiacenteTel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: Source: KE Holdings Inc.   KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)       As of December 31,   As of March 31,     2023   2024     RMB   RMB   US$               ASSETS                         Current assets                         Cash and cash equivalents     19,634,716       17,845,299       2,471,545   Restricted cash     6,222,745       6,938,013       960,904   Short-term investments     34,257,958       36,034,979       4,990,787   Short-term financing receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB122,482 and RMB121,344 as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively     1,347,759       1,096,151       151,815   Accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB1,681,127 and RMB1,686,209 as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively     3,176,169       3,196,811       442,753   Amounts due from and prepayments to related parties     419,270       415,842       57,593   Loan receivables from related parties     28,030       27,140       3,759   Prepayments, receivables and other assets     4,666,976       4,989,290       691,008   Total current assets     69,753,623       70,543,525       9,770,164   Non-current assets                         Property, plant and equipment, net     1,965,098       2,003,296       277,453   Right-of-use assets     17,617,915       18,295,315       2,533,872   Long-term investments, net     23,570,988       20,658,437       2,861,160   Intangible assets, net     1,067,459       962,680       133,330   Goodwill     4,856,807       4,888,626       677,067   Long-term loan receivables from related parties     27,000       23,950       3,317   Other non-current assets     1,473,041       1,645,607       227,914   Total non-current assets     50,578,308       48,477,911       6,714,113   TOTAL ASSETS     120,331,931       119,021,436       16,484,277   KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)       As of December 31,   As of March 31,     2023   2024     RMB   RMB   US$               LIABILITIES                         Current liabilities                         Accounts payable     6,328,516       5,651,089       782,667   Amounts due to related parties     430,350       368,473       51,033   Employee compensation and welfare payable     8,145,779       5,561,697       770,286   Customer deposits payable     3,900,564       5,129,030       710,362   Income taxes payable     698,568       558,938       77,412   Short-term borrowings     290,450       408,420       56,566   Lease liabilities current portion     9,368,607       10,328,887       1,430,534   Contract liabilities     4,665,201       4,989,855       691,087   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     5,695,948       8,759,046       1,213,114   Total current liabilities     39,523,983       41,755,435       5,783,061