BEIJING, June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scienjoy Holding Corporation ("Scienjoy", the "Company", or "we") (NASDAQ:SJ), an interactive entertainment leader in the Chinese market, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. First Quarter 2024 Operating and Financial Highlights Total revenues increased by 3.9% to RMB316.3 million (US$43.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024, from RMB304.3 million in the same period of 2023. Gross profit increased by 32.4% to RMB53.1 million (US$7.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB40.1 million in the same period of 2023. Gross margin increased to 16.8% in the first quarter of 2024 from 13.2% in the same period of 2023. Income from operations increased by 109.6% to RMB10.3 million (US$1.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, from RMB4.9 million in the same period of 2023. Net income amounted to RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared with a net loss of RMB5.5 million in the same period of 2023. Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders amounted RMB6.6 million (US$0.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared with a net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB3.2 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders increased by 73.6% to RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB5.2 million in the same period of 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had RMB206.2 million (US$28.6 million) in cash and cash equivalents, which represented an increase of RMB0.7 million from RMB205.5 million as of December 31, 2023. Mr. Victor He, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scienjoy, commented, "In the first quarter of 2024, we've sustained remarkable momentum in executing our strategic agenda of global expansion and metaverse innovation. At the core of our expansion strategy lies our unwavering commitment to pioneering metaverse products and services with AI technologies and applications. As the rapid evolution of AI-Generated Content (AIGC) technology presents both challenges and opportunities within the metaverse landscape, we will continuously integrate the AIGC technology organically. And the upcoming launch of AI Mate and AI Vision epitomizes our mission to integrate AI into daily life. We hold firm confidence to bring our products to a wider audience and strengthen our position globally. Looking ahead, we strive to leverage our extensive online business experience and advanced technologies to actively shape the future contours of the metaverse ecosystem." Mr. Denny Tang, Chief Financial Officer of Scienjoy, added, "We are pleased to report strong first-quarter results, driven by our continued focus on execution of the development plan. Our total revenues increased by 3.9%, and income from operations soared by an impressive 109.6%. Additionally, our gross profit increased by 32.4% and adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders rose significantly by 73.6%. These figures underscore the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives and our continuous effort to explore growth opportunities, and the significant results achieved from therein. Despite navigating through uncertain macroeconomic conditions and market volatility, we are unwaveringly committed to global expansion and financial prudence, particularly in the ever-evolving landscape of AI technologies and applications, and metaverse. We are confident in our resilience and capability to capture the growth potential in the development of metaverse while continuing to execute our global expansion strategies. Moving forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving innovation and delivering shareholder value, fueled by the confidence in our continued profitability and growth." First Quarter 2024 Financial Results Total revenues increased by 3.9% to RMB316.3 million (US$43.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB304.3 million in the same period of 2023, primarily caused by increase of average revenue per paying user ("ARPPU"), our ARPPU in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 18% comparing to the same period of 2023 as the economy recovers in China. Cost of revenues decreased by 0.4% to RMB263.2 million (US$36.5 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB264.2 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a 50%, or RMB7.1 million, year-over-year decrease in users acquisition costs in the first quarter of 2024, due to the fact that the Company already had a stable market share. Gross profit increased by 32.4% to RMB53.1 million (US$7.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB40.1 million in the same period of 2023. Gross margin in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 was 16.8% and 13.2%, respectively. Total operating expenses increased by 21.6% to RMB42.8 million (US$5.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB35.2 million in the same period of 2023. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 851.2% to RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB0.2 million in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to sales and marketing activities in our new subsidiaries in Dubai. The Company is taking initiative in Dubai market, aiming at global expansion starting from the dynamic Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. General and administrative expenses increased by 15.1% to RMB19.9 million (US$2.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB17.3 million in the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase of RMB2.9 million in employee salary and welfare. Research and development expenses increased by 28.1% to RMB21.5 million (US$3.0 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB16.8 million in the same period of 2023, due to an increase of RMB4.1 million in technical services fees. Recovery of credit losses amounted to RMB0.6 million (US$0.09 million) in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to a provision for credit losses of RMB0.9 million in the same period of 2023. Income from operations increased by 109.6% to RMB10.3 million (US$1.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB4.9 million in the same period of 2023. Change in fair value of contingent consideration was nil in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to a loss of RMB4.5 million in the same period of 2023. Change in fair value of contingent consideration is derived from earn out liabilities resulted from historical acquisitions. The fair value of the contingent consideration is re-measured at each reporting period, and the change in fair value is recognized as either income or expense.  Change in fair value of warrants liability was nil in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to a loss of RMB1.9 million in the same period of 2023. The fair value of the Company's warrants derivative liability assumed from the SPAC acquisition is re-measured to its fair value at the end of each reporting period, with the change being recorded as other expense or gain. In February 2024, the Company's warrants expired according to the terms of the warrant agreement. As of February 6, 2024, the Company has no warrants issued and outstanding. Change in fair value of investment in marketable security amounted to a loss of RMB3.2 million (US$0.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared with a gain of RMB1.6 million in the same period of 2023. The change was primarily attributable to the fair value changes in investments in publicly traded company. Investment loss amounted to RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared with RMB0.2 million in the same period of 2023. Net income amounted to RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to a net loss of RMB5.5 million in the same period of 2023.  Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders amounted to RMB6.6 million (US$0.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to a net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB3.2 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders increased by 73.6% to RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024 from RMB5.2 million in the same period of 2023. Basic and diluted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.16 (US$0.02) in the first quarter of 2024. In comparison, basic and diluted net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.08 in the same period of 2023. Adjusted basic and diluted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.22 (US$0.03) in the first quarter of 2024. In comparison, adjusted basic and diluted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.13 in the same period of 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB206.2 million (US$28.6 million), which represented an increase of 0.3% from RMB205.5 million as of December 31, 2023. Business Outlook The Company expects its total revenues to be in the range of RMB354 million to RMB374 million in the second quarter of 2024. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change and cannot be predicted with reasonable accuracy as of the date hereof.   About Scienjoy Holding Corporation Scienjoy is a pioneering Nasdaq-listed interactive entertainment leader. Driven by the vision of shaping a metaverse lifestyle, Scienjoy leverages AI-powered technology to create immersive experiences that resonate with global audiences, fostering meaningful connections and redefining entertainment. For more information, please visit http://ir.scienjoy.com/.  Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted net income is calculated as net income adjusted for change in fair value of contingent consideration, change in fair value of warrant liability and share based compensation. Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share is non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ordinary share. The non-GAAP financial measures are presented to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As non-GAAP financial measures have material limitations as analytical metrics and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measures as a substitute for, or superior to, such metrics in accordance with US GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results" near the end of this release. Exchange Rate Information This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB7.2203 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2024, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled in U.S. dollars at that rate on March 31, 2024, or at any other rate. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements made in this release are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are: the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate other future acquisitions; ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting our profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations Contacts Denny TangChief Financial OfficerScienjoy Holding Ascent Investor Relations LLC Tina       UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise stated) As of December 31, As of March 31, 2023 2024 2024 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 205,465 206,175 28,555 Accounts receivable, net 260,979 210,329 29,130 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 78,653 58,458 8,096 Amounts due from related parties 355 - - Investment in marketable security 31,525 28,298 3,919 Total current assets 576,977 503,260 69,700 Property and equipment, net 2,193 2,035 282 Intangible assets, net 412,154 410,412 56,841 Goodwill 182,467 182,502 25,276 Long term investment 254,411 267,434 37,039 Long term deposits and other assets 726 731 101 Right-of-use assets-operating lease 12,157 10,359 1,435 Deferred tax assets 7,379 7,208 998 Total non-current assets 871,487 880,681 121,972