SHENZHEN, China,Nov. 14, 2018(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --LexinFintech Holdings Ltd.("Lexin" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: LX), a leading online consumer finance platform for educated young adults in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter endedSeptember 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Operational Highlights:

• Total outstanding principal balance of loans reachedRMB25.8 billionas ofSeptember 30, 2018, representing an increase of 62.1% fromRMB15.9 billionas ofSeptember 30, 2017.
   
• Total loan originations in the third quarter of 2018 reachedRMB13.7 billion, compared toRMB14.0 billionin the third quarter of 2017.
   
• The weighted average tenor of loans originated on our platform in the third quarter of 2018 was approximately 13.6 months. The effective APR¹ was 23.2% for the third quarter of 2018.
   
• The GMV² of our e-commerce channel amounted toRMB1.4 billion, representing an increase of 33.8% fromRMB1.1 billionin the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Customer acquisition cost³ amounted toRMB97in the third quarter of 2018, compared toRMB74in the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Total number of registered users reached 32.6 million as ofSeptember 30, 2018, representing an increase of 61.0% from 20.2 million as ofSeptember 30, 2017; and users with credit line reached 9.6 million as ofSeptember 30, 2018, up by 46.4% from 6.5 million as ofSeptember 30, 2017.
   
• Number of active customers who used our loan products in the third quarter of 2018 reached 2.8 million, representing an increase of 11.5% from 2.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. Number of new active customers who used our loan products in the third quarter of 2018 was 696 thousand.
   
• 90 day+ delinquency ratio⁴ was 1.39% as ofSeptember 30, 2018.

¹ The effective APR refers to the percentage equal to the annualized actual amount of finance charges, including interest and service fees, generated from a customer loan, divided by the average outstanding principal balance for the loan.

² "GMV" refers to the total value of transactions completed for products purchased on the e-commerce channel of our platform, net of returns.

³ Customer acquisition cost refers to the amount of total costs we incur in connection with acquiring customers divided by the number of new active customers during a given time period.

⁴ 90 day+ delinquency ratio refers to outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans that were 90 to 179 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans on our platform as of a specific date. Loans that are charged off are not included in the delinquency rate calculation.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights:

• Total operating revenue reachedRMB1.7 billion. Financial services income reachedRMB1.1 billion, representing an increase of 37.1% from the third quarter of 2017. Loan facilitation and servicing fees reachedRMB405 million, representing an increase of 404% from the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Gross profit reachedRMB623 million, representing an increase of 84.7% from the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Net income wasRMB316 million, representing an increase of 363% from the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Non-GAAP EBIT⁵ wasRMB405 million, representing an increase of 121% from the third quarter of 2017.
   
• Adjusted net income⁵ wasRMB354 million, representing an increase of 213% from the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income per ADS wasRMB1.93on a fully diluted basis.

"We continue to deliver strong results in the third quarter despite challenging market conditions, thanks to our commitment to a stable and compliant business strategy," said Mr. Jay Wenjie Xiao, Lexin's chairman and chief executive officer. "We have made continuous efforts to build strong relationships with multiple funding sources, improve our borrowing scenarios, and invest in financial technology, which has helped us to gain recognition from customers and partners, and eventually maintain growth."

"We continue to see a strong year-on-year growth in our business in the third quarter," said Mr. Craig Yan Zeng, Lexin's chief financial officer. "In the third quarter, Lexin's gross profit reachedRMB623 millionand non-GAAP EBIT reachedRMB405 million, representing an increase of 84.7% and 121% from the same period in 2017. Our adjusted net income also increased by 213% to overRMB354 milliondue to our strong performance." 
  
"Recently, we also completed the submission of our P2P Compliance Self-Inspection Report to our local P2P regulatory office." continued Mr. Zeng. "We are pleased with our progress in the P2P registration process, and look forward to completing the next steps in this process."

"Recent turbulence in the industry and in the quarter had no material impact to our credit quality," said Mr. Ryan Huanian Liu, Lexin's chief risk officer. "The credit quality of our educated young adult customers continues to be stable – a reflection of the inherent low risk profile of this customer cohort. Our vintage charge-off rate⁶ continues to be approximately 2.0%, and our 90 day+ delinquency rate was 1.39% as ofSeptember 30, 2018."

⁵ Non-GAAP EBIT and adjusted net income are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section of "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Statement" and the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

⁶ "Vintage charge-off rate" refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet loans originated during a specified time period, which we refer to as a vintage, the total outstanding principal balance of the loans that are charged off during a specified period, divided by the total initial principal of the loans originated in such vintage.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results:

Operating revenue increased fromRMB1.5 billionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB1.7 billionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase in operating revenues was due to the increase in financial services income for the quarter, driven by continuing increases in the number of active customers and the average total outstanding principal balance of total on-balance and off-balance loans.

Financial services income increased by 37.1% fromRMB778 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB1.1 billionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily contributed by increase in the loan facilitation and servicing fees.

Loan facilitation and servicing fees increased by 404% fromRMB80.5 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB405 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to the significant increase in off-balance sheet loans originated as a result of the continuing growth of our business as well as business model adjustments. The Company made some adjustments to the business model of Juzi Licai in the second quarter of 2018. As a result, all new loans funded by individual investors on Juzi Licai under this new business model have been accounted for as off-balance sheet loans, commencing from lateApril 2018.  Prior to this, loans originated on Juzi Licai were accounted for as on-balance sheet loans. As a result, revenues generated through loan facilitation and servicing increased significantly.

Interest and financial services income decreased by 5.40% fromRMB655 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB620 millionin the third quarter of 2018 due to a decrease in on-balance sheet loans originated on our platform, which was primarily due to the aforementioned business model adjustments in the second quarter. The balances of financing receivables and funding debts on our balance sheets decreased along with less volume of on-balance loans originated on our platform as well as the repayment of existing on-balance sheet loans.

Funding cost decreased by 1.2% fromRMB211 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB208 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in our on-balance sheet loans originated on our platform.

Processing and servicing cost increased by 37.4% fromRMB60.0 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB82.5 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in fees to third-party payment platforms, an increase in risk management expenses, and an increase in salaries and personnel related costs.

Provision for credit losses increased by 32.8% fromRMB151 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB201 millionin the third quarter of 2018. We are continuing to improve our credit assessment and risk management capabilities to enhance our collection efforts while maintaining credit risks at a reasonable level.

Gross profit increased by 84.7% fromRMB337 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB623 millionin the third quarter of 2018. The significant increase in the gross profit margin is primarily due to the significant increase of loan facilitation and servicing fees resulting from the increase of proportion of the off-balance loans of our total loans as discussed above, which has higher gross profit margins than interest and financial service income

Sales and marketing expenses increased by 24.9% fromRMB108 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB134 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses allocated to sales and marketing expenses, an increase in payroll expenses, and an increase in online promotional fees and advertising costs.

Research and development expenses increased by 39.6% fromRMB67.1 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB93.6 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in payroll and related expenses, an increase in share-based compensation expenses allocated to research and development expenses, and an increase in depreciation expenses allocated to research and development expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased by 39.0% fromRMB52.8 millionin the third quarter of 2017 toRMB73.5 millionin the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses allocated to general and administrative expenses and an increase in payroll expenses. In addition, we incurred an increase in professional service fees and rental expenses.

Gain on guarantee liabilities for the third quarter of 2018 wasRMB33.9 million, which was resulted from releasing of liabilities through our performance of the guarantee for loans funded by individual investors on Juzi Licai covered by risk safeguard scheme.

Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2018 wasRMB43.1 million, compared to income tax expense ofRMB69.3 millionin the third quarter of 2017. The decrease of the annualized effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to the change of our cost structure and lower enacted tax rate for certain qualified entities.

Net income for the third quarter of 2018 wasRMB316 million, representing an increase of 363% fromRMB68.2 millionin the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2018 wasRMB354 million, representing an increase of 213% fromRMB113 millionin the third quarter of 2017.

Please click here to view our vintage curve:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44dbde11-43b2-45ab-9e07-1cd3e19bf69f

Outlook

Based on Lexin's preliminary assessment of the current market conditions, the Company currently expects total loan originations for the fourth quarter of 2018 to be approximatelyRMB17 billion to RMB19 billion. This is Lexin's current and preliminary view, which is subject to changes and uncertainties.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at7:00 AMU.S. Eastern time onNovember 14, 20188:00 PMBeijing/Hong Kong time onNovember 14, 2018.

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

Participants should dial-in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and use the following passcode: 3194993.

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

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live call untilNovember 21, 2018, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

AboutLexinFintech Holdings Ltd.

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd.is a leading online consumer finance platform for educated young adults in China. As one of China's leading financial technology companies, Lexin integrates its e-commerce-driven installment finance platform, Fenqile, with advanced risk management technologies, the Company's Dingsheng asset distribution technology platform, and the Company's Juzi Licai online investment platform for individual investors, to create a comprehensive consumer finance ecosystem. The Company utilizes technologies including big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to enable the near-instantaneous matching of user funding requests with offers from the Company's more than 30 funding partners, which include commercial banks, consumer finance companies, and other licensed financial institutions.

For more information, please visit http://ir.lexinfintech.com

To follow us on Twitter, please go to: https://twitter.com/LexinFintech 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Statement

In evaluating our business, we consider and use adjusted net income and non-GAAP EBIT, two non-GAAP measures, as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted net income as net income excluding share-based compensation expenses, interest expense associated with convertible loans and investment-related impairment and we define non-GAAP EBIT as net income excluding income tax expense/(benefit), share-based compensation expenses, interest expense, net and investment-related impairment.

We present these non-GAAP financial measures because it is used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. Adjusted net income enables our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, interest expense associated with convertible loans and investment-related impairment. Non-GAAP EBIT, on the other hand, enables our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of income tax expense/(benefit), share-based compensation expenses, interest expense, net and investment-related impairment. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate investors' assessment of our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool. One of the key limitations of using adjusted net income and non-GAAP EBIT is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Share-based compensation expenses, interest expense associated with convertible loans, income tax expense/(benefit), interest expense, net and investment-related impairment have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of adjusted net income and non-GAAP EBIT. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the non-GAAP financial information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

We compensate for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Exchange Rate Information Statement

This announcement 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 ofRMB6.8680 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board onSeptember 28, 2018. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Lexin's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency, business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Lexin may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(the "SEC"), 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. 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: Lexin's goal and strategies; Lexin's expansion plans; Lexin's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Lexin's expectation regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its credit and investment management products; Lexin's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationship with borrowers, institutional funding partners, merchandise suppliers and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Lexin's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Lexin does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd.

IR inquiries:

Tony Hung

Tel: +86 (755) 3637-8888 ext. 6258

E-mail: IR@lexinfintech.com

Media inquiries:

Limin Chen

Tel: +86 (755) 3637-8888 ext. 6993

E-mail: liminchen@lexinfintech.com

SOURCE LexinFintech Holdings Ltd.

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd.