UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of August 2021

Commission File Number: 001-39556

 

 

Chindata Group Holdings Limited

 

 

No. 47 Laiguangying East Road,

Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012

The People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☒            Form 40-F   ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBITS

 

 

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: August 26, 2021

 

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Exhibit Index

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Chindata Group Reports Second Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

Recent Financial and Operating Highlights

BEIJING, August 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chindata Group Holdings Limited (“Chindata Group” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CD), a leading carrier-neutral hyperscale data center solution provider in Asia-Pacific emerging markets, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2021. To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Chindata Group uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income and adjusted net income margin as non-GAAP financial measures, which are described further below.

Management Quote

Mr. Jing JU, Chief Executive Officer of Chindata Group, commented, “We continued to embrace transformation in the second quarter. In China, with the development of digital economy being a long term prospect with certainty, the value of Internet Data Center (“IDC”) industry as key fundamental infrastructure is being increasingly apparent. At the same time, differences in the underlying capabilities of players will likely become a key driver of diverse performance. Pandemic has decelerated the flow of people, technologies and commodities in Pan Asia Pacific emerging market, posing more challenges to the delivery and execution model of industry players. To cope with these challenges, Chindata has remained fully dedicated to core capacity build-up covering green-field development, integrated energy solution and white-labeling of key digital infrastructure equipment. We have maintained the rapid growth of the scale of our deliverable high-value infrastructure and are constantly supporting our industry-leading clients in the zero-carbon transformation and swift scalability of their business in the Pan Asia Pacific region. We hope to join hands with more partners along such course in the future.”

Mr. Dongning WANG, Chief Financial Officer of Chindata Group, commented “We delivered another strong quarterly performance, keeping healthy growth of revenue and profit while maintaining high-quality cash generation. Revenue for the quarter grew by 64.2% year over year to RMB686.4 million, with a positive net income at its historical high of RMB65.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA was RMB338.5 million for the quarter with a margin of 49.3%. Meanwhile, cash flow from operation was RMB285.8 million for the quarter. During the quarter, our business fundamentals received strong

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recognition from the major credit rating agencies. Going forward and with our solid credit rating assigned, we shall continue to diversify our financing channel to support the long term high-quality development of the Company.”

 

 

Business Highlights

 

Asset Overview

 

Sales Momentum

The Company continued to explore cooperation opportunities with potential and existing customers. In China, the Company added a total of 66MW of IOI capacity, mainly contributed by the inclusion of three new under-construction projects CE03, CN14 and CN15 and a 3MW new IOI capacity obtained on project CN12. Contracted capacity increased by 3MW, as a result of the conversion of existing IOI capacity with existing customer on project CE01.

On June 22, the Company entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Tencent Holdings to develop cloud computing-featured new infrastructure and promote carbon neutrality, marking a steady progress in the Company’s effort in diversifying the client base. Specifically, the two parties will integrate respective resources, with potential areas of cooperation including governance, industry, culture and tourism, healthcare, energy and transportation, etc.

Sustainable Development

In May 2021, Chindata Group became the first and only datacenter company in Asia to become a supporter of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (“TCFD”). Pursuant to which, the Company will continue to improve the disclosure quality of environment- and climate-related information, integrate with the information disclosure system of the international capital market, and enhance the capital market’s understandings of the Company’s sustainable development strategy in building a new generation of hyperscale digital infrastructure. TCFD was established by the G20 Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) in 2015, and its supporters are primarily financial institutions. As the systemic risk of climate change gains more attention in the market, digital economy companies are becoming an increasingly important group of supporters.

In June 2021, the Company joined the Scientific Carbon Target (“SBTi”) initiative and committed to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, becoming one of nine companies in China to commit to the campaign. Over 1,685 companies worldwide have joined the SBTi initiative, over 20% of which are part of The Global 500 company list as ranked by Forbes. The SBTi initiative was initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (“WWF”), the Global Environmental Information Research Center (“CDP”), the World Resources Institute (“WRI”), and the United Nations Global Compact Project

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(“UNGC”) in 2015. SBTi provides resources and guidance for companies in different industries to set their own science-based targets and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting the rise in mean global temperature to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Through joining the campaign, the Company expect to make carbon emission target setting more in-line with recommended standards.

Issuer Rating

On July 27th, Fitch and Moody's assigned a first-time rating to the Company. Fitch Ratings assigned the Company an Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of 'BBB-' with a stable outlook. Key rating drivers include recurring revenue, long-term contracts, strong asset ownership, strategic location, robust growth, favorable industry dynamics, cost leadership and stable EBITDA margin, etc. Moody's assigned a first-time Ba2 corporate family rating (CFR) to the Company with a stable outlook. As quoted, "Chindata's Ba2 CFR reflects the solid demand for data centers in China, as well as the company's predictable earnings stream with adequate committed preleasing, moderate leverage and relatively quick ramp-up to a 90% occupancy rate for its newly completed data centers."

With the rating, the Company will further explore diversified financing channels to support its long term development.

Recent Updates on Industry Policies and Regulation

Several important regulation and industry policies were issued or updated during the past few months, namely “The implementation plan of computing power hub of collaborative innovation system of national integrated big data Center” issued by National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC) in May, “Three-Year Action Plan for the Development of New Data Centers (2021-2023)” published by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in July, and some updated regulation issued by local government, such as Beijing Municipal Government, to further strengthen review on data center energy efficiency performance. The Company takes a positive view on polices and the industry, and we believe the Company’s past performance, current execution and its understanding of the essence of the business for now and in the future are in-line with key directions pointed out in these policies, such as expectation for more optimized layout of data center, improved energy efficiency and encouraging the development and usage of renewable by data center going forward. The Company will continue to build-up its capacity, deliver value to clients, and contribute to the sustainable development of the society.

Meanwhile, regarding the revised draft of Cybersecurity Review Measures by the Cyberspace Administration of China in July, and regulations on the Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which is to be effective on September 1st, 2021, the Company currently expects limited impact given its business nature of non-involvement or processing of any external data or information. Meanwhile, multi-layered internal security measures have been carefully implemented by the Company to ensure high level of cybersecurity and data privacy protection, eliminating any possibility of us or our employees accessing customers’ business data in any manner. Going forward, the Company will closely monitor such regulatory updates and take further necessary measures to comply with any new or updated regulatory requirements that the Company may be subject to.

 

 

Second Quarter and First Half 2021 Financial Results Summary

 

TOTAL REVENUES

Total revenues in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 64.2% to RMB686.4 million (US$106.3 million) from RMB418.1 million in the same period of 2020, primarily driven by the robust growth of the Company’s colocation services.

For the first half of 2021, total revenues increased by 64.0% to RMB1,329.8 million (US$206.0 million) from RMB810.6 million in the same period of 2020.

 

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COST OF REVENUE

In line with the Company’s revenue growth, total cost of revenue in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 62.1% to RMB407.6 million (US$63.1 million) from RMB251.4 million in the same period of 2020, mainly driven by increases in utility costs, and depreciation and amortization expenses.

For the first half of 2021, total cost of revenue increased by 60.8% to RMB794.5 million (US$123.1 million) from RMB494.3 million in the same period of 2020.

 

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 67.2% to RMB278.8 million (US$43.2 million) from RMB166.7 million in the same period of 2020. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2021 was 40.6%, compared with 39.9% in the same period of 2020.

For the first half of 2021, gross profit increased by 69.2% to RMB535.2 million (US$82.9 million) from RMB316.3 million in the same period of 2020. Gross margin in the first half of 2021 was 40.2%, compared to 39.0% in the same period of 2020.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total operating expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 2.1% to RMB130.5 million (US$20.2 million) from RMB127.9 million in the same period of 2020.

For the first half of 2021, total operating expenses increased by 12.5% to RMB266.0 million (US$41.2 million) from RMB236.5 million in the same period of 2020.

•Selling and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 8.9% to RMB23.2 million (US$3.6 million) from RMB21.3 million in the same period of 2020, primarily due to more active marketing activities and related expense. For the first half of 2021, selling and marketing expenses increased by 19.4% to RMB44.2 million (US$6.8 million) from RMB37.0 million in the same period of 2020.

•General and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2021 decreased by 12.7% to RMB86.5 million (US$13.4 million) from RMB99.1 million in the same period of 2020, primarily due to lower share-based compensation expense. For the first half of 2021, general and administrative expenses decreased by 0.5% to RMB182.7 million (US$28.3 million) from RMB183.7 million in the same period of 2020.

•Research and development expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 180.9% to RMB20.8 million (US$3.2 million) from RMB7.4 million in the same period of 2020, primarily due to higher personnel costs as the Company continued to invest in its research and development initiatives to further enhance its service offerings. For the first half of 2021, research and development expenses increased by 147.2% to RMB39.0 million (US$6.0 million) from RMB15.8 million in the same period of 2020.

 

OPERATING INCOME

As a result of the foregoing, operating income in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 281.3% to RMB148.2 million (US$23.0 million), from RMB38.9 million in the same period of 2020. Operating income margin in the second quarter of 2021 was 21.6%, compared with 9.3% in the same period of 2020.

For the first half of 2021, operating income increased by 237.1% to RMB269.3 million (US$41.7 million) from RMB80.0 million in the same period of 2020. Operating income margin in the first half of 2021 was 20.2%, compared to 9.9% in the same period of 2020.

 

NET INCOME

Net income in the second quarter of 2021 was RMB65.1 million (US$10.1 million), compared to net loss of RMB45.3 million in the same period of 2020. Net income margin in the second quarter of 2021 was 9.5%, compared with -10.8% in the same period of 2020.

For the first half of 2021, net income was RMB123.3 million (US$19.1 million), compared with net loss of RMB59.4 million in the same period of 2020. Net income margin in the first half of 2021 was 9.3%, compared to -7.3% in the same period of 2020.

 

EARNINGS PER ADS

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Basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share ("ADS") in the second quarter of 2021 were RMB0.18 (US$0.02). Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB0.09 (US$0.01). Each ADS represents two of the Company's Class A ordinary share.

For the first half of 2021, basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share ("ADS") were RMB0.34 (US$0.06). Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB0.17 (US$0.03).

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 65.8% to RMB338.5 million (US$52.4 million), from RMB204.2 million in the same period of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expenses, income tax expenses, share-based compensation, management consulting services fee, change in fair value of financial instruments, foreign exchange gain and non-cash operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights.

Adjusted EBITDA margin in the second quarter of 2021 was 49.3%, compared with 48.8% in the same period of 2020 and 47.8% in the first quarter of 2021.

For the first half of 2021, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 67.9% to RMB646.3 million (US$100.1 million), from RMB384.8 million in the same period of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the first half of 2021 was 48.6%, compared with 47.5% in the same period of 2020.

 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME

Adjusted net income was RMB113.0 million (US$17.5 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with RMB29.0 million in the same period 2020, representing a 289.6% YoY increase. Adjusted net income is defined as net (loss) income excluding share-based compensation, management consulting services fee, and depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets resulting from business combination, as adjusted for the tax effects on Non-GAAP adjustments.

Adjusted net income margin in the second quarter of 2021 was 16.5%, compared with 6.9% in the same period of 2020 and 17.0% in the first quarter of 2021.

For the first half of 2021, Adjusted net income increased by 223.9% to RMB222.3 million (US$34.4 million), from RMB68.6 million in the same period of 2020. Adjusted net income margin in the first half of 2021 was 16.7%, compared with 8.5% in the same period of 2020.

 

BALANCE SHEET

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB7.0 billion (US$1.1 billion), compared to cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB6.9 billion as of March 31, 2021.

 

 

Taking numerous factors into consideration, the Company raised the full year guidance for 2021, with previous and updated guidance as follows:

 

TOTAL REVENUES

ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

These forecasts reflect the Company’s current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time (or 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results.

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In advance of the conference call, all participants must use the following link to complete the online registration process to receive a unique registrant ID and a set of participant dial-in numbers to join the conference call.

 

 

The replay will be accessible through September 3, 2021, by dialing the following numbers:

 

 

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://investor.chindatagroup.com/.

 

 

Investor Presentation and Supplemental Financial Information

The Company has made available on its website a presentation designed to accompany the discussion of Chindata Group's results and future outlook, along with certain supplemental financial information and other data. Interested parties may access this information through the Chindata Group Investor Relations website at https://investor.chindatagroup.com/.

 

 

About Chindata Group

Chindata Group is a leading carrier-neutral hyperscale data center solution provider in Asia-Pacific emerging markets and a first mover in building next-generation hyperscale data centers in China, India and Southeast Asia markets, focusing on the whole life cycle of facility planning, investment, design, construction and operation of ecosystem infrastructure in the IT industry. Chindata Group provides its clients with business solutions in major countries and regions in Asia-Pacific emerging markets, including asset-heavy ecosystem chain services such as industrial bases, data centers, network and IT value-added services.

 

Chindata Group operates two sub-brands: "Chindata" and "Bridge Data Centres". Chindata operates hyper-density IT cluster infrastructure in the Greater Beijing Area, the Yangtze River Delta Area and the Greater Bay Area, the three key economic areas in China, and has become the engine of the regional digital economies. Bridge Data Centres, with its top international development and operation talents in the industry, owns fast deployable data center clusters in Malaysia and India, and seeks business opportunities in other Asia-Pacific emerging markets.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To supplement Chindata Group’s consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Chindata Group uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income and adjusted net income margin as non-GAAP financial measure. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results as they do not include all items that impact its net loss or income for the period, and are presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s financial performance. A limitation of using the non-GAAP financial measure is that the non-GAAP measure exclude certain items that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant component in the Company’s results of operations. The non-GAAP financial measure 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.

 

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Exchange Rate Information

Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Renminbi into U.S. dollars were made at RMB6.4566 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on June 30, 2021 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

 

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. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Chindata Group’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Chindata Group may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.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. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Chindata Group’s beliefs 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: Chindata Group’s goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth and competition of the data center and IT market; its ability to generate sufficient capital or obtain additional capital to meet its future capital needs; its ability to maintain competitive advantages; its ability to keep and strengthen its relationships with major clients and attract new clients; its ability to locate and secure suitable sites for additional data centers on commercially acceptable terms; government policies and regulations relating to Chindata Group’s business or industry; general economic and business conditions in the regions where Chindata Group operates and globally and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Chindata Group’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 Chindata Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

For Enquiries, Please Contact:

 

Chindata IR Team

ir@chindatagroup.com

 

Ms. Joy Zhang

Zhuo.zhang@chindatagroup.com

 

Ms. Xiaolin Zhao

xiaolin.zhao@chindatagroup.com

 

 

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CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))

 

 

 

 

 

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CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))

 

 

 

 

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CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))

 

 

 

 

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CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”) except for percentage data)

 

 

Note:

 

 

Note: