GUANGZHOU, China, May 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:HPH) ("HPH" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of its fiscal year 2024 from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (the "reporting period"). FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 Net revenues decreased by 48.0% to RMB35.6 million (US$5.0 million) from RMB68.4 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023; and Net loss was RMB33.3 million (US$4.7 million) and net loss attributable to HPH's shareholders was RMB33.3 million (US$4.7 million), while HPH recognized net loss and net loss attributable to HPH's shareholders of RMB31.5 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. Mr. Yinan Hu, Chief Executive Officer of HPH, commented, "In the first half of the fiscal year 2024, despite economic downturn and market uncertainties, we made positive progress in both retail and institutional fronts. "In the retail sector, we remained committed to long-term strategies and suitability principles. Our focus on enhancing product screening and marketing service capabilities, coupled with measures like refining product offerings, establishing a multi-account system, and optimizing system support, resulted in an improved experience for both customers and financial advisors. This concerted effort ensured the stabilization of our customer base and business volume despite market fluctuations. Meanwhile, our institutional business saw significant breakthroughs. Our one-stop trading platform gained considerable traction among institutional clients. Additionally, we successfully leveraged external channel resources and forged long-term strategic partnerships with multiple major banks and insurance companies. Consequently, the transaction value of publicly raised fund by institutional clients and outstanding balance grew by 129% and 456%, to RMB4.8 billion and RMB2.9 billion, respectively, during the reporting period. Simultaneously, we also implemented effective cost-saving measures without compromising management efficiency. Adjustments to marketing policies, optimization of payment methods, and rationalization of staffing and workplace arrangements led to a 40.7% reduction in management and sales expenses in the first half of its fiscal year 2024 compared to the same period last year. Additionally, in response to regulatory changes, we adopted proactive strategies to ensure compliance and uphold ethical business practices. "At the strategic level, we responded to market dynamics with initiatives aligned with our long-term vision to ensure steady growth in the increasingly complex and dynamic environment. We have successfully completed a share exchange transaction with certain shareholders of Fanhua Inc. ("Fanhua"), acquiring a controlling equity interest in Fanhua at the end of December 2023. Through deep integration with Fanhua, we aim to jointly establish a "leading global intelligent financial services platform," further expanding our market presence in the financial services sector. In February 2024, the Company entered into a framework agreement with Singapore White Group Pte. Ltd. ("White Group"), aiming to leverage White Group's strengths in capital raising and mergers and acquisitions in the international market to accelerate our intelligent development and global expansion. Through this partnership, we seek to break through development barriers and initiate a new phase of strong growth. Currently, we are in close collaboration with White Group and its partners regarding the implementation of various investment projects. "Looking ahead to the second half of the fiscal year 2024, amidst the challenges posed by the current economic environment, we will maintain a resilient stance in adapting to market dynamics while unwaveringly executing our strategic plans. By fostering synergy with Fanhua, expanding our wealth management offerings, and advancing our institutional business, we aim to deliver superior and more diverse financial services to our clients. Simultaneously, we will persist in driving digital transformation and intelligent development to enhance service experiences, thereby achieving sustainable growth and long-term development for the Company." FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 The Company obtained control of the Fanhua at the end of December 2023 upon the completion of the transfer of shares according to the written share exchange agreement and when effective control being operationally obtained. The Company started to consolidate Fanhua' s financial statement since December 31, 2023. The financial results for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 do not include any profits of Fanhua. The financial positions as of December 31, 2023 changed significantly mainly due to the acquisition of Fanhua, which also included preliminary purchase price allocation results. Net revenues Net revenues for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB35.6 million (US$5.0 million), representing a 48.0% decrease from RMB68.4 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. Net revenues generated from our wealth management services for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB30.3 million (US$4.3 million), representing a 43.4% decrease from RMB53.5 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. In particular, Net revenues generated from the distribution of publicly raised fund products for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB24.6 million (US$3.5 million), representing a 31.2% decrease from RMB35.8 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The decrease is mainly due to the A-share market experiencing a phase of decline, resulting in a conservative sentiment among investors. The decrease in investor risk appetite has led to a lack of confidence in the market and investment products, negatively impacting the transaction value of publicly raised fund products and leading to a decrease in commission income; and Net revenues generated from the distribution of privately raised fund products for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB5.7 million (US$0.8 million), representing a 67.8% decrease from RMB17.8 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The decrease was primarily because investors were influenced by market volatility and heightened uncertainty about the future so that they adopted a more cautious stance towards riskier products such as private equity funds, or decided to redeem early. Consequently, during the reporting period, both the transaction value and outstanding daily balance of our privately raised fund products decreased, resulting in a decline in commission income (including management fees); and (ii) performance-based fees of RMB0.5 million recognized in the first half of the fiscal year 2024, as compared to RMB1.8 million in the first half of the fiscal year 2023, representing a 69.1% decrease. Net revenues generated from our asset management services for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB0.5 million (US$67,000), representing a 59.2% decrease from RMB1.2 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the reduction in the size of the our actively managed fund of funds. Net revenues generated from our other services for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB4.8 million (US$0.7 million), representing a 65.2% decrease from RMB13.7 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in revenues from insurance consulting services and the consulting services related to trust and family wealth inheritance provided to clients. Operating costs and expenses Operating costs and expenses for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB63.0 million (US$8.9million), representing a 41.0% decrease from RMB106.7 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. In particular, Cost of sales for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB8.4 million (US$1.2 million), representing a 42.7% decrease from RMB14.6 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023, which was primarily a combined effect of an decrease in commission expenses as a result of the decrease in the distribution of public raised fund products and privately raised fund products, and a decrease in commission expenses as a result of the decrease from revenues from insurance consulting services and the consulting services related to trust and family wealth inheritance provided to clients; Selling expenses for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB11.0 million (US$1.5 million), representing a 73.9% decrease from RMB42.1 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. This decrease was primarily due to (i) a reduction of labor costs caused by staff optimization; and (ii) a decrease in rental expenses as a result of the fact that we further focused on our advantageous areas and cutting unnecessary branch offices; and General and administrative expenses for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 were RMB43.6 million (US$6.1 million), representing a 12.6% decrease from RMB50.0 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023, primarily due to (i) decrease in labor cost related to the optimization of our admin workforce; (ii) decrease in rental expense; and (iii) partially offset by an increase in expense related to the merger and acquisition transaction. Investment (loss) income Investment income for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 was RMB68,000 (US$10,000), investment losses for the first half of fiscal 2023 were RMB0.2 million. Investment income consisted of yields from short-term investments in financial products and is recognized when the investment matures or is disposed of. Interest Income Interest income for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 was RMB3.1 million (US$0.4 million), representing a 31.8% decrease from RMB4.6 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023, primarily due to a reduction in interest income resulting from a decrease in the amount of short-term loan receivables to third parties. Sundry Income (loss) Sundry loss for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 was RMB1.1 million (US$0.2million), compared to sundry income of RMB0.7 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The sundry loss was primarily related to the provisions for expected credit loss applied. Income Tax Expense/Benefit We recognized income tax expense of RMB7.9 million (US$1.1 million) for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 primarily due to the allowance of deferred tax assets recognized in previous fiscal year while we recognized income tax benefit of RMB1.7 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. Net Loss We recognized a net loss of RMB33.3 million (US$4.7 million) for first half of the fiscal year 2024, representing a 5.7% increase from RMB31.5 million for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. The increase of net loss was mainly due to recognizing an income tax expense of RMB 8.6 million this reporting period, attributable to the impairment of deferred tax assets while we have implemented a series of cost-control measures that have partially offset this increase. Basic and Diluted Loss per ADS Basic and diluted loss per ADS for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 was RMB0.526 (US$0.074) and 0.526 (US$0.074), respectively. We recognized basic and diluted loss per ADS of RMB0.522 and RMB0.522, respectively, for the same period of the fiscal year 2023. Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of RMB593.0 million (US$83.5 million), and we had cash and cash equivalents of RMB164.5 million as of June 30, 2023. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was mainly due to cash and cash equivalents brought in through the acquisition of Fanhua. CONFERENCE CALL Senior management of the Company will host a bilingual conference call in English and Chinese to discuss the Company's unaudited financial results and business development for the first half of its fiscal year 2024 ended December 31, 2023. Details for the conference call are as follows: Date/Time:   Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time     (Friday, May 31, 2024 at 9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time) Conference Title: Highest Performances Holdings Inc. Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 Earnings Call Please pre-register online in advance to join the conference call by navigating to the link provided below and dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Conference call details will be provided upon registration. Conference call pre-registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI26600e8c5be14456b9d59621ba7f1a62. Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at HPH's investor relations website: https://ir.puyiwm.com/news-events/events. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION In this announcement, the unaudited financial results for the first half of the fiscal year 2024 are stated in RMB. This announcement contains currency conversions of certain RMB amounts into US$ at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB7.0999 to US$1.00, the effective central parity rate for December 29, 2023 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When HPH uses words such as "may", "will", "intend", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from HPH's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: HPH's ability to obtain proceeds from the Agreement; HPH's goals and strategies; HPH's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the third-party wealth management industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets HPH serves and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by HPH with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in HPH's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. HPH undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Highest Performances Holdings Inc.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(in thousands)     June 30,2023   December 31, 2023     RMB'000   RMB'000     USD'000   ASSETS:     Current assets:     Cash and cash equivalents   164,470       593,039       83,528   Accounts receivable, net   37,601       652,084       91,844   Short-term investments   -       968,423       136,400   Other receivables   23,143       198,640       27,978   Other current assets   12,781       179,675       25,307   Total current assets   237,995       2,591,861