SHANGHAI, June 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hywin Holdings Ltd. ("Hywin" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:HYW) today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2024 ended December 31, 2023. The Company's businesses and operations in China faced significant headwinds as changes in the asset management industry, overall asset valuation levels in China and the economic environment presented challenges for the Company. The redemption issues of the asset-backed products business, which the Company has now discontinued, caused disruption to Hywin's brand and operations and affected the confidence of clients, which resulted in a significant decline in total revenues and materially negative impact on bottom line, and adversely impacted results of operations and financial conditions during the reporting period. As previously disclosed by the Company in our Form 6-K filed on December 14, 2023, with respect to the redemption issues of asset-backed products Hywin had historically distributed, while the Hywin Wealth Management Co. Ltd ("Hywin Wealth"), a variable interest entity in China, acted only as distributor of these products, Hywin Wealth continues to actively address these redemption issues on an ongoing basis by proactively coordinating with asset managers, relationship managers and clients to seek solutions and reduce client losses. In light of the overall liquidity conditions of the asset management industry in China, the Company estimates that it could take several years to coordinate asset managers and all clients to reach settlement. The Company also announced on March 27, 2024, that our Board of Directors has approved the exit from the asset-backed products business in China, and furthermore on June 28, 2024, that our Board of Directors has approved a complete exit from the wealth management and asset management business. The Company has terminated its contractual arrangements with Hywin Wealth. As a result of such termination, Hywin Wealth has ceased to be a consolidated entity of the Company. The Company also announced that it will focus on new, innovative business models in the technology sector, including, among others, new retail, social e-commerce, and metaverse industries, and is planning to change its name from Hywin Holdings Ltd. to Santech Holdings Limited, subject to shareholder approval in an extraordinary general meeting to be held in due course. The Company believes its business transformation will open up new opportunities for the Company. However, there are inherent uncertainties associated with such a business transformation. The Company anticipates a significant reduction in operational scale and revenue scale to persist in the near term. First Half of Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights Total revenues in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 23.6% to RMB791.2 million (US$110.5 million) from RMB1,036.0 million in the same period of 2022. Hywin Wealth Transaction value from discontinued business in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 38.1% to RMB24.9 billion from RMB40.2 billion in the same period of 2022. Transaction value of asset-backed products in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 48.1% to RMB19.6 billion from RMB37.8 billion in the same period of 2022. Transaction value of private market investment products, other than asset-backed products, in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 151.9% to RMB1,977.6 million from RMB785.0 million in the same period of 2022. Transaction value of public market investment products in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 111.0% to RMB3,353.0 million from RMB1,588.9 million in the same period of 2022. Transaction value of insurance products, which mainly refers to overseas insurance products, in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 52.6% to RMB254.1 million from RMB166.5 million in the same period of 2022. Credit loss in the six months ended December 31, 2023 were RMB449.0 million (US$62.7 million), mainly consisting of provisions recognized on the accounts receivable from asset managers of asset-backed products, and to a smaller extent, domestic insurance products. Asset management business demonstrated continued growth in Assets Under Management ("AUM") and net revenues. Net revenues from asset management business in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 14.6% to RMB18.6 million (US$2.6 million) from RMB16.2 million in the same period of 2022. Hywin Health Number of Hywin Health clients1 was 39,598 as of December 31, 2023. Net revenues from Hywin Health business segment in the six months ended December 31, 2023, increased by 83.1% to RMB70.12 million (US$9.8 million) from RMB38.3 million in the same period of 2022. Number of medical examination visits was 2,721 in the six months ended December 31, 2023, which generated revenue of RMB8.3 million. Number of health management service clients was 3,302 in the six months ended December 31, 2023, which generated revenue of RMB61.8 million. Impairment losses on goodwill and on long-lived assets were RMB257.7 million and RMB210.9 million respectively, relating to our previous health management acquisitions. In view of the adverse impacts to the Hywin brand, the cross-selling synergies between Hywin Wealth and Hywin Health clients, or any new client acquisition for Hywin Health, have been significantly affected. Therefore, the Company performed impairment tests on such assets as fixed-assets, intangible assets, construction in progress and goodwill to identify potential accounts for impairment. Through the impairment tests, the Company made provisions totaling RMB468.6 million for asset impairment losses, including goodwill and long-lived assets of RMB257.7 million and RMB210.9 million, respectively. A summary of the operating results of Hywin Health's business segment is as follows:   6 months ended, 6 months ended, 6 months ended,   12/31/2022 12/31/2023 12/31/2023   RMB'000 RMB'000 USD'000 Net Revenues 38,304   70,146   9,798           Operating Costs and Expenses       -Health Management Cost 26,152   54,881   7,666   -Sales and marketing expenses 9,395   14,061   1,964   -General and administrative expenses 26,320   38,755   5,413   -Credit Loss -   1,032   144   -Impairment loss on goodwill -   257,712   35,997   -Impairment loss on long lived assets -   210,916   29,460   Total Operating Costs and Expenses 61,867   577,357   80,644           Net Loss (24,197 ) (491,502 ) (68,652 ) First Half of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results Net Revenues Total revenues in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 23.6% to RMB791.2 million (US$110.5 million) from RMB1,036.0 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to decreases in net revenues from wealth management business resulting from a weak economic and industry environment, as well as the redemption issues reported in December 2023. The decreases were partially offset by revenue growth from Hywin Health and asset management business. Net revenues from wealth management services in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 28.1% to RMB697.8 million (US$97.5 million) from RMB970.2 million in the same period of 2022, in line with the decrease in transaction value. Net revenues from insurance brokerage services, which mainly refers to overseas insurance products, in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 122.1% to RMB151.3 million (US$21.1 million) from RMB68.1 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to surging insurance demand post Covid reopening. Net revenues from asset management services in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 14.6% to RMB18.6 million (US$2.6 million) from RMB16.2 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to an increase in AUM. Net revenues from Hywin Health business segment in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 83.1% to RMB70.1 million (US$9.8 million) from RMB38.3 million in the same period of 2022, in line with our strategic emphasis on health management before the redemption that occurred in December 2023. Operating Costs and Expenses Total operating costs and expenses in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 101.0% to RMB1,876.9 million (US$262.2 million) from RMB933.9 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to credit loss resulting from redemption issues and impairment loss on goodwill and long lived assets, as well as investments in health-related business. Cost of compensation and benefits in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 19.4% to RMB464.1 million (US$64.8 million) from RMB576.2 million in the same period of 2022, in line with the decreases in the transaction value of wealth management business, partially offset by higher commission from insurance brokerage services. Costs related to Hywin Health business segment in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 109.9% to RMB54.9 million (US$7.7 million) from RMB26.2 million, in line with our increased investments to improve our health management product offerings during the reporting period. Sales and marketing expenses in the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by 14.6% to RMB155.8 million (US$21.8 million) from RMB182.6 million in the same period of 2022, due to reduced marketing and sales activities of Hywin Wealth as a result of the decreased budget related to the decrease in transaction value. General and administrative expenses in the six months ended December 31, 2023 increased by 10.3% to RMB161.3 million (US$22.5 million) from RMB146.2 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to new expenses related to health services. Credit loss in the six months ended December 31, 2023 were RMB449.0 million (US$62.7 million), mainly consisting of provisions recognized on the accounts receivable from asset managers of asset-backed products, and to a smaller extent, domestic insurance products. Impairment loss on goodwill in the six months ended December 31, 2023 were RMB257.7 million (US$36.0 million), due to the performance metrics of Grand Doctor, Beijing iLife 3 Technology Co., Ltd. ("Life Infinity"), and Sincerity and Compassion Health Management Center ("Sincerity and Compassion") failing to meet our established expectations after the acquisitions, particularly since Hywin's brand has suffered adverse impacts as a result of the redemption issues in the wealth management segment. Impairment loss on long lived assets in the six months ended December 31, 2023 were RMB332.4 million (US$46.4 million), due to the performance metrics of Grand Doctor, Life Infinity and Sincerity and Compassion failing to meet our established expectations after the acquisitions, particularly since Hywin's brand has suffered adverse impacts as a result of the redemption issues in the wealth management segment. Impairment losses were also recorded because events or changes in circumstances led us to believe that expected future cash flow generated by the fixed-assets, intangible assets and construction in progress will be less than carrying amount. Impairment loss on long term investment in the six months ended December 31, 2023 were RMB1.0 million (US$0.14 million), due to failure to achieve the expected return of the long-term investment by Shenzhen Panying Asset Management Co., Ltd. Loss from Operations As a result of the foregoing, loss from operations in the six months ended December 31, 2023 was RMB1,085.7 million (US$151.6 million), compared to income from operations of RMB102.1 million in the same period of 2022, attributable to the decreases in net revenues and the increases in operating costs and expenses. Net Loss Net loss in the six months ended December 31, 2023 was RMB1,068.8 million (US$149.3 million), compared with net income of RMB70.6 million in the same period of 2022. Loss per ADS Basic loss per ADS in the six months ended December 31, 2023 was RMB38.09 (US$5.32), compared with basic earnings per ADS of RMB2.59 in the same period of 2022. Diluted loss per ADS in the six months ended December 31, 2023 was RMB38.09 (US$5.32), compared with diluted earnings per ADS of RMB2.51 in the same period of 2022. Each ADS represents two of the Company's ordinary shares. Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2023, the Company had RMB330.0 million (US$46.6 million) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, compared with RMB945.9 million as of June 30, 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to our operating loss and the uncollectible accounts receivable of asset-backed products during the reporting period, as well as our acquisition of the land use rights of a real property in Boao, Hainan Province, in September 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had RMB261.5 million (US$36.9 million) in property and equipment, RMB15.4 million (US$2.2 million) in intangible assets, and RMB129.2 million (US$18.2 million) in land use right compared with RMB349.7 million in property and equipment, RMB98.6 million in intangible assets and nil in land use right as of June 30, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) in deferred tax liability compared with RMB20.0 million as of June 30, 2023. Subsequent Event In March 2024, the Company was named as a defendant in a securities class action complaint filed in the New York County Supreme Court alleging violations of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company disputes each and every claim and intends to defend against such allegations vigorously. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars in this press release were made at a rate of RMB7.08273 to US$1.00, for figures on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, RMB7.15934 to US$1.00 for figures on the income statement for the six months ended December 31, 2023. About Hywin Holdings Ltd. Hywin Holdings Limited, to be renamed Santech Holdings Limited, is a consumer-focused technology company. The Company historically served a large number of high net-worth clients in China in financial services and health management, and accumulated a large customer base. The Company has exited or disposed of its historical businesses in financial services and is actively exploring innovative new opportunities in technology, including but not limited to new retail, social e-commerce and metaverse. For more information, please visit https://ir.hywinwealth.com. 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 "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "plan," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "expect," "aim," "believe," "intend," "may," "should," "will," "is/are likely to," "could" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Contact:Hywin Holdings Ltd.Email: Media Contact:ICR, LLCEdmond LococoPhone: +86 138-1079-1408Email: 1 Clients are those who have historically used Hywin Health's services at least once.2 Health segment revenues before inter segment transactions elimination.3 China Foreign Exchange Trade System USD/RMB mid-point rate on December 31, 2023.4 An appropriately weighted average exchange rate for the reporting period. HYWIN HOLDINGS LTD. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      (unaudited)               6/30/2023 12/31/2023 12/31/2023     RMB'000 RMB'000 USD'000   ASSETS         Current assets         Cash and cash equivalents 868,908 309,495   43,697     Restricted cash 76,975 20,483   2,892     Term deposit 28,903 78,331   11,059     Accounts receivable, net 415,134 152,371   21,512     Deposits, prepayments and other current assets 46,392 44,433   6,275     Contract assets 33,491 27,442   3,875     Total Current Assets 1,469,803 632,556   89,310               Non-current assets         Property and equipment, net 349,685 261,518   36,923     Long-term investment 1,000 -   -     Intangible assets, net 98,603 15,398   2174     Goodwill 257,712 -   -     Long-term prepayments 9,657 -   -     Deferred tax asset, net 725 401   5     Operating lease right-of-use assets 186,307 3,180   449     Land use right - 129,210   18,243     Total Non-current Assets 903,689 409,707   57,846               Total Assets 2,373,492 1,042,263   147,156               LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY       Current Liabilities         Commission payable 172,456 111,107   15,687     Accounts payable 3,332 5,295   748     Advance from customers 39,812 36,304   5,126     Investors' deposit 70,934 6,308   891     Income tax payable 167,798 165,120   23,313     Due to related parties 38,073 38,462   5,430     Other payable and accrued liabilities 433,217 335,107   47,313     Operating lease liabilities 83,573 97,356   13,746     Total Current Liabilities 1,009,195 795,059   112,254               Non-current liabilities         Commission payable-non current 526 -   -     Deferred tax liability 20,028 2,293   324     Operating lease liabilities, non-current 100,521 73,066   10,316     Total Non-current Liabilities 121,075 75,359   10,640               Total Liabilities 1,130,270 870,418   122,894               Mezzanine equity         Redeemable noncontrolling interest 30,600 30,600   4,320     Total Mezzanine equity 30,600 30,600   4,320                 Shareholders' Equity         Ordinary shares 36 36   5     Additional paid-in capital 515,665 516,390   72,909     Statutory reserves 128,297 128,297   18,114     Accumulated gain (deficit) 451,013 (615,388 ) (86,886 )   Noncontrolling interest 100,931 98,564   13,916     Other comprehensive income 16,680 13,346   1,884     Total Shareholders' equity 1,212,622 141,245   19,942               Total Liabilities, Mezzanine equity and Shareholder's equity 2,373,492 1,042,263   147,156     HYWIN HOLDINGS LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME     (In thousands, except for per ADS data and percentages)   (unaudited)                   6 months ended,   6 months ended,   6 months ended,     Change     12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2023         RMB'000   RMB'000   USD'000       Net Revenues             -Wealth management 970,157   697,847   97,474     (28.1 )%   -Assets management 16,203   18,572   2,594     14.6 %   -Health management 38,304   67,261   9,395     75.6 %   -Other 11,320   7,547   1,054     (33.3 )%    Total Revenue 1,035,984   791,227   110,517     (23.6 )%                 Operating Costs and Expenses             -Compensation and benefits 576,173   464,131   64,829     (19.4 )%   -Health management costs 26,152   54,881   7,666     109.9 %   -Share-based compensation 2,804   725   101     (74.1 )%   -Sales and marketing expenses 182,553   155,817   21,764     (14.6 )%   -General and administrative expenses 146,243   161,288   22,528     10.3 %   -Credit Loss   448,982   62,713     N/A     -Impairment loss on goodwill -   257,712   35,997     N/A     -Impairment loss on long lived assets -   332,371   46,425     N/A     -Impairment loss on long term investment   1,000   140     N/A     Total Operating Costs and Expenses 933,925   1,876,907   262,163     101.0 %                 Income (Loss) from operations 102,059   (1,085,680 ) (151,646 )   (1163.8 )%                 Other (expenses)/income             -Interest income, net 549   (396 ) (55 )   (172.1 )%   -Other non-operation income, net (4,559 ) (63 ) (9 )   (98.6 )%   Total Other (Expense) Income (4,010 ) (459 ) (64 )   (88.6 )%                 Income (Loss) before tax 98,049   (1,086,139 ) (151,710 )   (1207.8 )%   Income tax expense (benefits) 27,467   (17,371 ) (2,426 )   (163.2 )%   Net income (loss) 70,582   (1,068,768 ) (149,284 )   (1614.2 )%                 Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (2,033 ) (2,367 ) (331 )   16.4 %   Net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders 72,615   (1,066,401 ) (148,953 )   (1568.6 )%                 Other comprehensive Income (loss)             -Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain 2,456   (3,334 ) (466 )   (235.7 )%   Comprehensive Income (loss) 73,038   (1,072,102 ) (149,750 )   (1567.9 )%                 Less: Comprehensive Loss attributable to non-controlling interests (2,033 ) (2,367 ) (331 )   16.4 %   Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to shareholders 75,071   (1,069,735 ) (149,419 )   (1525.0 )%                  Income (Loss) per ADS              Income (Loss) per ADS basic 2.59   (38.09 ) (5.32 )   (1570.7 )%    Income (Loss) per ADS diluted 2.51   (38.09 ) (5.32 )   (1617.5 )%                         The Board of Directors has approved the termination of VIE agreements with Hywin Wealth Management Co., Ltd. on June 28, 2024, which resulted in the discontinued operation of onshore wealth management businesses. The following unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated financial information reflects adjustments to the Company's historical financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP, in connection with the termination of asset-backed products business. The unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended June 30, 2023, has been prepared with the assumption that the termination of asset-backed products business was completed as of July 1, 2022, and the effects of the transaction are carried forward to the unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended December 31, 2023. The unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, has been prepared with the assumption that the termination of asset-backed products business was consummated on that date. The consolidated "as reported" column in the unaudited and unreviewed pro forma balance sheet and in the unaudited and unreviewed pro forma statement of comprehensive income reflects the Company's historical financial statements for the periods presented. Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments column are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated financial information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations or the financial condition which would have actually resulted if the termination of asset-backed products business actually occurred on the dates presented or to project our results of operations or financial position for any future period. This financial information may not be predictive of the future results of operations or financial condition of the Company, as the Company's future results of operation and financial condition may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited and unreviewed pro forma financial information has been prepared by the Company based upon assumptions deemed appropriate by the Company's management and are based upon information and assumptions available at the time of filing the Company's current report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 28, 2024. The following unaudited and unreviewed pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with: (i) the accompanying notes to the unaudited and unreviewed pro forma consolidated financial information; and (ii) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company which were included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 18, 2023 and the Company's unaudited interim report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 28, 2024. HYWIN HOLDINGS LTD.  PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As of December 31, 2023