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 November 2023

 

 

 

Commission File Number: 001-38591

 

 

 

PDD Holdings Inc.

 

First Floor, 25 St Stephen’s Green,

Dublin 2, D02 XF99

Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

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         x             Form 40-F         ¨

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit 99.1—Press Release (Earnings Release)

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

  PDD HOLDINGS INC.
       
  By : /s/ Lei Chen
  Name : Lei Chen
  Title : Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: November 28, 2023

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

PDD Holdings Announces Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

 

DUBLIN and SHANGHAI, November 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – PDD Holdings Inc. (“PDD Holdings” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PDD), today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

 

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

 

Total revenues in the quarter were RMB68,840.4 million (US$19,435.4 million), an increase of 94% from RMB35,504.3 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Operating profit in the quarter was RMB16,656.0 million (US$2,282.9 million), an increase of 60% from RMB10,436.6 million in the same quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP2 operating profit in the quarter was RMB18,125.8 million (US$2,484.4 million), an increase of 47% from RMB12,301.5 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the quarter was RMB15,537.1 million (US$2,129.5 million), an increase of 47% from RMB10,588.6 million in the same quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the quarter was RMB17,027.1 million (US$2,333.8 million), an increase of 37% from RMB12,447.2 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

“We are dedicated to generating value through innovations, which forms the foundation of our high-quality development,” said Mr. Lei Chen, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of PDD Holdings. “We continued to invest decisively in areas such as agritech, supply chain technology, and core R&D capabilities. Through these efforts, we aim to create our unique value.”

 

“Last month, we celebrated our eighth anniversary. We sincerely thank all stakeholders for the support we received,” said Mr. Jiazhen Zhao, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of PDD Holdings. “Throughout the past third quarter, consumption vitality kept improving. We continued to provide consumers with more savings and better service through increased investments.”

 

“Under our ‘high-quality development’ strategy, we increased our investment in technology and further deepened user mindshare in the third quarter. Our financial performance reflects the early results we have achieved,” said Ms. Jun Liu, VP of Finance at PDD Holdings. “Going forward, we will continue to invest decisively to support our high-quality development.”

 

 

1 This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi (“RMB”) amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, the translation of RMB into US$ has been made at RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on September 29, 2023 as set forth in the H.10 Statistical Release of the Federal Reserve Board.

2 The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses, fair value change of certain investments, and interest expenses related to the convertible bonds’ amortization to face value. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to The Most Directly Comparable GAAP Measures” set forth at the end of this press release.

 

1 

 

 

Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

 

Total revenues were RMB68,840.4 million (US$9,435.4 million), an increase of 94% from RMB35,504.3 million in the same quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in revenues from online marketing services and transaction services.

 

Revenues from online marketing services and others were RMB39,687.7 million (US$5,439.7 million), an increase of 39% from RMB28,482.0 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Revenues from transaction services were RMB29,152.7 million (US$3,995.7 million), an increase of 315% from RMB7,022.3 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Total costs of revenues were RMB26,830.2 million (US$3,677.4 million), an increase of 262% from RMB7,414.1 million in the same quarter of 2022. The increase mainly came from the increased fulfilment fees, payment processing fees, maintenance costs and call center expenses.

 

Total operating expenses were RMB25,354.1 million (US$3,475.1 million), an increase of 44% from RMB17,653.6 million in the same quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in sales and marketing expenses.

 

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB21,748.5 million (US$2,980.9 million), an increase of 55% from RMB14,048.8 million in the same quarter of 2022, mainly due to the increased spending in promotion and advertising activities.

 

General and administrative expenses were RMB758.3 million (US$103.9 million), compared with RMB906.6 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Research and development expenses were RMB2,847.3 million (US$390.3 million), compared with RMB2,698.2 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

2 

 

 

Operating profit in the quarter was RMB16,656.0 million (US$2,282.9 million), an increase of 60% from RMB10,436.6 million in the same quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP operating profit in the quarter was RMB18,125.8 million (US$2,484.4 million), an increase of 47% from RMB12,301.5 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the quarter was RMB15,537.1 million (US$2,129.5 million), an increase of 47% from RMB10,588.6 million in the same quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the quarter was RMB17,027.1 million (US$2,333.8 million), an increase of 37% from RMB12,447.2 million in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Basic earnings per ADS was RMB11.38 (US$1.56) and the diluted earnings per ADS was RMB10.60 (US$1.45), compared with basic earnings per ADS of RMB8.38 and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB7.34 in the same quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS was RMB11.61 (US$1.55), compared with RMB8.62 in the same quarter of 2022.

 

Net cash generated from operating activities was RMB32,537.9 million (US$4,459.7 million), compared with RMB11,651.8 million in the same quarter of 2022, mainly due to the increase in net income and the changes in working capitals.

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were RMB202.8 billion (US$27.8 billion) as of September 30, 2023, compared with RMB149.4 billion as of December 31, 2022.

 

3 

 

 

Conference Call

 

The Company’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 7:30 AM ET on November 28, 2023 (12:30 PM GMT and 8:30 PM HKT on the same day).

 

The conference call will be webcast live at https://investor.pddholdings.com/investor-events. The webcast will be available for replay at the same website following the conclusion of the call.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP measures, such as non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, non-GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share and non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS, as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance. The presentation of these 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of share-based compensation expenses, fair value change of certain investments, and interest expenses related to the convertible bonds’ amortization to face value.

 

The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, fair value change of certain investments, and interest expenses related to the convertible bonds’ amortization to face value, which are non-cash charges. The Company also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures may provide further information about the Company’s results of operations, and enhance the overall understanding of the Company’s past performance and future prospects.

 

The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all items of income and expenses that affect the Company’s operations and do not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating performance. The Company encourages you to review the Company’s financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

 

For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to The Most Directly Comparable GAAP Measures” set forth at the end of this press release.

 

4 

 

 

Safe Harbor Statements

 

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 the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company 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 the Company’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: the Company’s growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to understand buyer needs and provide products and services to attract and retain buyers; its ability to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of its brand; its ability to rely on merchants and third-party logistics service providers to provide delivery services to buyers; its ability to maintain and improve quality control policies and measures; its ability to establish and maintain relationships with merchants; trends and competition in the e-commerce markets globally and in the countries or regions where the Company has operations; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of e-commerce markets globally and in the countries or regions where the Company has operations; developments in the relevant governmental policies and regulations relating to the Company’s industry; and general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries or regions where the Company has operations; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’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 the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

 

5 

 

 

About PDD Holdings

 

PDD Holdings is a multinational commerce group that owns and operates a portfolio of businesses. PDD Holdings aims to bring more businesses and people into the digital economy so that local communities and small businesses can benefit from the increased productivity and new opportunities.

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

investor@pddholdings.com 

media@pddholdings.com

 

6 

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC. 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”))

 

   As of 
  

December

31, 2022

   September 30, 2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Unaudited) 
ASSETS            
Current assets               
Cash and cash equivalents   34,326,192    54,939,761    7,530,121 
Restricted cash   57,974,225    56,413,498    7,732,113 
Receivables from online payment platforms   587,696    2,547,134    349,114 
Short-term investments   115,112,554    147,906,904    20,272,328 
Amounts due from related parties   6,318,830    6,138,625    841,369 
Prepayments and other current assets   2,298,379    3,629,894    497,518 
Total current assets   216,617,876    271,575,816    37,222,563 
                
Non-current assets               
Property, equipment and software, net   1,044,847    1,065,180    145,995 
Intangible assets   134,002    21,900    3,002 
Right-of-use assets   1,416,081    3,662,756    502,022 
Deferred tax assets   1,045,030    1,631,825    223,660 
Other non-current assets   16,862,117    36,293,655    4,974,459 
Total non-current assets   20,502,077    42,675,316    5,849,138 
                
Total Assets   237,119,953    314,251,132    43,071,701 

 

7 

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC. 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”))

 

   As of 
  

December

31, 2022

   September 30, 2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$ 
       (Unaudited) 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY               
Current liabilities               
Amounts due to related parties   1,676,391    2,028,787    278,068 
Customer advances and deferred revenues   1,389,655    2,043,857    280,134 
Payable to merchants   63,316,695    68,099,716    9,333,843 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   20,960,723    43,936,446    6,021,992 
Merchant deposits   15,058,229    16,282,948    2,231,764 
Convertible bonds, current portion   13,885,751    14,351,445    1,967,029 
Lease liabilities   602,036    1,381,067    189,291 
Total current liabilities   116,889,480    148,124,266    20,302,121 
                
Non-current liabilities               
Convertible bonds   1,575,755    1,623,726    222,550 
Lease liabilities   870,782    2,397,222    328,567 
Deferred tax liabilities   13,025    55,903    7,662 
Total non-current liabilities   2,459,562    4,076,851    558,779 
                
Total Liabilities   119,349,042    152,201,117    20,860,900 
                
                
Shareholders’ equity               
Ordinary shares   170    177    24 
Additional paid-in capital   99,250,468    104,152,729    14,275,319 
Statutory reserves   5,000    5,000    685 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   3,322,238    5,952,839    815,904 
Retained earnings   15,193,035    51,939,270    7,118,869 
Total Shareholders’ Equity   117,770,911    162,050,015    22,210,801 
                
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   237,119,953    314,251,132    43,071,701 

 

8 

 

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Revenues   35,504,304    68,840,371    9,435,358    90,737,561    158,758,169    21,759,617 
Costs of revenues   (7,414,132)   (26,830,233)   (3,677,390)   (22,535,593)   (56,645,305)   (7,763,885)
Sales and marketing expenses   (14,048,820)   (21,748,449)   (2,980,873)   (36,611,335)   (55,550,346)   (7,613,808)
General and administrative expenses   (906,573)   (758,345)   (103,940)   (2,324,408)   (2,170,780)   (297,530)
Research and development expenses   (2,698,166)   (2,847,323)   (390,258)   (7,978,039)   (8,087,944)   (1,108,545)
Total operating expenses   (17,653,559)   (25,354,117)   (3,475,071)   (46,913,782)   (65,809,070)   (9,019,883)
                               
Operating profit   10,436,613    16,656,021    2,282,897    21,288,186    36,303,794    4,975,849 
                               
Interest and investment income, net   1,092,150    2,127,356    291,578    2,645,402    5,878,696    805,742 
Interest expenses   (13,646)   (12,208)   (1,673)   (39,434)   (35,832)   (4,911)
Foreign exchange gain/ (loss)   53,374    94,860    13,002    (125,891)   234,540    32,146 
Other income, net   546,528    290,384    39,800    2,052,533    2,624,375    359,701 
                               
Profit before income tax and share of results of equity investees   12,115,019    19,156,413    2,625,604    25,820,796    45,005,573    6,168,527 
Share of results of equity investees   10,732    (105,811)   (14,503)   (76,377)   10,359    1,420 
Income tax expenses   (1,537,177)   (3,513,480)   (481,563)   (3,660,054)   (8,269,697)   (1,133,456)
Net income   10,588,574    15,537,122    2,129,538    22,084,365    36,746,235    5,036,491 

 

9

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for per share data)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Net income   10,588,574    15,537,122    2,129,538    22,084,365    36,746,235    5,036,491 
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   10,588,574    15,537,122    2,129,538    22,084,365    36,746,235    5,036,491 
                               

Earnings per ordinary share:

                              
-Basic   2.10    2.84    0.39    4.38    6.81    0.93 
-Diluted   1.84    2.65    0.36    3.86    6.28    0.86 
                               
Earnings per ADS (4 ordinary shares equals 1 ADS ):                              
-Basic   8.38    11.38    1.56    17.52    27.24    3.73 
-Diluted   7.34    10.60    1.45    15.43    25.13    3.44 
                               
Weighted average number of outstanding ordinary shares (in thousands):                              
-Basic   5,051,256    5,462,542    5,462,542    5,043,522    5,395,211    5,395,211 
-Diluted   5,776,165    5,865,102    5,865,102    5,733,453    5,853,748    5,853,748 

 

10

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Revenues                              
- Online marketing services and others   28,482,052    39,687,678    5,439,649    71,907,695    104,864,935    14,372,935 
- Transaction services   7,022,252    29,152,693    3,995,709    18,829,866    53,893,234    7,386,682 
Total   35,504,304    68,840,371    9,435,358    90,737,561    158,758,169    21,759,617 

 

11

 

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Share-based compensation expenses included in:                              
Costs of revenues   5,841    20,422    2,799    22,011    86,066    11,796 
Sales and marketing expenses   608,462    464,950    63,726    1,623,126    1,943,049    266,318 
General and administrative expenses   680,252    355,053    48,664    1,724,567    1,058,914    145,136 
Research and development expenses   570,327    629,394    86,266    1,862,276    1,805,821    247,508 
Total   1,864,882    1,469,819    201,455    5,231,980    4,893,850    670,758 

 

12

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Net cash generated from operating activities   11,651,823    32,537,857    4,459,684    21,957,598    57,271,860    7,849,762 
Net cash used in investing activities   (356,394)   (4,820,500)   (660,704)   (13,801,754)   (38,960,607)   (5,339,995)
Net cash generated from financing activities   258    385    53    569    7,671    1,051 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   250,227    201,058    27,557    209,551    733,918    100,591 
                               
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   11,545,914    27,918,800    3,826,590    8,365,964    19,052,842    2,611,409 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   62,864,021    83,434,459    11,435,644    66,043,971    92,300,417    12,650,825 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period   74,409,935    111,353,259    15,262,234    74,409,935    111,353,259    15,262,234 

 

13

 

 

PDD HOLDINGS INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST DIRECTLY COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES

(Amounts in thousands of RMB and US$, except for per share data)

 

   For the three months ended September 30,   For the nine months ended September 30, 
   2022   2023   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Operating profit   10,436,613    16,656,021    2,282,897    21,288,186    36,303,794    4,975,849 
Add: Share-based compensation expenses   1,864,882    1,469,819    201,455    5,231,980    4,893,850    670,758 
Non-GAAP operating profit   12,301,495    18,125,840    2,484,352    26,520,166    41,197,644    5,646,607 
                               
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders   10,588,574    15,537,122    2,129,538    22,084,365    36,746,235    5,036,491 
Add: Share-based compensation expenses   1,864,882    1,469,819    201,455    5,231,980    4,893,850    670,758 
Add: Interest expenses related to convertible bonds’ amortization to face value   13,646    12,208    1,673    39,434    35,832    4,911 
Add: (Gain)/ loss from fair value change of certain investments   (19,886)   7,935    1,088    68,173    746,915    102,373 
Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders    12,447,216    17,027,084    2,333,754    27,423,952    42,422,832    5,814,533 
                               
Non-GAAP diluted weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands)   5,776,165    5,865,102    5,865,102    5,733,453    5,853,748    5,853,748 
                               
Diluted earnings per ordinary share   1.84    2.65    0.36    3.86    6.28    0.86 
Add: Non-GAAP adjustments to earnings per ordinary share   0.31    0.25    0.03    0.92    0.97    0.13 
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share   2.15    2.90    0.39    4.78    7.25    0.99 
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS   8.62    11.61    1.55    19.13    28.99    3.96 

 

14