JD.com Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results, Annual Dividend and Share Repurchase Program
Source: GlobeNewswire Inc.
JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: JD and HKEX: 9618 (HKD counter) and 89618 (RMB counter)), a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2023 and an annual cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023. The company also announced the adoption of a new share repurchase program under which the company may repurchase up to US$3.0 billion worth of its shares (including ADSs) over the next 36 months through March 2027.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Highlights
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB306.1 billion (US$143.1 billion), an increase of 3.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022. Net revenues for the full year of 2023 were RMB1,084.7 billion (US$152.8 billion), an increase of 3.7% from the full year of 2022.
Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.0 billion (US$0.3 billion), compared to RMB4.8 billion for the same period last year. Non-GAAP2 income from operations was RMB7.8 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to RMB7.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.6%, compared to 3.0% the fourth quarter of 2022. Income from operations for the full year of 2023 was RMB26.0 billion (US$3.7 billion), compared to RMB19.7 billion for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP income from operations for the full year of 2023 was RMB35.4 billion (US$5.0 billion), compared to RMB27.6 billion for the full year of 2022. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items for the full year of 2023 was 3.8%, compared to 3.7% for the full year of 2022.
Net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion), compared to RMB3.0 billion for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB8.4 billion (US$1.2 billion), compared to RMB7.7 billion for the same period last year. Net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 was RMB24.2 billion (US$3.4 billion), compared to RMB10.4 billion for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 was RMB35.2 billion (US$5.0 billion), compared to RMB28.2 billion for the full year of 2022.
Diluted net income per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.13 (US$0.30), compared to RMB1.91 for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB5.30 (US$0.75), compared to RMB4.81 for the same period last year. Diluted net income per ADS for the full year of 2023 was RMB15.23 (US$2.14), compared to RMB6.42 for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS for the full year of 2023 was RMB22.17 (US$3.12), compared to RMB17.73 for the full year of 2022.
Operating cash flow for the full year of 2023 was RMB59.5 billion (US$8.4 billion), compared to RMB57.8 billion for the full year of 2022. Free cash flow, which excludes the impact from JD Baitiao receivables included in the operating cash flow, for the full year of 2023 was RMB40.7 billion (US$5.7 billion), compared to RMB35.6 billion for the full year of 2022.
“We were pleased to finish 2023 on a strong note, with upticks in both revenues and profitability for the fourth quarter,” said Sandy Xu, Chief Executive Officer of JD.com. “JD’s proactive actions have begun to produce results as our decisive focus on user experience, price competitiveness and platform ecosystem drives deeper and more frequent user engagement and healthier user growth momentum. With the two priorities of user experience improvement and market share expansion, we look forward to creating more value for our users, business partners and shareholders in 2024.”
“JD delivered solid financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2023, as our efforts to provide the utmost in selection, speed, quality and value resonated well with users,” said Ian Su Shan, Chief Financial Officer of JD.com. “Our core home appliance and electronics categories continued to outperform the industry, and general merchandise category returned to a growth trajectory in the quarter. Reflecting our strong profitability and balance sheet, we remain committed to returning value to shareholders in the form of an annual cash dividend, as well as through our share repurchase program.”
Dividend Payment
The company announced that its board of directors (the “Board”) approved an annual cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023 of US$0.38 per ordinary share, or US$0.76 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively, as of the close of business on April 5, 2024 Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the dividend will be approximately US$1.2 billion. The payment date is expected to be on or around April 23, 2024 and on or around April 29, 2024 for holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively.
Share Repurchase Program
The company approved the existing share repurchase program (the "Existing Share Repurchase Program") in March 2020 with repurchase authorization of US$2.0 billion and extended and upsized it to US$3.0 billion in December 2021. Pursuant to the Existing Share Repurchase Program, the company has repurchased a total of 55.5 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent to 27.8 million ADSs) for a total of approximately US$1.5 billion as of December 31, 2023, including the repurchase of 15.0 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent of 7.5 million ADSs) for a total of approximately US$203.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and 22.7 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent of 11.3 million ADSs) for a total of approximately US$356.2 million in the full year of 2023.
The company’s Board has approved a new share repurchase program (the “New Share Repurchase Program”), effective upon the expiry of the company’s Existing Share Repurchase Program on March 17, 2024. Pursuant to the New Share Repurchase Program, the company may repurchase up to US$3.0 billion worth of its shares (including ADSs) over the next 36 months through March 2027.
The company’s proposed repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The company’s Board will review the share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size.
Business Highlights
JD Retail: During the 2023 JD Singles Day Grand Promotion, the company achieved new records in transaction value, order volume and number of users. Its “JD Procurement and Sales Manager Livestreaming” initiative, which waives booth and commission fees for brands and merchants with a focus on offering unparalleled value to consumers, attracted over 380 million viewers across China. In addition, JD.com launched a series of low-price initiatives such as “9.9-yuan items with free shipping”, “10-billion-yuan discount” and “flash-sales” programs, driving incremental sales for brands and merchants.
JD Health: In the fourth quarter, JD Health took comprehensive steps to further improve its on-demand retail services. It strengthened omni-channel offerings by launching a number of self-operated community pharmacies in Beijing equipped with “24-hour medicine pick-up windows” and in-store delivery staff. JD Health is dedicated to providing efficient and convenient on-demand shopping and delivery services to users, while completing the community’s “15-minute life circle” with professional healthcare services.
JD Logistics: In the fourth quarter, JD Logistics provided integrated supply chain solutions for more Chinese brands going overseas and global customers. For example, JD Logistics supported a leading Chinese technology company to carry out effective inventory allocation in Europe and achieve rapid delivery in core European countries and regions. In addition, thanks to its warehouse automation equipment and extensive operational experience, JD Logistics helped a popular drinkware brand in the US to boost fulfillment efficiency during Black Friday.
Environment, Social and Governance
In the fourth quarter, JD.com announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact’s new sustainability initiative “Forward Faster”. JD.com will take the lead in making a commitment to “Gender Equality”, one of the five action areas the initiative calls on, and will consistently promote sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In December, JD.com provided prompt support to the earthquake relief in Jishishan County, Gansu Province. The company promptly allocated essential supplies including drinking water, food and warm clothing from its multiple nearby warehouses and delivered to the affected areas expeditiously by dedicated personnel and vehicles.
Driven by JD.com’s unwavering commitment and unremitting efforts to creating more jobs and making contribution to the society, the company’s total expenditure for human resources, including both its own employees and external personnel who work for the company, amounted to RMB28.3 billion and RMB104.7 billion for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2023, respectively.
Fourth quarter 2023 Financial Results
Net Revenues. For the fourth quarter of 2023, JD.com reported net revenues of RMB306.1 billion (US$43.1 billion), representing a 3.6% increase from the same period of 2022. Net product revenues increased by 3.7%, while net service revenues increased by 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to the same period of 2022.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased by 3.4% to RMB262.6 billion (US$37.0 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB253.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Fulfillment Expenses. Fulfillment expenses, which primarily include procurement, warehousing, delivery, customer service and payment processing expenses, increased by 2.5% to RMB17.3 billion (US$2.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB16.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 5.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 5.7% for the same period last year.
Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses increased by 9.4% to RMB13.1 billion (US$1.8 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB12.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 4.3% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 4.1% for the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to the increased spending in promotion activities.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses decreased by 0.6% to RMB4.3 billion (US$0.6 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB4.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 1.4% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 1.5% for the same period last year.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 34.8% to RMB2.4 billion (US$0.3 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB3.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 0.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 1.2% for the same period last year.
Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Income from Operations. Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 58.1% to RMB2.0 billion (US$0.3 billion) from RMB4.8 billion for the same period last year, primarily due to the non-cash impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets in relation to Dada of RMB4.0 billion and non-cash impairment of long-lived assets in relation to JD Property of RMB1.1 billion. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 0.7%, compared to 1.6% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP income from operations increased by 7.5% to RMB7.8 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB7.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.5%, maintained the same level as the fourth quarter of 2022. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.6%, compared to 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Non-GAAP EBITDA. Non-GAAP EBITDA increased by 8.6% to RMB9.7 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023 from RMB8.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP EBITDA margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 3.2%, compared to 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Others, net. Other non-operating income was RMB1.7 billion (US$0.2 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to a loss of RMB0.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to increase in interest income and decrease in loss in relation to equity investments.
Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders and Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders. Net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 11.8% to RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion) from RMB3.0 billion for the same period last year. Net margin attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 1.1%, compared to 1.0% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 9.9% to RMB8.4 billion (US$1.2 billion) from RMB7.7 billion for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.7%, compared to 2.6% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Diluted EPS and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. Diluted net income per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 11.8% to RMB2.13 (US$0.30) from RMB1.91 for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 10.2% to RMB5.30 (US$0.75) from RMB4.81 for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Cash Flow and Working Capital
As of December 31, 2023, the company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled RMB197.7 billion (US$27.8 billion), compared to RMB226.2 billion as of December 31, 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2023, free cash flow of the company was as follows:
For the three months ended
December 31,
2022 December 31,
2023 December 31,
2023
RMB RMB US$
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities 18,486 19,613 2,762
Add: Impact from JD Baitiao receivables included in the operating cash flow 1,194 251 35
Less: Capital expenditures, net of related sales proceeds
Capital expenditures for development properties (6,097 ) (4,596 ) (647 )
Other capital expenditures* (1,539 ) (1,969 ) (277 )
Free cash flow 12,044 13,299 1,873
* Including capital expenditures related to the company’s headquarters in Beijing and all other CAPEX.
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB63.1 billion (US$8.9 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023, consisting primarily of increase in long-term time deposits and wealth management products, and cash paid for capital expenditures.
Net cash used in financing activities was RMB0.7 billion (US$0.1 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2023, consisting primarily of cash paid for repurchase of ordinary shares, partially offset by the net proceeds from bank loans.
Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Net Revenues. For the full year of 2023, JD.com reported net revenues of RMB1,084.7 billion (US$152.8 billion), representing a 3.7% increase from the full year of 2022. Net product revenues increased by 0.7%, while net service revenues increased by 17.8% for the full year of 2023, as compared to the full year of 2022.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased by 2.9% to RMB925.0 billion (US$130.3 billion) for the full year of 2023 from RMB899.2 billion for the full year of 2022.
Fulfillment Expenses. Fulfillment expenses, which primarily include procurement, warehousing, delivery, customer service and payment processing expenses, increased by 2.5% to RMB64.6 billion (US$9.1 billion) for the full year of 2023 from RMB63.0 billion for the full year of 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 6.0% for the full year of 2023, maintained the same level as the full year of 2022.
Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses increased by 6.3% to RMB40.1 billion (US$5.7 billion) for the full year of 2023 from RMB37.8 billion for the full year of 2022. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 3.7% for the full year of 2023, compared to 3.6% for the full year of 2022.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses decreased by 3.0% to RMB16.4 billion (US$2.3 billion) for the full year of 2023 from RMB16.9 billion for the full year of 2022. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 1.5% for the full year of 2023, compared to 1.6% for the full year of 2022.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 12.2% to RMB9.7 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the full year of 2023 from RMB11.1 billion for the full year of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 0.9% for the full year of 2023, compared to 1.1% for the full year of 2022.
Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Income from Operations. Income from operations for the full year of 2023 increased by 32.0% to RMB26.0 billion (US$3.7 billion) from RMB19.7 billion for the full year of 2022. Operating margin for the full year of 2023 was 2.4%, compared to 1.9% for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP income from operations for the full year of 2023 increased by 28.5% to RMB35.4 billion (US$5.0 billion) from RMB27.6 billion for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP operating margin for the full year of 2023 was 3.3%, compared to 2.6% for the full year of 2022. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items for the full year of 2023 was 3.8%, compared to 3.7% for the full year of 2022.
Non-GAAP EBITDA. Non-GAAP EBITDA for the full year of 2023 increased by 26.3% to RMB42.5 billion (US$6.0 billion) from RMB33.6 billion for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP EBITDA margin for the full year of 2023 was 3.9%, compared to 3.2% for the full year of 2022.
Share of Results of Equity Investees. Share of results of equity investees was an income of RMB1.0 billion (US$0.1 billion) for the full year of 2023, as compared to a loss of RMB2.2 billion for the full year of 2022, primarily due to the increase in share of profit and the decrease in impairment of equity method investees.
Others, net. Other non-operating income was RMB7.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the full year of 2023, as compared to a loss of RMB1.6 billion for the full year of 2022, primarily due to increase in interest income and decrease in loss in relation to equity investments.
Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders and Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders. Net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 increased by 132.8% to RMB24.2 billion (US$3.4 billion) from RMB10.4 billion for the full year of 2022. Net margin attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 was 2.2%, compared to 1.0% for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 increased by 24.7% to RMB35.2 billion (US$5.0 billion) from RMB28.2 billion for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the company’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 was 3.2%, compared to 2.7% for full year of 2022.
Diluted EPS and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. Diluted net income per ADS for the full year of 2023 increased by 137.2% to RMB15.23 (US$2.14) from RMB6.42 for the full year of 2022. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS for the full year of 2023 increased by 25.1% to RMB22.17 (US$3.12) from RMB17.73 for the full year of 2022.
Cash Flow and Working Capital
