UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________

Form 8-K
_____________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event Reported): May 20, 2021  

ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Nevada 001-34647 20-4672080
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Room 1106, Xinghuo Keji Plaza, No. 2 Fengfu Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, PRC 100070
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

+86-10-60846616
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

  [   ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [   ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [   ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [   ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company [   ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001   CNET   Nasdaq Capital Market

 

 
 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 20, 2021, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), issued a press release containing certain unaudited financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2021. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

As provided in General Instruction B.2 of SEC Form 8-K, such information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and it shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

No.   Description
99.1   Press Release dated May 20, 2021.


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 hereunto duly authorized.

  ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.
     
   
Date: May 20, 2021 By:  /s/ Handong Cheng        
    Handong Cheng
    Chief Executive Officer
   

EXHIBIT 99.1

ZW Data Action Technologies Reports First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results, highlighted by 91.5% increase in revenue to $8.40 million

BEIJING, May 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET) (the "Company"), an integrated Internet advertising, precision marketing, data analytics and other value-added blockchain services provider serving enterprise clients, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter of 2021 Financial Results

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, revenues increased by $4.01 million, or 91.5%, to $8.40 million from $4.38 million for the same period last year. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the increase in revenues from our Internet advertising and related services business segment, as a result of economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak since the second half of last year.

Cost of revenues

Total cost of revenues increased by $5.63 million, or 161.5%, to $9.11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $3.49 million for the same period last year. The increase in cost of revenues was primary attributable to the increase in costs associated with distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service we purchased from key search engines and cost related to providing Internet advertising services on our ad portals, which was in line with the increase in the related revenues.

Gross profit (loss) and gross profit (loss) margin

Gross loss was $0.72 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to gross profit of $0.90 million for the same period last year, which was primarily due to the negative gross margin rate incurred by our main stream of service revenues. Gross loss margin was 8.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to a gross profit margin of 20.5% for the same period last year.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.14 million, or 83.0%, to $0.03 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $0.17 million for the same period last year. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.80 million, or 64.4%, to $1.00 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $2.80 million for the same period last year. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses and allowance for doubtful accounts, which decrease was partially offset by the increase in general administrative expenses due to the office shutdown in the first fiscal quarter last year, as a result of COVID-19 outbreak during that period.

Research and development expenses decreased by $0.14 million, or 65.4%, to $0.08 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $0.21 million for the same period last year. The decrease in research and development expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

Operating loss

Loss from operations was $1.82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $2.28 million for the same period last year. Operating loss margin was 21.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 51.9% for the same period last year.

Other income, net

Total other income increased to $2.48 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $0.04 million for the same period last year, which was primarily attributable to the increase in gain from change in fair value of warrant liabilities.

Net income (loss) attributable to CNET and earnings (loss) per share

Net income attributable to CNET was $0.69 million, or earnings per share of $0.02, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This compared to a net loss attributable to CNET of $2.31 million, or loss per share of $0.11, for the same period last year.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $15.79 million, compared to $4.30 million as of December 31, 2020. Accounts receivable, net was $1.69 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $2.41 million as of December 31, 2020. Working capital was $8.36 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $4.86 million as of December 31, 2020.

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.71 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.52 million for the same period last year. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.87 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $1.12 million for the same period last year. Net cash provided by financing activities was $17.11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.43 million for the same period last year.

About ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Beijing, China, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) offers Internet advertising, precision marketing, data analytics and other value-added services for enterprise clients. Leveraging its fully integrated services platform, proprietary database, and cutting-edge algorithms, ZW Data Action Technologies delivers customized, result-driven business solutions for small and medium-sized enterprise clients in China. The Company also develops blockchain and artificial intelligence enabled web/mobile applications and software solutions for general public, enterprise clients, and government agencies. More information about the Company can be found at: http://www.zdat.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. will be those anticipated by ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

For more information, please contact:

Sherry Zheng        
Weitian Group LLC
Email: shunyu.zheng@weitian-ir.com
Phone: +1 718-213-7386

ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

  March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
  (US $)   (US $)
  (Unaudited)    
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents * $ 15,785   $ 4,297  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,217 and $4,247, respectively *   1,694     2,407  
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers *   7,194     4,657  
Due from related parties, net *   102     61  
Other current assets, net *   1,765     1,462  
Total current assets   26,540     12,884  
       
Long-term investments *   404     67  
Operating lease right-of-use assets *   2,199     48  
Property and equipment, net *   61     60  
Intangible assets, net *   3,603     2,557  
Blockchain platform applications development costs   4,403     4,406  
Long-term deposits and prepayments *   793     39  
Deferred tax assets, net *   624     606  
Total Assets $ 38,627   $ 20,667  
       
Liabilities and Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable * $ 1,226   $ 608  
Advances from customers *   1,592     1,436  
Accrued payroll and other accruals *   286     489  
Taxes payable *   3,385     3,430  
Operating lease liabilities *   267     18  
Lease payment liabilities related to short-term leases *   200     203  
Other current liabilities *   306     333  
Warrant liabilities   10,919     1,505  
Total current liabilities   18,181     8,022  


Long-term liabilities:              
Operating lease liabilities-Non current *   1,953       32  
Long-term borrowing from a director   133       134  
Total Liabilities   20,267       8,188  
       
Commitments and contingencies      
       
Equity:      
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.’s stockholders’ equity      
Common stock (US$0.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 31,304,915 shares and 26,062,915 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)   31       26  
Additional paid-in capital   54,980       49,772  
Statutory reserves   2,598       2,598  
Accumulated deficit   (40,295 )     (40,980 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income   1,110       1,129  
Total ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.’s stockholders’ equity   18,424       12,545  
       
Noncontrolling interests   (64 )     (66 )
Total equity   18,360       12,479  
       
Total Liabilities and Equity $ 38,627     $ 20,667  

*All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets.


ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
 2021     2020 
  (US $)   (US $)
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
       
Revenues      
From unrelated parties $ 8,396     $ 4,371  
From related parities   -       13  
Total revenues   8,396       4,384  
Cost of revenues   9,113       3,485  
Gross (loss)/profit   (717 )     899  
       
Operating expenses      
Sales and marketing expenses   28       165  
General and administrative expenses   996       2,796  
Research and development expenses   74       214  
Total operating expenses   1,098       3,175  
       
Loss from operations   (1,815 )     (2,276 )
       
Other income/(expenses)      
Interest income/(expense), net   1       (1 )
Other expenses   (24 )     (1 )
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   2,507       46  
Total other income   2,484       44  
       
Income/(loss) before income tax benefit/(expense) and noncontrolling interests   669       (2,232 )
Income tax benefit/(expense)   18       (78 )
Net income/(loss)   687       (2,310 )
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (2 )     -  
Net income/(loss) attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. $ 685     $ (2,310 )


Net income/(loss) $ 687     $ (2,310 )
Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain   (19 )     72  
Comprehensive income/(loss)   668       (2,238 )
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (2 )     (1 )
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. $ 666     $ (2,239 )
        
Earnings/(loss) per share      
Earnings/(loss) per common share      
       
Basic and diluted $ 0.02     $ (0.11 )
       
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:      
       
Basic and diluted   28,505,181       20,397,406  
               


ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

   
  Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021       2020  
    (US $)       (US $)  
    (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)  
Cash flows from operating activities              
Net income/(loss) $ 687     $ (2,310 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities              
Depreciation and amortization   112       207  
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets   36       3  
Share-based compensation expenses   100       1,919  
Provision for allowances for doubtful accounts   -       410  
Deferred taxes   (18 )     (5 )
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   (2,507 )     (46 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities      
Accounts receivable   700       (255 )
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers   (2,630 )     2,236  
Due from related parties   -       29  
Other current assets   7       (5 )
Long-term deposits and prepayments   (794 )     (1,125 )
Accounts payable   628       (147 )
Advances from customers   169       123  
Accrued payroll and other accruals   (188 )     34  
Other current liabilities   25       319  
Taxes payable   (18 )     94  
Lease payment liability related to short-term leases   (1 )     37  
Operating lease liabilities   (14 )     -  
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities   (3,706 )     1,518  
       
Cash flows from investing activities      
Cash effect of deconsolidation of VIEs’ subsidiaries   (8 )     -  
Investments and advances to ownership investee entities   (385 )     -  
Short-term loan to an unrelated party   (312 )     (815 )
Payment for purchase of software technologies   (1,160 )     -  
Payment for blockchain platform applications development costs   -       (302 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (1,865 )     (1,117 )


Cash flows from financing activities      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrant (net of cash offering cost of US$1,600)   17,111       -  
Repayment of short-term bank loan   -       (430 )
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities   17,111       (430 )
       
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents   (52 )     (19 )
       
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   11,488       (48 )
       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period   4,297       1,603  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 15,785     $ 1,555