8-K

ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (CNET)

8-K 2020-11-13 For: 2020-11-13
View Original
Added on April 06, 2026

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): November 13, 2020

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)
No. 9 South Min Zhuang RoadHaidian District, Beijing, PRC 100195
---
(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 November 13, 2020, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), issued a press release containing certain unaudited financial results for its third fiscal quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020. 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 November 13, 2020.

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: November 13, 2020 By: /s/ CHENG HANDONG
Cheng Handong
Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release dated November 13, 2020.

EdgarFiling EXHIBIT 99.1

ZW Data Action Technologies Reports Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2020 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET) (the "Company"), an integrated online advertising, precision marketing, data analytics and other value-added services provider serving enterprise clients, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Third Q uarter of 20 20 Financial Highlights

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
($ millions, except per share data) 2020 2019 % Change
Revenues $12.30 $15.51 -20.7%
Gross profit (loss) ($0.64) $0.89 -171.9%
Gross margin -5.2% 5.8% -11pp*
Loss from operations ($1.40) ($0.28) -410.5%
Operating loss margin -11.4% -1.8% -9.6pp
Net loss attributable to CNET ($1.33) ($0.39) -243.6%
Loss per share ($0.06) ($0.02) -200.0%
*pp: percent points
  • Revenues decreased by 20.7% to $12.30 million for the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to the decrease in revenues from our Internet advertising and distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service business categories, as a result of the slow recovery after the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Gross loss was $0.64 million with a gross loss margin of 5.2% for the third quarter of 2020.
  • Loss from operations was $1.40 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $0.28 million for the same period of last year, primarily attributable to the decrease in gross profit, which was partially offset by the decrease in operating expenses.
  • Net loss attributable to CNET was $1.33 million, or loss per share of $0.06, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to net loss of $0.39 million, or loss per share of $0.02, for the same period of last year.

“Despite continued decrease on a year-over-year basis, our third quarter revenues increased 18% sequentially and almost tripled from the trough level in the first quarter, highlighting the continuing post-pandemic recovery trend. Looking ahead, with restoring growth and profitability remaining a challenge for us in the near-term, we are actively pursuing new initiatives, opportunities, and strategic alternatives to right the ship,” said Mr. Handong Cheng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZW Data Action Technologies.

Third Q uarter 20 20 Financial Results

Revenues

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2020 2019 % Change
- Internet advertising and related data service 2,429 3,949 -38.5%
- Distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service 8,706 11,554 -24.6%
- Data and technical services 300 5 NM
Internet advertising and related services 11,435 15,508 -26.3%
Ecommerce O2O advertisement and marketing services 269 0 NM
Technical solution services 600 0 NM
Total revenues 12,304 15,508 -20.7 %

For the third quarter of 2020, revenues decreased by $3.20 million, or 20.7%, to $12.30 million from $15.51 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues from the Internet advertising and distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service business categories, as a result of slow business recovery after the COVID-19 outbreak during the first quarter of 2020.

Cost of revenues

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
2020 2019 % Change
- Internet advertising and related data service 1,998 3,669 -45.5%
- Distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service 9,731 10,947 -11.1%
- Data and technical services 265 0 NM
Internet advertising and related services 11,994 14,616 -17.9%
Ecommerce O2O advertisement and marketing services 375 0 NM
Technical solution services 576 0 NM
Total cost of revenues 12,945 14,616 -11.4 %

Total cost of revenues decreased by $1.67 million, or 11.4%, to $12.95 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $14.62 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in cost of revenues was primary attributable to the decrease in costs associated with the 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 decrease in the related revenues as discussed above.

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

Gross loss was $0.64 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to gross profit of $0.89 million for the same period of last year, which was primarily due to gross loss incurred from our main revenue stream, the distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service business category, as a result of the slow recovery of economy after the COVID-19 outbreak during the first quarter of 2020, which was partially offset by the increase in gross profit generated from Internet advertising business. Gross loss margin was 5.2% for third quarter of 2020, compared to gross profit margin of 5.8% for the same period of last year.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.05 million, or 47.7%, to $0.06 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $0.11 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in performance based salary and bonus expenses, due to the decrease in revenues.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.23 million, or 27.5%, to $0.59 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $0.82 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the decrease in general departmental expenses, as a result of cost reduction plan executed by management after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Research and development expenses decreased by $0.13 million, or 52.7%, to $0.11 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $0.24 million for the same period of last year. Research and development expenses accounted for 0.9% of total revenues for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 1.5% for the same period of last year.

Operating loss

Loss from operations was $1.40 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $0.28 million for the same period of last year. Operating loss margin was 11.4% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 1.8% for the same period of last year.

O ther income (expense) , net

Total other expenses decreased to $0.08 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $0.13 million for the same period of last year, which was primarily related to change in fair value of warrant liabilities. Net loss attributable to CNET and loss per share

Net loss attributable to CNET was $1.33 million, or loss per share of $0.06, for the third quarter of 2020. This compared to net loss attributable to CNET of $0.39 million, or loss per share of $0.02, for the same period of last year.

First N ine M onths 2020 Financial Results

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ millions, except per share data) 2020 2019 % Change
Revenues $27.10 $39.53 -31.4%
Gross profit $0.56 $1.70 -67.3%
Gross margin 2.1% 4.3% -2.2 pp*
Loss from operations ($4.70) ($2.24) -110.3%
Operating loss margin -17.3% -5.7% -11.7 pp
Net loss attributable to CNET ($4.61) ($1.91) -142.0%
Loss per share ($0.22) ($0.12) -83.3%
*pp: percent points

Revenues

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020 2019 % Change
- Internet advertising and related data service 5,679 9,384 -39.5 %
- Distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service 18,004 30,134 -40.3 %
- Data and technical services 900 10 NM
Internet advertising and related services 24,583 39,528 -37.8 %
Ecommerce O2O advertisement and marketing services 1,276 0 NM
Technical solution services 1,245 0 NM
Total revenues 27,104 39,528 -31.4 %

For the first nine months of 2020, revenues decreased by $12.42 million, or 31.4%, to $27.10 million from $39.53 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues from our Internet advertising and distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service business categories, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak during the first fiscal quarter and the slow recovery in the second and third quarters of 2020.

Cost of revenues

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020 2019 % Change
- Internet advertising and related data service 4,904 8,887 -44.8 %
- Distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service 19,147 28,936 -33.8 %
- Data and technical services 796 5 NM
Internet advertising and related services 24,847 37,828 -34.3 %
Ecommerce O2O advertisement and marketing services 1,125 0 NM
Technical solution services 576 0 NM
Total cost of revenues 26,548 37,828 -29.8 %

For the first nine months of 2020, cost of revenues decreased by $11.28 million, or 29.8%, to $26.55 million from $37.83 million for the same period of last year, which was primarily due to the decrease in costs associated with the 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 decrease in the related revenues.

Gross profit and gross margin

Gross profit decreased by $1.14 million, or 67.3%, to $0.56 million for the first nine months of 2020 from $1.70 million for the same period of last year, as a result of the gross loss of our distribution of the right to use search engine marketing service and partially offset by and the increase in gross profit generated from our Internet advertising service, Ecommerce O2O advertising and marketing services and technical solution services during the first nine months of 2020.

Overall gross margin was 2.1% for first nine months of 2020, compared to 4.3% for the same period of last year.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.17 million, or 36.4%, to $0.29 million for the first nine months of 2020 from $0.46 million for the same period of last year. The changes in sales and marketing expenses was mainly attributable to the following reasons: (1) staff salary and benefit expenses and general departmental expenses decreased by $0.29 million, due to office shutdown during the first fiscal quarter of 2020, resulted from the COVID-19 outbreak during the period and related epidemic control measures imposed by the local governments where we operate, and slow recovery of business performance after the outbreak in the following quarters; and (2) the increase in share-based compensation expenses of $0.12 million, related to restricted shares granted and issued to our sales staff during the first fiscal quarter of 2020.

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.65 million, or 57.2%, to $4.52 million for the first nine months of 2020 from $2.88 million for the same period of last year. The increases in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the following reasons: (1) the increase in share-based compensation expenses of $1.49 million, due to restricted shares granted and issued in the first fiscal quarter of 2020; and (2) the increase in allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.31 million.

Research and development expenses decreased by $0.16 million, or 26.0%, to $0.44 million for the first nine months of 2020 from $0.60 million for the same period of last year. Research and development expenses accounted for 1.6% of total revenues for the first nine months of 2020, compared to 1.5% for the same period of last year.

Operating loss

Loss from operations increased by $2.47 million, or 110.3%, to $4.70 million for the first nine months of 2020 from $2.24 million for the same period of last year. Operating loss margin was 17.3% for the first nine months of 2020, compared to 5.7% for the same period of last year.

Other income (expense), net

Total other income was $nil for the first nine months of 2020, compared to $0.31 million for the same period of last year, which was primarily related to change in fair value of warrant liabilities. Net loss attributable to CNET and loss per share

As a result of the foregoing, net loss attributable to CNET was $4.61 million, or loss per share of $0.22, for the first nine months of 2020. This compared to net loss attributable to CNET of $1.91 million, or loss per share of $0.12, for the same period of last year.

Financial Condition

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $0.50 million, compared to $1.60 million as of December 31, 2019. Accounts receivable, net was $2.28 million as of September 30, 2020, compared to $3.26 million as of December 31, 2019. Working capital was $2.35 million as of September 30, 2020, compared to $4.92 million as of December 31, 2019.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $0.60 million for the first nine months of 2020, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $4.06 million for the same period of last year. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.27 million for the first nine months of 2020, compared to $0.80 million for the same period of last year. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.43 million for the first nine months of 2020, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.96 million for the same period of last year.

Recent Developments

Effective October 14, 2020, the Company changed its corporate name change from “ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.” to “ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.”

On August 7, 2020, the Company appointed Mr. Charles Chiu to the position of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Mark Li, the current Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to serve as Secretary of the Company. On the same date, Mr. George Chu resigned from the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of the Company due to personal reasons. Mr. Chu continued to serve as a director of the Board of Directors of the Company.

About ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Beijing, China, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) offers online 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 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 will be those anticipated by ZW Data Action Technologies . 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 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)
December 31, 2019
(US )
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of 3,996 and
3,148, respectively
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers
Due from related parties, net
Other current assets, net
Total current assets
Long-term investments
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Blockchain platform applications development costs
Long-term prepayments
Deferred tax assets, net
Total Assets
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term bank loan
Accounts payable
Advance from customers
Accrued payroll and other accruals
Taxes payable
Lease payment liability related to short-term leases
Other current liabilities
Warrant liabilities
Total current liabilities

All values are in US Dollars.

Long-term liabilities:
Long-term borrowing from a director 129 125
Total Liabilities 7,885 7,138
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
Common stock (US0.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 21,741,926 shares and 19,629,403 shares at September 30, 2020  and December 31, 2019, respectively) 22 20
Additional paid-in capital 45,569 43,111
Statutory reserves 2,607 2,607
Accumulated deficit (40,384 ) (35,773 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,371 1,505
Total ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.’s stockholders’ equity 9,185 11,470
Noncontrolling interests (60 ) (57 )
Total equity 9,125 1 1,413
Total Liabilities and Equity 17,010 $ 18,551

All values are in US Dollars.

ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.<br>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS<br>(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30,
(US ) (US ) (US ) (US )
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues
From unrelated parties
From a related party
Total revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit/(loss) )
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Total operating expenses
Loss from operations ) ) ) )
Other income (expenses)
Interest expense, net ) )
Other expenses ) ) ) )
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities ) )
Total other income ) )
Loss before income tax benefit and noncontrolling interests ) ) ) )
Income tax benefit
Net loss ) ) ) )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net loss attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. ) ) ) )

All values are in US Dollars.

Net loss $ (4,613 ) $ (1,913 ) $ (1,333 ) $ (391 )
Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain (135 ) 97 (203 ) 73
Comprehensive loss $ ( 4,748 ) $ ( 1,816 ) $ ( 1,536 ) $ ( 318 )
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 6 2 1
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. $ (4,745 ) $ (1,810 ) $ (1,534 ) $ (317 )
Loss per share
Loss per common share
Basic and diluted $ (0.22 ) $ (0.12 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.02 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted 21,271,301 16,447,233 21,720,259 16,517,440
ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)
--- --- --- --- ---
2019
(US )
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss ) )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets -
Share-based compensation expenses
Provision for allowances for doubtful accounts
Deferred taxes ) )
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities ) )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable )
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers )
Due from related parties
Other current assets )
Long-term prepayments )
Accounts payable )
Advance from customers
Advance from a customer, related
Accrued payroll and other accruals ) )
Lease payment liability related to short-term leases
Other current liabilities )
Taxes payable
Prepaid lease payment ) )
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities )
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment to investee entities ) )
Short-term loan to an unrelated party )
Payment for blockchain platform applications development costs )
Prepayment for software system development )
Net cash used in investing activities ) )
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock (net of cash offering cost of US8)
Proceeds from short-term bank loan
Repayment of short-term bank loan ) )
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities )
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ) )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Income taxes paid
Interest expense paid

All values are in US Dollars.