China Lodging Group, Limited Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results


  • A total of 3,746 hotels or 379,675 hotel rooms in operation as of December 31, 2017.
  • Net revenues increased 32.6% year-over-year to RMB2,214.9 million (US$340.4 million) 1 for the fourth quarter and 25.0% to RMB8,170.2 million (US$1,255.7 million) for the full year of 2017, at the high-end of guidance previously announced .
  • EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased 22.9% year-over-year to RMB450.7 million (US$69.3 million) for the fourth quarter and increased 36.5% to RMB2,361.1 million (US$362.9 million) for the full year of 2017. 
  • Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited was RMB229.4 million (US$35.3 million) for the fourth quarter and RMB1,237.2 million (US$190.2 million) for the full year of 2017, increasing 82.3% year-over-year for the fourth quarter and increasing 53.8% for the full year of 2017.
  • Basic earnings per ADS2 were RMB3.28 (US$0.50) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and RMB17.72 (US$2.72) for the full year of 2017. Diluted earnings per ADS were RMB3.13 (US$0.48) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and RMB16.95 (US$2.60) for the full year of 2017. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted basic earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB3.55 (US$0.55) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and RMB18.67 (US$2.87) for the full year of 2017 and adjusted diluted earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB3.39 (US$0.52) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and RMB17.85 (US$2.74) for the full year of 2017.
  • The Company provided guidance for Q1 2018 net revenues growth of 27% to 29% year over year and full year 2018 net revenues growth of 16% to 19% from 2017.

SHANGHAI, China, March 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- China Lodging Group, Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) (“China Lodging Group”, “Huazhu” or the “Company”), a leading and fast-growing multi-brand hotel group in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017.

Fourth Quarter of 2017 Operational Highlights

  • During the fourth quarter of 2017, China Lodging Group opened 137 hotels, including 2 leased (“leased-and-operated”) hotels and 135 manachised (“franchised-and-managed”) hotels and franchised hotels.

  • The Company closed a total of 47 hotels, which included 15 leased hotels and 32 manachised and franchised hotels, during the fourth quarter of 2017. This was mainly due to:

    a) The Company's strategic focus to upgrade the quality of the product and service. The Company closed 5 hotels for brand upgrade purposes and permanently removed 11 hotels from its network for their non-compliance with the brand and operating standards. These hotels were mainly under HanTing and Hi Inn brands. By removing hotels of lower quality, the Company is able to provide a more consistent customer experience, which will help enhance both the brands and future profitability.  
    b) Property related issues, including rezoning and returning of military-owned properties, and expiry of leases, which resulted in the closure of 28 hotels. 
    c) Operating losses from hotels located mainly in selected 3rd or lower tier cities which resulted in the closure of 3 hotels.

  • The ADR, which is defined as the average daily rate for all hotels in operation, was RMB211 in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with RMB186 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB218 in the previous quarter. The year-over-year increase of 13.1% was due to both an increase in ADR of the mature hotels, as well as an increase in the proportion of midscale and upscale hotels with higher ADR in the Company’s brand mix. The sequential decrease resulted mainly from seasonality.

  • The occupancy rate for all hotels in operation was 86.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 84.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 93.1% in the previous quarter. The year-over-year increase of 1.4 percentage points was due to the improved performance across all brands as driven by strong travel demand and the increasing popularity of the Company’s brands. The sequential decrease resulted mainly from seasonality.

  • RevPAR, defined as revenue per available room for all hotels in operation, was RMB181 in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with RMB158 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB203 in the previous quarter. The year-over-year increase of 15.0% was attributable to both higher ADR and occupancy. The sequential decrease resulted mainly from seasonality.

  • For all hotels which had been in operation for at least 18 months, the same-hotel RevPAR was RMB172 for the fourth quarter of 2017, representing a 6.5% increase from RMB162 for the fourth quarter of 2016, with a 4.9% increase in ADR and a 1.3-percentage-point increase in occupancy rate. The economy hotels registered a 6.9% same-hotel RevPAR improvement, driven by a 5.1% increase in ADR and a 1.5-percentage-point increase in occupancy rate. The midscale and upscale hotels registered a 4.8% same-hotel RevPAR improvement, driven by a 4.4% increase in ADR and a 0.3-percentage-point increase in occupancy rate. Crystal Orange hotels will not be counted in the same-hotel RevPAR statistics until they are in Huazhu system for 18 months.

Operational Highlights of full year 2017

  • For the full year of 2017, the company opened 86 leased hotels and 579 manachised hotels and franchised hotels, and closed 39 leased hotels and 149 manachised and franchised hotels. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 671 leased hotels, 2,874 manachised hotels, and 201 franchised hotels in operation in 378 cities.  The number of hotel rooms in operation totaled 379,675, an increase of 14.6% from a year ago.

  • As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a total number of 696 hotels contracted or under construction, including 37 leased hotels and 659 manachised and franchised hotels.

  • For the full year of 2017, the ADR for all hotels in operation was RMB203, increasing 10.0% year-over-year from RMB185 in 2016. The occupancy rate for all hotels in operation was 88.3%, compared with 84.9% in 2016. As a result, the RevPAR for all hotels in operation was RMB180 in 2017, a 14.4% increase from RMB157 in 2016.

  • The same-hotel RevPAR was RMB174 in 2017, a 7.7% increase from RMB in 2016, with a 3.7% increase in ADR and a 3.3-percentage-point increase in occupancy rate. In 2017, the economy hotels and the midscale and upscale hotels posted an increase of 7.4% and 8.2% in same-hotel RevPAR, respectively.

  • As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s loyalty program had approximately 103 million members, who contributed approximately 76% of room nights sold during the full year of 2017 and approximately 87% of room nights were sold through the Company’s own direct channels.

“We are pleased to have finished 2017 with strong fourth quarter operating results and expecting another solid year in 2018. Thanks to successful product upgrade, brand mix up-shift, and improved operational environment, we achieved 14.4% increase year-over-year in group blended RevPAR. On the front of hotel development, in 2017, we opened more than three hotels every two days. Our hotel room inventory grew by 20% on a gross basis, or 15% net,” commented Ms. Jenny Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of China Lodging Group.

“Our consistent track record of strong hotel openings and pipeline growth demonstrates robust demand for our brands. In 2017, we continued to strengthen our economy brands by rolling out new models and launch a few of midscale brands such as HanTing Premium, CitiGo and urban Manxin. Our refreshed models have received positive market feedback from guests and franchisees.  Additionally, we have enriched our midscale brand portfolio by acquiring Crystal Orange and successfully integrated the Crystal Orange hotels into our network, which is expected to accelerate our growth and enhance our profitability in 2018. I’m also proud to announce that we have achieved a milestone of having over 100 million members in our loyalty program,” said Ms. Zhang. “Going forward, we will maintain our asset-light growth strategy and continue to invest in our brands and to improve our operational efficiency. We expect operational environment to continue its positive momentum and remain optimistic about outlook in 2018.”

 
Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2017 Financial Results
 
(RMB in thousands)Q4 2016Q3 2017Q4 20172016FY 2017FY
Revenues:     
Leased and owned hotels1,290,5751,857,8461,718,8405,212,405 6,343,279
Manachised and franchised hotels 367,983506,720483,0261,411,156 1,786,660
Others 11,3658,44513,03231,219 40,257
Total revenues1,669,9232,373,0112,214,8986,654,780 8,170,196
Less: business tax and related surcharges ---(116,149)-
Net revenues1,669,9232,373,0112,214,8986,538,631 8,170,196
Net revenues from leased and owned hotels1,290,5751,857,8461,718,8405,121,431 6,343,279
Net revenues from manachised and franchised hotels367,983506,720483,0261,386,526 1,786,660
Others 11,3658,44513,03230,674 40,257

Note: Value-added tax ("VAT") has been implemented for hospitality industry to replace business tax in China, effective May 1, 2016. For comparison purpose, the business tax and related surcharges in full year of 2016 is reallocated to reflect net revenues for each business.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB2,214.9 million (US$340.4 million), representing a 32.6% year-over-year increase and a 6.7% sequential decrease. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to our hotel network expansion, improved blended RevPAR and the acquisition of Crystal Orange. The sequential decrease was due to seasonality.

Net revenues for the full year of 2017 were RMB8,170.2 million (US$1,255.7 million), representing an increase of 25.0% from the full year of 2016.

Net revenues from leased and owned hotels for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB1,718.8 million (US$264.2 million), representing a 33.2% year-over-year increase and a 7.5% sequential decrease.

For the full year of 2017, net revenues from leased and owned hotels were RMB6,343.3 million (US$974.9 million), representing a 23.9% year-over-year increase.

Net revenues from manachised and franchised hotels for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB483.0 million (US$74.2 million), representing a 31.3% year-over-year increase and a 4.7% sequential decrease.

For the full year of 2017, net revenues from manachised and franchised hotels were RMB 1,786.7 million (US$274.6 million), representing a 28.9% year-over-year increase. It accounts for 21.9% of net revenues, compared to 21.2% of net revenues for the full year of 2016.

Other revenues represent revenues generated from businesses other than the hotel operation, which mainly include revenues from Hua Zhu mall and the provision of IT products and services to hotels, totaling RMB13.0 million (US$2.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2017.

For the full year of 2017, other revenues were RMB40.3 million (US$6.2 million).

      
(RMB in thousands)Q4 2016Q3 2017Q4 20172016FY2017FY
Operating costs and expenses:     
Hotel operating costs1,264,6021,504,0701,622,849 4,932,1735,674,151
Other operating costs 2,3194,8166,836 7,60617,324
Selling and marketing expenses 46,14251,56183,868 146,525214,959
General and administrative expenses 143,434153,725236,213 492,141690,970
Pre-opening expenses 19,74767,63271,575 71,847206,454
Total operating costs and expenses1,476,2441,781,8042,021,341 5,650,2926,803,858
      

Hotel operating costs for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB1,622.8 million (US$249.4 million), compared to RMB1,264.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB1,504.1 million in the previous quarter, representing a 28.3% year-over-year increase and a 7.9% sequential increase. Total hotel operating costs excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB1,616.8 million (US$248.5 million), representing 73.0% of net revenues, compared to 75.5% for the fourth quarter in 2016 and 63.2% for the previous quarter. The year-over-year decrease in the percentage was mainly attributable to the improved blended RevPAR and the increased portion of manachised-and-franchised hotels. The sequential increase in the percentage was mainly due to seasonality.

For the full year of 2017, hotel operating costs were RMB5,674.2 million (US$872.1 million), compared to RMB4,932.2 million in 2016. Excluding share-based compensation, hotel operating costs (non-GAAP) were RMB5,654.4 million (US$869.1 million), representing 69.2% of net revenues, compared to 75.2% in 2016.

Selling and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB83.9 million (US$12.9 million), compared to RMB46.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB51.6 million in the previous quarter. Selling and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB83.3 million (US$12.8 million), or 3.8% of net revenues, compared to 2.8% for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2.2% for the previous quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increase were mainly attributable to redesign of a number of our hotel brands as well as marketing activities to promote our brands and loyalty programs in the fourth quarter of 2017.

For the full year of 2017, selling and marketing expenses were RMB215.0 million (US$33.0 million), compared to RMB146.5 million in 2016. Selling and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB213.4 million (US$32.8 million), representing 2.6% of net revenues, compared to 2.2% in 2016. The increase was mainly due to redesign of a number of our hotel brands as well as marketing activities to promote our brands and loyalty programs.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB236.2 million (US$36.3 million), compared to RMB143.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB153.7 million in the previous quarter. General and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB223.6 million (US$34.4 million), representing 10.1% of net revenues, compared with 8.1% of net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 6.1% in the previous quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increase in the percentage was mainly due to the increase of performance-related personnel costs and professional fees.

For the full year of 2017, general and administrative expenses were RMB691.0 million (US$106.2 million), compared to RMB492.1 million in 2016. General and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB645.9 million (US$99.3 million), representing 7.9% of net revenues, compared to 6.9% in 2016. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase of performance-related personnel costs, general and administrative expenses related to the newly acquired Crystal Orange operations, and one-off Crystal Orange acquisition transaction costs amounting to RMB45.2 million in the first half of 2017.

Pre-opening expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were RMB71.6 million (US$11.0 million), representing a 262.5% year-over-year increase and a 5.8% sequential increase. The year-over-year and sequential increases were mainly because more leased mid-and-upscale hotels were under construction in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Pre-opening expenses for the full year of 2017 were RMB206.5 million (US$31.7 million), compared to RMB71.8 million in 2016, representing a year-over-year increase of 187.4%. The increase in pre-opening expenses was mainly attributable to more leased mid-and-upscale hotels opened or under construction in 2017 than in 2016. The pre-opening expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 2.5% in 2017 from 1.1% in 2016.

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB236.1 million (US$36.3 million), compared to RMB185.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB591.3 million in the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB255.4 million (US$39.2 million), compared to adjusted income from operation (non-GAAP) of RMB198.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB606.6 million for the previous quarter. The adjusted operating margin, defined as adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP) as percentage of net revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 11.6%, compared with 11.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 25.5% in the previous quarter. The sequential decrease in the operating margin was due to seasonality.

Income from operations for the full year of 2017 was RMB1,437.5 million (US$220.9 million), compared to RMB870.9 million in 2016. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2017 was RMB1,503.9 million (US$231.1 million), compared to RMB926.3 million for the full year of 2016. The adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP) for the year of 2017 was 18.4%, compared with 14.1% for the full year of 2016. The improvement of 4.3-percentage-points in the adjusted operating margin was mainly attributable to the higher blended RevPAR and the increased portion of manachised-and-franchised hotels in 2017.

Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB229.4 million (US$35.3 million), as 10.4% of net revenues, compared to RMB125.9 million, as 7.5% of net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB470.1 million, as 19.8% of net revenues in the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB248.7 million (US$38.2 million), representing a 79.7% year-over-year increase and a 48.8% sequential decrease.

Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited for the full year of 2017 was RMB1,237.2 million (US$190.2 million), as 15.1% of net revenues, compared to RMB804.6 million, as 12.3% of net revenues in 2016. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net income attributable to China Lodging Group (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2017 was RMB1,303.6 million (US$200.4 million), compared to RMB860.1 million in 2016. The year-over-year increase of 51.6% was mainly attributable to the expanded hotel network, improved blended RevPAR and the acquisition of Crystal Orange in 2017.

Basic and diluted earnings per share/ADS.  For the fourth quarter of 2017, basic earnings per share were RMB0.82 (US$0.13) and diluted earnings per share were RMB0.78 (US$0.12); basic earnings per ADS were RMB3.28 (US$0.50) and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB3.13 (US$0.48). For the fourth quarter of 2017, excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted basic earnings per share (non-GAAP) were RMB0.89 (US$0.14) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were RMB0.85 (US$0.13); adjusted basic earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB3.55 (US$0.55) and adjusted diluted earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB3.39 (US$0.52).

For the full year of 2017, basic earnings per share were RMB4.43 (US$0.68) and diluted earnings per share were RMB4.24 (US$0.65); basic earnings per ADS were RMB17.72 (US$2.72), while diluted earnings per ADS were RMB16.95 (US$2.60). For the full year of 2017, excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted basic earnings per share (non-GAAP) were RMB4.67 (US$0.72), while adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were RMB4.46 (US$0.69), and adjusted basic earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB18.67 (US$2.87), while adjusted diluted earnings per ADS (non-GAAP) were RMB17.85 (US$2.74).

EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB450.7 million (US$69.3 million), compared with RMB366.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB849.6 million in the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB470.0 million (US$72.2 million), compared with RMB379.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and RMB864.9 million for the previous quarter.

EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2017 was RMB2,361.1 million (US$362.9 million), compared to RMB1,730.3 million in 2016. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2017 was RMB2,427.5 million (US$373.1 million), compared with RMB1,785.8 million in 2016, representing a 35.9% year-over-year increase. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the expansion of the Company’s hotel network, the improved RevPAR and the acquisition of Crystal Orange in 2017. The adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) for the year of 2017 was 29.7%, compared with 27.3% for the full year of 2016.

Cash flow. Operating cash inflow for the fourth quarter of 2017 was RMB554.2 million (US$85.2 million). Investing cash outflow for the fourth quarter was RMB1,403.4 million (US$215.7 million).

Operating cash inflow for the full year of 2017 was RMB2,452.6 million (US$377.0 million), representing an increase of 18.7% from 2016. The significant growth was mainly due to the Company’s fast network expansion with manachise and franchise models. Investing cash outflow for the full year of 2017 was RMB6,716.3 million (US$1,032.3 million), compared to investing cash inflow of RMB183.8 million in 2016. The fluctuation was mainly attributable to cash paid for business acquisitions such as Crystal Orange, the purchase of long-term investments, and increase in restricted cash.

Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a total balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash of RMB3,956.1 million (US$608.0 million).

Debt financing. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a total loan balance of RMB5,052.6 million (US$776.6 million).  

Guidance
In the first quarter of 2018, the Company expects net revenues to grow 27% to 29% year-over-year. For the full year 2018, the Company expects net revenues to grow 16% to 19% from 2017.

The Company anticipates the gross opening of 650-700 hotels in 2018, 60%-65% of which are midscale and upscale hotels.

The above forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call
China Lodging Group’s management will host a conference call at 9 p.m. ET, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 (or 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in the Shanghai/Hong Kong time zone) following the announcement. To participate in the event by telephone, please dial +1 (845) 675 0438 (for callers in the US), +86 400 120 0654 (for callers in China Mainland), +852 3018 6776 (for callers in Hong Kong) or +65 6713 5440 (for callers outside of the US, China Mainland, and Hong Kong) and enter pass code 7095016.  Please dial in approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the call.

A recording of the conference call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through March 20, 2018. Please dial +1 (855) 452 5696 (for callers in the US) or +61 2 9003 4211 (for callers outside the US) and entering pass code 7095016.

The conference call will also be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties at the Company’s Web site, http://ir.huazhu.com .

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC: hotel operating costs excluding share-based compensation expenses; general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses; selling and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses; adjusted income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses; adjusted net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited excluding share-based compensation expenses; adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share and per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses; EBITDA; and adjusted EBITDA excluding share-based compensation expenses. 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 U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” set forth at the end of this release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Company performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses that may not be indicative of Company operating performance. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Company performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to the Company’s historical performance. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are also useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used regularly by Company management in financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures excluding share-based compensation expenses is that share-based compensation expenses have been – and will continue to be – a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company believes that EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess the operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes, given the significant investments that the Company has made in leasehold improvements, depreciation and amortization expense that comprise a significant portion of the Company’s cost structure. In addition, the Company believes that EBITDA is widely used by other companies in the lodging industry and may be used by investors as a measure of financial performance. The Company believes that EBITDA will provide investors with a useful tool for comparability between periods because it eliminates depreciation and amortization expense attributable to capital expenditures. The Company also uses adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as EBITDA before share-based compensation expenses, to assess operating results of the hotels in operation. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expenses helps facilitate year-on-year comparison of the results of operations as the share-based compensation expenses may not be indicative of Company operating performance. Therefore, the Company believes adjusted EBITDA more closely reflects the performance capability of hotels. The presentation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains considered to be outside the ordinary course of business.

The use of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets (including land use rights), income tax, interest expense and interest income have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of EBITDA. Share-based compensation expenses have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of the results. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of the depreciation and amortization, interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, share-based compensation expenses and other relevant items both in the reconciliations to the U.S. GAAP financial measures and in the consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating the performance of the Company.

The terms EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and neither EBITDA nor adjusted EBITDA is a measure of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing the operating and financial performance, investors should not consider these data in isolation or as a substitute for the Company’s net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the Company’s EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA – or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies – since such other companies may not calculate EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as the Company does.

Reconciliations of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release.

About China Lodging Group, Limited
China Lodging Group, Limited is a leading hotel operator and franchisor in China. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 3,746 hotels or 379,675 rooms in operation in 378 cities. With a primary focus on economy and midscale hotel segments, China Lodging Group's brands include Hi Inn, HanTing Hotel, Elan Hotel, HanTing Premium Hotel, JI Hotel, Starway Hotel, Joya Hotel, VUE Hotel, Crystal Orange Hotel, Orange Hotel Select, Orange Hotel and Manxin Hotel. The Company also has the rights as master franchisee for Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles, and co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel, in Pan-China region.
The Company's business includes leased and owned, manachised and franchised models. Under the lease and ownership model, the Company directly operates hotels typically located on leased or owned properties. Under the manachise model, the Company manages manachised hotels through the on-site hotel managers it appoints and collects fees from franchisees. Under the franchise model, the Company provides training, reservation and support services to the franchised hotels and collects fees from franchisees but does not appoint on-site hotel managers. The Company applies a consistent standard and platform across all of its hotels. As of December 31, 2017, China Lodging Group operates 22 percent of its hotel rooms under lease and ownership model, 78 percent under manachise and franchise models.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website: http://ir.huazhu.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information in this release contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company’s capital needs, business strategy and expectations. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, which may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “forecast,” “project,” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Readers should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or results. Any or all of the Company’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should consider various factors, including the anticipated growth strategies of the Company, the future results of operations and financial condition of the Company, the economic conditions of China, the regulatory environment in China, the Company’s ability to attract customers and leverage its brands, trends and competition in the lodging industry, the expected growth of the lodging market in China and other factors and risks outlined in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F and other filings. These factors may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. In addition, new factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to the Company, which is subject to change. This release also contains statements or projections that are based upon information available to the public, as well as other information from sources which the Company believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by the Company to be accurate, nor does the Company purport it to be complete. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document, except as required by applicable law.

_____________________

1 The conversion of Renminbi (“RMB”) into United States dollars (“US$”) is based on the exchange rate of US$1.00=RMB6.5063 on December 29, 2017 as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_ch.htm.

2 Each ADS represents four of the Company’s ordinary shares.

3 In 2017, we adopted ASU No.2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting by using a retrospective transition method in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly we reclassified Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation from financing activities to operating activities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarters ended December 31, 2016, September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2017, and the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

---Financial Tables and Operational Data Follow—

 
China Lodging Group, Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 December 31, 2016
 December 31, 2017
 RMB
 RMBUS$
 (in thousands)
  
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents3,235,007  3,474,719    534,054  
Restricted cash500  481,348    73,982  
Short-term investments-  129,911    19,967  
Accounts receivable, net141,649  162,910    25,039  
Loan receivables22,410  380,580    58,494  
Amounts due from related parties98,453  118,537    18,219  
Prepaid rent446,127  659,973    101,436  
Inventories21,606  24,006    3,690  
Other current assets208,929  329,140    50,588  
Total current assets4,174,681  5,761,124    885,469  
    
Property and equipment, net3,710,468  4,522,878    695,154  
Intangible assets, net342,694  1,643,972    252,674  
Land use rights145,521  140,108    21,534  
Long-term investments1,064,321  2,361,969    363,028  
Goodwill171,504  2,264,758    348,087  
Loan receivables7,269  42,330    6,506  
Other assets200,492  364,660    56,047  
Deferred tax assets176,414  325,643    50,050  
Total assets9,993,364  17,427,442    2,678,549  
        
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Short-term debt298,291  130,684    20,086  
Long-term debt, current portion-  131    20  
Accounts payable584,731  766,565    117,819  
Amounts due to related parties11,058  36,890    5,670  
Salary and welfare payables274,259  427,070    65,640  
Deferred revenue749,793  832,021    127,879  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities895,837  1,264,902    194,412  
Income tax payable152,112  218,238    33,542  
Total current liabilities2,966,081  3,676,501    565,068  
    
Long-term debt-  4,921,774    756,463  
Deferred rent1,023,843  1,380,484    212,177  
Deferred revenue166,963  171,735    26,394  
Other long-term liabilities323,991  380,578    58,494  
Deferred tax liabilities96,329  422,090    64,874  
Total liabilities4,577,207  10,953,162    1,683,470  
         
Equity:   
Ordinary shares204  212    33  
Treasury shares(107,331) (107,331)   (16,496)
Additional paid-in capital3,699,056  3,624,135    557,019  
Retained earnings1,812,174  2,753,715    423,238  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(4,503) 167,965    25,816  
Total China Lodging Group, Limited shareholders' equity5,399,600  6,438,696    989,610  
Noncontrolling interest16,557  35,584    5,469  
Total equity5,416,157  6,474,280    995,079  
Total liabilities and equity9,993,364  17,427,442    2,678,549  
         


 
China Lodging Group, Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 Quarter Ended
 Year Ended
 December
31, 2016

 September
30,2017

 December
31, 2017

 December 
31, 2016
 

 December
31, 2017

 RMB
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 (in thousands, except per share and per ADS data)
Revenues:                
Leased and owned hotels1,290,575  1,857,846  1,718,840  264,181   5,212,405  6,343,279  974,944  
Manachised and franchised hotels367,983  506,720  483,026  74,240   1,411,156  1,786,660  274,605  
Others11,365  8,445  13,032  2,003   31,219  40,257  6,187  
Total revenues1,669,923  2,373,011  2,214,898  340,424   6,654,780  8,170,196  1,255,736  
Less: business tax and related-  -  -    (116,149) -   
Net revenues1,669,923  2,373,011  2,214,898  340,424   6,538,631  8,170,196  1,255,736  
                              
Operating costs and expenses:       
Hotel operating costs:       
Rents(461,112) (533,285) (560,178) (86,098) (1,870,879) (2,058,954) (316,455)
Utilities(78,451) (104,284) (89,024) (13,683) (345,615) (365,100) (56,115)
Personnel costs(272,706) (366,019) (412,924) (63,465) (1,088,380) (1,388,284) (213,376)
Depreciation and amortization (169,350) (214,069) (204,147) (31,377) (676,996) (773,202) (118,839)
Consumables, food and beverage  (127,864) (150,458) (154,314) (23,717) (494,764) (550,513) (84,612)
Others (155,119) (135,955) (202,262) (31,087) (455,539) (538,098) (82,704)
Total hotel operating costs(1,264,602) (1,504,070) (1,622,849) (249,427) (4,932,173) (5,674,151) (872,101)
Other operating costs(2,319) (4,816) (6,836) (1,051) (7,606) (17,324) (2,663)
Selling and marketing expenses(46,142) (51,561) (83,868) (12,890) (146,525) (214,959) (33,039)
General and administrative expenses (143,434) (153,725) (236,213) (36,305) (492,141) (690,970) (106,200)
Pre-opening expenses (19,747) (67,632) (71,575) (11,001) (71,847) (206,454) (31,731)
Total operating costs and expenses(1,476,244) (1,781,804) (2,021,341) (310,674  ) (5,650,292) (6,803,858) (1,045,734)
Other operating income (expense), net(7,961) 137  42,563  6,541   (17,440) 71,175  10,940  
Income from operations185,718  591,344  236,120  36,291   870,899  1,437,513  220,942  
Interest income22,939  31,807  40,713  6,257   67,366  112,645  17,313  
Interest expense(2,289) (34,797) (34,295) (5,271) (11,056) (87,320) (13,421)
Other income, net(3,207) 51,123  11,195  1,721   133,755  163,678  25,157  
Foreign exchange gain (loss)10,341  (5,833) (2,341) (360) 16,481  (18,128) (2,786)
Income before income taxes 213,502  633,644  251,392  38,638   1,077,445  1,608,388  247,205  
Income tax expense(87,745) (158,446) (18,986) (2,918) (287,120) (359,958) (55,325)
Income (Loss) from equity method investments3,734  (3,279) (2,871) (441) 6,157  (11,783) (1,811)
Net income129,491  471,919  229,535  35,279   796,482  1,236,647  190,069  
Less: net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,633) (1,858) (116) (18) 8,133  555  86  
Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited 125,858  470,061  229,419  35,261   804,615  1,237,202  190,155  
     
   
   
   
   
    
Other comprehensive income       
Unrealized securities holding gains (losses), net of tax3,278  (5,757) 11,400  1,752   16,449  868  133  
Reclassification of gains realized to net income, net of tax -    -  -    (67,921) (5,282) (812)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (6,911) 71,077  58,502  8,992   (12,627) 176,882  27,186  
Comprehensive income 125,858  537,239  299,437  46,023   732,383  1,409,115  216,576  
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,633) (1,858) (116) (18) 8,133  555  86  
Comprehensive income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited 122,225  535,381  299,321  46,005   740,516  1,409,670  216,662  
                              
Earnings per share:       
Basic0.45   1.68  0.82  0.13  2.92  4.43  0.68 
Diluted 0.44   1.62  0.78  0.12  2.84  4.24  0.65 
        
Earnings per ADS:       
Basic1.81   6.72  3.28  0.50  11.70  17.72  2.72 
Diluted1.76   6.50  3.13  0.48  11.38  16.95  2.60 
        
Weighted average number of shares used in computation:                    
Basic 277,473  279,631  279,861  279,861  275,139  279,272  279,272 
Diluted 285,887  289,317  298,903  298,903  282,889  293,074  293,074 
                     


 
China Lodging Group, Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 Quarter Ended
 Year Ended
 December
31, 2016
 September
30, 2017
 December
31, 2017
 December
31,2016
 December
31, 2017
 RMB
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 (in thousands)
Operating activities3:       
Net income129,491  471,919    229,535  35,279  796,482  1,236,647  190,069 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation12,527  15,302  19,245  2,958   55,436  66,367  10,200  
Depreciation and amortization173,826  218,081  208,756  32,085   694,894  789,252  121,306  
Amortization of issuance cost of convertible notes-  -  2,598  399   -  2,598  399  
Deferred taxes30,809  2,823  (81,100) (12,465) 33,446  (76,237) (11,717)
Bad debt expenses1,200  -  1,434   220   1,082  2,446  376  
Deferred rent29,764  42,063  103,688   15,937   103,322  209,074  32,134  
Loss from disposal of property and equipment1,240  -  (2,795) (430) 9,333  12,884  1,980  
Impairment loss62,669  32,294  92,480   14,214   153,741  169,213  26,008  
Loss (Income) from equity method investments(3,734) 3,279  2,871   441   (6,157) 11,783  1,811  
Investment loss (gain)-  (50,781) (44,403) (6,825) (116,763) (159,974) (24,588)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable922  (7,798) 10,735   1,650   (46,211) 4,207  647  
Prepaid rent(43,153) (25,934) (131,592) (20,225) (25,380) (188,653) (28,995)
Inventories167  5,527  3,684   566   3,923  2,766  425  
Amounts due from related parties(4,537) (6,465) (23,967) (3,684) (9,314) (31,151) (4,788)
Other current assets(11,803) (16,828) (56,720) (8,718) (40,813) (76,320) (11,730)
Other assets5,362  (23,696) 4,691   721   (5,046) (54,411) (8,363)
Accounts payable39,690  11,114  35,417   5,444   59,129  8,141  1,251  
Amounts due to related parties1,796  311  4,234   651   7,489  3,093  475  
Salary and welfare payables111,005  (42,850) 223,455   34,345   60,669  133,142  20,464  
Deferred revenue(89,742) 23,457  13,838   2,127   19,529  4,016  617  
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities
3,665  186,092  (40,053) (6,156) 202,351  288,185  44,293  
Income tax payable(11,563) 47,266  (39,224) (6,028) 64,087  44,688  6,868  
Other long-term liabilities14,339  12,984  17,386   2,672   51,072  50,840  7,813  
Net cash provided by operating activities453,940  898,160  554,193  85,178   2,066,301  2,452,596  376,955  
                     
Investing activities:       
Purchases of property and equipment(109,231) (210,235)  (267,332) (41,088) (503,136) (819,523) (125,958)
Purchases of intangibles(3,517) (2,702)  (4,079) (627) (13,557) (7,854) (1,207)
Amount received as a result of government zoning-  -   2,593  399   2,099  2,593  399  
Acquisitions, net of cash received(1,683) -   (330) (51) 131,501  (3,745,588) (575,686)
Proceeds from disposal of subisidary and branch, net of cash disposed-  -   13,684  2,103   (20,668) 13,684  2,103  
Purchase of long-term investments(152,321) (175,300)  (856,682) (131,670) (293,125) (1,327,508) (204,034)
Proceeds from maturity/sale of long-term
investments
-  110   1,857  285   14,842  128,174  19,700  
Payment for shareholder loan to equity investees(1,214) (30,370)  (6,079) (934) (39,387) (113,206) (17,399)
Collection of shareholder loan from equity investees-  71,355  -  -  9,285  119,855  18,421  
Purchase of short-term investments-  (95,802) -  -  -  (95,802) (14,724)
Proceeds from maturity/sale of short-term investments-  -  -  -  526,443  -  - 
Payment for the origination of loan receivables-  (75,992) (319,500) (49,106) (36,420) (445,892) (68,532)
Proceeds from collection of loan receivables25,622  25,021  20,303  3,121   45,885  55,662  8,554  
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash1,657  (26,012) 12,163  1,869   360,000  (480,849) (73,905)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(240,687) (519,927) (1,403,402) (215,699) 183,762  (6,716,254) (1,032,268)
                     
Financing activities:       
Net proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of options3,668  580  1,875  288  12,206  9,073  1,394 
Proceeds from short-term debt-  -  -  -  281,719  136,488  20,978  
Repayment of short-term debt-  (26,913) -  -  (332,555) (294,677) (45,291)
Proceeds from long-term debt-  -  -  -  -  3,633,174  558,409  
Repayment of long-term debt-  -  (1,650,916) (253,741) -  (1,650,917) (253,741)
Funds advanced from noncontrolling interest
holders
7,453  11,913  34,972  5,375  11,453  83,573  12,845  
Repayment of funds advanced from
noncontrolling interest holders
(400) (7,053) -  -  (600) (8,730) (1,342)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest(4,083)   -  -  -  (4,083) (3,750) (576)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest holders10,500  890  17,743  2,728  45,604  25,575  3,931 
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders(612) (240) (240) (37) (3,677) (2,810) (432)
Dividends paid-  -  (306,343) (47,084) (276,261) (306,343) (47,084)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance cost and capped call option-  -  2,925,202  449,595  -  2,925,203  449,595 
Debt financing and administrative costs paid-  -  (9,763) (1,501) -  (9,763) (1,501)
Proceeds from ADS Lending-  -  7  1  -  7  1 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities16,526  (20,823) 1,012,537  155,624  (266,194) 4,536,103  697,186 
                     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents3,397  (4,677) (21,717) (3,338) 13,300  (32,733) (5,031)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents233,176  352,733  141,611  21,765  1,997,169  239,712  36,842 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period3,001,831  2,980,375  3,333,108  512,289  1,237,838  3,235,007  497,212 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period3,235,007  3,333,108  3,474,719  534,054  3,235,007  3,474,719  534,054 
                     

___________________

3 In 2017, we adopted ASU No.2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting by using a retrospective transition method in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly we reclassified Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation from financing activities to operating activities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarters ended December 31, 2016, September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2017, and the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

 
China Lodging Group, Limited
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
 
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2017
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues

 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues

 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 RMB    RMB    RMB  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs1,622,849 73.3% 6,091 0.3% 1,616,758 73.0%
Other operating costs6,836 0.3% - 0.0% 6,836 0.3%
Selling and marketing expenses83,868 3.8% 551 0.0% 83,317 3.8%
General and administrative expenses236,213 10.7% 12,603 0.6% 223,610 10.1%
Pre-opening expenses71,575 3.2% - 0.0% 71,575 3.2%
Total operating costs and expenses2,021,341 91.3% 19,245 0.9% 2,002,096 90.4%
Income from operations236,120 10.7% 19,245 0.9% 255,365 11.6%
            
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2017
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues

 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues

 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 US$    US$    US$  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs249,427  73.3% 936 0.3% 248,491 73.0%
Other operating costs1,051  0.3% - 0.0% 1,051 0.3%
Selling and marketing expenses12,890  3.8% 85 0.0% 12,805 3.8%
General and administrative expenses36,305  10.7% 1,937 0.6% 34,368 10.1%
Pre-opening expenses11,001  3.2% - 0.0% 11,001 3.2%
Total operating costs and expenses310,674  91.3% 2,958 0.9% 307,716 90.4%
Income from operations36,291  10.7% 2,958 0.9% 39,249 11.6%
               
 Quarter Ended September 30, 2017
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues

 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues

 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 RMB    RMB    RMB  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs1,504,070 63.4% 4,460 0.2% 1,499,610 63.2%
Other operating costs4,816 0.2% - 0.0% 4,816 0.2%
Selling and marketing expenses51,561 2.2% 321 0.0% 51,240 2.2%
General and administrative expenses153,725 6.5% 10,521 0.4% 143,204 6.1%
Pre-opening expenses67,632 2.9% - 0.0% 67,632 2.9%
Total operating costs and expenses1,781,804 75.2% 15,302 0.6% 1,766,502 74.6%
Income from operations591,344 24.9% 15,302 0.6% 606,646 25.5%
               
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2016
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues

 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues

 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 RMB    RMB    RMB  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs1,264,602 75.7% 3,738 0.2% 1,260,864 75.5%
Other operating costs2,319 0.1% - 0.0% 2,319 0.1%
Selling and marketing expenses46,142 2.8% 52 0.0%  46,090 2.8%
General and administrative expenses143,434 8.6% 8,737 0.5% 134,697   8.1%
Pre-opening expenses19,747 1.2%  - 0.0% 19,747 1.2%
Total operating costs and expenses1,476,244 88.4% 12,527 0.7%  1,463,717 87.7%
Income from operations185,718 11.1% 12,527 0.7% 198,245  11.8%


 
 Year Ended December 31, 2017
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues
 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues
 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 RMB   RMB   RMB  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs5,674,151 69.4% 19,725 0.2% 5,654,426 69.2%
Other operating costs17,324 0.2% - 0.0% 17,324 0.2%
Selling and marketing expenses214,959 2.6% 1,530 0.0% 213,429 2.6%
General and administrative expenses690,970 8.5% 45,112 0.6% 645,858 7.9%
Pre-opening expenses206,454 2.5% - 0.0% 206,454 2.5%
Total operating costs and expenses6,803,858 83.2% 66,367 0.8% 6,737,491 82.4%
Income from operations1,437,513 17.6% 66,367 0.8% 1,503,880 18.4%
               
 Year Ended December 31, 2017
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues
 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues
 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 US$   US$   US$  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs872,101  69.4% 3,031 0.2% 869,070 69.2%
Other operating costs2,663  0.2% - 0.0% 2,663 0.2%
Selling and marketing expenses33,039  2.6% 235 0.0% 32,804 2.6%
General and administrative expenses106,200  8.5% 6,934 0.6% 99,266 7.9%
Pre-opening expenses31,731  2.5% - 0.0% 31,731 2.5%
Total operating costs and expenses1,045,734  83.2% 10,200 0.8% 1,035,534 82.4%
Income from operations220,942  17.6% 10,200 0.8% 231,142 18.4%
               
 Year Ended December 31, 2016
 GAAP Result % of Net
Revenues
 Share-based
Compensation
 % of Net
Revenues
 Non-GAAP
Result
 % of Net
Revenues
 RMB   RMB   RMB  
 (in thousands)
Hotel operating costs4,932,173 75.4% 13,603 0.2% 4,918,570 75.2%
Other operating costs7,606 0.1% - 0.0% 7,606 0.1%
Selling and marketing expenses146,525 2.2% 811 0.0%  145,714  2.2%
General and administrative expenses492,141 7.5% 41,022 0.6% 451,119   6.9%
Pre-opening expenses71,847 1.1% - 0.0% 71,847 1.1%
Total operating costs and expenses5,650,292 86.3% 55,436 0.8% 5,594,856 85.5%
Income from operations870,899 13.3% 55,436 0.8% 926,335 14.1%
               


 
China Lodging Group, Limited
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
 
 Quarter Ended
 Year Ended
 December
31, 2016
 September
30,2017
 December
31, 2017
 December 
31, 2016
 December
31, 2017
 RMB RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ 
 (in thousands, except per share and per ADS data)
Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited (GAAP)125,858 470,061 229,419 35,261  804,615 1,237,202 190,155  
Share-based compensation expenses12,527 15,302 19,245 2,958  55,436 66,367 10,200  
Adjusted net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited (non-GAAP)138,385 485,363 248,664 38,219  860,051 1,303,569 200,355  
               
Earnings per share (GAAP)       
  Basic0.45 1.68 0.82 0.13 2.92 4.43 0.68 
  Diluted0.44 1.62 0.78 0.12 2.84 4.24 0.65 
        
Earnings per ADS (GAAP)       
  Basic1.81 6.72 3.28 0.50 11.70 17.72 2.72   
  Diluted1.76 6.50 3.13 0.48 11.38 16.95 2.60 
        
Adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)       
  Basic0.50 1.74 0.89 0.14 3.13 4.67 0.72 
  Diluted0.48 1.68 0.85 0.13 3.04 4.46 0.69 
        
Adjusted earnings per ADS (non-GAAP)       
  Basic1.99 6.94 3.55 0.55 12.50 18.67 2.87 
  Diluted1.94 6.71 3.39 0.52 12.16 17.85 2.74 
        
Weighted average number of shares used in computation       
  Basic277,473 279,631 279,861 279,861 275,139 279,272 279,272 
  Diluted285,887 289,317 298,903 298,903 282,889 293,074 293,074 
        


  
 Quarter Ended
 Year Ended
 December
31, 2016
 September
30,2017

 December
31, 2017
 December 
31, 2016

 December
31, 2017
 RMB
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 RMB
 RMB
 US$
 (in thousands, except per share and per ADS data)
Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited (GAAP)125,858  470,061  229,419  35,261   804,615  1,237,202  190,155  
Interest income(22,939) (31,807) (40,713) (6,257) (67,366) (112,645) (17,313)
Interest expense2,289  34,797  34,295  5,271   11,056  87,320  13,421  
Income tax expense87,745  158,446  18,986  2,918   287,120  359,958  55,325  
Depreciation and amortization173,826  218,081  208,756  32,085   694,894  789,252  121,306  
EBITDA (non-GAAP)366,779  849,578  450,743  69,278   1,730,319  2,361,087  362,894  
Share-based compensation12,527  15,302  19,245  2,958   55,436  66,367  10,200  
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)379,306  864,880  469,988  72,236   1,785,755  2,427,454  373,094  
                     


 
 China Lodging Group, Limited 
 
Operational Data    
 As of
 December 31,  September 30, December 31,  
 2016 2017 2017 
Total hotels in operation:  3,269    3,656    3,746  
  Leased and owned hotels  624    684    671  
  Manachised hotels  2,471    2,766    2,874  
  Franchised hotels   174    206    201  
Total hotel rooms in operation  331,347    372,464    379,675  
  Leased and owned hotels78,160  86,568    85,018  
  Manachised hotels237,094  265,701  275,065  
  Franchised hotels  16,093    20,195    19,592  
Number of cities  367  375   378  
    
 For the quarter ended
 December 31,  September 30, December 31,  
 2016 2017 2017 
Occupancy rate (as a percentage)   
  Leased and owned hotels85.5%92.8%87.2%
  Manachised hotels85.4%94.1%86.6%
  Franchised hotels68.1%78.9%72.1%
  Blended84.7%93.1%86.0%
Average daily room rate  (in RMB)   
  Leased and owned hotels211  257  251  
  Manachised hotels178  204  197  
  Franchised hotels180  236  232  
  Blended186  218  211  
RevPAR  (in RMB)   
  Leased and owned hotels181  238  219  
  Manachised hotels152  192  170  
  Franchised hotels123  186  167  
  Blended158  203  181  
    
 For the full year ended 
 December 31,  December 31,   
 2016 2017  
Occupancy rate (as a percentage)   
  Leased and owned hotels86.1%89.0% 
  Manachised hotels85.3%89.1% 
  Franchised hotels68.9%73.1% 
  Blended84.9%88.3% 
Average daily room rate (in RMB)   
  Leased and owned hotels208  237   
  Manachised hotels177  191   
  Franchised hotels182  216   
  Blended185  203   
RevPAR (in RMB)   
  Leased and owned hotels179  211   
  Manachised hotels151  171   
  Franchised hotels125  158   
  Blended157  180   
    
Same-hotel Operational Data: like-for-like performance for leased and manachised hotels opened for at least 18 months during the current quarter and full year
 
 As of and for the quarter ended 
 December 31,  
 2016 2017  
Total   2,729    2,729   
  Leased and owned hotels  573    573   
  Manachised hotels  2,156    2,156   
Occupancy rate (as a percentage)86.7%88.0% 
Average daily room rate (in RMB)  187    196   
RevPAR (in RMB)  162    172   
    
 As of and for full year ended 
 December 31,  
 2016 2017  
Total   2,729    2,729   
  Leased and owned hotels  573    573   
  Manachised hotels  2,156    2,156   
Occupancy rate (as a percentage)87.4%90.8% 
Average daily room rate (in RMB)184  191   
RevPAR (in RMB)161  174   
      


  
Hotel breakdown by segment 
   
   
 Number of Hotels in OperationNumber of Hotel Rooms in Operation
 As of December 31, 2017As of December 31, 2017
Economy hotels  2,974   279,619
  HanTing Hotel  2,244   223,121
  Leased hotels  454   52,300
  Manachised hotels  1,786   170,443
  Franchised hotels  4    378
  Hi Inn  396   26,063
  Leased hotels  30   2,727
  Manachised hotels  321   20,466
  Franchised hotels  45   2,870
  Elan Hotel   226   16,120
  Manachised hotels  193   13,963
  Franchised hotels  33   2,157
  ibis Hotel  100   13,474
  Leased and owned hotels   16   2,887
  Manachised hotels  38   4,522
  Franchised hotels  46   6,065
  Orange Hotel  8   841
  Leased hotels   6   678
  Manachised hotels  1   85
  Franchised hotels   1   78
Midscale and upscale hotels  772   100,056
  JI Hotel  390   53,054
  Leased hotels  91   15,868
  Manachised hotels  296    36,912
  Franchised hotels  3   274
  Starway Hotel  174   16,914
  Leased hotels  2   386
  Manachised hotels  141   13,677
  Franchised hotels  31   2,851
  Joya Hotel  6   1,131
  Leased hotels  3   523
  Manachised hotels  3    608
  Manxin Hotels & Resorts  11   1,150
  Leased hotels  2    277
  Manachised hotels  6   769
  Franchised hotels  3   104
  HanTing Premium Hotel  5   446
  Leased hotels  1    98
  Manachised hotels  4   348
  ibis Styles Hotel   13   1,841
  Manachised hotels   10   1,425
  Franchised hotels   3   416
  Mercure Hotel  20   4,664
  Leased hotels  2    496
  Manachised hotels  15   3,546
  Franchised hotels  3   622
  Novotel Hotel  4   1,697
  Manachised hotels  3    1,374
  Franchised hotels  1   323
  Grand Mercure   4   882
  Leased hotels  1   360
  Manachised hotels  1    151
  Franchised hotels  2   371
  Orange Select  103   12,648
  Leased hotels  44   5,732
  Manachised hotels  41    4,817
  Franchised hotels  18   2,099
  Crystal Orange  42   5,629
  Leased hotels  19   2,686
  Manachised hotels  15   1,959
  Franchised hotels  8   984
Total  3,746   379,675
   


 
Same-hotel operational data by segment
 Number of hotels in operationSame-hotel RevPAR Same-hotel ADR Same-hotel Occupancy 
 As ofFor the quarter ended For the quarter ended For the quarter ended 
 December 31,December 31,yoy changeDecember 31,yoy changeDecember 31,yoy change
 2016201720162017201620172016 2017 
Economy hotels  2,406   2,406   146   156 6.9%  167   175 5.1%87%89%1.5%
  Leased and owned hotels  492   492   152   166 9.2%  178   189 6.3%85%88%2.4%
  Manachised and franchised hotels  1,914   1,914   144   152 6.1%  163   171 4.6%88%89%1.2%
Midscale and upscale hotels  323   323   249   261 4.8%  300   313 4.4%83%83%0.3%
  Leased hotels  81   81   314   321 2.4%  348   364 4.5%90%88%-1.9%
  Manachised and franchised hotels  242   242   217   231 6.5%  273   286 4.7%79%81%1.4%
Total  2,729   2,729   162   172 6.5%  187   196 4.9%87%88%1.3%
            
            
 Number of hotels in operationSame-hotel RevPAR Same-hotel ADR Same-hotel Occupancy 
 As ofFor the year ended For the year ended For the year ended 
 December 31,December 31,yoy changeDecember 31,yoy changeDecember 31,yoy change
 2016201720162017201620172016 2017 
Economy hotels  2,406   2,406 147 158 7.4%168 173 3.3%88%92%3.5%
  Leased and owned hotels  492   492 154 167 8.4%178 185 3.9%86%90%3.7%
  Manachised and franchised hotels  1,914   1,914 145 155 7.1%164 169 3.0%88%92%3.5%
Midscale and upscale hotels  323   323 245 265 8.2%291 307 5.5%84%86%2.1%
  Leased hotels  81   81 300 320 6.8%333 354 6.3%90%91%0.4%
  Manachised and franchised hotels  242   242 213 232 9.3%263 277 5.1%81%84%3.2%
Total  2,729   2,729 161 174 7.7%184 191 3.7%87%91%3.3%
 

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