BEIJING, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (the "Company" or "New Oriental") (NYSE: EDU/ 9901.SEHK), a provider of private educational services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2026, which is the first quarter of New Oriental's fiscal year 2027.  

Financial Highlights for the First Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2026

• Total net revenues increased by 23.1% year over year to US$1,874.5 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2027. 
• Operating income increased by 20.5% year over year to US$374.7 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2027.
• Net income attributable to New Oriental increased by 13.5% year over year to US$273.2 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2027.

Key Financial Results

Operating Highlights for the First Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2026

Michael Yu, New Oriental's Executive Chairman, commented, "We are delighted to start our fiscal year 2027 with strong top line growth of 23.1%, above our current full year guidance range. Revenues from overseas test preparation and consulting business increased by approximately 7.7%. In addition, our domestic test preparation business targeting adults and university students grew by approximately 22.3% year over year, while our new educational business initiatives grew by approximately 24.7% year over year. This quarter, our non-academic tutoring courses reached around 60 cities, attracting approximately 476,000 student enrollments, and our intelligent learning system and devices were adopted across around 60 cities, with approximately 515,000 active paid users. In this new fiscal year, we will continue to deepen the execution of our core strategy, with continuous improvement in teaching and product quality as our primary growth drivers. We are confident that this disciplined approach will enable us to generate healthy and sustainable value over the long term. Alongside our growth momentum, our cost optimization and operational efficiency initiatives have entered a new phase this year and have achieved notable progress. New Oriental Home, our newly established comprehensive customer service platform integrated across all departments, had already served over 1,678,000 families across 69 cities by the end of this quarter. This platform has already begun to demonstrate its ability to enhance customer loyalty and retention and strengthen our cross-selling capabilities. We believe it will further increase customer lifetime value while lowering our overall customer acquisition costs. We remain firmly committed to building a stronger brand and creating enduring value for our customers and shareholders."

Chenggang Zhou, New Oriental's Chief Executive Officer, added, "This fiscal quarter, we continued to execute our strategy of disciplined capacity expansion to balance revenue growth with operational efficiency. Equally important, AI remains at the core of our organizational priorities. This fiscal year, we will maintain measured investment in AI to enhance the competitiveness of our existing products, develop new AI-powered education products that can be commercialized efficiently, and apply AI more broadly to reduce labor costs and improve operating efficiency, while providing stronger support to our staff. In this fiscal quarter, East Buy expanded its private label portfolio to over 1,000 SPUs and its Douyin channel matrix to more than 30 vertical accounts. Leveraging New Oriental's learning center network, East Buy now has four offline experience stores and has developed instant retail capabilities, including one-hour delivery trials in Beijing and Shanghai. For this fiscal year, East Buy will advance its multi-channel strategy, accelerate private label development, refine App membership operations and enhance supply chain efficiency to support sustainable long-term growth."

Stephen Zhihui Yang, New Oriental's Executive President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We are pleased to report that, in this fiscal quarter, both our core education business and East Buy recorded year over year expansion in their respective operating margins, primarily attributable to enhanced operational efficiency and improved utilization of our learning centers. Concurrently, East Buy's rapid growth increased its share of total revenue, and this shift in our revenue mix kept our consolidated operating margin at a stable level during this quarter. We view this as an anticipated consequence of scaling new businesses, and we remain confident in the margin trajectory of each business line on a standalone basis. In this fiscal year, we will remain firmly committed to our strategy of pursuing balanced revenue and profit growth, and we will continue to deepen our cost reduction and efficiency enhancement initiatives across key business lines. Through these efforts, we aim to deliver sustainable, healthy growth over the long term while steadily enhancing our profitability."

Update on Shareholder Return for the Fiscal Year 2026

As part of the shareholder return for the fiscal year 2026, the Company announced in October 2025 a share repurchase program (the "2026 Share Repurchase Program"), under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to US$300 million of its ADSs or common shares over the subsequent 12 months. As of October 27, 2026, the Company had fully utilized the US$300 million repurchase amount authorized under its 2026 Share Repurchase Program for an aggregate of approximately 56.2 million common shares (including common shares represented by ADSs) from the open market.

Update on Shareholder Return for the Fiscal Year 2027

To implement its three-year shareholder return plan adopted in July 2025 for the fiscal year 2027, the board of directors of the Company previously approved an ordinary cash dividend and a new share repurchase program (the "2027 Share Repurchase Program") in July 2026.

The Company today announced that its board of directors has approved an ordinary cash dividend for the fiscal year 2027 of US$0.2 per common share, or US$2.0 per ADS, to be distributed in U.S. dollars in two installments: (i) the first installment, US$0.1 per common share, or US$1.0 per ADS, will be paid to holders of common shares and ADSs of record as of the close of business on November 18, 2026, Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively; and (ii) the second installment, US$0.1 per common share, or US$1.0 per ADS, will be paid to holders of common shares and ADSs of a record date to be further determined by the board of directors of the Company in due course. The payment date for the first installment is expected to be on or around December 1, 2026 and December 4, 2026 for holders of common shares and holders of ADSs, respectively. The payment date for the second installment is expected to be around six months after the payment date of the first installment. Further details regarding the record date and payment date for the second installment will be announced by the Company in due course.

The aggregate amount of the cash dividend to be paid in two installments is expected to be approximately US$300 million. For holders of common shares, in order to qualify for the first installment of the dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company's Hong Kong branch share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 18, 2026 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dividend to be paid to the Company's ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement.

Pursuant to the 2027 Share Repurchase Program, the Company may repurchase up to US$200 million of its ADSs or common shares over the subsequent 12 months following the board approval. As of October 27, 2026, the Company had not yet repurchased any common shares under the 2027 Share Repurchase Program. The Company's proposed repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The board of directors of the Company will review the share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size. The Company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash balance.

Financial Results for the First Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2026

Net Revenues

For the first fiscal quarter of 2027, New Oriental reported net revenues of US$1,874.5 million, representing a 23.1% increase year over year. The growth was mainly driven by the increase in net revenues from the Company's new educational business initiatives and East Buy private label products and livestreaming e-commerce business.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses for the quarter were US$1,499.8 million, representing a 23.7% increase year over year. The increase was primarily due to the cost and expenses related to the substantial growth in East Buy private label products and livestreaming e-commerce business.

• Cost of revenues increased by 28.1% year over year to US$817.0 million.
• Selling and marketing expenses increased by 30.7% year over year to US$262.2 million.
• General and administrative expenses for the quarter increased by 12.6% year over year to US$420.7 million.

Total share-based compensation expenses, which were allocated to related operating costs and expenses, increased by 31.3% to US$30.6 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2027.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Operating income was US$374.7 million, representing a 20.5% increase year over year. Non-GAAP income from operations for the quarter, excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, was US$406.8 million, representing a 21.2% increase year over year.

Operating margin for the quarter was 20.0%, compared to 20.4% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP operating margin, which excludes share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, for the quarter was 21.7%, compared to 22.0% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Net Income and Net Income per ADS

Net income attributable to New Oriental for the quarter was US$273.2 million, representing a 13.5% increase year over year. Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental were US$1.76 and US$1.74, respectively.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income per ADS

Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental for the quarter, excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, loss/(gain) from fair value change of investments, (gain)/ loss from equity method investments, as well as tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments, was US$300.9 million, representing a 16.5% increase year over year. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental were US$1.94 and US$1.92, respectively.

Cash Flow

Net operating cash inflow for the first fiscal quarter of 2027 was approximately US$195.4 million and capital expenditures for the quarter were US$65.8 million.

Balance Sheet

As of August 31, 2026, New Oriental had cash and cash equivalents of US$1,754.6 million. In addition, the Company had US$1,441.3 million in term deposits and US$2,422.7 million in short-term investments.

New Oriental's deferred revenue, which represents cash collected upfront from customers and related revenue that will be recognized as the services or goods are delivered, at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 was US$2,121.1 million, an increase of 11.2% as compared to US$1,906.7 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Outlook for the Full Year of FY2027

New Oriental confirms the previously provided guidance of total net revenues in the fiscal year 2027 (June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027) to be in the range of US$6,453.9 million to US$6,680.3 million, representing a year over year increase in the range of 14% to 18%.

This forecast reflects New Oriental's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change. The forecast is based on the current USD/RMB exchange rate, which is also subject to change.

Conference Call Information

New Oriental's management will host an earnings conference call at 8 AM on October 28, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time (8 PM on October 28, 2026, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). 

Please register in advance of the conference, using the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, and a unique personal PIN.

Conference call registration link: 
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId978053d1f894490876e8d3906094a10. 

It will automatically direct you to the registration page of "New Oriental FY2027 Q1 Earnings Conference Call" where you may fill in your details for RSVP.

In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial in number(s) and personal PIN) provided in the confirmation email received at the point of registering.

Joining the conference call via a live webcast:

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.neworiental.org.

Listening to the conference call replay:

A replay of the conference call may be accessed via the webcast on-demand by registering at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/d5kv97n5 first. The replay will be available until October 28, 2027.

About New Oriental

New Oriental is a provider of private educational services in China offering a wide range of educational programs, services and products to a varied student population throughout China. New Oriental's program, service and product offerings mainly consist of educational services and test preparation courses, private label products and livestreaming e-commerce, overseas study consulting services, and educational materials and distribution. New Oriental is listed on NYSE (NYSE: EDU) and SEHK (9901.SEHK), respectively. New Oriental's ADSs, each of which represents ten common shares, are listed and traded on the NYSE. The Hong Kong-listed shares are fully fungible with the ADSs listed on NYSE.

For more information about New Oriental, please visit http://www.neworiental.org/english/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the full year of fiscal year 2027, quotations from management in this announcement, as well as New Oriental's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. New Oriental may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about New Oriental's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's ability to effectively and efficiently manage changes of its existing business and new business; its ability to execute its business strategies; uncertainties in relation to the interpretation and implementation of or proposed changes to, the PRC laws, regulations and policies regarding the private education industry; its ability to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees; its ability to maintain and enhance its "New Oriental" brand; its ability to maintain consistent teaching quality throughout its school network, or service quality throughout its brand; its ability to achieve the benefits it expects from recent and future acquisitions; its ability to develop and commercialize AI-powered products and realize expected efficiencies from its AI investments; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the private education sector and livestreaming e-commerce business in China; the continuing efforts of its senior management team and other key personnel; health epidemics and other outbreaks in China; and general economic conditions in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in its annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New Oriental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and New Oriental undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement New Oriental's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, New Oriental uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC: net income excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (gain)/loss from fair value change of investments, loss/(gain) from equity method investments, impairment of long-term investments and goodwill, gain on disposals of investments and others, as well as tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments; operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and impairment of goodwill; operating margin excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and impairment of goodwill; and basic and diluted net income per ADS and per share excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, loss/(gain) from fair value change of investments, loss/(gain) from equity method investments, impairment of long-term investments and goodwill, gain on disposals of investments and others, as well as tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments. 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 GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release.

New Oriental believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding from each non-GAAP measure certain items that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. New Oriental believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to New Oriental's historical performance and liquidity. New Oriental believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP measures is that they exclude from each non-GAAP measure certain items that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in its 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.

Contacts

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Rita Fong                                          Ms. Sisi Zhao
FTI Consulting                                         New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.
Tel:   +852 3768 4548                              Tel:   +86-10-6260-5568
Email: rita.fong@fticonsulting.com          Email: zhaosisi@xdf.cn 

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SOURCE New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.