Youdao Reports First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results
Youdao (NYSE: DAO), an intelligent learning company in China, announced its unaudited financial results for Q1 2024. Total net revenues rose 19.7% YoY to RMB1.4 billion (US$192.8 million). Revenue from online marketing services surged by 125.9%, while learning services and smart devices saw declines of 2.0% and 14.8%, respectively. Gross margin decreased to 49.0%, down from 51.7% in Q1 2023. Operating expenses dropped significantly by 18.3%. The company reported a net income of RMB12.4 million (US$1.7 million) compared to a loss of RMB204.4 million in Q1 2023. As of March 31, 2024, cash and short-term investments totaled RMB326.0 million (US$45.2 million). The company executed a share repurchase program, buying back approximately 6.6 million ADSs worth US$30.4 million.
- Total net revenues increased by 19.7% YoY to RMB1.4 billion (US$192.8 million).
- Revenue from online marketing services surged by 125.9% YoY to RMB492.7 million (US$68.2 million).
- Gross profit increased by 13.2% YoY to RMB681.5 million (US$94.4 million).
- Operating expenses decreased by 18.3% YoY to RMB651.6 million (US$90.2 million).
- Net income of RMB12.4 million (US$1.7 million) compared to a net loss of RMB204.4 million in Q1 2023.
- Non-GAAP net income of RMB20.3 million (US$2.8 million) compared to a non-GAAP net loss of RMB193.9 million in Q1 2023.
- Earnings per ADS improved to RMB0.11 (US$0.02) from a loss of RMB1.67 per ADS in Q1 2023.
- The company conducted a share repurchase program, acquiring around 6.6 million ADSs worth US$30.4 million.
- Net revenues from learning services decreased by 2.0% YoY to RMB718.0 million (US$99.4 million).
- Net revenues from smart devices fell by 14.8% YoY to RMB181.2 million (US$25.1 million).
- Gross margin declined to 49.0% from 51.7% YoY.
- Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments decreased to RMB326.0 million (US$45.2 million) from RMB527.1 million at the end of 2023.
- Net cash used in operating activities was RMB391.0 million (US$54.1 million) for Q1 2024.
- The company relies on financial support from NetEase Group, including short-term and long-term loans, to sustain operations.
Insights
The latest financial results from Youdao indicate a 19.7% increase in total net revenues year-over-year to
Despite these mixed results, Youdao achieved its first-ever profitable first quarter with net income attributable to shareholders amounting to
The gross margin dropped slightly from 51.7% to 49.0%, reflecting perhaps the increased cost structure or market competition impacting margins. The reduction in operating expenses, particularly in sales and marketing and R&D, contributes positively to the bottom line but may affect future growth if under-invested over time.
The decline in short-term cash and equivalents suggests a possible liquidity concern, mitigated by financial support from the parent company, NetEase Group. This could be a red flag for investors concerned about the company's ability to sustain operations independently.
Youdao's financial results indicate a strategic pivot towards AI-driven subscription services and online marketing services, which have shown robust growth. The company's investment in AI technology, particularly in performance-based advertisements, has paid off, driving a 140% increase in AI-driven subscription service sales. This focus on leveraging AI and digital transformation aligns well with current market trends and investor expectations.
However, the 14.8% decline in smart device revenues reflects a broader industry trend where hardware sales are increasingly challenged by software and services growth. Market dynamics in China, competitive pressures and potential regulatory changes should be closely monitored as these could impact future revenue streams and profitability.
The company's gross margin improvement in online marketing services is a positive sign, indicating higher efficiency and better pricing power in this segment. But the drop in smart device margins due to earlier generation promotions suggests a need to innovate and update product lines to maintain profitability.
The application of Youdao's AI capabilities, as demonstrated in the Real-Time API and the company's proprietary large language model, Ziyue, signifies a substantial technological advantage over competitors. This technology underpins the impressive growth in online marketing services and AI-driven subscriptions, offering adaptive learning and tailored content, which enhances user engagement and revenue potential.
However, the integration and scalability of these technologies remain crucial. Any technical challenges or delays in product rollout could affect growth trajectories. Additionally, the educational technology sector is highly competitive and continuous innovation is necessary to maintain a leading position.
The focus on AI-driven solutions is timely and resonates with global trends towards personalized learning experiences. Given the rapid advancements in AI, maintaining a technological edge will be key to sustaining long-term growth and competitiveness.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
- Total net revenues were
RMB1.4 billion (US ), representing a$192.8 million 19.7% increase from the same period in 2023.
- Net revenues from learning services wereRMB718.0 million (US ), representing a$99.4 million 2.0% decrease from the same period in 2023.
- Net revenues from smart devices wereRMB181.2 million (US ), representing a$25.1 million 14.8% decrease from the same period in 2023.
- Net revenues from online marketing services wereRMB492.7 million (US ), representing a$68.2 million 125.9% increase from the same period in 2023. - Gross margin was
49.0% , compared with51.7% for the same period in 2023.
"We achieved first-ever profitable first quarter and first-ever consecutive two-quarters of profitability. In the first quarter, Youdao Lingshi was upgraded with a tiered teaching approach tailored to individual needs and capabilities. The strong momentum of Real-Time API and the rapid growth of domestic KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) advertising drove our online market services to a record high net revenue of
"Looking ahead, our strategy will focus on digital content services, online marketing services and AI-driven subscription services. We will continue to leverage our AI capabilities and understanding of education to expand the applications of our proprietary large language model, Ziyue, in education, advertising and other areas. We will accelerate the implementation of our products and applications, striving to better assist users in improving learning and work efficiency. With our business focus, I am confident that we will reach full-year profitability in the near future," Dr. Zhou concluded.
[1] Total sales of AI-driven subscription services for a specific period refers to the total amount of consideration for our AI-driven subscription services, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. |
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Net Revenues
Net revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were
Net revenues from learning services were
Net revenues from smart devices were
Net revenues from online marketing services were
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2024 was
Gross margin for learning services was
Gross margin for smart devices decreased to
Gross margin for online marketing services was
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were
Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were
Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were
General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were
Income/(Loss) from Operations
As a result of the foregoing, income from operations for the first quarter of 2024 was
Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Youdao's Ordinary Shareholders
Net income attributable to Youdao's ordinary shareholders for the first quarter of 2024 was
Basic and diluted net income per American depositary share ("ADS") attributable to ordinary shareholders for the first quarter of 2024 were
Other Information
As of March 31, 2024, Youdao's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments totaled
As of March 31, 2024, the Company's contract liabilities, which mainly consisted of deferred revenues generated from Youdao's learning services, were
Share Repurchase Program
On November 17, 2022, the Company announced that its board of directors had authorized the Company to adopt a share repurchase program in accordance with applicable laws and regulations for up to
Conference Call
Youdao's management team will host a teleconference call with simultaneous webcast at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 23, 2024 (
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
+1-888-346-8982 | |
International: | +1-412-902-4272 |
Mainland | 400-120-1203 |
800-905-945 | |
+852-3018-4992 | |
Conference ID: | 5374784 |
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.youdao.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible by phone one hour after the conclusion of the live call at the following numbers, until May 30, 2024:
United States: | +1-877-344-7529 |
International: | +1-412-317-0088 |
Replay Access Code: | 5374784 |
About Youdao, Inc.
Youdao, Inc. (NYSE: DAO) is an intelligent learning company with industry-leading technology in
For more information, please visit: http://ir.youdao.com.
Non-GAAP Measures
Youdao considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted net income/(loss) per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of 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 accounting principles generally accepted in
Youdao defines non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders as net income/(loss) attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and impairment of long-term investments. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders enables Youdao's management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of these items, which are non-cash charges in nature. Youdao believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under
For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release.
The accompanying table has more details on the reconciliation between our GAAP financial measures that are mostly directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures. Youdao encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In
Jeffrey Wang
Youdao, Inc.
Tel: +86-10-8255-8163 ext. 89980
E-mail: IR@rd.netease.com
Piacente Financial Communications
Helen Wu
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: youdao@thepiacentegroup.com
In
Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: youdao@thepiacentegroup.com
YOUDAO, INC. | |||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
(RMB and USD in thousands) | |||||||
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | As of March 31, | |||||
2023 | 2024 | 2024 | |||||
RMB | RMB | USD (1) | |||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 454,536 | 262,917 | 36,414 | ||||
Time deposits | 277 | 282 | 39 | ||||
Restricted cash | 395 | 595 | 82 | ||||
Short-term investments | 71,848 | 62,213 | 8,616 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 354,006 | 365,281 | 50,591 | ||||
Inventories | 217,067 | 189,525 | 26,249 | ||||
Amounts due from NetEase Group | 26,117 | 47,365 | 6,560 | ||||
Prepayment and other current assets | 175,705 | 195,618 | 27,093 | ||||
Total current assets | 1,299,951 | 1,123,796 | 155,644 | ||||
Non-current assets: | |||||||
Property, equipment and software, net | 70,906 | 63,426 | 8,784 | ||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 89,022 | 91,871 | 12,724 | ||||
Long-term investments | 51,396 | 49,435 | 6,847 | ||||
Goodwill | 109,944 | 109,944 | 15,227 | ||||
Other assets, net | 44,976 | 55,433 | 7,677 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 366,244 | 370,109 | 51,259 | ||||
Total assets | 1,666,195 | 1,493,905 | 206,903 | ||||
Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders' Deficit | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payables | 159,005 | 119,706 | 16,579 | ||||
Payroll payable | 282,679 | 158,493 | 21,951 | ||||
Amounts due to NetEase Group | 82,430 | 73,037 | 10,116 | ||||
Contract liabilities | 1,052,622 | 769,138 | 106,524 | ||||
Taxes payable | 52,781 | 54,890 | 7,602 | ||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | 591,770 | 641,085 | 88,789 | ||||
Short-term loans from NetEase Group | 878,000 | 878,000 | 121,602 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 3,099,287 | 2,694,349 | 373,163 | ||||
Non-current liabilities: | |||||||
Long-term lease liabilities | 49,337 | 47,689 | 6,605 | ||||
Long-term loans from NetEase Group | 630,360 | 881,120 | 122,034 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities | 16,314 | 17,373 | 2,406 | ||||
Total non-current liabilities | 696,011 | 946,182 | 131,045 | ||||
Total liabilities | 3,795,298 | 3,640,531 | 504,208 | ||||
Mezzanine equity | 37,961 | 39,079 | 5,412 | ||||
Shareholders' deficit: | |||||||
Youdao's shareholders' deficit | (2,186,736) | (2,206,312) | (305,571) | ||||
Noncontrolling interests | 19,672 | 20,607 | 2,854 | ||||
Total shareholders' deficit | (2,167,064) | (2,185,705) | (302,717) | ||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit | 1,666,195 | 1,493,905 | 206,903 | ||||
Note 1: | |||||||
The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into |
YOUDAO, INC. | |||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||
(RMB and USD in thousands, except share and per ADS data) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | USD (1) | ||||||
Net revenues: | |||||||||
Learning services | 732,421 | 784,012 | 717,996 | 99,441 | |||||
Smart devices | 212,749 | 222,407 | 181,198 | 25,096 | |||||
Online marketing services | 218,100 | 474,102 | 492,665 | 68,233 | |||||
Total net revenues | 1,163,270 | 1,480,521 | 1,391,859 | 192,770 | |||||
Cost of revenues (2) | (561,420) | (741,720) | (710,356) | (98,383) | |||||
Gross profit | 601,850 | 738,801 | 681,503 | 94,387 | |||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses (2) | (565,205) | (441,399) | (455,440) | (63,078) | |||||
Research and development expenses (2) | (182,830) | (168,130) | (146,723) | (20,321) | |||||
General and administrative expenses (2) | (49,606) | (52,989) | (49,416) | (6,844) | |||||
Total operating expenses | (797,641) | (662,518) | (651,579) | (90,243) | |||||
(Loss)/Income from operations | (195,791) | 76,283 | 29,924 | 4,144 | |||||
Interest income | 2,294 | 1,733 | 975 | 135 | |||||
Interest expense | (15,763) | (18,869) | (20,334) | (2,816) | |||||
Others, net | 6,378 | (2,589) | 2,892 | 401 | |||||
(Loss)/Income before tax | (202,882) | 56,558 | 13,457 | 1,864 | |||||
Income tax (expenses)/benefits | (3,201) | (441) | 1,028 | 142 | |||||
Net (loss)/income | (206,083) | 56,117 | 14,485 | 2,006 | |||||
Net loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1,730 | 365 | (2,053) | (284) | |||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company | (204,353) | 56,482 | 12,432 | 1,722 | |||||
Basic net (loss)/income per ADS | (1.67) | 0.47 | 0.11 | 0.02 | |||||
Diluted net (loss)/income per ADS | (1.67) | 0.47 | 0.10 | 0.01 | |||||
Shares used in computing basic net (loss)/income per ADS | 122,268,844 | 119,764,891 | 118,317,220 | 118,317,220 | |||||
Shares used in computing diluted net (loss)/income per ADS | 122,268,844 | 120,426,624 | 118,928,848 | 118,928,848 | |||||
Note 1: | |||||||||
The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into | |||||||||
Note 2: | |||||||||
Share-based compensation in each category: | |||||||||
Cost of revenues | 1,259 | (2,975) | 778 | 108 | |||||
Sales and marketing expenses | 1,131 | 865 | 1,136 | 158 | |||||
Research and development expenses | 4,785 | (312) | 3,503 | 485 | |||||
General and administrative expenses | 3,321 | 5,224 | 2,479 | 343 | |||||
YOUDAO, INC. | |||||||||
UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | |||||||||
(RMB and USD in thousands) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||
Net revenues | |||||||||
Learning services | 732,421 | 784,012 | 717,996 | 99,441 | |||||
Smart devices | 212,749 | 222,407 | 181,198 | 25,096 | |||||
Online marketing services | 218,100 | 474,102 | 492,665 | 68,233 | |||||
Total net revenues | 1,163,270 | 1,480,521 | 1,391,859 | 192,770 | |||||
Cost of revenues | |||||||||
Learning services | 278,125 | 285,383 | 264,759 | 36,669 | |||||
Smart devices | 128,588 | 137,150 | 122,060 | 16,905 | |||||
Online marketing services | 154,707 | 319,187 | 323,537 | 44,809 | |||||
Total cost of revenues | 561,420 | 741,720 | 710,356 | 98,383 | |||||
Gross margin | |||||||||
Learning services | 62.0 % | 63.6 % | 63.1 % | 63.1 % | |||||
Smart devices | 39.6 % | 38.3 % | 32.6 % | 32.6 % | |||||
Online marketing services | 29.1 % | 32.7 % | 34.3 % | 34.3 % | |||||
Total gross margin | 51.7 % | 49.9 % | 49.0 % | 49.0 % |
YOUDAO, INC. | |||||||||
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | |||||||||
(RMB and USD in thousands, except per ADS data) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | USD | ||||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company | (204,353) | 56,482 | 12,432 | 1,722 | |||||
Add: share-based compensation | 10,496 | 2,802 | 7,896 | 1,094 | |||||
impairment of long-term investment | - | 10,000 | - | - | |||||
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the | (193,857) | 69,284 | 20,328 | 2,816 | |||||
Non-GAAP basic net (loss)/income per ADS | (1.59) | 0.58 | 0.17 | 0.02 | |||||
Non-GAAP diluted net (loss)/income per ADS | (1.59) | 0.58 | 0.17 | 0.02 |
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SOURCE Youdao, Inc.
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