Gravity Reports Second Quarter of 2024 Results and Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Gravity Co., (NASDAQ: GRVY) reported its Q2 2024 financial results and business updates. Total revenues increased 2.7% QoQ to KRW 122,967 million (US$ 89,330 thousand), but decreased 48.5% YoY. Operating profit fell 44.2% QoQ and 71.6% YoY to KRW 14,989 million (US$ 10,889 thousand). Net profit attributable to the parent company decreased 53.2% QoQ and 72.1% YoY to KRW 12,569 million (US$ 9,131 thousand).

The company saw increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Thailand and Ragnarok Origin in the Americas. However, this was offset by decreased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia and Ragnarok X: Next Generation in Korea. Gravity launched several new games and expansions, including THE RAGNAROK in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, and Ragnarok: Rebirth in Southeast Asia.

Positive

• Total revenues increased 2.7% QoQ to KRW 122,967 million
• Online game revenues increased 7.6% QoQ and 14.2% YoY
• Mobile game revenues increased 0.5% QoQ
• Other revenues increased 42.2% QoQ and 41.5% YoY
• Cash and cash equivalents balance of KRW 499,247 million as of June 30, 2024

Negative

• Total revenues decreased 48.5% YoY
• Operating profit decreased 44.2% QoQ and 71.6% YoY
• Net profit attributable to parent company decreased 53.2% QoQ and 72.1% YoY
• Mobile game revenues decreased 54.7% YoY
• Operating expenses increased 65.8% QoQ and 78.8% YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

Gravity's Q2 2024 results show a mixed performance. While total revenues increased 2.7% QoQ to KRW 122,967 million, they decreased 48.5% YoY. The company's profitability took a significant hit, with net profit attributable to the parent company declining 53.2% QoQ and 72.1% YoY to KRW 12,569 million.

The mobile game segment, which accounts for about 80% of total revenue, saw only a slight 0.5% QoQ increase but a substantial 54.7% YoY decrease. This decline was primarily due to reduced revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia. However, the launch of new titles and expansion into new markets could potentially offset this decline in the future.

Despite the profit decline, Gravity maintains a strong liquidity position with KRW 499,247 million in cash and cash equivalents. This provides a solid foundation for future investments and expansion plans.

Gaming Industry Analyst

Gravity's Q2 results reflect the cyclical nature of the gaming industry and the challenges of maintaining momentum in established markets. The company's strategy of expanding its Ragnarok IP across multiple games and platforms is noteworthy. The launch of Ragnarok Online in China and the upcoming releases of Ragnarok X: Next Generation and other titles in various regions demonstrate a focused global expansion strategy.

The diversification into non-gaming sectors, such as the Ragnarok Golf Monsters indoor golf brand, shows an innovative approach to IP monetization. However, the core business remains mobile gaming and the success of upcoming launches like THE RAGNAROK and Ragnarok: Rebirth in new markets will be important for reversing the YoY revenue decline.

The increased operating expenses, primarily due to advertising for new game launches, indicate Gravity's commitment to growth. The effectiveness of this increased marketing spend will be a key factor to watch in upcoming quarters.

Market Expansion Strategist

Gravity's Q2 results highlight its aggressive market expansion strategy. The company is actively launching games in new regions, with Ragnarok Origin entering North, Central and South America and THE RAGNAROK launching in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. This geographical diversification could help mitigate risks associated with market saturation in existing regions.

The company's pipeline is robust, with several games slated for release in various markets throughout 2024 and 2025. Of particular interest is the planned launch of Ragnarok Origin in Europe and THE RAGNAROK in Southeast Asia. These moves could potentially open up significant new revenue streams.

Gravity's expansion into the Chinese market with Ragnarok Online and the upcoming Ragnarok X: Next Generation is a bold move, given the competitive and regulatory challenges in this market. The success of these launches could be a game-changer for the company's growth trajectory. However, investors should be aware of the inherent risks in entering new markets, including regulatory hurdles and intense competition.

Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games based in South Korea, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and business updates.

SECOND QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenues were KRW 122,967 million (US$ 89,330 thousand), representing a 2.7% increase from the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (“QoQ”) and a 48.5% decrease from the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 (“YoY”).
• Operating profit was KRW 14,989 million (US$ 10,889 thousand), representing a 44.2% decrease QoQ and a 71.6% decrease YoY.
• Profit before income tax expenses was KRW 20,057 million (US$ 14,570 thousand), representing a 38.3% decrease QoQ and a 63.6% decrease YoY.
• Net profit attributable to parent company was KRW 12,569 million (US$ 9,131 thousand), representing a 53.2% decrease QoQ and a 72.1% decrease YoY.

REVIEW OF SECOND QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues

Online game revenues for the second quarter of 2024 were KRW 19,445 million (US$ 14,126 thousand), representing a 7.6% increase QoQ from KRW 18,065 million and a 14.2% increase YoY from KRW 17,025 million. The increase QoQ was mainly attributable to increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Thailand. The increase YoY was also mainly due to increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Thailand.

Mobile game revenues were KRW 99,019 million (US$ 71,933 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024, representing a 0.5% increase QoQ from KRW 98,548 million and a 54.7% decrease YoY from KRW 218,687 million. The increase QoQ was resulted by increased revenues from Ragnarok Origin, which was launched in North, Central and South America on February 28, 2024 and initial revenues from THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts), which was launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on June 6, 2024. Such increase was partially offset by decreased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia. The decrease YoY was mainly due to decreased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and Ragnarok X: Next Generation in Korea. This decrease was partially offset by increased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in North, Central and South America and THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Other revenues were KRW 4,503 million (US$ 3,271 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024, representing a 42.2% increase QoQ from KRW 3,166 million and a 41.5% increase YoY from KRW 3,182 million.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue was KRW 76,006 million (US$ 55,215 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024, representing a 3.2% increase QoQ from KRW 73,628 million and a 54.8% decrease YoY from KRW 168,309 million. The increase QoQ was mainly due to commission paid for mobile game services related to Ragnarok Origin in North, Central and South America and THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. The decrease YoY was primarily due to decreased commission paid for mobile game services related to Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and Ragnarok X: Next Generation in Korea.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were KRW 31,972 million (US$ 23,226 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024, representing a 65.8% increase QoQ from KRW 19,282 million and a 78.8% increase YoY from KRW 17,884 million. The increase QoQ was mainly due to increased advertising expenses for mobile game services related to THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. The increase YoY was also mainly due to increased advertising expenses for mobile game services related to THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Profit Before Income Tax Expenses

Profit before income tax expenses was KRW 20,057 million (US$ 14,570 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024 compared with profit before income tax expense of KRW 32,498 million for the first quarter of 2024 and profit before income tax expenses of KRW 55,097 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Net Profit

As a result of the foregoing factors, Gravity recorded a net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 12,569 million (US$ 9,131 thousand) for the second quarter of 2024 compared with net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 26,866 million for the first quarter of 2024 and a net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 45,016 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Liquidity

The balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial instruments was KRW 499,247 million (US$ 362,680 thousand) as of June 30, 2024.

Note: For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts have been expressed in U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of KRW 1,376.55 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 28, 2024 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

GRAVITY BUSINESS UPDATES

Ragnarok Online IP-based Games

• Ragnarok: Dawn (tentative English title)

Ragnarok: Dawn (tentative English title) officially received an ISBN from Chinese government on June 5, 2024, and aims to complete development in 2025.

• Ragnarok Online, an MMORPG PC game

Ragnarok Online was officially launched in China on June 28, 2024.

• Ragnarok X: Next Generation, an MMORPG mobile game

Ragnarok X: Next Generation will be launched in China on September 13, 2024, with preparations underway for its launch in Japan.

• Ragnarok Origin, an MMORPG mobile and PC game

Ragnarok Origin is preparing for its launch in Europe.

• THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts), an MMORPG mobile game

THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) was launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on June 6, 2024, and it aims to be launched in Korea in the third quarter of 2024 and Southeast Asia in the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Ragnarok: Rebirth, an MMORPG mobile game

Ragnarok: Rebirth was launched in Southeast Asia on June 27, 2024, and it aims to be launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Other Ragnarok Online IP-based games

Ragnarok Landverse, an MMORPG Blockchain PC game based on P2E systems, was launched in Thailand on July 12, 2024.

Other IP-based games

• Mirren: Millennium Tour, a Turn Strategy RPG mobile game

Mirren: Millennium Tour aims to be launched in Korea in the third quarter of 2024.

• TOKYO PSYCHODEMIC, a 2D Cinematic Profiling Adventure PC and console game

TOKYO PSYCHODEMIC was launched in Japan on May 30, 2024, and it aims to be launched in Global in the second half of 2024.

• KAMiBAKO, a World Craft RPG PC and console game

KAMiBAKO will be launched in Japan on August 29, 2024, and it aims to be launched in Global in the second half of 2024.

Expansion of Ragnarok IP-business

Ragnarok Golf Monsters is an indoor-screen golf brand based on the Ragnarok monster characters. Gravity Communications Co., Ltd. has been having a soft opening since May 30, 2024, and it aims to officially open the facility in Taipei, Taiwan in the second half of 2024.

Investor Presentation

Gravity issued an investor presentation. The presentation contains the Company’s recent business updates, results of the second quarter in 2024 and Gravity’s business plan. The presentation can be found on the Company’s website under the IR Archives section at https://www.gravity.co.kr/en/ir/updates. Korean and Japanese versions of the presentation are also provided on the website.

About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------

Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity's principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 markets. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release may include, in addition to historical information, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe-harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe”, “project,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other similar words, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Investors should consider the information contained in our submissions and filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 on Form 20-F, together with such other documents that we may submit to or file with the SEC from time to time, on Form 6-K. The forward-looking statements speak only as of this press release and we assume no duty to update them to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances.

Contact:

Mr. Heung Gon Kim
Chief Financial Officer
Gravity Co., Ltd.
Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

Ms. Jin Lee
Ms. Shin Choi
IR Unit
Gravity Co., Ltd.
Email: ir@gravity.co.kr
Telephone: +82-2-2132-7800

GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(In millions of KRW and thousands of US$)

		As of
		31-Dec-23								30-Jun-24
		KRW				US$				KRW				US$
		(audited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			184,082				133,727				142,133				103,253
Short-term financial instruments			277,215				201,384				357,114				259,427
Accounts receivable, net			71,213				51,733				70,130				50,946
Other receivables, net			3,637				2,642				1,020				740
Prepaid expenses			2,994				2,175				3,674				2,669
Other current financial assets			4,439				3,225				5,105				3,709
Other current assets			3,319				2,411				5,945				4,319
Total current assets			546,899				397,297				585,121				425,063
Property and equipment, net			10,151				7,374				7,859				5,709
Intangible assets, net			6,370				4,628				5,911				4,294
Deferred tax assets			5,952				4,324				5,319				3,864
Other non-current financial assets			1,824				1,325				1,772				1,287
Other non-current assets			6,985				5,074				7,887				5,730
Total assets			578,181				420,022				613,869				445,947
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			61,778				44,878				59,309				43,085
Deferred revenue			18,093				13,144				17,273				12,548
Withholdings			3,072				2,232				2,649				1,924
Accrued expense			2,313				1,680				2,050				1,489
Income tax payable			16,927				12,297				11,678				8,484
Other current liabilities			4,251				3,088				3,631				2,638
Total current liabilities			106,434				77,319				96,590				70,168
Long-term account payables			677				492				678				493
Long-term deferred revenue			1,785				1,297				2,716				1,973
Other non-current liabilities			3,175				2,307				2,141				1,555
Deferred tax liabilities			2,382				1,730				2,383				1,731
Total liabilities			114,453				83,145				104,508				75,920
Share capital			3,474				2,524				3,474				2,524
Capital surplus			27,098				19,685				26,979				19,599
Other components of equity			4,016				2,917				10,294				7,478
Retained earnings			428,499				311,285				467,934				339,932
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company			463,087				336,411				508,681				369,533
Non-controlling interest			641				466				680				494
Total equity			463,728				336,877				509,361				370,027
Total liabilities and equity			578,181				420,022				613,869				445,947

* For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,376.55 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 28, 2024 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In millions of KRW and thousands of US$ except for share and ADS data)

		Three months ended												Six months ended
		31-Mar-24			30-Jun-23			30-Jun-24						30-Jun-23			30-Jun-24
		(KRW)			(KRW)			(KRW)			(US$)			(KRW)			(KRW)			(US$)
		(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Revenues:
Online games			18,065			17,025			19,445			14,126			39,721			37,510			27,249
Mobile games			98,548			218,687			99,019			71,933			357,681			197,567			143,523
Other revenue			3,166			3,182			4,503			3,271			6,439			7,669			5,571
Total net revenue			119,779			238,894			122,967			89,330			403,841			242,746			176,343
Cost of revenue			73,628			168,309			76,006			55,215			273,794			149,634			108,702
Gross profit			46,151			70,585			46,961			34,115			130,047			93,112			67,641
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses			15,747			15,029			28,108			20,419			28,300			43,855			31,859
Research and development			3,601			2,852			4,286			3,114			5,774			7,887			5,730
Others, net			(66)			3			(422)			(307)			(46)			(488)			(355)
Total operating expenses			19,282			17,884			31,972			23,226			34,028			51,254			37,234
Operating profit			26,869			52,701			14,989			10,889			96,019			41,858			30,407
Finance income(costs):
Finance income			6,297			4,213			8,867			6,441			9,674			15,164			11,016
Finance costs			(668)			(1,817)			(3,799)			(2,760)			(4,370)			(4,467)			(3,245)
Profit before income tax			32,498			55,097			20,057			14,570			101,323			52,555			38,178
Income tax expense			5,615			10,070			7,476			5,431			19,869			13,091			9,510
Profit for the year			26,883			45,027			12,581			9,139			81,454			39,464			28,668
Profit attributable to:
Non-controlling interest			17			11			12			8			(28)			29			21
Owners of Parent company			26,866			45,016			12,569			9,131			81,482			39,435			28,647
Earnings per share
- Basic and diluted			3,866			6,478			1,809			1.31			11,726			5,675			4.12
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- Basic and diluted			6,948,900			6,948,900			6,948,900			6,948,900			6,948,900			6,948,900			6,948,900
Earnings per ADS
- Basic and diluted			3,866			6,478			1,809			1.31			11,726			5,675			4.12

* For convenience, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,376.55 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 28, 2024 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
(1) Each ADS represents one common share.

FAQ

What were Gravity's (GRVY) Q2 2024 total revenues?

Gravity's total revenues for Q2 2024 were KRW 122,967 million (US$ 89,330 thousand), representing a 2.7% increase QoQ and a 48.5% decrease YoY.

How did Gravity's (GRVY) operating profit change in Q2 2024?

Gravity's operating profit for Q2 2024 was KRW 14,989 million (US$ 10,889 thousand), representing a 44.2% decrease QoQ and a 71.6% decrease YoY.

What new games did Gravity (GRVY) launch in Q2 2024?

Gravity launched THE RAGNAROK (Ragnarok: Novice Hearts) in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on June 6, 2024, and Ragnarok: Rebirth in Southeast Asia on June 27, 2024.

What is Gravity's (GRVY) cash position as of June 30, 2024?

The balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial instruments was KRW 499,247 million (US$ 362,680 thousand) as of June 30, 2024.