HUYA Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Unaudited Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Huya (NYSE:HUYA) reported unaudited Q1 2026 results with total net revenues up 14.6% year over year to RMB1,728.4 million. Game-related services, advertising and other revenues rose 69.4% to RMB627.4 million, reaching 36.3% of revenue. Gross margin improved to 14.6%, while GAAP results showed a small RMB4.1 million net loss and non-GAAP net income was RMB21.1 million.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Total net revenues +14.6% year over year to RMB1,728.4 million
- Game-related services and other revenues +69.4% to RMB627.4 million
- Game-related services reached 36.3% of total net revenues
- Gross profit +34.3% to RMB253.2 million; margin 14.6% vs. 12.5%
- Operating loss narrowed to RMB28.8 million from RMB59.6 million
- Non-GAAP operating loss reduced to RMB2.7 million from RMB35.6 million
- Non-GAAP net income of RMB21.1 million in Q1 2026
- Cash and deposits of RMB3,455.1 million as of March 31, 2026
Negative
- Live streaming revenues declined to RMB1,101.0 million from RMB1,138.2 million
- GAAP results shifted to RMB4.1 million net loss from RMB0.9 million income
- Non-GAAP net income down to RMB21.1 million from RMB24.0 million
- Interest income decreased to RMB30.3 million from RMB64.9 million
- Sales and marketing expenses +45.1% to RMB88.1 million
- Cash and deposits declined to RMB3,455.1 million from RMB3,818.4 million
News Market Reaction – HUYA
On the day this news was published, HUYA declined 5.79%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.7% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -5.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 16 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $46M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $753.72M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HUYA gained 5.81% while key Entertainment peers were mixed to negative: PLAY up 0.49%, but MCS down 2.43%, RSVR down 2.36%, AMCX down 6.35%, and AMC down 4.73%, indicating a stock-specific reaction to its earnings.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -4.3% | Revenue and game-services growth with margin improvement, but shares fell post-report. |
| Aug 12 | Q2 2025 earnings | Neutral | +4.5% | Slight revenue growth and shift to game services alongside a small net loss. |
| May 13 | Q1 2025 earnings | Neutral | +1.9% | Stable total revenue with strong game-services growth but weaker net income. |
| Nov 12 | Q3 2024 earnings | Neutral | -6.2% | Revenue decline but strong game-services growth and higher net income, shares dropped. |
| May 13 | Q1 2024 earnings | Positive | +7.0% | Solid profitability and margin gains supported by game-services and cost control. |
Earnings releases often produced modest moves, with some quarters showing share price declines despite fundamentally improving game-related revenues and margins.
Over recent earnings cycles, HUYA has steadily grown game-related services and improved profitability metrics. Q3 2024 and Q3 2025 showed rising game-related revenues and better margins but were followed by share price declines, while Q1 2024 and Q2 2025 saw positive or mixed results with price gains. Today’s Q1 2026 report continues the trend of stronger game-related revenue growth and margin expansion, now coupled with a clearly positive price reaction and elevated trading volume.
Historical Comparison
Past earnings releases moved HUYA about 0.59% on average. Today’s 5.81% reaction to Q1 2026 results is notably larger than prior earnings-day moves.
Earnings over 2024–2026 show a consistent shift from live-streaming toward higher-margin game-related services, with recurring improvements in gross margin and recurring, if uneven, profitability.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -5.8% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite operational improvement would have fit prior patterns where HUYA sometimes traded lower after fundamentally solid earnings. Q1 2026 delivered revenue growth to RMB1,728.4M and gross margin of 14.6%, with non-GAAP net income of RMB21.1M. In earlier quarters, similar improvements did not always translate into price strength, highlighting that sentiment around business mix, live-streaming trends, and expense growth could outweigh headline figures.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial
ads financial
gross margin financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
- Total net revenues increased by
14.6% toRMB1,728.4 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, from$250.6 million RMB1,508.6 million for the same period of 2025. - Game-related services, advertising and other revenues increased by
69.4% toRMB627.4 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, from$91.0 million RMB370.4 million for the same period of 2025. - Operating loss narrowed to
RMB28.8 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, compared with$4.2 million RMB59.6 million for the same period of 2025. - Non-GAAP[1] operating loss narrowed to
RMB2.7 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, compared with$0.4 million RMB35.6 million for the same period of 2025. - Net loss attributable to HUYA Inc. was
RMB4.1 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, compared with a net income attributable to HUYA Inc. of$0.6 million RMB0.9 million for the same period of 2025. - Non-GAAP net income attributable to HUYA Inc. was
RMB21.1 million (US ) for the first quarter of 2026, compared with$3.1 million RMB24.0 million for the same period of 2025.
Mr. Junhong Huang, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Huya, commented, "Huya continued to deliver solid results in the first quarter of 2026, underpinned by our ongoing transformation into a comprehensive game-related services provider. Total net revenues reached
"Goose Goose Duck mobile continued to gain traction in the Chinese mainland, reaching as high as Top 5 on the local Apple App Store top-grossing games chart in April, demonstrating the game's promising monetization potential. Beyond game publishing, our broader game-related services also made meaningful progress. In-game item sales maintained rapid year-over-year growth, fueled by deeper collaborations with top-tier game titles, while our content-driven advertising services continued to attract leading game companies seeking integrated marketing solutions. With multiple new publishing titles in our pipeline, we are well-positioned to build on this momentum through disciplined execution," Mr. Huang concluded.
Mr. Raymond Peng Lei, Chief Financial Officer of Huya, added, "This quarter's steady top line growth and the continued improvement in both our revenue mix and operating performance underscore the earnings potential of our diversification efforts. The increased revenue contribution from businesses with higher gross margins led to a year-over-year and sequential gross margin expansion to
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Total net revenues increased by
Live streaming revenues were
Game-related services, advertising and other revenues increased by
Cost of revenues increased by
Gross profit increased by
Research and development expenses increased by
Sales and marketing expenses increased by
General and administrative expenses increased by
Other income was
Operating loss narrowed to
Non-GAAP operating loss narrowed to
Interest income was
Net loss attributable to HUYA Inc. was
Non-GAAP net income attributable to HUYA Inc. was
Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary share ("ADS") were each
Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS were each
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits and long-term deposits of
Earnings Webinar
The Company's management will host a
For participants who wish to join the webinar, please complete the online registration in advance using the links provided below. Upon registration, participants will receive an email with webinar access information, including meeting ID, meeting link, dial-in numbers, and a unique attendee ID to join the webinar.
Participant Online Registration:
Chinese Mainland[2]: | |
International: |
A live webcast of the webinar will be accessible at https://ir.huya.com, and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.
[1] The Company's non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and impairment loss of investments, to the extent applicable. For more information, please refer to the section titled "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the table captioned "HUYA Inc. Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release. |
[2] For the purpose of this announcement only, Chinese Mainland excludes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region of |
About HUYA Inc.
HUYA Inc. is a leading game-related entertainment and services provider. Huya delivers dynamic live streaming and video content and a rich array of services spanning games, e-sports, and other interactive entertainment genres to a large, highly engaged community of game enthusiasts. Huya has cultivated a robust entertainment ecosystem powered by AI and other advanced technologies, serving users and partners across the gaming universe, including game companies, e-sports tournament organizers, broadcasters and talent agencies. Leveraging this strong foundation, Huya has also expanded into innovative game-related services, such as game distribution, in-game item sales, advertising and more. Huya continues to extend its footprint in
For more information, please visit: https://ir.huya.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In
HUYA Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86-20-2290-7829
E-mail: ir@huya.com
Piacente Financial Communications
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: huya@tpg-ir.com
In
Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: huya@tpg-ir.com
HUYA INC. | ||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data) | ||||||
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||
2025 | 2026 | 2026 | ||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 692,663 | 360,398 | 52,247 | |||
Restricted cash and short-term deposits | 12,031 | 31,537 | 4,572 | |||
Short-term deposits | 3,125,760 | 2,874,686 | 416,742 | |||
Accounts receivable, net | 238,569 | 339,951 | 49,283 | |||
Prepaid assets and amounts due from related | 290,747 | 371,368 | 53,837 | |||
Prepayments and other current assets, net | 547,078 | 524,849 | 76,086 | |||
Total current assets | 4,906,848 | 4,502,789 | 652,767 | |||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Long-term deposits | - | 220,000 | 31,893 | |||
Investments | 296,165 | 329,409 | 47,754 | |||
Goodwill | 453,498 | 446,440 | 64,720 | |||
Property and equipment, net | 604,368 | 653,732 | 94,771 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 127,633 | 116,683 | 16,915 | |||
Right-of-use assets, net | 304,017 | 310,640 | 45,033 | |||
Prepayments and other non-current assets | 8,843 | 9,503 | 1,378 | |||
Total non-current assets | 1,794,524 | 2,086,407 | 302,464 | |||
Total assets | 6,701,372 | 6,589,196 | 955,231 | |||
Liabilities and shareholders' equity | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable | 237,903 | 384,594 | 55,754 | |||
Advances from customers and deferred revenue | 228,167 | 208,398 | 30,211 | |||
Income taxes payable | 61,479 | 55,101 | 7,988 | |||
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities | 1,032,437 | 852,899 | 123,644 | |||
Amounts due to related parties | 150,166 | 104,470 | 15,145 | |||
Lease liabilities due within one year | 18,982 | 16,470 | 2,388 | |||
Dividends payable | - | 214,655 | 31,118 | |||
Total current liabilities | 1,729,134 | 1,836,587 | 266,248 | |||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||
Lease liabilities | 1,766 | 12,808 | 1,857 | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | 18,932 | 18,059 | 2,618 | |||
Deferred revenue | 31,824 | 32,780 | 4,752 | |||
Total non-current liabilities | 52,522 | 63,647 | 9,227 | |||
Total liabilities | 1,781,656 | 1,900,234 | 275,475 | |||
HUYA INC. | ||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED) | ||||||
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data) | ||||||
As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||
2025 | 2026 | 2026 | ||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Class A ordinary shares ( | 54 | 58 | 8 | |||
Class B ordinary shares ( | 98 | 98 | 14 | |||
Treasury shares | (128,056) | (125,183) | (18,148) | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 6,466,101 | 6,270,666 | 909,056 | |||
Statutory reserves | 122,429 | 122,429 | 17,748 | |||
Accumulated deficit | (2,219,365) | (2,224,839) | (322,534) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 678,455 | 645,733 | 93,612 | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 4,919,716 | 4,688,962 | 679,756 | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 6,701,372 | 6,589,196 | 955,231 | |||
* For the avoidance of doubt, the total outstanding ordinary shares include 5,655,480 Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by participants | ||||||
HUYA INC. | ||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data) | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
Net revenues | ||||||||||
Live streaming | 1,138,151 | 1,145,950 | 1,100,993 | 159,610 | ||||||
Game-related services, advertising and other | 370,434 | 592,525 | 627,393 | 90,953 | ||||||
Total net revenues | 1,508,585 | 1,738,475 | 1,728,386 | 250,563 | ||||||
Cost of revenues(1) | (1,320,102) | (1,493,767) | (1,475,234) | (213,864) | ||||||
Gross profit | 188,483 | 244,708 | 253,152 | 36,699 | ||||||
Operating expenses(1) | ||||||||||
Research and development expenses | (129,525) | (123,054) | (131,709) | (19,094) | ||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | (60,695) | (78,066) | (88,067) | (12,767) | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | (61,445) | (125,958) | (65,092) | (9,436) | ||||||
Total operating expenses | (251,665) | (327,078) | (284,868) | (41,297) | ||||||
Other income, net | 3,534 | 17,516 | 2,927 | 424 | ||||||
Operating loss | (59,648) | (64,854) | (28,789) | (4,174) | ||||||
Interest income | 64,916 | 32,144 | 30,327 | 4,396 | ||||||
Impairment loss of investments | - | (81,458) | - | - | ||||||
Foreign currency exchange losses, net | (416) | (2,182) | (1,703) | (247) | ||||||
Income (loss) before income tax expenses | 4,852 | (116,350) | (165) | (25) | ||||||
Income tax expenses | (3,248) | (1,662) | (2,631) | (381) | ||||||
Income (loss) before (loss) gain in equity method | 1,604 | (118,012) | (2,796) | (406) | ||||||
(Loss) gain in equity method investments, net of | (677) | 429 | (1,271) | (184) | ||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to HUYA Inc. | 927 | (117,583) | (4,067) | (590) | ||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary | 927 | (117,583) | (4,067) | (590) | ||||||
HUYA INC. | |||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) | |||||||||
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||
Net income (loss) per ADS* | |||||||||
—Basic | 0.00 | (0.51) | (0.02) | 0.00 | |||||
—Diluted | 0.00 | (0.51) | (0.02) | 0.00 | |||||
Net income (loss) per ordinary share | |||||||||
—Basic | 0.00 | (0.51) | (0.02) | 0.00 | |||||
—Diluted | 0.00 | (0.51) | (0.02) | 0.00 | |||||
Weighted average number of ADS used in | |||||||||
—Basic | 229,451,944 | 229,212,223 | 229,705,246 | 229,705,246 | |||||
—Diluted | 231,527,507 | 229,212,223 | 229,705,246 | 229,705,246 | |||||
* Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. | |||||||||
(1) Share-based compensation was allocated in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows: | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||
Cost of revenues | 3,383 | 3,335 | 2,435 | 353 | |||||
Research and development expenses | 6,313 | 5,561 | 4,437 | 643 | |||||
Sales and marketing expenses | 320 | 214 | 211 | 31 | |||||
General and administrative expenses | 8,048 | 13,720 | 13,512 | 1,959 | |||||
HUYA INC. | ||||||||
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | ||||||||
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | |||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||
Gross profit | 188,483 | 244,708 | 253,152 | 36,699 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses allocated | 3,383 | 3,335 | 2,435 | 353 | ||||
Non-GAAP gross profit | 191,866 | 248,043 | 255,587 | 37,052 | ||||
Operating loss | (59,648) | (64,854) | (28,789) | (4,174) | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 18,064 | 22,830 | 20,595 | 2,986 | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets from | 5,996 | 5,915 | 5,466 | 792 | ||||
Non-GAAP operating loss | (35,588) | (36,109) | (2,728) | (396) | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to HUYA Inc. | 927 | (117,583) | (4,067) | (590) | ||||
Impairment loss of investments | - | 81,458 | - | - | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 18,064 | 22,830 | 20,595 | 2,986 | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets from | 4,977 | 4,910 | 4,537 | 658 | ||||
Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable | 23,968 | (8,385) | 21,065 | 3,054 | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary | 927 | (117,583) | (4,067) | (590) | ||||
Impairment loss of investments | - | 81,458 | - | - | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 18,064 | 22,830 | 20,595 | 2,986 | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets from | 4,977 | 4,910 | 4,537 | 658 | ||||
Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable | 23,968 | (8,385) | 21,065 | 3,054 | ||||
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per ordinary | ||||||||
—Basic | 0.10 | (0.04) | 0.09 | 0.01 | ||||
—Diluted | 0.10 | (0.04) | 0.09 | 0.01 | ||||
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per ADS | ||||||||
—Basic | 0.10 | (0.04) | 0.09 | 0.01 | ||||
—Diluted | 0.10 | (0.04) | 0.09 | 0.01 | ||||
Weighted average number of ADS used in | ||||||||
—Basic | 229,451,944 | 229,212,223 | 229,705,246 | 229,705,246 | ||||
—Diluted | 231,527,507 | 229,212,223 | 233,646,621 | 233,646,621 | ||||
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SOURCE HUYA Inc.