iQIYI Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

iQIYI reported Q3 2024 financial results with total revenues of RMB7.2 billion (US$1.0 billion), showing a 10% year-over-year decrease. Operating income was RMB238.9 million with a 3% margin, down from 9% in 2023. Membership services revenue declined 13% to RMB4.4 billion, while online advertising revenue fell 20% to RMB1.3 billion. Content distribution revenue increased 52% to RMB814.0 million. Net income attributable to iQIYI was RMB229.4 million, decreasing 52% year over year. The company maintained RMB4.7 billion in cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2024.

Positive

• Content distribution revenue grew 52% year-over-year to RMB814.0 million
• Maintained profitability with net income of RMB229.4 million
• Strong cash position with RMB4.7 billion in cash and equivalents

Negative

• Total revenue decreased 10% year-over-year to RMB7.2 billion
• Operating income declined 68% year-over-year with margin dropping from 9% to 3%
• Membership services revenue fell 13% year-over-year
• Online advertising revenue decreased 20% year-over-year
• Net income decreased 52% compared to same period in 2023

Insights

Financial Analyst

iQIYI's Q3 2024 results show concerning trends with significant year-over-year declines across key metrics. Total revenues dropped 10% to RMB7.2 billion, while operating income plummeted 68% to RMB238.9 million. The operating margin contracted sharply from 9% to 3%.

The core membership services revenue declined 13%, attributed to a lighter content slate, while advertising revenue fell 20%. The bright spot was content distribution revenue, up 52%, though mainly from barter transactions. The company's cash position of RMB4.7 billion provides some stability, but declining operating cash flow (RMB242.5 million vs RMB830.7 million YoY) signals potential challenges ahead.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic shift toward mini and short dramas, alongside traditional long-form content, reflects adaptation to changing consumer preferences in China's streaming market. However, the lighter content slate and reduced marketing spending suggest a defensive posture that may impact market share. The introduction of family accounts could help retain subscribers but may pressure ARPU.

The decline in brand advertising revenue, partially offset by growth in performance-based advertising, indicates broader challenges in China's advertising market. The company's content cost reduction of 5% YoY warrants monitoring for potential impact on content quality and competitive positioning.

BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iQIYI, Inc. (Nasdaq: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company"), a leading provider of online entertainment video services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Total revenues were RMB7.2 billion (US$1.0 billion¹), decreasing 10% year over year.
• Operating income was RMB238.9 million (US$34.0 million) and operating income margin was 3%, compared to operating income of RMB746.7 million and operating income margin of 9% in the same period in 2023.
• Non-GAAP operating income² was RMB368.6 million (US$52.5 million) and non-GAAP operating income margin was 5%, compared to non-GAAP operating income of RMB894.9 million and non-GAAP operating income margin of 11% in the same period in 2023.
• Net income attributable to iQIYI was RMB229.4 million (US$32.7 million), compared to net income attributable to iQIYI of RMB475.9 million in the same period in 2023.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI² was RMB479.8 million (US$68.4 million), compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI of RMB622.1 million in the same period in 2023.
  

“In the third quarter of 2024, we topped the industry in the drama series market share, according to Enlightent data,” commented Mr. Yu Gong, Founder, Director, and Chief Executive Officer of iQIYI. “We have recently elevated our entertainment offerings and services with strategic enhancements, integrating sought-after mini and short dramas to complement our extensive long-form content portfolio. We have also introduced a family account option within our membership programs. We believe these improvements will better serve users’ evolving entertainment needs.”

“Our goal is to enhance content appeal by optimizing long-form video offerings and incorporating mini and short dramas into our content portfolio. With disciplined execution, we believe that such initiatives will lead to long-term value creation for our businesses,” commented Mr. Jun Wang, Chief Financial Officer of iQIYI.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
		Three Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”), except for per ADS data, unaudited)		September 30,		June 30,		September 30,
		2023		2024		2024
		RMB		RMB		RMB
Total revenues		8,015,079		7,438,785		7,245,681
Operating income		746,747		342,093		238,921
Operating income (non-GAAP)		894,879		501,417		368,644
Net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc.		475,920		68,685		229,412
Net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc. (non-GAAP)		622,071		246,914		479,787
Diluted net income per ADS		0.49		0.07		0.24
Diluted net income per ADS (non-GAAP)2		0.64		0.25		0.50

Footnotes:
^[1] Unless otherwise noted, RMB to USD was converted at an exchange rate of RMB7.0176 as of September 30, 2024, as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Translations are provided solely for the convenience of the reader.
^[2] Non-GAAP measures are defined in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section (see also “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures” for more details).

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total revenues reached RMB7.2 billion (US$1.0 billion), decreasing 10% year over year.

Membership services revenue was RMB4.4 billion (US$622.1 million), decreasing 13% year over year, primarily due to a lighter content slate.

Online advertising services revenue was RMB1.3 billion (US$190.5 million), decreasing 20% year over year, primarily due to the decrease in brand advertising business, partially offset by the growth of performance-based advertising business.

Content distribution revenue was RMB814.0 million (US$116.0 million), increasing 52% year over year, primarily driven by the increase in the barter transactions.

Other revenues were RMB728.8 million (US$103.8 million), decreasing 8% year over year.

Cost of revenues was RMB5.6 billion (US$805.1 million), decreasing 3% year over year. Content costs as a component of cost of revenues were RMB4.0 billion (US$569.0 million), decreasing 5% year over year. The decrease in content cost was primarily due to lighter movie offerings in the quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB907.9 million (US$129.4 million), decreasing 7% year over year. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the marketing spending.

Research and development expenses were RMB449.0 million (US$64.0 million), flat year over year.

Operating income was RMB238.9 million (US$34.0 million), decreasing 68% year over year. Operating income margin was 3%, compared to operating income margin of 9% in the same period in 2023. Non-GAAP operating income was RMB368.6 million (US$52.5 million), decreasing 59% year over year. Non-GAAP operating income margin was 5%, compared to non-GAAP operating income margin of 11% in the same period in 2023.

Total other income was RMB8.4 million (US$1.2 million), compared to total other expense of RMB254.2 million in the same period in 2023. The year over year variance was primarily driven by gain from foreign exchange, partially offset by the increase in impairment provision.

Income before income taxes was RMB247.3 million (US$35.2 million), compared to income before income taxes of RMB492.5 million in the same period in 2023.

Income tax expense was RMB11.5 million (US$1.6 million), compared to income tax expense of RMB9.0 million in the same period in 2023.

Net income attributable to iQIYI was RMB229.4 million (US$32.7 million), decreasing 52% year over year. Diluted net income attributable to iQIYI per ADS was RMB0.24 (US$0.03) for the third quarter of 2024, compared to diluted net income attributable to iQIYI per ADS of RMB0.49 in the same period of 2023. Non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI was RMB479.8 million (US$68.4 million), decreasing 23% year over year. Non-GAAP diluted net income attributable to iQIYI per ADS was RMB0.50 (US$0.07), compared to non-GAAP diluted net income attributable to iQIYI per ADS of RMB0.64 in the same period of 2023.

Operating cash flow was RMB242.5 million (US$34.6 million), compared to operating cash flow of RMB830.7 million in the same period of 2023. Free cash flow was RMB234.8 million (US$33.5 million), compared to free cash flow of RMB826.5 million in the same period of 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term restricted cash included in prepayments and other assets of RMB4.7 billion (US$673.8 million). In August 2024, PAG drew down US$200.0 million under the loan facility, bringing the total draw down under the facility agreements to US$400.0 million as of September 30, 2024. As such, PAG’s repurchase right for the US$522.5 million principal of the convertible senior notes due January 2028 has been waived.

Conference Call Information

iQIYI's management will hold an earnings conference call at 6:30 AM on November 21, 2024, U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 PM on November 21, 2024, Beijing Time).

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

Participant Online Registration: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10042987-f1zkbm.html

It will automatically direct you to the registration page of "iQIYI Third Quarter 2024 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), passcode and unique access PIN) provided in the calendar invite that you have received following your pre-registration.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through November 28, 2024.

Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows:
International Dial-in		+1 855 883 1031
Passcode:		10042987

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.iqiyi.com/.

About iQIYI, Inc.

iQIYI, Inc. is a leading provider of online entertainment video services in China. It combines creative talent with technology to foster an environment for continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content. It produces, aggregates and distributes a wide variety of professionally produced content, as well as a broad spectrum of other video content in a variety of formats. iQIYI distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data analytics and other core proprietary technologies. Over time, iQIYI has built a massive user base and developed a diversified monetization model including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, online games, IP licensing, talent agency, online literature, etc.

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," "confident" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as iQIYI's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. iQIYI may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report 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 but not limited to statements about iQIYI'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: iQIYI's strategies; iQIYI's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; iQIYI's ability to retain and increase the number of users, members and advertising customers, and expand its service offerings; competition in the online entertainment industry; changes in iQIYI's revenues, costs or expenditures; Chinese governmental policies and regulations relating to the online entertainment industry, general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and iQIYI undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement iQIYI’s consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, iQIYI uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating income margin, non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI, non-GAAP diluted net income attributable to iQIYI per ADS and free cash flow. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

iQIYI believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its operating performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of its business operating results, such as operating performance excluding non-cash charges or non-operating in nature. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to the 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 iQIYI’s historical operating performance. The Company believes the 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 financial measures is that the non-GAAP measures exclude certain items that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant component in the Company’s results of operations. These non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data.

Non-GAAP operating income represents operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc. represents net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc. excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations, disposal gain or loss, impairment of long-term investments, fair value change of long-term investments, adjusted for related income tax effects. iQIYI’s share of equity method investments for these non-GAAP reconciling items, primarily amortization and impairment of intangible assets not on the investees’ books, accretion of their redeemable non-controlling interests, and the gain or loss associated with the issuance of shares by the investees at a price higher or lower than the carrying value per share, adjusted for related income tax effects, are also excluded.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS represents diluted net income per ADS calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares expressed in ADS.

Free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations
iQIYI, Inc.
ir@qiyi.com

iQIYI, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In RMB thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
		Three Months Ended
		September 30,			June 30,			September 30,
		2023			2024			2024
		RMB			RMB			RMB
		(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Membership services		5,011,617			4,495,310			4,365,955
Online advertising services		1,674,260			1,461,367			1,336,932
Content distribution		537,058			698,175			814,028
Others		792,144			783,933			728,766
Total revenues		8,015,079			7,438,785			7,245,681
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues		(5,839,540)			(5,678,342)			(5,649,836)
Selling, general and administrative		(981,409)			(969,673)			(907,885)
Research and development		(447,383)			(448,677)			(449,039)
Total operating costs and expenses		(7,268,332)			(7,096,692)			(7,006,760)
Operating income		746,747			342,093			238,921
Other income/(expense):
Interest income		45,219			68,688			69,044
Interest expenses		(281,528)			(288,162)			(256,440)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net		(38,084)			(51,338)			296,030
Gain/(loss) from equity method investments		1,355			(2,100)			4,627
Others, net		18,802			32,476			(104,867)
Total other (expense)/income, net		(254,236)			(240,436)			8,394
Income before income taxes		492,511			101,657			247,315
Income tax expense		(9,012)			(25,741)			(11,483)
Net income		483,499			75,916			235,832
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		7,579			7,231			6,420
Net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc.		475,920			68,685			229,412
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders		475,920			68,685			229,412
Net income per share for Class A and Class B ordinary shares:
Basic		0.07			0.01			0.03
Diluted		0.07			0.01			0.03
Net income per ADS (1 ADS equals 7 Class A ordinary shares):
Basic		0.50			0.07			0.24
Diluted		0.49			0.07			0.24
Weighted average number of Class A and Class B ordinary shares used in net income per share computation:
Basic		6,712,002,812			6,725,978,497			6,737,281,504
Diluted		6,850,839,094			6,857,915,450			6,779,359,665

iQIYI, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In RMB thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
		December 31,			September 30,
		2023			2024
		RMB			RMB
					(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		4,434,525			3,241,336
Restricted cash		6,120			-
Short-term investments		941,738			936,267
Accounts receivable, net		2,169,042			2,215,920
Prepayments and other assets		2,794,259			2,302,748
Amounts due from related parties		1,707,024			345,392
Licensed copyrights, net		582,521			522,495
Total current assets		12,635,229			9,564,158
Non-current assets:
Fixed assets, net		863,813			839,945
Long-term investments		2,260,785			2,054,565
Licensed copyrights, net		6,966,508			6,862,492
Intangible assets, net		309,534			310,006
Produced content, net		13,376,985			14,321,624
Prepayments and other assets		3,518,210			3,508,104
Operating lease assets		683,897			621,083
Goodwill		3,820,823			3,820,823
Amounts due from related parties		158,590			2,927,240
Total non-current assets		31,959,145			35,265,882
Total assets		44,594,374			44,830,040
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts and notes payable		5,671,074			6,486,111
Amounts due to related parties		2,953,658			3,267,320
Customer advances and deferred revenue		4,373,208			4,320,866
Convertible senior notes, current portion		2,802,442			16,668
Short-term loans		3,571,637			4,347,147
Long-term loans, current portion		2,000			36,800
Operating lease liabilities, current portion		100,883			93,432
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,866,632			2,883,646
Total current liabilities		22,341,534			21,451,990
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term loans		97,990			496,951
Convertible senior notes		8,143,994			8,187,011
Deferred tax liabilities		824			34
Amounts due to related parties		80,566			64,211
Operating lease liabilities		523,747			464,837
Other non-current liabilities		1,220,804			886,346
Total non-current liabilities		10,067,925			10,099,390
Total liabilities		32,409,459			31,551,380
Shareholders’ equity:
Class A ordinary shares		237			238
Class B ordinary shares		193			193
Additional paid-in capital		54,971,469			55,439,943
Accumulated deficit		(44,573,428)			(43,620,014)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,688,047			1,388,992
Non-controlling interests		98,397			69,308
Total shareholders’ equity		12,184,915			13,278,660
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		44,594,374			44,830,040

iQIYI, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In RMB thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30,			June 30,			September 30,
	2023			2024			2024
	RMB			RMB			RMB
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities	830,689			410,752			242,517
Net cash (used for)/provided by investing activities(1,2)	(55,245)			336,256			(1,662,662)
Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities	269,189			865,894			(2,611,570)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	4,587			23,113			(83,808)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	1,049,220			1,636,015			(4,115,523)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period	5,082,365			6,271,368			7,907,383
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period	6,131,585			7,907,383			3,791,860
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	4,230,587			6,301,808			3,241,336
Restricted cash	6,120			-			-
Long-term restricted cash	1,894,878			1,605,575			550,524
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows	6,131,585			7,907,383			3,791,860
Net cash provided by operating activities	830,689			410,752			242,517
Less: Capital expenditures(2)	(4,192)			(28,299)			(7,700)
Free cash flow	826,497			382,453			234,817

(1)   Net cash provided by or used for investing activities primarily consists of net cash flows from loans provided to related party, investing in debt securities, purchase of long-term investments and capital expenditures.
(2)   Capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with construction in process, computers and servers.

iQIYI, INC.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”), except for per ADS information, unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30,			June 30,			September 30,
	2023			2024			2024
	RMB			RMB			RMB
Operating income	746,747			342,093			238,921
Add: Share-based compensation expenses	145,730			157,791			128,190
Add: Amortization of intangible assets(1)	2,402			1,533			1,533
Operating income (non-GAAP)	894,879			501,417			368,644
Net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc.	475,920			68,685			229,412
Add: Share-based compensation expenses	145,730			157,791			128,190
Add: Amortization of intangible assets(1)	2,402			1,533			1,533
Add: Disposal loss	-			-			22,265
Add: Impairment of long-term investments	-			16,591			91,243
Add: Fair value (gain)/loss of long-term investments	(1,756)			2,577			7,407
Add: Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments(2)	(225)			(263)			(263)
Net income attributable to iQIYI, Inc. (non-GAAP)	622,071			246,914			479,787
Diluted net income per ADS	0.49			0.07			0.24
Add: Non-GAAP adjustments to earnings per ADS	0.15			0.18			0.26
Diluted net income per ADS (non-GAAP)	0.64			0.25			0.50

(1)    This represents amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations.
(2)    This represents tax impact of all relevant non-GAAP adjustments.

FAQ

What was iQIYI's (IQ) total revenue in Q3 2024?

iQIYI's total revenue in Q3 2024 was RMB7.2 billion (US$1.0 billion), representing a 10% decrease year-over-year.

How much did iQIYI's (IQ) membership services revenue decline in Q3 2024?

iQIYI's membership services revenue declined 13% year-over-year to RMB4.4 billion (US$622.1 million) in Q3 2024.

What was iQIYI's (IQ) net income in Q3 2024?

iQIYI's net income in Q3 2024 was RMB229.4 million (US$32.7 million), showing a 52% decrease from the same period in 2023.

How much cash and equivalents did iQIYI (IQ) have as of September 30, 2024?

iQIYI had RMB4.7 billion (US$673.8 million) in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term restricted cash as of September 30, 2024.