Roblox Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX) reported a 39% revenue increase year-over-year in Q1 2022, totaling $537.1 million. Daily Active Users (DAUs) rose 28% to 54.1 million, and Hours Engaged grew 22% to 11.8 billion. However, bookings fell 3% to $631.2 million. Looking ahead, April's revenue is projected to be between $189 million and $192 million, reflecting a 30%-32% year-over-year growth, while bookings are expected to decline by 8%-10%. The company emphasizes its ongoing focus on innovation for long-term investor returns.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 39% year-over-year to $537.1 million.
• Average Daily Active Users rose by 28% to 54.1 million.
• Hours Engaged increased by 22% to 11.8 billion.

Negative

• Bookings decreased by 3% year-over-year to $631.2 million.
• April 2022 bookings estimated to decline by 8%-10%.

Revenue up 39% over prior year up to $537.1 million

Strong year over year growth in Daily Active Users and Hours Engaged, up 28% and 22%, respectively

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX), a global platform bringing millions of people together through shared experiences, released its first quarter 2022 financial results today and separately posted a letter to shareholders and supplemental materials on the Roblox investor relations website at ir.roblox.com.

First Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

• Revenue increased 39% over Q1 2021 to $537.1 million
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $156.4 million; Free cash flow was $104.6 million
• Bookings decreased -3% over Q1 2021 to $631.2 million
• Average Daily Active Users (DAUs) were 54.1 million, an increase of 28% year over year
• Hours Engaged were 11.8 billion, an increase of 22% year over year
• Average Bookings per DAU (ABPDAU) was $11.67

April 2022 Key Metric Estimates

• Revenue was between $189 million - $192 million, up 30% - 32% year over year
• Bookings were between $221 million and $224 million, down 8% - 10% year over year
• DAUs were 53.1 million, up 23% year over year
• Hours Engaged were 3.8 billion, up 18% year over year
• ABPDAU were between $4.16 - $4.22, down 25% - 26% year over year

"We remained focused on delivering our innovation roadmap to unlock the full potential of the Roblox platform and drive long-term returns for investors," said David Baszucki, chief executive officer of Roblox. "Over the past two quarters, we have launched a number of notable innovations including spatial voice and layered clothing that will continue driving user growth, engagement and monetization."

Earnings Q&A Session

Roblox will host a live Q&A session to answer questions regarding their first quarter 2022 results on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The webcast will be open to the public at ir.roblox.com or by clicking here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding our business, product and investment strategy and growth plans, our expectation of successfully executing such strategies and plans and our expectations for our April financial and operational results. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “hope,” “target,” “continue,” “project,” “plan,” “goals,” “opportunity,” “appeal,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “intend,” “shall,” and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings and reports we make with the SEC from time to time. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: our ability to successfully execute our business and growth strategy; the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity needs; the impact of our senior notes and any future indebtedness on our business, financial condition and results of operations; the demand for our platform in general; our ability to increase our number of new users and revenue generated from users; our ability to retain and expand our user base; the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the easing of those restrictions as vaccinations become more prevalent; the fluctuation of our results of operations and our key business measures on a quarterly basis in future periods, including as a result of changes in our accounting estimates; our ability to successfully develop and deploy new technologies to address the needs of our users; our ability to maintain and enhance our brand and reputation; our ability to hire and retain talent; news or social media coverage about Roblox, including but not limited to coverage that presents, or relies on, inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, or otherwise damaging information; any breach or access to user or third-party data; and our ability to maintain the security and availability of our platform. Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations is included in the reports we have filed or will file with the SEC, including our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. We undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

ROBLOX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
(unaudited)
			As of
			March 31,				December 31,
				2022				2021
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,132,964			$	3,004,300
	Accounts receivable—net of allowances			179,732				307,349
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			43,123				32,091
	Deferred cost of revenue, current portion			398,194				406,025
	Total current assets			3,754,013				3,749,765
Property and equipment—net				338,879				271,352
Operating lease right-of-use assets				286,242				221,285
Deferred cost of revenue, long term				159,404				137,524
Intangible assets, net				55,854				59,666
Goodwill				118,071				118,071
Other assets				3,368				2,933
	Total assets.		$	4,715,831			$	4,560,596
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	54,295			$	64,395
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			223,323				180,769
	Developer exchange liability			149,816				163,906
	Deferred revenue—current portion			1,747,294				1,758,022
	Total current liabilities			2,174,728				2,167,092
Deferred revenue—net of current portion				724,359				616,834
Operating lease liabilities				259,841				194,616
Long-term debt, net				988,034				987,723
Other long-term liabilities				1,408				1,408
	Total liabilities			4,148,370				3,967,673
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
	Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 and 5,000,000 authorized as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively, 592,196 and 585,878 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively; Class A common stock—4,935,000 and 4,935,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively, 540,858 and 534,541 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively; Class B common stock—65,000 and 65,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively, 51,337 and 51,337 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively			59				58
	Additional paid-in capital			1,705,201				1,568,638
	Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)			(30	)			62
	Accumulated deficit			(1,144,143	)			(983,941	)
	Total Roblox Corporation stockholders' equity			561,087				584,817
	Noncontrolling interests			6,374				8,106
	Total stockholders' equity			567,461				592,923
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	4,715,831			$	4,560,596

ROBLOX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
Revenue(1)		$	537,134			$	386,976
Cost and expenses:
	Cost of revenue(1)(2)		135,632				97,937
	Developer exchange fees		147,122				118,938
	Infrastructure and trust & safety		141,355				94,136
	Research and development		177,762				96,644
	General and administrative		57,772				94,375
	Sales and marketing		29,102				20,002
	Total cost and expenses		688,745				522,032
Loss from operations			(151,611	)			(135,056	)
Interest income			245				5
Interest expense			(9,999	)			-
Other income/(expense), net			(379	)			(1,050	)
Loss before income taxes			(161,744	)			(136,101	)
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes			276				2
Consolidated net loss			(162,020	)			(136,103	)
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		(1,818	)			(1,886	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(160,202	)		$	(134,217	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted		$	(0.27	)		$	(0.46	)
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common
	stockholders – basic and diluted		588,521				291,074
(1) In Q1 of 2022 our estimated user life changed from 23 months to 25 months. Based on the carrying amount of deferred revenue and deferred cost of revenue as of December 31, 2021, the change resulted in a decrease in revenue and cost of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $82.5 million and $19.6 million, respectively.
(2) Depreciation of servers and infrastructure equipment included in infrastructure and trust & safety.

ROBLOX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
			Three Months Ended March 31,
				2022				2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net loss			$	(162,020	)		$	(136,103	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operations:
	Depreciation and amortization			24,497				16,620
	Stock-based compensation expense			112,295				50,744
	Operating lease non-cash expense			13,997				10,044
	Other non-cash charges/(credits)			(567	)			(52	)
	Amortization of debt issuance costs			311				-
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
	Accounts receivable			128,183				13,256
	Accounts payable			(3,768	)			(782	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(10,940	)			(10,967	)
	Other assets			(435	)			(3,401	)
	Developer exchange liability			(14,090	)			3,425
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			(2,066	)			16,273
	Other long-term liability			-				304
	Operating lease liabilities			(11,709	)			(2,069	)
	Deferred revenue			96,797				269,439
	Deferred cost of revenue			(14,049	)			(62,262	)
Net cash provided by operating activities				156,436				164,469
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment				(51,790	)			(22,133	)
Purchases of intangible assets				-				(256	)
Net cash used in investing activities				(51,790	)			(22,389	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock				24,328				30,221
Payment of withholding taxes related to net share settlement of restricted stock units				(150	)			-
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock				-				534,286
Payment of debt issuance cost				(154	)			-
Net cash provided by financing activities				24,024				564,507
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				(6	)			-
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents				128,664				706,587
Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of period			3,004,300				893,943
	End of period		$	3,132,964			$	1,600,530
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Cash paid for interest			-				-
	Cash paid for income taxes			-				-
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable and accrued expenses			$	86,813			$	9,476
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock upon direct listing				-				879,113

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables contain the non-GAAP financial measures bookings, free cash flow, and Adjusted EBITDA.

We use this non-GAAP financial information to evaluate our ongoing operations, for internal planning and forecasting purposes, and ongoing operating trends for purposes of analyzing the covenants specified in the indenture governing our senior notes due 2030. We believe that this non-GAAP financial information may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance.

Bookings is defined as revenue plus the change in deferred revenue during the period and other non-cash adjustments. Bookings is equal to the amount of virtual currency purchased by users in a given period of measurement. We believe bookings provide a timelier indication of trends in our operating results that are not necessarily reflected in our revenue as a result of the fact that we recognize the majority of revenue over the estimated average lifetime of a paying user. The change in deferred revenue constitutes the vast majority of the reconciling difference from revenue to bookings. By removing these non-cash adjustments, we are able to measure and monitor our business performance based on the timing of actual transactions with our users and the cash that is generated from these transactions. Free cash flow represents the net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, equipment, and intangible assets. We believe that free cash flow is a useful indicator of our unit economics and liquidity that provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our core operations that, after the purchases of property, equipment, and intangible assets, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business, making strategic acquisitions, and strengthening our balance sheet. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of operating performance used in certain covenant calculations specified in the indenture governing our senior notes due 2030 that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not conform to the calculation of EBITDA in other circumstances. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net loss as determined in accordance with GAAP. We believe that, when considered together with reported amounts, Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and ongoing operating trends for purposes of analyzing the covenants specified in the indenture governing our senior notes due 2030.

Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in their usefulness to investors because they have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial information as a tool for comparison. As a result, our non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP.

A reconciliation table of the most comparable GAAP financial measure to each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is included at the end of this release. We encourage investors and others to review our business, results of operations, and financial information in their entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure, and to view these non-GAAP measures in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(dollars in thousands)
Bookings		$	631,206			$	652,277
The following table presents a reconciliation of revenue, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to bookings, for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of revenue to bookings:
Revenue		$	537,134			$	386,976
Add (deduct):
Change in deferred revenue			96,797				269,439
Other			(2,725	)			(4,138	)
Bookings		$	631,206			$	652,277

		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(dollars in thousands)
Free cash flow		$	104,646			$	142,080
The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash from operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to free cash flow, for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of net cash from operating activities to free cash flow:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	156,436			$	164,469
Add (deduct):
Acquisition of property and equipment			(51,790	)			(22,133	)
Purchases of intangible assets			-				(256	)
Free cash flow		$	104,646			$	142,080
Acquisition of property and equipment primarily includes servers, infrastructure equipment and tenant improvements.

		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(dollars in thousands)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	67,929			$	190,174
The following table presents a reconciliation of consolidated net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to adjusted EBITDA, for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
Reconciliation of consolidated net loss to adjusted EBITDA:		(dollars in thousands)
Consolidated net loss		$	(162,020	)		$	(136,103	)
Add (deduct):
Interest income			(245	)			(5	)
Interest expense			9,999				-
Other income/(expense), net			379				1,050
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes			276				2
Depreciation and amortization			24,497				16,620
Stock-based compensation expense			112,295				50,744
Change in deferred revenue			96,797				269,439
Change in deferred cost of revenue			(14,049	)			(62,262	)
Fees related to equity offering			-				50,689
Adjusted EBITDA		$	67,929			$	190,174

About Roblox

Roblox’s mission is to connect a billion people with optimism and civility. Every day, tens of millions of people around the world have fun with friends as they explore millions of immersive digital experiences. All of these experiences are built by the Roblox community, made up of millions of creators. We believe in building a safe, civil, and diverse community—one that inspires and fosters creativity and positive relationships between people around the world. For more information, please visit corp.roblox.com.

ROBLOX and the Roblox logo are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Roblox Corporation in the United States and other countries. © 2022 Roblox Corporation. All rights reserved.

Source: Roblox Corporation

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220508005102/en/

Stefanie Notaney

Roblox Corporate Communications

press@roblox.com

Source: Roblox

FAQ

What were Roblox's Q1 2022 earnings results?

Roblox reported Q1 2022 revenue of $537.1 million, a 39% increase from the previous year.

How many Daily Active Users did Roblox have in Q1 2022?

Roblox had 54.1 million Daily Active Users, up 28% year-over-year.

What is Roblox's guidance for April 2022?

Roblox estimates April 2022 revenue between $189 million and $192 million, a year-over-year growth of 30%-32%.

How did Roblox's bookings perform in Q1 2022?

Bookings fell by 3% year-over-year to $631.2 million.

What is the forecast for Roblox's bookings in April 2022?

Bookings for April 2022 are expected to decrease by 8%-10%.