SOHU.COM REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS
Sohu.com (NASDAQ: SOHU) reported unaudited financial results for Q1 2024, ending March 31. Total revenues were $139 million, a 14% decline year-over-year and 1% decline quarter-over-quarter. Brand advertising revenues fell to $16 million, a 29% drop year-over-year and 20% drop quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were $118 million, a 9% decrease year-over-year but a 3% increase quarter-over-quarter.
The GAAP net loss was $25 million, compared to $18 million in Q1 2023 and $13 million in Q4 2023. Non-GAAP net loss was $22 million, versus $13 million in Q1 2023 and $11 million in Q4 2023. Cash and equivalents totaled approximately $1.3 billion. For Q2 2024, Sohu projects brand advertising revenues between $18 million and $20 million, and online game revenues between $133 million and $143 million.
- Online game revenues increased 3% quarter-over-quarter to $118 million.
- Gross margin improved to 77%, compared to 75% in Q1 2023 and 76% in Q4 2023.
- Cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2024.
- Stable performance in online games with revenues meeting expectations.
- Sohu repurchased 1,726,718 ADSs for $17 million under its share repurchase program.
- Projected Q2 2024 brand advertising revenues to rise by 12%-24% quarter-over-quarter.
- Projected Q2 2024 online game revenues to increase 12%-21% year-over-year.
- Total revenues declined 14% year-over-year to $139 million.
- Brand advertising revenues fell 29% year-over-year to $16 million.
- Online game revenues dropped 9% year-over-year to $118 million.
- GAAP net loss increased to $25 million from $18 million in Q1 2023.
- Non-GAAP net loss rose to $22 million from $13 million in Q1 2023.
- GAAP operating loss widened to $27 million from $18 million in Q1 2023.
- Non-GAAP operating loss grew to $27 million from $18 million in Q1 2023.
- Income tax expenses remained high at $14 million.
Insights
Sohu.com Limited's first-quarter results present a complex financial landscape. Total revenues decreased by
The company's GAAP net loss widened to
In terms of liquidity, Sohu holds approximately
Sohu's focus on enhancing user experience through product refinement and algorithm optimization is commendable but seems insufficient to offset revenue declines. The integration of their product matrix aimed at stimulating content generation and user interaction shows a strategic direction towards a more engaging platform. However, the drop in brand advertising revenue suggests these efforts are not yet translating into significant financial gains.
The online gaming sector, especially through Changyou, provides a more stable revenue stream with total average monthly active user accounts for PC games increasing by
Sohu's ability to maintain a high gross margin in online games (at
First Quarter Highlights
- Total revenues were
US , down$139 million 14% year-over-year and1% quarter-over-quarter. - Brand advertising revenues were US
$16 million , down29% year-over-year and20% quarter-over-quarter. - Online game revenues were US
$118 million , down9% year-over-year and up3% quarter-over-quarter. - GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was
US , compared with a net loss of$25 million US in the first quarter of 2023 and a net loss of$18 million US in the fourth quarter of 2023.$13 million - Non-GAAP[1] net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was
US , compared with a net loss of US$22 million $13 million in the first quarter of 2023 and a net loss ofUS in the fourth quarter of 2023.$11 million
Dr. Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Sohu.com Limited, commented, "In the first quarter of 2024, our top-line performance was in line with our expectations, and our bottom-line performance exceeded our guidance, despite the impact of seasonality. For Sohu Media and Sohu Video, we continued to enhance user experience by refining products and optimizing algorithms. We proactively integrated our product matrix and resources to stimulate content generation, consumption and social distribution. Meanwhile, leveraging our unique IPs and differentiated advantages, we continued to host various events and campaigns, which not only stimulated users' interaction and content provision on our platforms, but also helped us gain more monetization opportunities. Online games delivered stable performance, with revenues in line with our expectations."
[1] Non-GAAP results exclude share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments; and interest expense recognized in connection with the one-time transition tax (the "Toll Charge") imposed by the |
First Quarter Financial Results
Revenues
Total revenues were
Brand advertising revenues were US
Online game revenues were US
Gross Margin
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin were
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business were
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games were
Operating Expenses
GAAP operating expenses were US
Operating Loss
GAAP operating loss was
Non-GAAP operating loss was US
Income Tax Expense
GAAP income tax expense was US
Net Loss
GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term time deposits totaled approximately
Supplementary Information for Changyou Results[2]
First Quarter 2024 Operating Results
- For PC games, total average monthly active user accounts[3] (MAU) were 2.3 million, an increase of
5% year-over-year and a decrease of1% quarter-over-quarter. Total quarterly aggregate active paying accounts[4] (APA) were 0.9 million, an increase of1% year-over-year and3% quarter-over-quarter. - For mobile games, total average MAU were 2.8 million, an increase of
71% year-over-year and63% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases in MAU were mainly from Haikyu!!FLY HIGH that we launched inJapan andSouth Korea during the quarter. Total quarterly APA were 0.3 million, flat year-over-year and a decrease of2% quarter-over-quarter.
First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results
Total revenues were
GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit were both
GAAP operating expenses were
Non-GAAP operating expenses were
GAAP operating profit was
Non-GAAP operating profit was
[2] "Changyou Results" consist of the results of Changyou's online game business and its 17173.com Website. [3] Monthly active user accounts refers to the number of registered accounts that are logged in to these games at least once during the month. [4] Quarterly aggregate active paying accounts refers to the number of accounts from which game points are utilized at least once during the quarter. |
Recent Development
Under the previously-announced share repurchase program of up to
Business Outlook
For the second quarter of 2024, Sohu estimates:
- Brand advertising revenues to be between
US and$18 million US ; this implies an annual decrease of$20 million 16% to25% , and a sequential increase of12% to24% . - Online game revenues to be between US
$133 million and US$143 million ; this implies an annual increase of12% to21% , and a sequential increase of13% to21% . - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US
$27 million and US$37 million ; and GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$30 million and US$40 million .
For the second quarter 2024 guidance, the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of
This forecast reflects Sohu's management's current and preliminary view, which is subject to substantial uncertainty.
Non-GAAP Disclosure
To supplement the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Sohu's management believes excluding share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments; and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge from its non-GAAP financial measure is useful for itself and investors. Further, the impact of share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments; and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge cannot be anticipated by management and business line leaders and these expenses were not built into the annual budgets and quarterly forecasts that have been the basis for information Sohu provides to analysts and investors as guidance for future operating performance. As share-based compensation expense and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments, and the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments do not involve subsequent cash outflow or are reflected in the cash flows at the equity transaction level, Sohu does not factor in their impact when evaluating and approving expenditures or when determining the allocation of its resources to its business segments. As a result, in general, the monthly financial results for internal reporting and any performance measures for commissions and bonuses are based on non-GAAP financial measures that exclude share-based compensation expense, changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments, the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments, and also excluded the interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge.
The non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of Sohu's current financial performance and prospects for the future. A limitation of using non-GAAP gross profit, operating profit, net income, net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited, and diluted net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited per ADS excluding share-based compensation expense and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge is that share-based compensation expense and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge have been and can be expected to continue to be significant recurring expenses in Sohu's business. It is also possible that changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments, and the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments will recur in the future. In order to mitigate these limitations Sohu has provided specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables include details on the reconciliation between the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to the non-GAAP financial measures that have been presented.
Notes to Financial Information
Financial information in this press release other than the information indicated as being non-GAAP is derived from Sohu's unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. It is currently expected that the Business Outlook will not be updated until release of Sohu's next quarterly earnings announcement; however, Sohu reserves right to update its Business Outlook at any time for any reason. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sohu's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, instability in global financial and credit markets and its potential impact on the Chinese economy; exchange rate fluctuations, including their potential impact on the Chinese economy and on Sohu's reported
Conference Call and Webcast
Sohu's management team will host a conference call at 7:30 a.m.
The live Webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sohu's website at https://investors.sohu.com/
About Sohu
Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) was established by Dr. Charles Zhang, one of
Sohu provides online brand advertising services as well as multiple news, information and content services on its matrix of websites and also on its mobile platforms. Sohu's online game business, conducted by its subsidiary Changyou, develops and operates a diverse portfolio of PC and mobile games, such as the well-known Tian Long Ba Bu ("TLBB") PC and Legacy TLBB Mobile.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In
Ms. Huang, Pu
Sohu.com Limited
Tel: +86 (10) 6272-6645
E-mail: ir@contact.sohu.com
In
Ms. Bergkamp, Linda
Christensen
Tel: +1 (480) 614-3004
E-mail: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com
SOHU.COM LIMITED | ||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) | ||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||
Mar. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Mar. 31, 2023 | ||||
Revenues: | ||||||
Brand advertising | $ | 16,070 | $ | 20,195 | $ | 22,524 |
Online games | 117,812 | 114,759 | 129,463 | |||
Others | 5,508 | 6,405 | 9,806 | |||
Total revenues | 139,390 | 141,359 | 161,793 | |||
Cost of revenues: | ||||||
Brand advertising (includes share-based compensation expense of respectively) | 15,848 | 16,966 | 18,687 | |||
Online games (includes share-based compensation expense of | 14,482 | 15,123 | 19,028 | |||
Others | 2,389 | 1,733 | 2,728 | |||
Total cost of revenues | 32,719 | 33,822 | 40,443 | |||
Gross profit | 106,671 | 107,537 | 121,350 | |||
Operating expenses: | ||||||
Product development (includes share-based compensation expense of respectively) | 66,209 | 69,553 | 73,048 | |||
Sales and marketing (includes share-based compensation expense of respectively) | 54,806 | 50,813 | 52,443 | |||
General and administrative (includes share-based compensation expense of respectively) | 12,534 | 12,450 | 14,311 | |||
Total operating expenses | 133,549 | 132,816 | 139,802 | |||
Operating loss | (26,878) | (25,279) | (18,452) | |||
Other income, net | 4,489 | 15,949 | 3,797 | |||
Interest income | 11,358 | 11,578 | 11,084 | |||
Exchange difference | (19) | (823) | (1,074) | |||
Income/(loss) before income tax expense | (11,050) | 1,425 | (4,645) | |||
Income tax expense | 13,924 | 14,044 | 13,289 | |||
Net loss | (24,974) | (12,619) | (17,934) | |||
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders | - | (1) | (1) | |||
Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited | (24,974) | (12,618) | (17,933) | |||
Basic net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited [5] | $ | (0.76) | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.53) |
Shares/ADSs used in computing basic net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited | 33,033 | 34,061 | 34,091 | |||
Diluted net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited | $ | (0.76) | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.53) |
Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited | 33,033 | 34,061 | 34,091 | |||
[5] Each ADS represents one ordinary share. |
SOHU.COM LIMITED | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) | ||||
As of Mar. 31, 2024 | As of Dec. 31, 2023 | |||
ASSETS | ||||
Current assets: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 318,716 | $ | 362,504 |
Restricted cash | 1,769 | 3,184 | ||
Short-term investments | 624,456 | 597,770 | ||
Accounts receivable, net | 55,398 | 71,618 | ||
Prepaid and other current assets | 86,754 | 81,971 | ||
Total current assets | 1,087,093 | 1,117,047 | ||
Fixed assets, net | 265,508 | 269,058 | ||
Goodwill | 47,137 | 47,163 | ||
Long-term investments, net | 45,527 | 45,198 | ||
Intangible assets, net | 1,314 | 2,226 | ||
Long-term time deposits | 390,496 | 388,613 | ||
Other assets | 14,552 | 12,793 | ||
Total assets | $ | 1,851,627 | $ | 1,882,098 |
LIABILITIES | ||||
Current liabilities: | ||||
Accounts payable | $ | 46,264 | $ | 44,609 |
Accrued liabilities | 106,052 | 103,779 | ||
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue | 48,114 | 50,829 | ||
Accrued salary and benefits | 44,574 | 50,330 | ||
Taxes payables | 10,600 | 11,363 | ||
Other short-term liabilities | 82,139 | 81,482 | ||
Total current liabilities | $ | 337,743 | $ | 342,392 |
Long-term other payables | 3,493 | 3,924 | ||
Long-term tax liabilities | 481,620 | 474,374 | ||
Other long-term liabilities | 2,936 | 2,130 | ||
Total long-term liabilities | $ | 488,049 | $ | 480,428 |
Total liabilities | $ | 825,792 | $ | 822,820 |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||
Sohu.com Limited shareholders' equity | 1,025,513 | 1,058,956 | ||
Noncontrolling interest | 322 | 322 | ||
Total shareholders' equity | $ | 1,025,835 | $ | 1,059,278 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 1,851,627 | $ | 1,882,098 |
SOHU.COM LIMITED | ||||||||||||||||||
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MEASURES TO THE NEAREST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES | ||||||||||||||||||
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2024 | Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
GAAP | Non-GAAP Adjustment | Non- GAAP | GAAP | Non-GAAP Adjustment | Non- GAAP | GAAP | Non-GAAP Adjustment | Non- GAAP | ||||||||||
- | (a) | - | (a) | 13 | (a) | |||||||||||||
Brand advertising gross profit | $ | 222 | $ | - | $ | 222 | $ | 3,229 | $ | - | $ | 3,229 | $ | 3,837 | $ | 13 | $ | 3,850 |
Brand advertising gross margin | 1 % | 1 % | 16 % | 16 % | 17 % | 17 % | ||||||||||||
- | (a) | (44) | (a) | 18 | (a) | |||||||||||||
Online games gross profit | $ | 103,330 | $ | - | $ | 103,330 | $ | 99,636 | $ | (44) | $ | 99,592 | $ | 110,435 | $ | 18 | $ | 110,453 |
Online games gross margin | 88 % | 88 % | 87 % | 87 % | 85 % | 85 % | ||||||||||||
- | (a) | - | (a) | - | (a) | |||||||||||||
Others gross profit | $ | 3,119 | $ | - | $ | 3,119 | $ | 4,672 | $ | - | $ | 4,672 | $ | 7,078 | $ | - | $ | 7,078 |
Others gross margin | 57 % | 57 % | 73 % | 73 % | 72 % | 72 % | ||||||||||||
- | (a) | (44) | (a) | 31 | (a) | |||||||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 106,671 | $ | - | $ | 106,671 | $ | 107,537 | $ | (44) | $ | 107,493 | $ | 121,350 | $ | 31 | $ | 121,381 |
Gross margin | 77 % | 77 % | 76 % | 76 % | 75 % | 75 % | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | $ | 133,549 | $ | (84) | (a) $ | 133,465 | $ | 132,816 | $ | 961 | (a) $ | 133,777 | $ | 139,802 | $ | (714) | (a) $ | 139,088 |
84 | (a) | (1,005) | (a) | 745 | (a) | |||||||||||||
Operating loss | $ | (26,878) | $ | 84 | $ | (26,794) | $ | (25,279) | $ | (1,005) | $ | (26,284) | $ | (18,452) | $ | 745 | $ | (17,707) |
Operating margin | -19 % | -19 % | -18 % | -19 % | -11 % | -11 % | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | $ | 13,924 | $ | (3,691) | (d)$ | 10,233 | $ | 14,044 | $ | (3,667) | (d)$ | 10,377 | $ | 13,289 | $ | (2,420) | (c,d)$ | 10,869 |
84 | (a) | (1,005) | (a) | 745 | (a) | |||||||||||||
(398) | (b) | (827) | (b) | 2,218 | (b) | |||||||||||||
- | - | (555) | (c) | |||||||||||||||
3,691 | (d) | 3,667 | (d) | 2,975 | (d) | |||||||||||||
Net loss before non-controlling interest | $ | (24,974) | $ | 3,377 | $ | (21,597) | $ | (12,619) | $ | 1,835 | $ | (10,784) | $ | (17,934) | $ | 5,383 | $ | (12,551) |
84 | (a) | (1,005) | (a) | 745 | (a) | |||||||||||||
(398) | (b) | (827) | (b) | 2,218 | (b) | |||||||||||||
- | - | (555) | (c) | |||||||||||||||
3,691 | (d) | 3,667 | (d) | 2,975 | (d) | |||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net loss per share/ADS | $ | (24,974) | 3,377 | (21,597) | $ | (12,618) | 1,835 | (10,783) | $ | (17,933) | $ | 5,383 | $ | (12,550) | ||||
Diluted net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited | $ | (0.76) | (0.65) | $ | (0.37) | (0.32) | $ | (0.53) | $ | (0.37) | ||||||||
Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net loss per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited | 33,033 | 33,033 | 34,061 | 34,061 | 34,091 | 34,091 | ||||||||||||
Note: | ||||||||||||||||||
(a) To eliminate the impact of share-based awards. | ||||||||||||||||||
(b) To adjust for changes in the fair value of the Company's investments. | ||||||||||||||||||
(c) To adjust for the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Company's investments. | ||||||||||||||||||
(d) To adjust for the effect of the Toll Charge. |
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SOURCE Sohu.com Limited
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