SOHU.COM REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2021 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Rhea-AI Summary

Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) reported Q4 and annual results for 2021, revealing total revenues of $193 million in Q4, down 24% year-over-year. Annual revenues reached $836 million, a growth of 11%. While online game revenues significantly increased by 19% for the year to $638 million, brand advertising dropped 20% in Q4 and 8% annually. The company's GAAP net income fell to $4 million in Q4 from $47 million the previous year. For Q1 2022, Sohu forecasts brand advertising revenues to decline by 15-25% and predicts a GAAP net loss of $13-23 million, reflecting ongoing challenges amid the pandemic.

Positive

• Annual revenues increased to $836 million, up 11% year-over-year.
• Online game revenues grew by 19% year-over-year, reaching $638 million.
• GAAP net income for fiscal year 2021 was $69 million, a significant increase from $33 million in 2020.

Negative

• Q4 revenues of $193 million were down 24% year-over-year and 11% quarter-over-quarter.
• Brand advertising revenue fell 20% year-over-year in Q4.
• GAAP net income in Q4 dropped to $4 million, down from $47 million a year prior.

BEIJING, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU), China's leading online media, video, and game business group, today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Total revenues were US$193 million^[1], down 24% year-over-year and 11% quarter-over-quarter.
• Brand advertising revenues were US$34 million, down 20% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter.
• Online game revenues were US$144 million, down 27% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter.
• GAAP net income^[2] attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$4 million, compared with net income of US$47 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and net income of US$12 million in the third quarter of 2021.
• Non-GAAP^[3] net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$0.2 million, compared with net income of US$53 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and net income of US$17 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Fiscal Year 2021 Highlights

• Total revenues were US$836 million, up 11% compared with 2020. 
• Brand advertising revenues were US$135 million, down 8% compared with 2020. 
• Online game revenues were US$638 million, up 19% compared with 2020.
• GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$69 million, compared with net income of US$33 million in 2020, excluding the impact of an additional accrual of withholding income tax recognized by Changyou in the second quarter of 2020^[4].
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$79 million, compared with net income of US$51 million in 2020, excluding the impact of the additional accrual of withholding income tax described above.

Dr. Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Sohu.com Limited, commented, "During the fourth quarter of 2021 and for the whole year, we faced ongoing significant challenges from the macroeconomic environment and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these headwinds, we were proactive in refining our technology, developing product innovations, improving operating efficiency and exploring differentiated monetization opportunities. In the fourth quarter, we were ahead of guidance in brand advertising revenue, and achieved profitability for the full year and every quarter in 2021. For Sohu Media and Sohu Video, we provided better user experience through improvements in products and social interaction features. We applied advanced live broadcasting technologies to large and unique content marketing events. Based on the competitive advantages of the Sohu product matrix, these live broadcasting events helped us to generate a high volume of premium content and wide social distribution. We were able to further consolidate our influence as a mainstream media platform, and better capture advertisers' attention and budgets. For Changyou, its online game business delivered in-line quarterly results, while its overall revenue for 2021 continued to grow year-over-year."

Fourth Quarter Financial Results 

Revenues

Total revenues were US$193 million, down 24% year-over-year and 11% quarter-over-quarter.

Brand advertising revenues totaled US$34 million, down 20% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter. The decrease was mainly due to decreases in portal advertising revenues.

Online game revenues were US$144 million, down 27% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of TLBB Vintage, which was launched during the fourth quarter of 2020. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of Little Raccoon: Heroes, which was launched during the third quarter of 2021.

Gross Margin

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin was 73%, compared with 79% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 74% in the third quarter of 2021.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business was 28%, compared with 31% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 29% in the third quarter of 2021.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games was 84%, compared with 90% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 83% in the third quarter of 2021. The year-over-year decrease in gross margin was mainly due to a higher percentage revenue contribution from mobile games, which typically require higher revenue-sharing payments.

Operating Expenses

For the fourth quarter of 2021, GAAP operating expenses totaled US$144 million, up 8% year-over-year and 7% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$144 million, up 9% year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to increases in salary and benefits expenses and marketing expenses. The quarter-over-quarter increase was mainly due to increases in marketing expenses and increases in Changyou's outsourcing fees related to product development.

Operating Profit/(Loss)

GAAP operating loss was US$3 million, compared with an operating profit of US$67 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and an operating profit of US$25 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP operating loss was US$3 million, compared with an operating profit of US$68 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and an operating profit of US$28 million in the third quarter of 2021. 

Income Tax Expense

GAAP income tax expense was US$9 million, compared with income tax expense of US$21 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and income tax expense of US$20 million in the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$6 million, compared with income tax expense of US$21 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and income tax expense of US$19 million in the third quarter of 2021. Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2021 included a one-time tax benefit of US$7 million recognized by Changyou after pre-adjustment of its income tax due for 2021.

Net Income

GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$4 million, or net income of US$0.09 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$47 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and net income of US$12 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$0.2 million, or net income of US$0.01 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$53 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and net income of US$17 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term time deposits were totaled approximately $1.59 billion.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

Revenues

Total revenues were US$836 million, up 11% compared with 2020.

Brand advertising revenues were US$135 million, down 8% compared with 2020. The decrease was mainly due to decreases in portal advertising revenues.

Online game revenues were US$638 million, up 19% compared with 2020. The year-over-year increase was mainly from TLBB Vintage.

Gross Margin

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin was 76%, compared with 71% in 2020.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business was 26%, compared with 28% in 2020.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games was 86%, compared with 83% in 2020.

Operating Expenses

For 2021, GAAP operating expenses totaled US$533 million, up 16% compared with 2020. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$525 million, up 18% compared with 2020. The increase in operating expenses was mainly due to increases in salary and benefits expenses and marketing expenses.

Operating Profit

GAAP operating profit was US$97 million, compared with an operating profit of US$73 million in 2020.

Non-GAAP operating profit was US$106 million, compared with an operating profit of US$88 million in 2020. 

Income Tax Expense

GAAP income tax expense was US$62 million, compared with income tax expense of US$133 million in 2020. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$56 million, compared with income tax expense of US$127 million in 2020. The income tax expense in 2020 included an additional accrual of withholding income tax of US$88 million recognized by Changyou in the second quarter of 2020, as Changyou changed its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to distribution of cash dividends after the completion of the privatization of Changyou.

Net Income

GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$69 million, or net income of US$1.75 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$33 million in 2020, excluding the impact of the additional accrual of withholding income tax recognized by Changyou in the second quarter of 2020 described above. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$79 million, or net income of US$2.00 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$51 million in 2020, excluding the impact of the additional accrual of withholding income tax described above.

Supplementary Information for Changyou Results

Fourth Quarter 2021 Operating Results

• For PC games, total average monthly active user accounts^[5] (MAU) were 2.0 million, a decrease of 12% year-over-year and an increase of 1% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of Changyou's older games. Total quarterly aggregate active paying accounts^[6] (APA) were 0.9 million, flat year-over-year and a decrease of 8% quarter-over-quarter. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to fewer in-game promotional activities launched for TLBB PC during the quarter.
• For mobile games, total average MAU were 2.5 million, an increase of 3% year-over-year and a decrease of 45% quarter-over-quarter. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of Little Raccoon: Heroes. Total quarterly APA were 0.5 million, a decrease of 14% year-over-year and 48% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly from TLBB Honor and Illusion Connect. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of Little Raccoon: Heroes.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

Total revenues were US$146 million, a decrease of 27% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$144 million, a decrease of 27% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter. Online advertising revenues were US$2 million, a decrease of 27% year-over-year and 33% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit were both US$122 million, a decrease of 32% year-over-year and 13% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP operating expenses were US$69 million, flat year-over-year and an increase of 8% quarter-over-quarter. The quarter-over-quarter increase was mainly due to an increase in outsourcing fees related to product development.

Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$67 million, an increase of 1% year-over-year and 10% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP operating profit was US$53 million, compared with an operating profit of US$110 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and US$77 million for the third quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP operating profit was US$55 million, compared with a non-GAAP operating profit of US$112 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and US$79 million for the third quarter of 2021.

Fiscal Year 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

Total revenues were US$649 million, an increase of 18% year-over-year. Online game revenues were US$638 million, an increase of 19% year-over-year. Online advertising revenues were US$11 million, a decrease of 8% year-over-year.

GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit were both US$558 million, an increase of 23% year-over-year.

GAAP operating expenses were US$256 million, an increase of 13% year-over-year. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase in bonus expenses related to revenue growth. 

Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$249 million, an increase of 15% year-over-year.

GAAP operating profit was US$302 million, compared with an operating profit of US$226 million for 2020.

Non-GAAP operating profit was US$310 million, compared with a non-GAAP operating profit of US$238 million for 2020.

Recent Development

As previously announced, on November 13, 2021 Sohu's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to US$100 million of the outstanding American depositary shares ("ADSs") of Sohu over the next twelve months. As of February 18, 2022, Sohu had repurchased 3,079,064 ADSs under the share repurchase program for an aggregate cost of approximately US$53 million. 

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2022, Sohu estimates:

• Brand advertising revenues to be between US$23 million and US$26 million; this implies an annual decrease of 15% to 25% and a sequential decrease of 23% to 32%.
• Online game revenues to be between US$130 million and US$140 million; this implies an annual decrease of 21% to 26% and a sequential decrease of 3% to 10%.
• Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$10 million and US$20 million; and GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$13 million US$23 million.

For the first quarter 2022 guidance, the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of RMB6.36 =US$1.00, as compared with the actual exchange rate of approximately RMB6.48=US$1.00 for the first quarter of 2021, and RMB6.40=US$1.00 for the fourth quarter of 2021. 

This forecast reflects Sohu's management's current and preliminary view, which is subject to substantial uncertainty, particularly in view of the potential ongoing impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which remains difficult to predict.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

To supplement the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Sohu's management uses non-GAAP measures of gross profit, operating profit, net income, net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited and diluted net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited per ADS, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude the impact of the share-based awards, which consist mainly of share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values; an impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses; and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge imposed by the U.S. TCJA. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

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 equity investments with readily determinable fair values; the impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses; and interest 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 and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values; the impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses; 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 the impact of share-based compensation expense, changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values, and the impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses does not involve subsequent cash outflow or is reflected in the cash flows at the equity transaction level, Sohu does not factor this impact in 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 equity investments with readily determinable fair values, the impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses, 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, is that the impact of share-based awards has been and will continue to be a significant recurring expense in Sohu's business for the foreseeable 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 US dollar results; recent slow-downs in the growth of the Chinese economy; the uncertain regulatory landscape in the People's Republic of China; fluctuations in Sohu's quarterly operating results; the possibilities that Sohu will be unable to recoup its investment in video content and that Changyou will be unable to develop a series of successful games for mobile platforms or successfully monetize mobile games it develops or acquires; Sohu's reliance on online advertising sales, online games and mobile services for its revenues; the impact of the U.S. TCJA; and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy in China in general and on Sohu's business in particular.  Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Sohu's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other filings with and information furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conference Call and Webcast 

Sohu's management team will host a conference call at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, February 22, 2022 (8:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time, February 22, 2022) following the quarterly results announcement. Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/3658638. Once preregistration has been completed, participants will receive dial-in numbers, an event passcode, and a unique registrant ID.

To join the conference, please dial the number you receive, enter the event passcode followed by your unique registrant ID, and you will be joined to the conference instantly. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time February 22 through March 1, 2022. The dial-in details for the telephone replay are:

International:	+1-646-254-3697
Passcode:	3658638

The live Webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sohu's Website at http://investors.sohu.com/.  

About Sohu.com

Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) was established by Dr. Charles Zhang, one of China's internet pioneers, in the 1990s. As a mainstream media platform in China, Sohu is indispensable to the daily life of millions of Chinese, providing a network of web properties and community based products which continually offer a broad array of choices regarding information, entertainment and communication to the vast number of Sohu users. Sohu has built one of the most comprehensive matrices of Chinese language web properties, consisting of the leading online media destinations Sohu News App, mobile news portal m.sohu.com, PC portal www.sohu.com; online video website tv.sohu.com; and the online games platform www.changyou.com/en/.

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 Tian Long Ba Bu ("TLBB"), one of the most popular PC games in China. Changyou also owns and operates the 17173.com Website, a game information portal in China.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Pu Huang
Sohu.com Limited
Tel:	+86 (10) 6272-6645
E-mail:	ir@contact.sohu.com

In the United States:

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Christensen
Tel:	+1 (480) 614-3004
E-mail:	lbergkamp@christensenir.com

 

 

[1] On a constant currency (non-GAAP) basis, if the exchange rate in the fourth quarter of 2021 had been the same as it was in the fourth quarter of 2020, or RMB6.63=US$1.00, US$ total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2021 would have been US$186 million, or US$7 million less than GAAP total revenues, and down 26% year-over-year.

[2] Following the completion on September 23, 2021 of the transaction with Tencent related to Sogou, Sohu no longer has any ownership interest in Sogou. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Unless indicated otherwise, results presented in this release exclude results from Sogou operations. For historical statements, the results of operations of Sogou and the gain from its disposal are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations.

[3] Non-GAAP results exclude share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values; an impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses; and interest expense recognized in connection with the one-time transition tax (the "Toll Charge") imposed by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017 (the "U.S. TCJA"). Explanation of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures and related reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are included in the accompanying "Non-GAAP Disclosure" and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results of Operation Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures."

[4] Following completion of the Changyou privatization, Changyou changed its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to distribution of cash dividends. As a result, Changyou recognized an additional accrual of withholding income tax of US$88 million in the second quarter of 2020.

[5] Monthly active user accounts refers to the number of registered accounts that are logged in to these games at least once during the month.

[6] Quarterly aggregate active paying accounts refers to the number of accounts from which game points are utilized at least once during the quarter.

 

 

SOHU.COM LIMITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
		Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2021		Sep. 30, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020			Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020
Revenues:
Brand advertising	$	33,638	$	33,748	$	41,810		$	134,967	$	146,526
Online games		143,708		166,750		196,063			638,225		536,684
Others		15,645		15,592		15,362			62,384		66,680
Total revenues		192,991		216,090		253,235			835,576		749,890
Cost of revenues:
Brand advertising (includes share-based compensation expense of $-115, $7, $-59, $1, and $177 respectively)		24,214		24,006		28,836			99,522		105,604
Online games (includes share-based compensation expense of $43, $78, $79, $276, and $543, respectively)		23,053		28,977		19,154			87,616		91,526
Others		4,477		3,754		5,086			17,533		20,307
Total cost of revenues		51,744		56,737		53,076			204,671		217,437
Gross profit		141,247		159,353		200,159			630,905		532,453
Operating expenses:
Product development (includes share-based compensation expense of $437, $1,118, $966, $3,904, and $7,326 respectively)		68,392		65,898		65,671			268,863		241,941
Sales and marketing (includes share-based compensation expense of  $-186, $83, $-95, $168, and $458 respectively)		54,793		45,349		51,945			182,690		159,787
General and administrative (includes share-based compensation expense of  $110, $1,368, $459,  $4,229, and $5,976 respectively)		20,970		23,290		15,696			81,880		57,354
Total operating expenses		144,155		134,537		133,312			533,433		459,082
Operating profit/(loss)		(2,908)		24,816		66,847			97,472		73,371
Other income, net		12,982		5,043		1,738			29,416		25,993
Interest income		3,359		4,200		2,670			15,641		7,369
Interest expense		-		(2,501)		(1,176)			(7,500)		(6,234)
Exchange difference		(1,150)		317		(2,080)			(3,462)		(3,800)
Income before income tax expense		12,283		31,875		67,999			131,567		96,699
Income tax expense[7]		8,695		19,577		21,416			62,296		133,226
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations		3,588		12,298		46,583			69,271		(36,527)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax[8]		-		756,768		(9,212)			864,902		(91,793)
Net income/(loss)		3,588		769,066		37,371			934,173		(128,320)
Less: Net income/( loss) from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders		(1)		(1)		2			(3)		18,448
Less: Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders		-		(65,134)		(6,119)			6,451		(60,656)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited		3,589		12,299		46,581			69,274		(54,975)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited		-		821,902		(3,093)			858,451		(31,137)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Limited		3,589		834,201		43,488			927,725		(86,112)
Basic net income/(loss) from continuing operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited[9]	$	0.09	$	0.31	$	1.18		$	1.75	$	(1.39)
Basic net income/(loss) from discontinued operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	-	$	20.75	$	(0.08)		$	21.74	$	(0.79)
Basic net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	0.09	$	21.06	$	1.10		$	23.49	$	(2.18)
Shares/ADSs used in computing basic net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited		39,373		39,614		39,508			39,501		39,452
Diluted net income/(loss) from continuing operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	0.09	$	0.31	$	1.18		$	1.75	$	(1.40)
Diluted net income/(loss) from discontinued operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	-	$	20.75	$	(0.08)		$	21.74	$	(0.79)
Diluted net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	0.09	$	21.06	$	1.10		$	23.49	$	(2.19)
Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net income/(loss)  per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited		39,373		39,614		39,508			39,501		39,452
[7] Income tax expense for 2020 includes an additional accrual of withholding income tax of US$88 million recognized by Changyou in the second quarter of 2020, as Changyou changed its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to distribution of cash dividends after the completion of the privatization of Changyou.
[8] Following the completion on September 23, 2021 of the transaction with Tencent related to Sogou, Sohu no longer has any ownership interest in Sogou. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Unless indicated otherwise, results presented in this release exclude results from Sogou operations. For historical statements, the results of operations of Sogou and the gain from its disposal are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations.
[9] Each ADS represents one ordinary share.

 

 

SOHU.COM LIMITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
		As of Dec. 31, 2021		As of Dec. 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	998,949	$	217,057
Restricted cash		1,969		330,791
Short-term investments		399,345		100,745
Accounts receivable, net		82,550		87,521
Prepaid and other current assets		107,311		106,590
Assets held for sale (current)		-		1,412,168
Total current assets		1,590,124		2,254,872
Long-term investments, net		53,121		31,634
Fixed assets, net		329,997		337,674
Goodwill		48,811		48,434
Intangible assets, net		9,136		4,842
Long -term time deposits		189,007		-
Restricted time deposits		-		101,519
Prepaid non-current assets		-		1,006
Other assets		25,589		42,140
Total assets	$	2,245,785	$	2,822,121
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	87,447	$	107,611
Accrued liabilities		138,196		157,513
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue		57,041		52,055
Accrued salary and benefits		91,485		100,826
Taxes payable		16,714		28,006
Short-term bank loans		-		315,550
Other short-term liabilities		112,568		106,171
Liabilities held for sale (current)		-		416,998
Total current liabilities	$	503,451	$	1,284,730
Long-term other payables		3,922		3,202
Long-term bank loans		-		92,000
Long-term tax liabilities		443,083		406,353
Other long-term liabilities		3,142		3,855
Total long-term liabilities	$	450,147	$	505,410
Total liabilities	$	953,598	$	1,790,140
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Sohu.com Limited shareholders' equity		1,290,869		347,369
Noncontrolling interest		1,318		684,612
Total shareholders' equity	$	1,292,187	$	1,031,981
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,245,785	$	2,822,121

 

 

SOHU.COM LIMITED
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP RESULTS OFOPERATIONS MEASURES TO THE NEAREST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
		Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2021						Three Months Ended Sep. 30, 2021						Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2020
		GAAP		Non-GAAP Adjustments		Non- GAAP		GAAP		Non-GAAP Adjustments		Non- GAAP		GAAP		Non-GAAP Adjustments		Non- GAAP
				(115)	(a)					7	(a)					(59)	(a)
Brand advertising gross profit	$	9,424	$	(115)	$	9,309	$	9,742	$	7	$	9,749	$	12,974	$	(59)	$	12,915
Brand advertising gross margin		28%				28%		29%				29%		31%				31%
				43	(a)					78	(a)					79	(a)
Online games gross profit	$	120,655	$	43	$	120,698	$	137,773	$	78	$	137,851	$	176,909	$	79	$	176,988
Online games gross margin		84%				84%		83%				83%		90%				90%
				-	(a)					-	(a)					-	(a)
Others gross profit	$	11,168	$	-	$	11,168	$	11,838	$	-	$	11,838	$	10,276	$	-	$	10,276
Others gross margin		71%				71%		76%				76%		67%				67%
				(72)	(a)					85	(a)					20	(a)
Gross profit	$	141,247	$	(72)	$	141,175	$	159,353	$	85	$	159,438	$	200,159	$	20	$	200,179
Gross margin		73%				73%		74%				74%		79%				79%
Operating expenses	$	144,155	$	(361)	(a) $	143,794	$	134,537	$	(2,639)	(a) $	131,898	$	133,312	$	(1,330)	(a) $	131,982
				289	(a)					2,724	(a)					1,350	(a)
Operating profit/(loss)	$	(2,908)	$	289	$	(2,619)	$	24,816	$	2,724	$	27,540	$	66,847	$	1,350	$	68,197
Operating margin		-2%				-1%		11%				13%		26%				27%
Income tax expense	$	8,695	$	(2,863)	(b,c)$	5,832	$	19,577	$	(865)	(b,c)$	18,712	$	21,416	$	(8)	(b,c)$	21,408
				289	(a)					2,724	(a)					1,350	(a)
				(4,900)	(b)					1,068	(b)					3,547	(b)
				1,230	(c)					1,221	(c)					1,190	(c)
Net income before non-controlling interest	$	3,588	$	(3,381)	$	207	$	12,298	$	5,013	$	17,311	$	46,583	$	6,087	$	52,670
				289	(a)					2,724	(a)					1,350	(a)
				(4,900)	(b)					1,068	(b)					3,547	(b)
				1,230	(c)					1,221	(c)					1,190	(c)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net loss per share/ADS	$	3,589	$	(3,381)	$	208	$	12,299	$	5,013	$	17,312	$	46,581	$	6,087	$	52,668
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net loss per share/ADS[10]	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	821,902	$	320	$	822,222	$	(3,093)	$	425	$	(2,668)
Net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net loss per share/ADS	$	3,589	$	(3,381)	$	208	$	834,201	$	5,333	$	839,534	$	43,488	$	6,512	$	50,000
Diluted net income from continuing operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	0.09			$	0.01	$	0.31			$	0.44	$	1.18			$	1.33
Diluted net income/(loss) from discontinued operations per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	-			$	-	$	20.75			$	20.76	$	(0.08)			$	(0.06)
Diluted net income per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	0.09			$	0.01	$	21.06			$	21.19	$	1.10			$	1.27
Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited		39,373				39,373		39,614				39,614		39,508				39,508
Note:
(a) To eliminate the impact of share-based awards as measured using the fair value method. This adjustment does not have an impact on income tax expense.
(b) To adjust for changes in the fair value of the Company's investments and the income tax effect.
(c) To adjust for the effect of the U.S. TCJA.
[10] Following the completion on September 23, 2021 of the transaction with Tencent related to Sogou, Sohu no longer has any ownership interest in Sogou. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Unless indicated otherwise, results presented in this release exclude results from Sogou operations. For historical statements, the results of operations of Sogou and the gain from its disposal are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations.

 

 

SOHU.COM LIMITED
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP RESULTS OF OPERATION MEASURES TO THE NEAREST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
		Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2021						Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2020
		GAAP		Non-GAAP Adjustments		Non- GAAP		GAAP		Non-GAAP Adjustments		Non- GAAP
				1	(a)					177	(a)
Brand advertising gross profit	$	35,445	$	1	$	35,446	$	40,922	$	177	$	41,099
Brand advertising gross margin		26%				26%		28%				28%
				276	(a)					543	(a)
Online games gross profit	$	550,609	$	276	$	550,885	$	445,158	$	543	$	445,701
Online games gross margin		86%				86%		83%				83%
				-	(a)					-	(a)
Others gross profit	$	44,851	$	-	$	44,851	$	46,373	$	-	$	46,373
Others gross margin		72%				72%		70%				70%
				277	(a)					720	(a)
Gross profit	$	630,905	$	277	$	631,182	$	532,453	$	720	$	533,173
Gross margin		76%				76%		71%				71%
Operating expenses	$	533,433	$	(8,301)	(a)$	525,132	$	459,082	$	(13,760)	(a)  $	445,322
				8,578	(a)					14,480	(a)
Operating profit	$	97,472	$	8,578	$	106,050	$	73,371	$	14,480	$	87,851
Operating margin		12%				13%		10%				12%
Income tax expense[11]	$	62,296	$	(6,101)	(c,d)$	56,195	$	133,226	$	(5,985)	(c,d)$	127,241
				8,578	(a)					14,480	(a)
				(3,828)	(c)					660	(c)
				4,827	(d)					6,205	(d)
				156	(e)					-	(e)
Net income/(loss) before non-controlling interest		69,271		9,733		79,004		(36,527)		21,345		(15,182)
				8578	(a)					14,480	(a)
				-	(b)					(2,868)	(b)
				(3,828)	(c)					660	(c)
				4,827	(d)					6,205	(d)
				156	(e)					-	(e)
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net loss per ADS	$	69,274	$	9,733	$	79,007	$	(55,365)	$	18,477	$	(36,888)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net  loss per ADS[12]	$	858,431		1,216		859,647	$	(31,139)		3,048	$	(28,091)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Limited for diluted net  loss per ADS	$	927,705		10,949		938,654	$	(86,504)		21,525	$	(64,979)
Diluted net income/(loss) from continuing operations per ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	1.75			$	2.00	$	(1.40)			$	(0.94)
Diluted net income/ (loss) from discontinued operations per ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited	$	21.74				21.76	$	(0.79)			$	(0.71)
Diluted net income/(loss) per ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited.	$	23.49				23.76	$	(2.19)			$	(1.65)
ADS used in computing diluted net income/(loss) per ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited		39,501				39,501		39,452				39,452
Note:
(a) To eliminate the impact of share-based awards as measured using the fair value method. This adjustment does not have an impact on income tax expense.
(b) To adjust Sohu's economic interests in Changyou attributable to the above non-GAAP adjustments. This adjustment does not have an impact on income tax expense.
(c) To adjust for changes in the fair value of the Company's investments and the income tax effect.
(d) To adjust for the effect of the U.S. TCJA.
(e) To adjust for the one-time impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses.
[11] For the income tax expense in 2020, following completion of the Changyou privatization, Changyou changed its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to distribution of cash dividends. As a result, Changyou recognized an additional accrual of withholding income tax of US$88 million in the second quarter of 2020.
[12] Following the completion on September 23, 2021 of the transaction with Tencent related to Sogou, Sohu no longer has any ownership interest in Sogou. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Unless indicated otherwise, results presented in this release exclude results from Sogou operations. For historical statements, the results of operations of Sogou and the gain from its disposal are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations.

 

 

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SOURCE Sohu.com Limited

FAQ

What were Sohu's total revenues in Q4 2021?

Sohu's total revenues in Q4 2021 were $193 million, a decline of 24% year-over-year.

What is the forecast for Sohu's brand advertising revenue in Q1 2022?

Sohu estimates brand advertising revenues to be between $23 million and $26 million in Q1 2022, representing a decrease of 15% to 25% year-over-year.

How did Sohu's online game revenues perform in fiscal year 2021?

Sohu's online game revenues increased by 19% year-over-year, totaling $638 million in fiscal year 2021.

What is Sohu's expected GAAP net loss for Q1 2022?

Sohu expects a GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between $13 million and $23 million for Q1 2022.

What was Sohu's GAAP net income for the full year 2021?

Sohu's GAAP net income for the full year 2021 was $69 million, compared to $33 million in 2020.