Yalla Group Limited Announces Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results
Yalla Group Limited (NYSE: YALA) reported its financial results for Q4 and full year 2021. Q4 revenues reached US$67.6 million, up 39.7% year-over-year, with net income of US$19.1 million, a 28.2% net margin. Full year 2021 revenues totaled US$273.1 million, marking a 102.4% increase. The average monthly active users (MAUs) surged by 71.0% to 28.1 million in Q4, while paying users grew by 61.0% to 8.4 million. The company is optimistic about future growth with a revenue outlook of US$66.0 million to US$69.0 million for Q1 2022.
- Revenues in Q4 2021 were US$67.6 million, a 39.7% increase from Q4 2020.
- Full year 2021 revenues reached US$273.1 million, up 102.4% from 2020.
- Net income for Q4 2021 was US$19.1 million, with a net margin of 28.2%.
- Average MAUs increased by 71.0% to 28.1 million in Q4 2021.
- Number of paying users rose by 61.0% to 8.4 million in Q4 2021.
- Non-GAAP net income was US$27.6 million in Q4, an 18.2% increase year-over-year.
- Total costs and expenses increased to US$49.3 million in Q4 2021 from US$39.0 million in Q4 2020.
- Selling and marketing expenses surged to US$13.3 million in Q4 2021, compared to US$7.6 million in Q4 2020.
DUBAI, UAE, March 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yalla Group Limited ("Yalla" or the "Company") (NYSE: YALA), the leading voice-centric social networking and entertainment platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights
- Revenues were US
$67.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, representing an increase of39.7% from the fourth quarter of 2020. - Revenues generated from chatting services in the fourth quarter of 2021 were US
$49.0 million . - Revenues generated from games services in the fourth quarter of 2021 were US
$18.6 million . - Net income was US
$19.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and net margin[1] was28.2% , compared with net income of US$9.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. - Non-GAAP net income[2] was US
$27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, representing an increase of18.2% from the fourth quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP net margin[3] was40.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021. - Average MAUs[4] increased by
71.0% to 28.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 16.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. - The number of paying users[5] on our platform increased by
61.0% to 8.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
[1] Net margin is net income as a percentage of revenues. |
[2] Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation. Non-GAAP net income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the sections entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to in this press release. |
[3] Non-GAAP net margin is non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenues. |
[4] "Average MAUs" refers to the average monthly active users in a given period calculated by dividing (i) the sum of active users for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in such period. "Active users" refers to registered users who accessed any of our mobile applications at least once during a given period. |
[5] "Paying users" refers to registered users who played a game or purchased our virtual items or upgrade services using virtual currencies on our platform at least once in a given period, except for users who receive all of their virtual currencies directly or indirectly from us for free. "Registered users" refers to users who have registered accounts on our platform as of a given time; a registered user is not necessarily a unique user, however, as an individual may register multiple accounts on our platform, and consequently, the number of registered users we present in this press release may not equal the number of unique users who have registered on our platform as of a given time. |
Full Year 2021 Highlights
- Revenues were US
$273.1 million in 2021, representing an increase of102.4% from 2020. - Revenues generated from chatting services were US
$208.2 million . - Revenues generated from games services were US
$64.9 million . - Net income was US
$82.6 million in 2021 and net margin was30.2% , compared with net income of US$3.2 million in 2020. - Non-GAAP net income was US
$126.5 million in 2021, representing an increase of97.7% from 2020. Non-GAAP net margin was46.3% in 2021.
Key Operating Data | For the three months ended | ||
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2021 | ||
Average MAUs (in thousands) | 16,413 | 28,060 | |
Paying users (in thousands) | 5,236 | 8,429 | |
"2021 was a remarkable year for Yalla. We made tremendous progress in expanding our product portfolio, establishing an integrated ecosystem and elevating the rich diversity of our business and its services to new heights," said Mr. Yang Tao, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Yalla. "Of special note, we successfully launched the MENA region's first-ever social metaverse app, WAHA, enabling our users to enjoy immersive, 3D social scenes. We also recently released YallaChat version 0.3, iterating our IM product with new features tailored to MENA's local user preferences. Moreover, our game distribution business progressed smoothly, with investments in mid-core to hard-core game projects. As always, we strive to broaden our product range through diverse developments, investments and collaborations devoted to fulfilling MENA users' evolving online social networking and entertainment needs.
"Our operating performance maintained robust growth momentum in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our group's MAUs reached 28.1 million, up
"We sustained our steady financial performance through the fourth quarter of 2021, achieving a
Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Revenues
Our revenues were US
In the fourth quarter of 2021, our revenues generated from chatting services were US
Costs and expenses
Our total costs and expenses were US
Our cost of revenues was US
Our selling and marketing expenses were US
Our general and administrative expenses were US
Our technology and product development expenses were US
Operating income
Operating income was US
Non-GAAP operating income[6]
Non-GAAP operating income (which excluded share-based compensation expenses) in the fourth quarter of 2021 was US
[6] Non-GAAP operating income represents operating income excluding share-based compensation. Non-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the sections entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to in this press release. |
Income tax expense
Our income tax expense was US
Net income
As a result of the foregoing, our net income was US
Non-GAAP net income
Non-GAAP net income (which excluded share-based compensation expenses) in the fourth quarter of 2021 was US
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US
Non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share[7]
Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US
[7] Non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share is non-GAAP net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders, divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the sections entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to in this press release. |
Cash and cash equivalents
As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of US
Share Repurchase Program
Pursuant to the 2021 Share Repurchase Program announced on May 21, 2021, in the fourth quarter, the company repurchased 418,289 American depositary shares ("ADSs") representing 418,289 Class A ordinary shares from the open market with cash for an aggregate amount of approximately US
Full Year 2021 Financial Results
Revenues
Our revenues were US
Our revenues generated from chatting services were US
Costs and expenses
Our total costs and expenses were US
Our cost of revenues was US
Our selling and marketing expenses were US
Our general and administrative expenses were US
Our technology and product development expenses were US
Operating income
Operating income was US
Non-GAAP operating income
Non-GAAP operating income (which excludes share-based compensation expenses) for 2021 was US
Income tax expense
Our income tax expense was US
Net income
Our net income was US
Non-GAAP net income
Non-GAAP net income (which excludes share-based compensation expenses) in 2021 was US
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US
Outlook
For the first quarter of 2022, the management of the Company currently expects revenues to be between US
The above outlook is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company management's current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change.
Conference Call
The Company's management will host an earnings conference call on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 8:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time, Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 4:00 A.M. Dubai Time, or Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 8:00 A.M. Beijing/Hong Kong time.
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
United States Toll Free: | +1-888-317-6003 |
International: | +1-412-317-6061 |
United Arab Emirates Toll Free: | 80-003-570-3589 |
Mainland China Toll Free: | 400-120-6115 |
Hong Kong Toll Free: | 800-963-976 |
Access Code: | 5927256 |
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.yallatech.ae/.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible until March 21, 2022, by dialing the following telephone numbers:
United States Toll Free: | +1-877-344-7529 |
International: | +1-412-317-0088 |
Access Code: | 1743579 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, this press release presents non-GAAP financial measures, namely non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net margin and non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share, as supplemental measures to review and assess the Company's operating performance. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define non-GAAP operating income as operating income excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP net income as net income excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP net margin is non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenues. We define non-GAAP net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders as net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share as non-GAAP net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders, divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding.
By excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges, the Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business and enhance the overall understanding of the Company's past performance and future prospects. Investors can better understand the Company's operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess its core operating results, as they exclude share-based compensation expenses, which are not expected to result in cash payments. The Company also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company's management in its financial and operational decision-making.
The non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using the non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation has been and may continue to be incurred in the Company's business and is not reflected in the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures. Further, the non-GAAP financial measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.
The Company compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of its non-GAAP financial measures in the reconciliations to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating its performance. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results is set forth at the end of this press release.
About Yalla Group Limited
Yalla Group Limited is the leading voice-centric social networking and entertainment platform in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA). The Company's flagship mobile application, Yalla, is specifically tailored for the people and local cultures of the region and primarily features Yalla rooms, a mirrored online version of the majlis or cafés where people spend their leisure time in casual chats. Voice chats are more suitable to the cultural norms in MENA compared to video chats. The Company strives to maintain users' equal status on its platform, thereby encouraging all of them to freely communicate and interact with each other. The Company also operates Yalla Ludo, a mobile application featuring online versions of board games that are highly popular in MENA, such as Ludo and Domino. In-game real-time chats and Ludo chat room functions are popular social networking features among users. Through close attention to detail and localized appeal that deeply resonates with users, Yalla's mobile applications deliver a seamless user experience that fosters a loyal sense of belonging, creating a highly devoted and engaged user community.
For more information, please visit: http://ir.yallatech.ae/
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to 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," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Yalla Group Limited's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Yalla Group Limited's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Yalla Group Limited does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Yalla Group Limited
Investor Relations
Kerry Gao - IR Director
Tel: +86-571-8980-7962
Email: ir@yallatech.ae
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Yang Song
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com
YALLA GROUP LIMITED | ||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||
As of | ||||
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2021 | |||
US$ | US$ | |||
ASSETS | ||||
Current assets | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 236,883,282 | 351,485,602 | ||
Short-term investments | 766,295 | 2,906,344 | ||
Prepayments and other current assets | 15,725,424 | 21,957,230 | ||
Total current assets | 253,375,001 | 376,349,176 | ||
Non-current assets | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 1,241,756 | 1,832,952 | ||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | — | 857,474 | ||
Long-term investments | — | 1,768,455 | ||
Total non-current assets | 1,241,756 | 4,458,881 | ||
Total assets | 254,616,757 | 380,808,057 | ||
LIABILITIES | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable | 1,573,784 | 4,392,330 | ||
Deferred revenue | 13,359,827 | 24,971,203 | ||
Operating lease liabilities, current | — | 472,734 | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 6,148,486 | 14,896,134 | ||
Total current liabilities | 21,082,097 | 44,732,401 | ||
Non-current liabilities | ||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current | — | 195,596 | ||
Total non-current liabilities | — | 195,596 | ||
Total liabilities | 21,082,097 | 44,927,997 | ||
EQUITY | ||||
Shareholders' equity of Yalla Group Limited | ||||
Class A Ordinary Shares | 11,920 | 12,484 | ||
Class B Ordinary Shares | 2,473 | 2,473 | ||
Treasury stock | — | (25,419,808) | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 220,623,005 | 265,647,268 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 373,989 | 520,010 | ||
Retained earnings | 12,523,273 | 95,123,951 | ||
Total shareholders' equity of Yalla Group Limited | 233,534,660 | 335,886,378 | ||
Non-controlling interests | — | (6,318) | ||
Total equity | 233,534,660 | 335,880,060 | ||
Total liabilities and equity | 254,616,757 | 380,808,057 |
YALLA GROUP LIMITED | ||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS | ||||||||||
OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||
Revenues | 48,343,470 | 71,308,909 | 67,556,824 | 134,927,410 | 273,134,908 | |||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||
Cost of revenues | (18,429,067) | (23,414,397) | (23,928,785) | (61,270,887) | (95,144,945) | |||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (7,621,296) | (10,968,881) | (13,317,368) | (21,701,852) | (42,404,862) | |||||
General and administrative expenses | (11,349,102) | (7,328,752) | (8,130,904) | (42,974,825) | (38,271,252) | |||||
Technology and product development expenses | (1,634,465) | (3,859,988) | (3,916,387) | (5,221,124) | (14,286,120) | |||||
Total costs and expenses | (39,033,930) | (45,572,018) | (49,293,444) | (131,168,688) | (190,107,179) | |||||
Operating income | 9,309,540 | 25,736,891 | 18,263,380 | 3,758,722 | 83,027,729 | |||||
Interest income | 13,343 | 40,196 | 35,218 | 202,474 | 111,881 | |||||
Government grant | 5,627 | — | 1,406,028 | 99,277 | 1,419,837 | |||||
Investment income (loss) | 1,947 | (33,383) | 147,154 | 13,994 | 54,824 | |||||
Income before income taxes | 9,330,457 | 25,743,704 | 19,851,780 | 4,074,467 | 84,614,271 | |||||
Income tax expense | (331,427) | (417,716) | (794,413) | (861,081) | (2,019,911) | |||||
Net income | 8,999,030 | 25,325,988 | 19,057,367 | 3,213,386 | 82,594,360 | |||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests | — | — | 6,318 | — | 6,318 | |||||
Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred | — | — | — | (1,577,026) | — | |||||
Dividends distributed to redeemable convertible | — | — | — | (3,704,083) | — | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Yalla Group | 8,999,030 | 25,325,988 | 19,063,685 | (2,067,723) | 82,600,678 |
YALLA GROUP LIMITED | ||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS | ||||||||||
OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||
Earinings (loss) per ordinary share | ||||||||||
——Basic | 0.06 | 0.17 | 0.13 | (0.02) | 0.56 | |||||
——Diluted | 0.06 | 0.14 | 0.11 | (0.02) | 0.46 | |||||
Weighted average number of shares | ||||||||||
——Basic | 144,267,234 | 149,873,794 | 149,516,472 | 91,755,810 | 148,739,986 | |||||
——Diluted | 157,062,018 | 180,232,792 | 176,907,506 | 91,755,810 | 179,899,466 | |||||
Share-based compensation was allocated in cost of revenues, selling and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and technology and product development expenses as follows: | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||
Cost of revenues | 2,196,453 | 1,265,422 | 1,632,754 | 16,255,275 | 6,299,864 | |||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 3,187,921 | 1,768,260 | 1,878,389 | 7,672,437 | 10,102,733 | |||||
General and administrative expenses | 8,750,756 | 4,632,605 | 4,689,722 | 35,861,913 | 26,729,432 | |||||
Technology and product development expenses | 211,881 | 216,047 | 325,757 | 1,015,858 | 807,418 |
YALLA GROUP LIMITED | ||||||||||
RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||
Operating income | 9,309,540 | 25,736,891 | 18,263,380 | 3,758,722 | 83,027,729 | |||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 14,347,011 | 7,882,334 | 8,526,622 | 60,805,483 | 43,939,447 | |||||
Non-GAAP operating income | 23,656,551 | 33,619,225 | 26,790,002 | 64,564,205 | 126,967,176 | |||||
Net income | 8,999,030 | 25,325,988 | 19,057,367 | 3,213,386 | 82,594,360 | |||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 14,347,011 | 7,882,334 | 8,526,622 | 60,805,483 | 43,939,447 | |||||
Non-GAAP net income | 23,346,041 | 33,208,322 | 27,583,989 | 64,018,869 | 126,533,807 | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Yalla | 8,999,030 | 25,325,988 | 19,063,685 | (2,067,723) | 82,600,678 | |||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 14,347,011 | 7,882,334 | 8,526,622 | 60,805,483 | 43,939,447 | |||||
Non-GAAP net income attributable to | 23,346,041 | 33,208,322 | 27,590,307 | 58,737,760 | 126,540,125 | |||||
Non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share | ||||||||||
——Basic | 0.16 | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.64 | 0.85 | |||||
——Diluted | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.16 | 0.57 | 0.70 | |||||
Weighted average number of shares | ||||||||||
——Basic | 144,267,234 | 149,873,794 | 149,516,472 | 91,755,810 | 148,739,986 | |||||
——Diluted | 157,062,018 | 180,232,792 | 176,907,506 | 102,806,360 | 179,899,466 |
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SOURCE Yalla Group Limited
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