SOHU Sohu com Ltd

BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) ("Sohu" or the "Company"), China's leading online media, video, and game business group, today reported unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Total revenues were US$185 million^[1], down 14% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter.
• Brand advertising revenues were US$26 million, down 24% year-over-year and up 3% quarter-over-quarter.
• Online game revenues were US$149 million, down 11% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter.
• GAAP net loss^[2] attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$22 million, compared with net income of US$12 million in the third quarter of 2021 and net income of US$9 million in the second quarter of 2022.
• Non-GAAP^[3] net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$17 million, compared with net income of US$17million in the third quarter of 2021 and net income of US$12 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Dr. Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Sohu.com Limited, commented, "In the third quarter of 2022, we faced severe headwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment. Despite these, we maintained our focus on refining our products, improving operating efficiency and enhancing monetization capabilities. Thanks to strict budget controls and the solid performance of our online game business, our bottom-line performance for the quarter was well above expectations. For Sohu Media Portal, we enhanced user experience through continuous improvements in products and technology. For Sohu Video, we continued to execute our "Twin Engine" strategy, developing science and knowledge-based live broadcasting with our advanced live broadcasting technology and compelling content and events. Leveraging the differentiated advantages of the Sohu product matrix, we continued to explore ways to improve monetization for both Sohu Media Portal and Sohu Video. Online games performed well during the quarter, with revenues exceeding our prior guidance."

Third Quarter Financial Results 

Revenues

Total revenues were US$185 million, down 14% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter.

Brand advertising revenues were US$26 million, down 24% year-over-year and up 3% quarter-over-quarter.

Online game revenues were US$149 million, down 11% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year 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 were 71%, compared with 74% in the third quarter of 2021 and 73% in the second quarter of 2022.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business were 2%, compared with 29% in the third quarter of 2021 and 4% in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year margin decrease was mainly due to the decrease in brand advertising revenues.

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games were 84%, compared with 83% in the third quarter of 2021 and 84% in the second quarter of 2022.

Operating Expenses

GAAP operating expenses were US$150 million, up 11% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$148 million, up 12% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases were mainly due to increases in marketing expenses.

Operating Profit/(Loss)

GAAP operating loss was US$18 million, compared with an operating profit of US$25 million in the third quarter of 2021 and an operating profit of US$10 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP operating loss was US$17 million, compared with an operating profit of US$28 million in the third quarter of 2021 and an operating profit of US$11 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Income Tax Expense

GAAP income tax expense was US$16 million, compared with income tax expense of US$20 million in the third quarter of 2021 and income tax expense of US$17 million in the second quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$14 million, compared with income tax expense of US$19 million in the third quarter of 2021 and income tax expense of US$16 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Net Income/(Loss)

GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$22 million, or net loss of US$0.63 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$12 million in the third quarter of 2021 and net income of US$9 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$17 million, or net loss of US$0.50 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$17 million in the third quarter of 2021 and net income of US$12 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term time deposits totaled approximately US$1.39 billion.

Supplementary Information for Changyou Results^[4]

Third Quarter 2022 Operating Results

• For PC games, total average monthly active user accounts^[5] (MAU) were 2.1 million, an increase of 6% year-over-year and a decrease of 6% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to improved performance of some of our older games, as a result of content updates and promotional activities launched during the quarter. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly because TLBB Vintage experienced a natural decline following its launch on WeGame in the second quarter of 2022. Total quarterly aggregate active paying accounts^[6] (APA) were 1.0 million, an increase of 4% year-over-year and 3% quarter-over-quarter.
• For mobile games, total average MAU were 2.5 million, a decrease of 45% year-over-year and an increase of 25% quarter-over-quarter. Total quarterly APA were 0.6 million, a decrease of 44% year-over-year and an increase of 27% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decreases in both MAU and APA were mainly from Little Raccoon: Heroes. The quarter-over-quarter increases in both MAU and APA were mainly from Sea of Dawn, which was launched during the quarter.

Third Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

Total revenues were US$150 million, a decrease of 11% year-over-year and 6% quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$149 million, a decrease of 11% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter. Online advertising revenues were US$1 million, a decrease of 47% year-over-year and 20% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP gross profit was US$125 million, a decrease of 10% year-over-year and 6% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP gross profit was US$126 million, a decrease of 10% year-over-year and 6% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP operating expenses were US$69 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year and 41% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$68 million, an increase of 10% year-over-year and 42% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase in marketing and promotional spending for online games, partially offset by a decrease in bonus expenses. The quarter-over-quarter increase was mainly due to an increase in marketing and promotional spending for online games.

GAAP operating profit was US$57 million, compared with an operating profit of US$77 million for the third quarter of 2021 and US$84 million for the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP operating profit was US$58 million, compared with a non-GAAP operating profit of US$79 million for the third quarter of 2021 and US$85 million for the second quarter of 2022.

Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2022, Sohu estimates:

• Brand advertising revenues to be between US$25 million and US$28 million; this implies an annual decrease of 17% to 26%, and a sequential decrease of 3% to a sequential increase of 9%.
• Online game revenues to be between US$118 million and US$128 million; this implies an annual decrease of 11% to 18%, and a sequential decrease of 14% to 21%.
• 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 and US$23 million.

For the fourth quarter 2022 guidance, the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of RMB7.20=US$1.00, as compared with the actual exchange rate of approximately RMB6.40=US$1.00 for the fourth quarter of 2021, and RMB6.83=US$1.00 for the third quarter of 2022.

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 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 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; 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 equity investments with readily determinable fair values; 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, and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values 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, and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values, 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; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to equity investments with readily determinable fair values; and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge is that these excluded items have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in Sohu's business for the foreseeable future and similar impairment charges may also recur. 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 U.S. 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 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 and online games for its revenues; the impact of the U.S. TCJA; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy in China in general and on Sohu's business in particular; and the possibility that, unless an agreement governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China that was entered into in August 2022 between the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") and the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of China is implemented to the satisfaction of the PCAOB and the SEC, the U.S. Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and rules of the SEC thereunder may cause the SEC to prohibit trading of Sohu's ADSs on Nasdaq, any other U.S. stock exchange, or the U.S. over-the-counter markets beginning in 2024 or, if currently pending legislation becomes law, 2023. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Sohu's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, 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, November 14, 2022 (8:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time, November 14, 2022) following the quarterly results announcement. Participants can register for the conference call by clicking here, which will lead them to the conference registration website. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including the dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

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.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.

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