SOHU.COM REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2022 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Author: Sohu.com Limited / 2023-07-24 00:36 / Source: Sohu.com Limited

SOHU.COM REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2022 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS

BEIJING,Aug. 8,2022 -- 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 secondquarter ended June30,2022.

SecondQuarter Highlights

Total revenues were US$195 million[1],down 5% year-over-year and up 1% quarter-over-quarter.

Brand advertising revenues were US$25million,down 32% year-over-year and up 5% quarter-over-quarter.

Online game revenues were US$157million,up 4% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP net income[2] attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$9million,compared with net income of US$22 million in the secondquarter of 2021and net income of US$3million in the firstquarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP[3] net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$12million,compared with net income of US$25million in the secondquarter of 2021and net income of US$9million in the firstquarter of 2022.

Dr. Charles Zhang,Chairman and CEO of Sohu.com Limited,commented,"In the second quarter of 2022,COVID-19 and related prevention measures disrupted normal economic activity nationwide. We met the challenge proactively,by refining our products and technology and exploring a range of monetization opportunities. Our brand advertising revenue met the high end of our previous guidance during the quarter. Thanks to the solid performance of our online game business,our profitability exceeded guidance. For Sohu Media Portal and Sohu Video,we continued to generate and distribute reliable news and premium content,reinforcing our competitiveness and credibility as a mainstream media platform. Leveraging the differentiated advantages of the Sohu product matrix,we extended our live broadcasting to a greater number of scientific fields and to various online and offline events. For online games,our performance was stable during the quarter,with revenues in line with our guidance."

Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenues

Total revenues were US$195 million,down 32% year-over-year and up 5%quarter-over-quarter.

Online game revenues were US$157million,up 4% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter.

Gross Margin

Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin were 73%,compared with 76% in the secondquarter of 2021and 75% in the firstquarter of 2022.

GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business was 4%,compared with 27%in the secondquarter of 2021and 2% in the first quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business was4%,compared with28%in the secondquarter of 2021and 2% in the first quarter of 2022. The 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 89% in the second quarter of 2021 and 86% in the first quarter of 2022.

Operating Expenses

GAAP operating expenses were US$132million,up 1% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$130million,up 2% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter.

Operating Profit

GAAP operating profit was US$10million,compared with an operating profitofUS$25million in the second quarter of 2021 and an operating profitofUS$13million in the first quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP operating profit wasUS$11million,compared with an operating profitofUS$28millionin thesecond quarter of 2021 and an operating profit ofUS$14 millioninthe first quarter of 2022.

Income Tax Expense

GAAP income tax expense was US$17million,compared withincome tax expense of US$11million in the secondquarter of 2021 andincome tax expense of US$17 million in the firstquarter of 2022. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$16 million,compared with income tax expense of US$9 million in the secondquarter of 2021 andincome tax expense of US$17 million in the first quarter of 2022. Incometax expense in the secondquarter of 2021 included a one-time tax benefit of US$9 million recognized after final settlementof income tax due for 2020.

Net Income

GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$9million,ornet income of US$0.25per fully-diluted ADS,compared withnet incomeof US$22 million in the second quarter of 2021 and net income of US$3 millionin the firstquarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$12million,or net income of US$0.36per fully-diluted ADS,compared with net incomeof US$25 million in thesecond quarter of 2021 and net incomeof US$9million in the first quarter of 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30,2022,cash and cash equivalents,short-term investmentsand long-term time deposits totaled approximately US$1.46 billion.

Supplementary Information for Changyou Results[4]

SecondQuarter 2022 OperatingResults

For PC games,total average monthly active user accounts[5] (MAU) were 2.3 million,an increase of 7% year-over-year and 13% quarter-over-quarter. Total quarterly aggregate active paying accounts[6] (APA) were 1.0 million,an increase of 15% year-over-year and 6% quarter-over-quarter. The increases in both MAU and APA were mainly from TLBB Vintage,whichwas launched on the WeGame platform during the quarter.

For mobile games,total average MAU were 2.0 million,an increase of 7% year-over-year and a decrease of 14% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly from games launched during recent quarters,including Little Raccoon: Heroes and Bright Stars. The quarter-over-quarter decrease mainly resulted from the natural decline of Bright Stars. Total quarterly APA were 0.4 million,a decrease of 13% year-over-year and 20% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of older games,including TLBB Honor and Legacy TLBB Mobile. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly from Bright Stars.

SecondQuarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

Total revenueswere US$159 million,an increase of 3% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$157 million,an increase of 4% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter. Online advertising revenues were US$2 million,a decrease of 30% year-over-year and 2% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit were both US$133 million,a decrease of 2% year-over-year and 3% quarter-over-quarter.

GAAP operating expenseswere US$49 million,a decrease of 23% year-over-year and10%quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenseswere US$48 million,a decrease of 23% year-over-year and 10% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease in marketing and promotional spending for online games,as well as a decrease in bonus expenses. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to a decrease in outsourcing and licensing fees relatedto product development.

GAAP operating profitwas US$84 million,compared with an operating profit of US$73 million for the second quarter of 2021 and US$83 million for the first quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP operating profitwas US$85 million,compared with a non-GAAP operating profit of US$75 million for the second quarter of 2021 and US$85 million for the first quarter of 2022.

Business Outlook

For the thirdquarter 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 increase of nilto 12%.

Online game revenues to be between US$138 million and US$148 million; this implies an annual decrease of 11% to 17%,and a sequential decrease of 6% to 12%.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$35millionand US$25 million; and GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$38 millionandUS$28 million.

For the thirdquarter 2022 guidance,the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of RMB6.75=US$1.00,as compared with the actual exchange rate of approximately RMB6.47=US$1.00 for the thirdquarter of 2021,and RMB6.61=US$1.00 for the secondquarter 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;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 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; 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,and 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,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 Chargeis that these excluded itemshavebeen and will continue to be significant recurring expensesin 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 salesandonline 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 accommodation is reached between the SEC and the China Securities Regulatory Commission,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,August 8,2022 (7:30p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time,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 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,informationand 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 second quarter of 2022 had been the same as it was in the second quarter of 2021,or RMB6.46=US$1.00,US$ total revenues in the second quarter of 2022 would have been US$199 million,or US$4 million more than GAAP total revenues,and down 3% 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. 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-basedcompensation 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] "Changyou Results" consist of the results of Changyou's online game business and its 17173.com Website.

[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

Jun. 30,2022

Mar. 31,2022

Jun. 30,2021

Revenues:

Brand advertising

24,923

23,770

36,840

Online games

157,294

157,854

151,272

Others

12,563

11,794

16,290

Total revenues

194,780

193,418

204,402

Cost of revenues:

Brand advertising (includes share-based

compensation expense of $14,$23,and $90,

respectively)

23,964

23,413

26,770

Online games (includes share-based compensation

expense of $42,$41,and $78,respectively)

25,691

21,971

17,026

Others

3,345

3,725

5,518

Total cost of revenues

53,000

49,109

49,314

Gross profit

141,780

144,309

155,088

Operating expenses:

Product development (includes share-based

compensation expense of $589,$607,and $1,228,

respectively)

65,098

63,839

65,254

Sales and marketing (includes share-based

compensation expense of $33,$58,and $212,

respectively)

53,359

51,707

45,560

General and administrative (includes share-based

compensation expense of $708,$834,658,

respectively)

13,229

16,092

19,493

Total operating expenses

131,686

131,638

130,307

Operating profit

10,094

12,671

24,781

Other income,net

7,235

4,879

7,509

Interest income

3,720

2,593

4,221

Interest expense

(2,488)

Exchange difference

4,943

(477)

(1,325)

Income before income tax expense

25,992

19,666

32,698

Income tax expense

17,323

16,997

10,847

Net income from continuing operations

8,669

2,669

21,851

Net income from discontinued operations,net of tax[7]

55,882

Net income

8,669

77,733

Less: Net income from continuing operations

attributable to the noncontrolling interest

shareholders

Less: Net income from discontinued operations

attributable to the noncontrolling interest

shareholders

36,994

Net income from continuing operations attributable to

Sohu.com Limited

8,668

2,666

21,851

Net income from discontinued operations attributable

to Sohu.com Limited

18,888

Net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited

8,666

40,739

Basic net income from continuing operations per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited[8]

0.25

0.07

0.55

Basic net income from discontinued operations per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited

0.48

Basic net income per share/ADS attributable to

Sohu.com Limited

0.25

0.07

1.03

Shares/ADSs used in computing basic net income per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited

34,535

36,802

39,509

Diluted net income from continuing operations per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited

0.25

0.07

0.55

Diluted net income from discontinued operations per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited

0.48

Diluted net income per share/ADS attributable to

Sohu.com Limited

0.25

0.07

1.03

Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net income per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com Limited

34,509

[7] Following the completion on September 23,Sohu no longer has any ownership

interest in Sogou. 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.

[8] Each ADS represents one ordinary share.

SOHU.COM LIMITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED,IN THOUSANDS)

As of Jun. 30,2022

As of Dec. 31,2021

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

394,421

998,949

Restricted cash

3,398

1,969

Short-term investments

795,557

399,345

Accounts receivable,net

79,762

82,550

Prepaid and other current assets

109,606

107,311

Total current assets

1,382,744

1,590,124

Fixed assets,net

304,124

329,997

Goodwill

47,985

48,811

Long-term investments,net

43,857

53,121

Intangible assets,net

6,948

9,136

Long-term time deposits

271,980

189,007

Other assets

21,677

25,589

Total assets

2,079,315

2,245,785

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

79,315

87,447

Accrued liabilities

128,032

138,196

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

52,054

57,041

Accrued salary and benefits

57,056

91,485

Taxes payables

12,249

16,714

Other short-term liabilities

118,153

112,568

Total current liabilities

446,859

503,451

Long-term other payables

5,484

3,922

Long-term tax liabilities

443,701

443,083

Other long-term liabilities

1,898

3,142

Total long-term liabilities

451,083

450,147

Total liabilities

897,942

953,598

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Sohu.com Limited shareholders' equity

1,180,051

1,290,869

Noncontrolling interest

1,322

1,318

Total shareholders' equity

1,181,373

1,292,187

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

2,785

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 Jun. 30,2022

Three Months Ended Mar. 31,2022

Three Months Ended Jun. 30,2021

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Adjustments

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Adjustments

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Adjustments

Non-GAAP

(a)

Brand advertising gross profit

959

973

357

380

10,070

10,160

Brand advertising gross margin

27%

28%

(a)

Online games gross profit

131,603

131,645

135,883

135,924

134,246

134,324

Online games gross margin

84%

86%

89%

(a)

Others gross profit

9,218

8,069

10,772

Others gross margin

73%

68%

66%

(a)

168

(a)

Gross profit

141,780

141,836

144,309

144,373

155,088

168

155,256

Gross margin

73%

75%

76%

Operating expenses

131,686

(1,330)

(a) $

130,356

131,638

(1,499)

(a) $

130,139

130,307

(3,098)

(a) $

127,209

1,386

(a)

1,563

(a)

3,266

(a)

Operating profit

10,094

1,386

11,480

12,671

1,563

14,234

24,781

3,266

28,047

Operating margin

12%

14%

Income tax expense

17,323

(1,405)

(b,c)$

15,918

16,997

125

(b,c)$

17,122

10,847

(1,755)

(b,c)$

9,092

1,266

(a)

734

(b)

4,010

(b)

(1,673)

(b)

1,649

(c)

1,213

(c)

1,198

(c)

(d)

156

(d)

Net income before non-controlling interest

8,669

3,769

12,438

2,669

6,786

9,455

21,851

2,947

24,798

1,198

(c)

(d)

156

(d)

Net income from continuing

operations attributable to Sohu.com

Limited for diluted net income per

share/ADS

8,668

3,437

2,666

6,452

21,798

Net income from discontinued

operations attributable to Sohu.com

Limited for diluted net income per

share/ADS[9]

18,776

493

19,269

Net income attributable to Sohu.com

Limited for diluted net income per

share/ADS

8,452

40,627

3,440

44,067

Diluted net income from continuing

operations per share/ADS

attributable to Sohu.com Limited

0.25

0.36

0.07

0.26

0.55

0.63

Diluted net income from

discontinued operations per

share/ADS attributable to Sohu.com

Limited

0.48

0.49

Diluted net income per share/ADS

attributable to Sohu.com Limited

0.25

0.36

0.07

0.26

1.03

1.12

Shares/ADSs used in computing

diluted net income per share/ADS

attributable to Sohu.com Limited

34,535

34,802

36,509

39,509

Note:

(a)To eliminate the impact of share-based awards.

(b)To adjust for changes in the fair value of the Company's investments.

(d) To adjust for an impairment charge recognized for an investment unrelated to the Company's core businesses

[9] Following the completion on September 23,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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