Zhihu Inc. Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING,Aug. 30,2022 -- Zhihu Inc. ("Zhihu" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390),the operator of Zhihu,a leading online content community in China,today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30,2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Highlights

Total revenues were RMB836.0 million (US$124.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022,representing a growth of 31.0% over the second quarter of 2021.

Average monthly active users (MAUs)[1] reached 105.9 million in the second quarter of 2022,representing a growth of 12.3% over the second quarter of 2021.

Average monthly paying members[2]reached 8.5 million in the second quarter of 2022,representing a growth of 78.3% over the second quarter of 2021.

"The recent COVID-19 pandemic situation and macroeconomic condition created challenging environment in the second quarter. Against this backdrop,we focused on retaining high quality user growth in a sustainable and efficient manner," said Mr. Yuan Zhou,Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Zhihu." Driven by our 'Community Ecosystem Comes First' strategy,we are actively expanding our fulfilling content offerings to strengthen the thriving vibrancy of our community. Our initiatives to inspire content creators and upgrade our infrastructure for supporting content creation are yielding expected results and improving our commercial value. In the second quarter,we successfully managed to continue growing our user base while further enhancing our operating efficiency and narrowed our operating loss on a sequential basis. Going forward,we will continue to innovate service offerings within our ecosystem and further unlock commercial value that catalyze sustainable long-term development."

Mr. Wei Sun,Chief Financial Officer of Zhihu,added,"Our content-centric business model again demonstrated its exciting growth potential in the quarter with total revenues increasing by 31% year-over-year to RMB836 million. As the macro-economy started to show a positive momentum in June 2022,our Content-Commerce Solutions services promptly captured the related business opportunities and recorded sequential increases in both end-customer pool and average spending per customer in the second quarter of 2022. Paid membership growth momentum remained strong with a revenue increase of 75% year-over-year,and vocational training further increased its contribution to our total revenues. The multiple growth engines in our business model position us well for strong,resilient and sustainable growth. Through prudent cost control,we will be able to effectively improve our operating efficiency and bottom-line performance. Looking forward,we will remain committed to continuously enhancing our monetization capability and driving shareholder value in the long run."

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Total revenues were RMB836.0 million (US$124.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022,representing an increase of 31.0% from RMB638.4 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was driven by the expansion of our user base and increase of our average revenue per MAU.

Advertising revenue was RMB237.6 million (US$35.5 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB248.3 million in the same period of 2021. The decrease primarily reflected the headwinds faced by the general online advertising industry in China due to,among other things,the general economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Paid membership revenue was RMB271.2 million (US$40.5 million) in the second quarter of 2022,representing an increase of 75.1% from RMB154.9 million in the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to increases in our overall user base and paying ratio for the period.

Content-commerce solutions revenue wasRMB240.5 million (US$35.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022,representing an increase of 15.9% from RMB207.4 million in the second quarter of 2021. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by increases in both our user base and average content-commerce solutions revenue per MAU,reflecting our continued efforts to develop this business line.

Vocational Training revenue[3]was RMB46.1 million (US$6.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022,up from RMB6.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. The strong year-over-year growth was primarily driven by a more diversified vocational training course offering,as well as the revenue contributions from companies we acquired in the second half of 2021.

Other revenues were RMB40.7 million (US$6.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022,representing an increase of 91.9% from RMB21.2 million in the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the growth of our e-commerce services,as well as privatelabelproducts and book series offerings.

Cost of revenues increased to RMB436.4 million (US$65.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022 from RMB261.8 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in content-related costs,as well as increases in staff costs and cloud services and bandwidth costs.

Gross profit was RMB399.6 million (US$59.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB376.6 million in the same period of 2021.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2022 was 47.8%,compared to 59.0% in the same period of 2021. The decrease in gross profit margin is primarily due to our continued efforts in broadening and enhancing content offerings for all of our users.

Total operating expenses were RMB860.3 million (US$128.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB727.1 million in the same period of 2021.

Selling and marketing expenses were RMB532.4 million (US$79.5 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB443.2 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher promotion and advertising expenses related to attracting new users and strengthening Zhihu's brand recognition.

Research and development expenseswere RMB223.6 million (US$33.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB120.6 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the higher headcount of research and development personnel,as we continued to invest in technical infrastructure,and research and development.

General and administrative expenses were RMB104.3 million (US$15.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB163.2 million in the same period of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expenses.

Loss from operations was RMB460.7 million (US$68.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB350.5 million in the same period of 2021.

Other income/(expenses) comprised investment income,interest income,fair value change of financial instruments,exchange gains/(losses) and others,net. The year-over-year changes were mainly due to the following.

Fair value change of financial instruments was a loss of RMB101.2 million (US$15.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with a gain of RMB10.6 million in the same period of 2021,primarily attributable to the fair value change of financial instruments related to currency exchange options and forward contracts due to the appreciation of U.S. dollars against Renminbi in the second quarter of 2022.

Exchange gains/(losses) were gains of RMB49.1 million (US$7.3 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with gains of RMB5.5 million in the same period of 2021,primarily due to the appreciation of U.S. dollars against Renminbi.

Net loss was RMB487.0 million (US$72.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB321.1 million in the same period of 2021.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[4] was RMB443.8 million (US$66.3 million) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB200.3 million in the same period of 2021.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS was RMB0.79 (US$0.12) in the second quarter of 2022,compared with RMB0.55 in the same period of 2021.

Cash and cash equivalents,term deposits,restricted cash and short-term investments

As of June 30,2022,the Company had cash and cash equivalents,restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB7.0 billion (US$1.0 billion),compared with RMB7.4 billion as of December 31,2021.

First Half 2022 Financial Results

Total revenueswereRMB1.6 billion(US$235.8 million) for the six months ended June 30,representing a growth of 41.4% fromRMB1.1 billionin the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily driven by the expansion of our user base and increase of our average revenue per MAU.

Advertising revenuewasRMB454.9 million (US$67.9 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB462.0 millionin the same period of 2021. The decrease primarily reflected the headwinds faced by the general online advertising industry in China due to,the general economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the first half of 2022.

Paid membership revenuewasRMB492.8 million (US$73.6 million)for the six months ended June 30,representing a growth of 75.1% fromRMB281.4 millionin the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to increases in our overall user base and paying ratio for the period.

Content-commerce solutions revenuewasRMB467.2 million (US$69.8 million) for the six months ended June 30,representing a growth of 42.3% fromRMB328.3 millionin the same period of 2021. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by increases in both our user base and average content-commerce solutions revenue per MAU,reflecting our continued efforts to develop this business line.

Vocational training revenue[3]wasRMB85.7 million (US$12.8 million)for the six months ended June 30,up fromRMB9.6 millionin the same period of 2021. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by a more diversified vocational training course offering,as well as the revenue contributions from companies we acquired in the second half of 2021.

Other revenueswereRMB78.6 million (US$11.7 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB35.3 millionin the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the continued growth in e-commerce services,private label products,and book series offerings.

Cost of revenuesincreased toRMB844.1 million(US$126.0 million) for the six months ended June 30,2022 fromRMB467.4 millionin the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in content-related costs,as well as increases in staff costs and cloud services and bandwidth costs.

Gross profitwasRMB735.1 million (US$109.8 million) for the six months ended June 30,compared with RMB649.2 millionin the same period of 2021.

Gross marginfor the six months ended June 30,2022 was 46.6%,compared to 58.1% in the same period of 2021. The decrease in gross profit margin is primarily due to our continued efforts in broadening and enhancing content offerings for all of our users.

Total operating expenseswereRMB1,844.0 million (US$275.3 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB1,342.2 millionin the same period of 2021.

Selling and marketing expenseswereRMB1,039.0 million (US$155.1 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB789.9 millionin the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher promotion and advertising expenses related to attracting new users and strengthening Zhihu's brand recognition.

Research and development expenseswereRMB390.1 million (US$58.2 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB226.9 millionin the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the higher headcount of research and development personnel,as we continued to invest in technology infrastructure and research and development.

General and administrative expenseswereRMB414.9 million (US$61.9 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB325.4 millionin the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the headcount of general and administrative personnel,as well as the expense related to our dual primary listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

Loss from operationswasRMB1,108.8 million (US$165.5 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB693.0 millionin the same period of 2021.

Other income/(expenses) comprised investment income,net. The year-over-year changes were mainly due to the following.

Fair value change of financial instruments was a loss of RMB92.7 million (US$13.8 million) for the six months ended June 20,primarily attributable to the fair value change of financial instruments related to currency exchange options and forward contracts due to the appreciation of U.S. dollars against Renminbi.

Exchange gains/(losses) were gains of RMB45.0 million (US$6.7 million) for the six months ended June 30,compared with gains of RMB4.8 million in the same period of 2021,primarily due to the appreciation of U.S. dollars against Renminbi.

Net losswasRMB1,101.3 million (US$164.4 million)for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB645.8 millionin the same period of 2021.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[4]wasRMB811.2 million (US$121.1 million) for the six months ended June 30,compared withRMB393.9 millionin the same period of 2021.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS was RMB1.81 (US$0.27) for the six months ended June 30,compared with RMB2.22 in the same period of 2021.

Share Repurchase Program

In May 2022,the Company announced a share repurchase program of up to US$100 million for the next 12 months,subject to the shareholders' approval for granting a general mandate to the board of directors to repurchase shares and/or ADSs of the Company. This mandate was obtained at the Company's annual general meeting held on June 10,2022. The repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices and/or through other legally permissible means,depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. As of June 30,approximately 0.3 million Class A ordinary shares have been repurchased on both the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the program for a total price of approximately US$1.1 million.

[1] MAUs refers to the sum of the number of mobile devices that launch our mobile app at least once in a given month,or mobile MAUs,and the number of logged-in users who visit our PC or mobile website at least once in a given month,after eliminating duplicates.

[2] Average monthly paying members for a period is calculated by dividing the sum of monthly paying members for each month during the specified period by the number of months in such period.

[3] Effective in the first quarter of 2022,the Company separately reported the revenue of its vocational training business,which was formerly included in "revenue – others," in light of the significant growth of the revenue contribution from vocational training to the Company's total revenues. For comparison purposes,the revenue of vocational training business and the revenue in "others" for each quarter of 2021 have been retrospectively re-classified.

[4] Adjusted net loss is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measure,please see the section of "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure" and the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on August 30,2022 (7:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time on August 30,2022).

All participants must pre-register online using the link provided below. Once the pre-registration has been completed,participants will receive dial-in numbers,a passcode,and a unique registrant ID which can be used to join the conference call. Participants may pre-register at any time,including up to and after the call start time.

PRE-REGISTER LINK: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10170482/f41885ff42

Additionally,a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website athttps://ir.zhihu.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call untilSeptember 6,by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States:

+1-877-344-7529

International:

+1-412-317-0088

Replay Access Code:

3352639

About Zhihu Inc.

Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390),a leading online content community in China where people come to find solutions,make decisions,seek inspiration,and have fun. We have been dedicated to expanding our content and service offerings to enable our users to explore and enjoy "fulfilling content" (有获得感的內容) that broadens horizons,provides solutions,and resonates with minds. Since the initial launch in 2010,we have grown from a Q&A community into one of the top five comprehensive online content communities and the largest Q&A-inspired online content community inChina,both in terms of average mobile MAUs and revenue in 2019,2020,and 2021,according to CIC. For more information,please visithttps://ir.zhihu.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In evaluating the business,the Company considers and uses adjusted net loss,a non-GAAP financial measure,to supplement the review and assessment of its operating performance. The Company defines adjusted net loss as net loss adjusted for the impact of share-based compensation expenses,amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax effects of the non-GAAP adjustments,which are non-cash expenses. The Company believes that the non-GAAP measure facilitates comparisons of operating performance from period to period and company to company by adjusting for potential impacts of items,which the Company's management considers to be indicative of its operating performance. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the Company's consolidated results of operations in the same manner as it helps the Company's management.

The non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measure presented by other companies. The use of the non-GAAP measure has limitations as an analytical tool,and investors should not consider it in isolation from,or as a substitute for analysis of,our results of operations or financial condition as reported under U.S. GAAP. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measure,please see the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader.Unless otherwise noted,all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars were made at a rate of RMB6.6981 to US$1.00,the exchange rate in effect as of June 30,2022 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts,including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations,are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties,and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases,forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks,uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release,and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information,except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries,please contact:

In China:

Zhihu Inc.

Email: ir@zhihu.com

The Piacente Group,Inc.

Helen Wu

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

Email: zhihu@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:

The Piacente Group,Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Phone: +1-212-481-2050

Email: zhihu@tpg-ir.com

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(All amounts in thousands,except share,ADS,per share data and per ADS data)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2021

March 31,

2022

June 30,

2021

June 30,

2022

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues:

Advertising

248,272

217,317

237,597

35,472

462,002

454,914

67,917

Paid membership

154,872

221,670

271,168

40,484

281,444

492,838

73,579

Content-commerce solutions

207,431

226,787

240,454

35,899

328,276

467,241

69,757

Vocational Training

6,584

39,544

46,127

6,887

9,635

85,671

12,790

Others

21,193

37,909

40,670

6,072

35,281

78,579

11,732

Total revenues

638,352

743,227

836,016

124,814

1,116,638

1,579,243

235,775

Cost of revenues

(261,798)

(407,684)

(436,414)

(65,155)

(467,414)

(844,098)

(126,021)

Gross profit

376,554

335,543

399,602

59,659

649,224

735,145

109,754

Selling and marketing expenses

(443,229)

(506,585)

(532,375)

(79,481)

(789,862)

(1,038,960)

(155,113)

Research and development

expenses

(120,620)

(166,518)

(223,589)

(33,381)

(226,922)

(390,107)

(58,241)

General and administrative

expenses

(163,243)

(310,632)

(104,290)

(15,570)

(325,439)

(414,922)

(61,946)

Total operating expenses

(727,092)

(983,735)

(860,254)

(128,432)

(1,342,223)

(1,843,989)

(275,300)

Loss from operations

(350,538)

(648,192)

(460,652)

(68,773)

(692,999)

(1,108,844)

(165,546)

Other income/(expenses):

Investment income

11,791

20,724

20,596

3,075

21,453

41,320

6,169

Interest income

8,251

9,355

10,480

1,565

11,578

19,835

2,961

Fair value change of financial

instruments

10,610

8,453

(101,197)

(15,108)

10,610

(92,744)

(13,846)

Exchange gains/(losses)

5,458

(4,155)

49,126

7,334

4,765

44,971

6,714

Others,net

(5,076)

1,930

1,001

149

933

2,931

438

Loss before income tax

(319,504)

(611,885)

(480,646)

(71,758)

(643,660)

(1,092,531)

(163,110)

Income tax expense

(1,580)

(2,398)

(6,375)

(952)

(2,117)

(8,773)

(1,310)

Net loss

(321,084)

(614,283)

(487,021)

(72,710)

(645,777)

(1,101,304)

(164,420)

Accretions of convertible

redeemable preferred shares to

redemption value

-

-

-

-

(170,585)

-

-

Net loss attributable to Zhihu

Inc.'s shareholders

(321,710)

(816,362)

(1,420)

Net loss per share

Basic

(1.09)

(2.04)

(1.59)

(0.24)

(4.45)

(3.62)

(0.54)

Diluted

(1.09)

(2.04)

(1.59)

(0.24)

(4.45)

(3.62)

(0.54)

Net loss per ADS (Two ADSs

represent one Class A

ordinary share)

Basic

(0.55)

(1.02)

(0.79)

(0.12)

(2.22)

(1.81)

(0.27)

Diluted

(0.55)

(1.02)

(0.79)

(0.12)

(2.22)

(1.81)

(0.27)

Weighted average number of

ordinary shares outstanding

Basic

293,735,095

300,483,336

307,052

307,052

183,518,197

303,801

303,801

Diluted

293,801

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

(All amounts in thousands,

2022

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Share-based compensation

expenses included in:

Cost of revenues

2,349

4,770

3,839

573

4,581

8,609

1,285

Selling and marketing

expenses

4,614

6,472

6,196

925

9,417

12,668

1,891

Research and development

expenses

2,709

15,770

14,294

2,134

10,317

30,064

4,489

General and administrative

expenses

111,073

218,055

17,108

2,554

227,557

235,163

35,109

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(All amounts in thousands)

As of December 31,

2021

As of June 30,

2022

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

2,157,161

2,249,117

335,784

Term deposits

2,815,509

935,569

139,677

Short-term investments

2,239,596

2,664,610

397,816

Restricted cash

-

281,879

42,083

Trade receivables

831,628

832,216

124,247

Amounts due from related parties

18,196

39,229

5,857

Prepayments and other current assets

272,075

187,380

27,975

Total current assets

8,334,165

7,190,000

1,073,439

Non-current assets:

Property and equipment,net

9,865

8,155

1,217

Intangible assets,net

68,308

57,863

8,639

Goodwill

73,663

73,663

10,997

Long-term investments

19,127

12,383

1,849

Term deposits

159,393

885,905

132,262

Right-of-use assets

126,512

123,035

18,369

Other non-current assets

14,132

14,132

2,110

Total non-current assets

471,175,136

175,443

Total assets

8,805,165

8,365,136

1,248,882

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities

Accounts payables and accrued liabilities

1,026,534

1,213,206

181,127

Salary and welfare payables

313,676

244,600

36,518

Taxes payables

66,184

35,479

5,297

Contract liabilities

239,757

269,932

40,300

Amounts due to related parties

83,591

84,174

12,567

Short term lease liabilities

40,525

51,586

7,702

Other current liabilities

127,447

216,551

32,330

Total current liabilities

1,897,714

2,115,528

315,841

Non-current liabilities

Long term lease liabilities

82,133

66,849

9,980

Deferred tax liabilities

14,030

12,830

1,915

Other non-current liabilities

73,139

84,324

12,589

Total non-current liabilities

169,302

164,003

24,484

Total liabilities

2,067,016

2,279,531

340,325

Total Zhihu Inc.'s shareholders' equity

6,730,654

6,069,913

906,214

Noncontrolling interests

7,495

15,692

2,343

Total shareholders' equity

6,738,149

6,085,605

908,557

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

8,882

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(All amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2022

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Net loss

(321,420)

Add:

Share-based compensation

expenses

120,745

245,067

41,437

6,186

251,872

286,504

42,774

Amortization of intangible

assets resulting from

business acquisition

-

2,400

2,400

358

-

4,800

717

Tax effects on non-GAAP

adjustments

-

(600)

(600)

(90)

-

(1,200)

(179)

Adjusted net loss

(200,339)

(367,416)

(443,784)

(66,256)

(393,905)

(811,200)

(121,108)

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