Zhihu (ZH) Q2 2025 Earnings Call August 27, 2025 07:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsYolanda Liu - Director - IRYuan Zhou - Founder, Chairman & CEOWang Han - Chief Financial OfficerVicky Wei - Vice President - Citi Internet Research teamLincoln Kong - Executive DirectorConference Call ParticipantsXueqing Zhang - Media AnalystNone - AnalystOperatorLadies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Zhuhu Inc. Second Quarter twenty twenty five Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all p ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved adjusted net income of RMB91.3 million for Q2 2025, compared to a loss of RMB44.6 million in the same period last year, marking the third consecutive quarter of non-GAAP profitability [8][41] - Total revenues for the quarter were RMB716.9 million, a significant increase from RMB93.8 million in Q2 2024, with gross margin expanding to 62.5% from 59.6% year over year [35][38] - Operating expenses decreased by 27.2% year over year to RMB539.2 million, reflecting tighter cost controls and productivity improvements [39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketing services revenue grew 13.1% quarter over quarter to RMB222.8 million, with a narrowing year-over-year decline [21][36] - Paid membership revenue was RMB402 million, down slightly from RMB432.7 million in the same period of 2024, primarily due to a decrease in new subscriptions [25][37] - Vocational training revenue was RMB62.1 million, compared to RMB13.6 million in Q2 2024, with a focus on high-performing course categories [29][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average daily user time spent on the platform exceeded 39 minutes, reflecting a 15% year-over-year increase [12] - Daily high-quality content creation increased by over 10% sequentially, with professional AI-related content maintaining year-over-year growth of over 45% for two consecutive quarters [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance user and creator experiences by integrating AI more deeply into the community, with plans to launch significant updates in Q4 [11][48] - The strategic focus includes optimizing the trustworthiness of content and fostering greater creator engagement, which has shown tangible results [12][30] - The company is transitioning to a more community-driven approach in its vocational training business, fostering deeper social engagement and knowledge sharing [30] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving near breakeven on a full-year non-GAAP basis, supported by ongoing adjustments and a solid financial foundation [66] - The company anticipates stabilization and recovery in marketing services, with a return to positive year-over-year growth expected in the coming quarters [56] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares for an aggregate value of $66.5 million, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing shareholder returns [41][63] - The company has seen a significant increase in advertising spend from the gaming sector, with a fourfold increase year over year [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Plans for AI and large language model products - Management noted that progress in AI is aligned with the broader industry, with ongoing upgrades to agentic capabilities and new integrations [45][46] Question: Current user metrics and value of user-generated content - Management highlighted the evolving definition of Zhihu and emphasized the importance of trust in user-generated content as a key value proposition [50][52] Question: Growth outlook for marketing services, paid membership, and vocational training - Management expects stabilization in marketing services and is focusing on optimizing client structure and enhancing monetization of IPs [55][56] Question: Shareholder returns and profitability outlook - Management confirmed a commitment to share repurchases and expressed optimism about achieving profitability in the second half of the year [62][66]

Zhihu (ZH) Q2 2025 Earnings Call August 27, 2025 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Zhuhu Inc. Second Quarter twenty twenty five Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a Q and A session. Today's conference is being recorded and webcasted.At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Yolanda Lu, Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead, ma ...

Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the total revenue of the company was 717 million RMB, a decrease of approximately 23% compared to 934 million RMB in the same period of 2024 [1] - The gross margin improved from 59.6% in 2024 to 62.5% in 2025 [1] - The net profit for Q2 2025 was 72.5 million RMB, compared to a net loss of 80.6 million RMB in Q2 2024 [1] Group 2: Adjusted Profitability - The adjusted net profit (non-GAAP) for Q2 2025 was 91.3 million RMB, while in Q2 2024, it was an adjusted net loss of 44.6 million RMB [1] - For the first half of 2025, the net profit was 62 million RMB, down from 246 million RMB in the same period of 2024 [1] - The adjusted net profit for the first half of 2025 was 98 million RMB, compared to an adjusted net loss of 180 million RMB in the previous year [1] Group 3: Revenue Sources - The largest revenue source in the first half of 2025 was paid memberships, generating 820 million RMB, down 7.1% from 882 million RMB in 2024 [2] - The average monthly subscription members decreased to 13.7 million in the first half of 2025, down from 14.7 million in 2024, a decline of 6.7% [2] - Marketing services revenue fell to 420 million RMB, a significant drop of approximately 37.8% from 675 million RMB in 2024 [2] Group 4: Cost Management - The company's cost of revenue decreased by 31.1% to 547 million RMB [3] - Sales and marketing expenses were reduced by 27.7% to 647 million RMB [3] - Research and development expenses decreased by 29.3% to 288 million RMB, while general and administrative expenses fell by 47.6% to 109 million RMB [3]

Core Financial Data - Total revenue for Q2 2025 was RMB 717 million, a year-on-year decrease of 23.2% from RMB 934 million in the same period last year [2] - Net profit reached RMB 72.5 million, compared to a net loss of RMB 80.6 million in the same period last year, marking a successful turnaround [2] - Adjusted net profit (non-GAAP) was RMB 91.3 million, up from an adjusted net loss of RMB 44.6 million in the previous year [2] - Gross margin improved to 62.5%, an increase of 2.9 percentage points from 59.6% in the same period last year [2] Revenue Breakdown by Segment - Marketing services revenue was RMB 223 million, a year-on-year decline of 35.2% [2] - Paid membership revenue totaled RMB 402 million, a slight decrease of 7.1% year-on-year [2] - Vocational training revenue significantly dropped to RMB 62.1 million, down 53.5% year-on-year [2] - Average monthly subscription members reached 13.2 million [2] Operational Efficiency - Total operating expenses were RMB 539 million, a year-on-year decrease of 27.2% [2] - Operating loss narrowed to RMB 91 million, a 50.5% improvement compared to a loss of RMB 184 million in the same period last year [2] Management Commentary - The company achieved non-GAAP profitability for the third consecutive quarter, reflecting the effectiveness of its refined operational strategies and the efficiency gains from the integration of AI technology [1]

Core Insights - In the first half of 2023, the company reported a revenue of 1.447 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 23.7% [1] - The adjusted net profit for the same period was 98.28 million yuan, marking a return to profitability [1] - In Q2 2023, the company achieved a revenue of 717 million yuan and an adjusted net profit of 91.3 million yuan, maintaining Non-GAAP profitability for three consecutive quarters [1] Revenue Breakdown - In Q2 2023, the paid reading business contributed 402 million yuan, accounting for 56.1% of total revenue [1] - Marketing services and vocational education contributed 223 million yuan and 62.1 million yuan, representing 31.1% and 8.7% of total revenue, respectively [1] Financial Position - As of the end of Q2 2023, the company had cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted funds, and short-term investments totaling 4.82 billion yuan [1] User Engagement - The company maintained its monthly active user base while improving daily active user engagement and core user retention both sequentially and year-on-year [1] - The average number of subscription members reached 13.2 million in Q2 2023 [1] Strategic Focus - The CEO highlighted the effectiveness of refined operational strategies and the integration of AI technology, which has enhanced product experience and positioned the company as a key platform for AI-related content and expert interaction [1] - The CFO noted a year-on-year increase of approximately 3 percentage points in gross margin, reaching 62.5%, attributed to productivity improvements driven by AI [1] AI Strategy - The company has embraced AI, promoting a strategy that combines high-quality content, a trusted expert network, and AI capabilities [1] - In Q2 2023, the daily average of new high-quality content increased by over 10% quarter-on-quarter, with AI-related professional content growing by over 45% year-on-year for two consecutive quarters [1] Expert Network - The company has developed a large expert network in the AI field, including 16 million continuous learners, 3.65 million deep creators, and 150,000 ecosystem linkers from research institutions, enterprises, and media [2] - The AI search product, Zhihu Direct Answer, has undergone multiple innovations to enhance community professional content and expert network effects [2]

Core Insights - Zhihu reported a revenue of 717 million yuan and an adjusted net profit of 91.3 million yuan for Q2 2025, significantly exceeding market expectations and achieving Non-GAAP profitability for three consecutive quarters [1][2]. Financial Performance - Zhihu's revenue streams include 402 million yuan from paid reading, accounting for 56.1% of total revenue, while marketing services and vocational education contributed 223 million yuan and 62.1 million yuan, representing 31.1% and 8.7% respectively [2]. - The company has maintained a strong cash position with a total of 4.82 billion yuan in cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted funds, and short-term investments as of the end of Q2 [2]. - The adjusted net profit of 91.3 million yuan in Q2 2025 marks a significant improvement from a net loss of 44.6 million yuan in the same period last year, with a gross margin increase of approximately 3 percentage points to 62.5% [3]. Operational Highlights - Zhihu has focused on enhancing its community value through AI applications, leading to significant improvements in user engagement metrics, including daily active user session duration and core user retention rates [2][3]. - The average number of subscription members reached 13.2 million, maintaining an industry-leading position [2]. AI Strategy and Community Engagement - The company emphasizes the integration of AI technology to enhance operational efficiency and user experience, positioning itself as a key platform for AI-related content and expert interactions [3]. - Zhihu has developed a robust expert network with 16 million participants in technology and AI discussions, 3.65 million deep creators, and 150,000 links from research institutions, enterprises, and media [4]. - The platform has seen a more than 10% increase in daily high-quality content generation, with AI-related content growing over 45% year-on-year for two consecutive quarters [4]. AI Capabilities - Zhihu's AI search product, Zhihu Zhidao, has undergone multiple iterations to enhance its capabilities, providing a reliable AI search experience for millions of active users [5]. - Future iterations of Zhihu Zhidao aim to evolve into an AI agent, facilitating a comprehensive productivity tool for users encompassing search, research, learning, and creation [5].

Exhibit 99.1 Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results BEIJING, China, August 27, 2025 — Zhihu Inc. ("Zhihu" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a leading online content community in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Second Quarter 2025 Highlights "We achieved our third consecutive quarter of non-GAAP profitability," said Mr. Yuan Zhou, chairman and chief executive officer of Zhihu. "This reflects the continued effectiv ...

Core Insights - Zhihu reported a revenue of 717 million yuan for Q2 2025, representing a year-on-year decrease of 23% while achieving an adjusted net profit of 91.3 million yuan, marking a turnaround to profitability for three consecutive quarters [1] Revenue Breakdown - The paid reading business contributed 402 million yuan in revenue, accounting for 56.1% of total revenue [1] - Marketing services and vocational education generated revenues of 223 million yuan and 62.1 million yuan, representing 31.1% and 8.7% of total revenue respectively [1] User Engagement - The average monthly subscription membership reached 13.2 million in Q2, with 16 million users participating in discussions on technology and AI topics [1] Management Commentary - Zhihu's founder and CEO, Zhou Yuan, emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into the product experience, enhancing value for users and creators [1] - The company aims to leverage high-quality content, reliable creators, and AI capabilities to strengthen its competitive advantage and long-term growth potential [1]

Core Viewpoint - Zhihu reported a strong financial performance for Q2 2025, achieving a revenue of 717 million RMB and a non-GAAP net profit of 91.3 million RMB, marking three consecutive quarters of profitability [1][2]. Financial Performance - Zhihu's revenue sources include paid reading contributing 402 million RMB (56.1%), marketing services at 223 million RMB (31.1%), and vocational education at 62.1 million RMB (8.7%) [2]. - The company has maintained a strong cash position with a total of 4.82 billion RMB in cash and equivalents as of the end of Q2 [2]. - The adjusted net profit of 91.3 million RMB in Q2 2025 represents a significant improvement from a net loss of 44.6 million RMB in the same period last year, with a gross margin increase of approximately 3 percentage points to 62.5% [3]. Operational Highlights - Zhihu has focused on enhancing its community value through AI applications, leading to significant improvements in user engagement metrics, including daily active user session duration and core user retention rates [2][3]. - The average number of subscription members reached 13.2 million, maintaining an industry-leading position [2]. AI Strategy and Community Engagement - The company is leveraging AI to strengthen its community's competitive edge, emphasizing the synergy between high-quality content, trusted creators, and AI capabilities [3][4]. - Zhihu has a robust expert network with 16 million participants in technology and AI discussions, and 365,000 deep creators in related topics, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem for professional content [4]. AI Capabilities - Zhihu's AI search product, Zhihu Direct Answer, has undergone multiple iterations to enhance its capabilities, providing a reliable AI search experience for millions of active users [5]. - Future developments for Zhihu Direct Answer include evolving towards an AI agent model, aiming to become a comprehensive productivity tool for users [5].