Sohu.com(SOHU)

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Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2020 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2020-11-16 19:26
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q3 2020 were $158 million, down 6% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter [9] - Brand advertising revenues reached $41 million, down 11% year-over-year but up 8% quarter-over-quarter [9] - Online game revenues were $101 million, down 6% year-over-year and 4% quarter-over-quarter [9] - GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $50 million, compared to a net loss of $33 million in Q3 2019 [10] - Non-GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $7 million, compared to a net loss of $30 million in the same quarter last year [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sohu Media Portal revenues were $25 million, down 3% year-over-year and up 9% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating loss of $23 million [15] - Sohu Video revenues were $23 million, up 1% year-over-year and 2% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating loss of $12 million [15] - Changyou's revenues, including 17173, were $104 million, down 6% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating profit of $33 million [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The brand advertising revenue growth was attributed to sectors such as the auto industry, internet services, and real estate [20][21] - In Q3, PC games accounted for 61% of online game revenue, while mobile games accounted for 39% [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on optimizing products, refining technology, and enhancing premium content distribution [7] - Sohu Video is implementing a two-engine strategy with long-form and short-form videos, and is enhancing live streaming technology [11] - Changyou is concentrating on MMORPG mobile games and developing new games across various genres [14] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macroeconomic environment but noted positive user interaction and advertiser feedback [8] - For Q4 2020, brand advertising revenues are expected to be between $37 million and $42 million, while online game revenues are projected to be between $140 million and $150 million [16] Other Important Information - Sogou's results have been excluded from the company's results due to its planned merger with Tencent [9] - The company is diversifying monetization strategies and exploring new opportunities in live streaming and live commerce [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trend for different key categories in brand advertising - Management highlighted the auto industry, internet services, and real estate as key sectors driving brand advertising growth [20][21] Question: Breakdown of PC versus mobile games and drivers for growth - In Q3, PC games accounted for 61% of revenue, while mobile games accounted for 39%. The growth in Q4 is driven by nostalgic content and new game launches [23][24] Question: Outlook for game pipeline next year - Management indicated that several games are in development, with specific launches dependent on licensing and testing [27] Question: Content investment strategy for Sohu Video - The company plans to maintain similar spending on long-form content while focusing on user-generated content and live streaming for cost efficiency [29]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2020 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2020-08-10 17:24
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q2 2020 were $421 million, down 9% year-over-year and down 3% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Brand advertising revenues were $38 million, down 14% year-over-year but up 48% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Search and search-related advertising revenues were $241 million, down 13% year-over-year and up 1% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Online game revenues were $106 million, up 4% year-over-year but down 21% quarter-over-quarter [9] - GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $80 million, while non-GAAP net income was $11 million [9][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sohu Media Portal revenues were $22 million, down 7% year-over-year and up 49% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating loss of $80 million [17] - Sohu Video revenues were $22 million, up 6% year-over-year and down 4% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating loss of $10 million [17] - Changyou's revenues were $109 million, up 3% year-over-year but down 20% quarter-over-quarter, with an operating profit of $37 million [17] - Sogou's revenues were $261 million, down 14% year-over-year and up 2% quarter-over-quarter, with a net loss of $6 million [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sogou maintained a steady share of traffic and expanded its DAU base to 484 million, reinforcing its position as China's second-largest search engine [16] - The mobile keyboard business continued to grow, maintaining its status as the third-largest Chinese mobile app in terms of DAU [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on integrating its media portals with Sohu Video's live broadcast technologies to enhance content generation and distribution [6] - Changyou aims to stabilize player engagement and diversify its product portfolio, with a focus on MMORPG mobile games [15] - Sogou is upgrading its development strategy to generate more user value and focus on long-term growth [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the brand advertising business performed well, exceeding prior guidance [6] - The ongoing impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain, affecting revenue forecasts for the upcoming quarters [19] - Management expects stabilization in the gaming industry as the economy recovers [30] Other Important Information - Changyou's privatization was completed on April 17, 2020, affecting the attribution of net income and loss [6] - The company recognized an additional $88 million accrual for withholding income tax during the quarter [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Podcasting performance and gaming industry stabilization - Management discussed the synergy from live broadcasting and the impact of returning to work on gaming engagement, indicating expectations for stabilization in Q3 [21][28] Question: Brand advertising guidance and international revenue impact - Management explained that the wide range in brand advertising guidance is influenced by the COVID-19 situation and noted an increase in advertising from international brands [33][34] Question: Future prospects for Sohu Portal and video content strategy - Management outlined plans for the Sohu News app and Sohu Video app, focusing on high-quality content and algorithm improvements, while indicating a cautious approach to spending on long-form content [39][43]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2020 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2020-05-18 16:17
Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ:SOHU) Q1 2020 Earnings Conference Call May 18, 2020 7:30 AM ET Company Participants Huang Pu - Director, IR Charles Zhang - Chairman and CEO Joanna Lv - CFO Conference Call Participants Eddie Leung - Bank of America Merrill Lynch Alicia Yap - Citigroup Operator Good evening. Thank you for joining Sohu's First Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. After management prepared remarks, there will be a Q&A session. Today's conferenc ...
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2019 Q4 - Annual Report
2020-04-21 11:39
Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 20-F (Mark One) ☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ...
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2019 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2020-03-09 20:21
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2019, total revenues were $490 million, up 5% year-over-year and 2% quarter-over-quarter [9] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $7 million, compared to a net loss of $51 million in Q4 2018 [10] - For the full year 2019, total revenues were $1.85 billion, up 2% compared to 2018 [11] - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $93 million for 2019, improved from a loss of $207 million in 2018 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sohu Media Portal revenues for Q4 were $23 million with a loss of $25 million [21] - Sohu Video revenues for Q4 were $22 million with a loss of $18 million, showing a 40% improvement in operating loss compared to Q4 2018 [14][21] - Sogou's quarterly revenues were $301 million, up 1% year-over-year, with net income of $39 million [22] - Changyou's quarterly revenues were $135 million, up 35% year-over-year, with net income of $63 million [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sogou maintained its position as China's second-largest search engine, with search revenue growing faster than the industry average [18] - The mobile keyboard user base for Sogou increased to 464 million DAUs, with a 54% increase in daily voice requests year-over-year [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its brand influence through high-quality original content and various events [12] - Sohu Video is focusing on a twin-engine strategy with both long-form and short-form content to enhance user engagement [13] - The company is committed to cost-saving initiatives and improving monetization capabilities across its platforms [6][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by the slowing economy and intensified competition but emphasized the exploration of new opportunities [6] - The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is expected to negatively affect advertising revenues, but there is optimism for a rebound as the economy recovers [15][34] - Management noted that user engagement has increased during the pandemic, particularly for video content [35] Other Important Information - The company expects total revenues for Q1 2020 to be between $400 million and $435 million, with brand advertising revenues expected to decline significantly due to the pandemic [23][24] - Non-GAAP net loss for Q1 2020 is projected to be between $25 million and $35 million [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the top advertising industries for your news media in Q4? - Management indicated that the top advertising industries included auto, real estate, and internet services before the coronavirus outbreak [26][27] Question: How is the video business's cash flow and capital raising needs? - Management stated that they are implementing a low-budget strategy for video production and relying on past productions for revenue [30][31] Question: What is the guidance for brand advertising revenue decline? - Management expects both portal and video advertising to be equally impacted, with a potential rebound in Q2 if the economy recovers [34] Question: How is the competition from short-form video affecting SME advertising? - Management noted that SME income represents a small part of brand advertising revenue and has remained steady [46]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2019 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2019-11-04 19:44
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2019, total revenues were $482 million, up 9% year-over-year and 4% quarter-over-quarter [9] - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $17 million, a decrease of 26% compared to the previous quarter [9] - Excluding Sogou and Changyou, the non-GAAP net loss was $53 million, an increase of 31% year-over-year [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sohu Media Portal revenues were $25 million with a quarterly loss of $31 million [18] - Sohu Video revenues were $22 million with a quarterly loss of $20 million [18] - Sogou revenues were $350 million, up 14% year-over-year and 4% quarter-over-quarter, with net income of $41 million [19] - Changyou revenues were $111 million, up 9% year-over-year but down 4% quarter-over-quarter, with net income of $34 million [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sogou maintained its position as China's second-largest search engine, with mobile keyboard DAU reaching 464 million, up 14% year-over-year [15] - Brand advertising revenues for Q4 2019 are expected to be between $40 million and $45 million, implying an annual decrease of 21% to 30% [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on cost-saving initiatives and diversifying revenue streams, particularly in Sohu Media and Sohu Video segments [6][7] - Sohu Media is enhancing its content quality and hosting events to attract advertisers [10][11] - Sogou is leveraging its AI capabilities to support innovations in search and mobile keyboard businesses [15][16] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but indicated that total revenue and bottom line exceeded prior guidance [6] - The company expects to achieve profitability on a group level in the coming quarters, despite challenges in the media advertising business [27] Other Important Information - The company is implementing strict budget controls and improving resource utilization to enhance monetization and revenue growth potential [12] - Changyou's online game business continues to perform well, with a focus on maintaining user engagement [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of advertiser spending on SMEs vs. key accounts - Management indicated that key accounts are more affected by the macroeconomic situation, particularly in the auto industry, while SMEs are less impacted [24] Question: Regulatory environment and profitability expectations for online video - Management stated that while losses in the media business are expected to shrink, profitability is still not reached, but group-level profitability is anticipated in the coming quarters [27] Question: Content quality improvements in Sohu Media - Management highlighted the contribution of over 600,000 writers on Sohu Hub and various events to enhance content quality and attract advertisers [30] Question: Anticipation of regulatory easing for video content - Management noted that while regulations have eased slightly, the company is focusing more on short videos and social functions rather than solely on long-form content [34]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2019 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2019-08-05 17:43
Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ:SOHU) Q2 2019 Earnings Conference Call August 5, 2019 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Huang Pu - Investor Relations Director Charles Zhang - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Joanna Lv - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Eddie Leung - Merrill Lynch Alicia Yap - Citigroup Wei Tzu - First Capital Operator Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and good evening. Thank you for joining Sohu's Second Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all par ...
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2019 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2019-04-29 14:12
Sohu.com Limited (NASDAQ:SOHU) Q1 2019 Earnings Conference Call April 29, 2019 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Eric Yuan - IR Charles Zhang - Chairman and CEO Joanna Lv - CFO Conference Call Participants Alicia Yap - Citigroup Operator Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and good evening. Thank you for joining Sohu's First Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After management's prepared remarks, there will be a Question-and-Answer sess ...
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2018 Q4 - Annual Report
2019-03-28 10:55
Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 20-F (Mark One) ☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ...
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2018 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2019-02-01 18:15
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q4 2018 were $482 million, down 5% year-over-year but up 5% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Net brand advertising revenue was $57 million, down 20% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter [8] - Search and search-related advertising revenues were $277 million, up 12% year-over-year and 8% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Online games revenue was $94 million, down 14% year-over-year and 2% quarter-over-quarter [9] - GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $15 million compared to a net loss of $295 million in Q4 2017 [9] - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $59 million, improved from a loss of $78 million in Q4 2017 [9] - Full year 2018 total revenue was $1.8 billion, up 1% from 2017 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sohu Media Portal revenues for Q4 were $33 million, down 10% year-over-year, with a quarterly loss of $36 million [22] - Sohu Video revenues for Q4 were $26 million, down 34% year-over-year, with a quarterly loss of $13 million [23] - Sogou's quarterly revenues were $298 million, up 7% year-over-year, with net income of $27 million [23] - Changyou's quarterly revenues were $180 million, down 18% year-over-year, with net income of $11 million [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Daily active users of Sohu News app doubled in December 2018, with page views tripling from the previous year [12] - Sogou Mobile Keyboard reached 430 million daily active users, an increase of 28% from the prior year [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focused on key mobile products and improving operating efficiencies in a challenging macroeconomic environment [6] - Sohu Video plans to enhance original content production while acquiring low-cost TV programs to improve its content library [17] - Sogou aims to integrate AI technologies into its products and services, enhancing search quality and user engagement [18] - Changyou will prioritize developing high-quality MMORPG mobile games and exploring opportunities in strategy games [21] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the slowdown in China's economic growth negatively impacted advertising revenues, particularly in the auto and IT sectors [13] - Despite macro headwinds, management is confident that Sohu Media will achieve positive growth in 2019 through increased content marketing efforts [13] - The company is optimistic about Sohu Video reaching profitability within the year due to a better content mix and improved monetization strategies [37] Other Important Information - Changyou recognized a $60 million charge for goodwill impairment related to a one-time announcement, affecting non-GAAP net loss figures [9] - The company plans to enhance its advertising system to improve conversions and attract more budgets from small and medium enterprises [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of negative seasonality on brand advertising - Management indicated that the decline in brand advertising metrics is primarily due to seasonality related to the Chinese New Year, with macroeconomic conditions having a secondary impact [30] Question: Comparison of current macro softness to previous cycles - Management noted that traditional sectors like auto and IT are facing challenges, but emphasized the need to diversify the client base to mitigate risks [33] Question: Update on Sohu Video's path to breakeven - Management expressed confidence in reaching profitability for Sohu Video within the year, citing a successful mix of in-house produced content and cost-cutting measures [37] Question: Current state of video regulation in China - Management acknowledged tightening regulations in the online video industry but stated that the impact is less severe compared to the media side [37]