Earnings Expectations - Aramark (NYSE:ARMK) is expected to report quarterly earnings of 65 cents per share on revenue of $5.16 billion [2] - J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ:JJSF) is anticipated to post quarterly earnings of $1.19 per share on revenue of $419.09 million [2] - Aecom (NYSE:ACM) is projected to report quarterly earnings of $1.34 per share on revenue of $4.31 billion [2] - Helmerich and Payne Inc. (NYSE:HP) is expected to post quarterly earnings of 25 cents per share on revenue of $973.68 million [2] Stock Performance - Aramark shares fell 1.3% to close at $38.03 on Friday [2] - J&J Snack Foods shares rose 0.6% to close at $83.09 on Friday [2] - Sohu.com Ltd. (NASDAQ:SOHU) reported third-quarter earnings of 33 cents per share, compared to a loss of 39 cents per share a year ago, with sales of $180.161 million, up from $151.992 million [2] - Sohu.com shares fell 3.2% to close at $14.32 on Friday [2] - Aecom shares gained 0.3% to $133.89 in after-hours trading [2] - Helmerich and Payne shares gained 3.2% to close at $27.83 on Friday [2]

Core Insights - Sohu reported a total revenue of $180 million for Q3 2025, representing a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024, indicating a steady growth trend in overall performance [1] - The company achieved a non-GAAP net profit of $9 million, marking a turnaround from a loss in the previous year [1] Revenue Breakdown - Marketing services revenue for Q3 2025 was $14 million [1] - Online gaming revenue reached $162 million, showcasing strong performance in this segment [1] Management Commentary - Sohu's founder and CEO, Zhang Chaoyang, stated that marketing services revenue met prior expectations, and online gaming revenue and net profit exceeded forecasts due to ongoing efforts in the gaming business [1] - The company is focused on optimizing its media platform products and resource integration to enhance user experience and meet user demands [1] - Sohu aims to leverage its product matrix and unique IP to create diverse high-quality content and capitalize on commercial opportunities [1] Stock Buyback Program - As part of a previously announced stock buyback program with a total amount of up to $150 million, Sohu repurchased 7.6 million American Depositary Shares for approximately $97 million as of November 13, 2025 [1]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that Sohu has successfully executed a stock buyback program and reported positive financial results for Q3 2025, indicating a strong performance and recovery in profitability [1][3]. Group 2 - Sohu announced a stock buyback plan with a maximum total amount of $150 million, and as of November 13, 2025, the company has repurchased 7.6 million American depositary shares for approximately $97 million [1]. - In Q3 2025, Sohu's total revenue reached $180 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 19% [3]. - The non-GAAP net profit attributable to Sohu was $9 million in Q3 2025, marking a turnaround from a loss in the previous year [3]. - Revenue from marketing services was $14 million, while online gaming revenue amounted to $162 million [3].

Core Insights - Sohu reported a total revenue of $180 million for Q3 2025, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024, indicating steady growth in overall performance [1][1][1] - The non-GAAP net profit attributable to Sohu was $9 million, marking a return to profitability year-over-year [1][1][1] Revenue Breakdown - Marketing services revenue amounted to $14 million [1] - Online gaming revenue reached $162 million, showcasing strong performance in this segment [1][1] Management Commentary - CEO Dr. Zhang Chaoyang highlighted that marketing services revenue met expectations and that online gaming revenue and net profit exceeded prior forecasts, contributing to the group's profitability for the quarter [1][1][1] - The company is focused on optimizing its media platform products and resource integration to enhance user experience and meet user demands [1][1] - Sohu aims to leverage its product matrix and unique IP to create diverse high-quality content and capitalize on commercial opportunities [1][1] Stock Buyback Program - As part of a previously announced stock buyback program with a maximum total amount of $150 million, Sohu repurchased 7.6 million American Depositary Shares for approximately $97 million as of November 13, 2025 [1][1]

Core Insights - Sohu Inc. reported a total revenue of $180 million for Q3 2025, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and achieved a net profit of $9 million under non-GAAP standards, marking a return to profitability year-over-year [1][3]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $180 million, with marketing services revenue at $14 million and online gaming revenue at $162 million [3]. - The company achieved a net profit of $9 million, a significant improvement from a loss in the previous year [1][3]. Management Commentary - Dr. Zhang Chaoyang, founder and CEO, stated that marketing services revenue met expectations and that online gaming revenue and net profit exceeded prior forecasts due to ongoing efforts in the gaming sector [3]. - The company is focused on optimizing its media platform products and resource integration to enhance user experience and meet user demands [3]. Strategic Initiatives - Sohu is committed to producing and distributing diverse high-quality content through its product matrix and unique activities, aiming to inject vitality into the platform [3]. - The online gaming business has performed well due to the company's understanding of user needs and years of operational experience, with both new and existing games showing strong results [3]. Share Buyback Program - As part of a previously announced share repurchase program of up to $150 million, Sohu has repurchased 7.6 million American Depositary Shares for approximately $97 million as of November 13, 2025 [3].

Core Insights - Sohu reported a total revenue of $180 million for Q3 2025, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with a net profit of $9 million under non-GAAP standards, marking a turnaround from losses [2][2][2] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $180 million, with marketing services revenue at $14 million and online gaming revenue at $162 million [2][2][2] - The company achieved profitability for the quarter, exceeding previous expectations for both online gaming revenue and overall net profit [2][2][2] Management Commentary - CEO Dr. Zhang Chaoyang highlighted that marketing services revenue met prior expectations and attributed the strong performance in online gaming to the company's ongoing efforts and understanding of user needs [2][2][2] - The company is focused on optimizing its media platform, enhancing user experience, and diversifying quality content through its product matrix and unique IP [2][2][2] Share Buyback Program - As part of a previously announced share buyback program of up to $150 million, Sohu repurchased 7.6 million American Depositary Shares for approximately $97 million as of November 13, 2025 [2][2][2]

Core Insights - Sohu.com Limited reported strong financial performance in Q3 2025, with total revenues reaching US$180 million, a 19% increase year-over-year and a 43% increase quarter-over-quarter [3][13]. - The company achieved positive net income of US$9 million, compared to a net loss of US$16 million in Q3 2024 and a net loss of US$20 million in Q2 2025 [9][10]. - Online game revenues significantly contributed to the overall growth, totaling US$162 million, which is a 27% increase year-over-year and a 53% increase quarter-over-quarter [4][13]. Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q3 2025 were US$180 million, up 19% from the previous year and 43% from the previous quarter [3][13]. - Marketing services revenues decreased to US$14 million, down 27% year-over-year and 13% quarter-over-quarter [3][4]. - Online game revenues were US$162 million, reflecting a 27% year-over-year increase and a 53% quarter-over-quarter increase, driven by the launch of the new PC game Tian Long Ba Bu: Return [4][13]. Profitability Metrics - Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins were reported at 81%, an improvement from 74% in Q3 2024 and 78% in Q2 2025 [5][33]. - Operating profit for Q3 2025 was US$14 million, compared to an operating loss of US$13 million in Q3 2024 and an operating loss of US$22 million in Q2 2025 [7][18]. - The company reported a GAAP net income of US$9 million, or US$0.32 per fully-diluted ADS, compared to a net loss of US$16 million in the same quarter last year [9][10]. User Engagement and Game Performance - For PC games, average monthly active user accounts (MAU) increased by 24% year-over-year to 2.7 million, while active paying accounts (APA) rose by 27% to 1.1 million [12]. - Mobile games experienced a decline, with MAU decreasing by 42% year-over-year to 1.9 million and APA down by 72% to 0.3 million [14]. Liquidity and Capital Resources - As of September 30, 2025, Sohu had cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term time deposits totaling approximately US$1.2 billion [11]. Share Repurchase Program - The company has repurchased 7.6 million ADSs for an aggregate cost of approximately US$97 million under its share repurchase program of up to US$150 million [19]. Business Outlook - For Q4 2025, Sohu estimates marketing services revenues to be between US$15 million and US$16 million, indicating an annual decrease of 15% to 20% [26]. - Online game revenues are expected to be between US$113 million and US$123 million, reflecting an annual increase of 3% to 12% [26].

Core Insights - The 2025 World Internet Conference has commenced in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, with a focus on "Internet Innovation and Persistence" led by Zhang Chaoyang, founder and CEO of Sohu [1] Group 1: Talent and Research Integration - Zhang Chaoyang emphasized that talent is crucial for integrating basic research with industry, noting that many engineers in large companies rely on existing experience rather than understanding the underlying principles of technology [3] - He suggested that hiring individuals with backgrounds in physics or basic scientific research as chief scientists in R&D teams could enhance understanding and lead to optimized production processes and innovative manufacturing [3] Group 2: Sohu's Business Focus - Sohu is currently concentrating on traditional consumer internet sectors, particularly in media and social aspects, with a focus on its core social product, "Attention Flow," which is built around PGC, UGC, and Vlog short videos [3] - The "Attention Flow" platform aims to create a diverse ecosystem that includes humorous, useful, and visually appealing content [3] Group 3: Social Interaction and Content Strategy - Zhang highlighted that "Attention Flow" is not just about video interactions but also emphasizes human relationships, differentiating itself from algorithm-driven recommendations [4] - Sohu Video is pursuing a dual approach to enhance its ecosystem, including offline social events and a diverse content strategy to boost user engagement [4] - The company plans to restart its American drama strategy and will combine short and long-form content, operating popular vertical short dramas while also producing horizontal short dramas [4]

Core Viewpoint - Zhang Chaoyang, founder of Sohu, emphasizes a cautious approach to AI, viewing it as an efficiency tool rather than a strategic core, while the industry rushes into AI investments [1][3][5] Group 1: AI Strategy - Sohu has not fully engaged in AI infrastructure and prefers to observe rather than invest heavily in AI models [1][3] - Zhang believes that the essence of social interaction should be prioritized over the pursuit of AI, advocating for rational cash flow management [3][5] - The company has historically avoided the hype surrounding AI, opting instead to consider purchasing applications from successful developers [3][5] Group 2: Company Performance - Sohu's revenue for Q4 2023 was $135 million, with total annual revenue reaching $598 million, and a net loss of $100 million [5][8] - The company has struggled to maintain relevance in the internet space, with its peak occurring during the 2008 Beijing Olympics [5][8] - Sohu's gaming business, primarily reliant on the aging title "Tianlong Babu Online," is declining, raising concerns about its sustainability [8][10] Group 3: Market Position and Future Outlook - Sohu's attempts to innovate through knowledge live streaming have not gained traction in a competitive market dominated by platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou [6][10] - The company lacks the resources to develop AI models from scratch, with a cash reserve of $1.32 billion insufficient for significant AI investments [8][10] - Sohu may benefit from integrating existing AI models rather than competing directly in the AI space, which could be a risky endeavor [10]

Core Insights - The 2025 (7th) Sohu Wine Industry Tasting Conference will be held on November 27 in Beijing, continuing a tradition that began in 2019 and evolved into a company-level brand project in 2021 [2][13] - The event will feature a diverse panel of experts from various fields, discussing key topics such as the youthfulness, internationalization, and trendiness of Chinese liquor [3][5] Event Details - The tasting event will include a "Beautiful Life Tasting Group" composed of industry leaders and influencers from sectors like culture, e-commerce, and sports [2][4] - Notable attendees include Sohu's founder Zhang Chaoyang, liquor industry leaders, and popular figures from social media platforms [5][6] Interactive Experience - The event will integrate online and offline experiences, including a "Sohu Market" for interactive engagement, aiming to break down barriers and showcase the multifaceted integration of liquor with contemporary life [2][7] - A variety of activities will be available, such as a 3-kilometer health run and a marketplace featuring unique exhibits and tastings [9][11] Industry Evolution - Sohu Wine Industry has established itself as a significant platform for dialogue and development in the liquor sector since its inception in 2018, hosting annual summits that adapt to industry trends [13][15] - The evolution of the conference format and themes reflects the changing landscape of the liquor industry, with a focus on cultural heritage and modern consumer preferences [14][16] Media Influence - Sohu, as a leading internet media group, leverages its platform to influence over 700 million internet users in China, promoting the values of credibility, authority, professionalism, and quality [17]