Core Insights - Zhihu Inc (ZH) experienced significant growth throughout most of 2025 but has recently seen a slight decline as the year approaches its end, losing all previous gains [1]. Company Performance - The company was up substantially for the year until recently, indicating a volatile performance trend [1]. Market Context - The overall market sentiment and performance of online content providers in China may be influencing Zhihu's recent downturn [1].

Core Insights - Zhihu Inc. is a leading online content community in China, similar to Quora, providing a platform for knowledge sharing despite facing competition from Baidu and Tencent [1] Financial Performance - Zhihu reported an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.08 for Q3 2025, missing the estimated EPS of $0.18 [2][6] - The actual revenue for Q3 2025 was $92.53 million, significantly below expectations and down from $116 million in the same period of 2024 [3][6] - The gross margin decreased to 61.3% from 63.9% year-over-year [3] - The company experienced a net loss of $6.6 million, an increase from the $1.2 million loss in Q3 2024, with an adjusted net loss of $3 million compared to $1.8 million last year [3][6] Management Outlook - CEO Yuan Zhou expressed optimism about achieving a full-year non-GAAP breakeven, citing solid progress during the quarter [4] - The average number of monthly subscribing members reached 14.3 million, indicating a strong user base [4][6] Financial Metrics - Zhihu has a price-to-sales ratio of 0.66 and a negative enterprise value to sales ratio of -0.28, indicating a unique financial situation [5] - The debt-to-equity ratio is low at 0.055, suggesting conservative debt use [5] - The company maintains a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 3.48 [5]

Core Insights - Zhihu Inc. has launched its Yanyan Story platform at the Frankfurt Book Fair, marking a significant step in the international expansion of Chinese short-form online literature [1][2] Industry Overview - The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest publishing exhibition globally, featuring over 4,000 publishers from 92 countries and regions [2] - Chinese online literature has reached approximately 200 million active overseas readers across more than 200 countries, with a market value exceeding RMB 5 billion [3] Company Developments - Yanyan Story integrates storytelling, technology, and user participation, creating a new model for global literary engagement [4] - The platform offers various content formats, including books, digital reading, audio dramas, and cultural products, contributing to Zhihu's 13.2 million paid subscribers [5] - Yanyan Story has licensed over 100 works for publication, with translations available in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, and Indonesian [5] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Zhihu's revenue from IP licensing grew in triple digits year-over-year and sequentially [6] - More than 100 Yanyan Story IP titles have been licensed for adaptations in film, animation, and short dramas, with several already generating revenue [6] Strategic Vision - The Vice President of Zhihu emphasized that short-form literature and IP adaptation are transforming cultural storytelling, highlighting the platform's role in connecting creators and readers globally [7]

Core Viewpoint - Zhihu Inc. announced the resignation of Mr. Bin Sun as the chief technology officer effective September 30, 2025, due to personal reasons [1][2]. Company Overview - Zhihu Inc. is a leading online content community in China, established in 2010, and has grown to become the largest Q&A-inspired online content platform in the country [2].

Core Viewpoint - Zhihu Inc. reported its third consecutive quarter of non-GAAP profitability, driven by refined operational strategies and AI integration, which enhanced user and creator engagement [3][4]. Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q2 2025 were RMB 716.9 million (US$ 100.1 million), a decrease from RMB 933.8 million in Q2 2024 [4][8]. - Non-GAAP net income reached RMB 91.3 million (US$ 12.8 million), compared to a non-GAAP net loss of RMB 44.6 million in the same period last year [3][12]. - Gross margin improved to 62.5%, up from 59.6% year-over-year, reflecting better monetization and operational efficiency [7][8]. Revenue Breakdown - Marketing services revenue was RMB 222.8 million (US$ 31.1 million), down from RMB 344.0 million in Q2 2024, due to strategic service refinements [4]. - Paid membership revenue decreased slightly to RMB 402.0 million (US$ 56.1 million) from RMB 432.7 million in the same period last year, attributed to a decline in average monthly subscribing members [5]. - Vocational training revenue fell to RMB 62.1 million (US$ 8.7 million) from RMB 133.6 million in Q2 2024, also due to strategic business refinements [5]. Cost Management - Cost of revenues decreased by 28.8% to RMB 268.7 million (US$ 37.5 million) from RMB 377.3 million in Q2 2024, driven by reduced content and operating costs [6]. - Total operating expenses decreased by 27.2% to RMB 539.2 million (US$ 75.3 million) from RMB 740.4 million in the same period last year [7][10]. Investment and Cash Position - As of June 30, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents totaling RMB 4,820.8 million (US$ 673.0 million), slightly down from RMB 4,859.0 million at the end of 2024 [13]. - The company repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares for a total of US$ 66.5 million under its existing share repurchase programs [14].

Core Viewpoint - Zhihu Inc. reported its first-ever non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting effective operational strategies and AI integration, despite a decline in total revenues compared to the previous year [3][4]. Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were RMB 729.7 million (US$ 100.6 million), down from RMB 960.9 million in Q1 2024 [4][8]. - Non-GAAP net income was RMB 6.9 million (US$ 1.0 million), a significant improvement from a net loss of RMB 135.7 million in the same period of 2024 [8][12]. - Gross margin increased to 61.8% in Q1 2025 from 56.6% in Q1 2024, attributed to monetization enhancements and operational efficiency improvements [7][8]. Revenue Breakdown - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 197.0 million (US$ 27.1 million) from RMB 330.5 million in Q1 2024, due to strategic refinements in service offerings [4]. - Paid membership revenue was RMB 417.9 million (US$ 57.6 million), slightly down from RMB 449.7 million in Q1 2024, primarily due to a marginal decline in average monthly subscribing members [5]. - Vocational training revenue fell to RMB 94.5 million (US$ 13.0 million) from RMB 145.4 million in Q1 2024, mainly due to lower contributions from acquired businesses [5]. Cost Management - Cost of revenues decreased by 33.3% to RMB 278.6 million (US$ 38.4 million) from RMB 417.4 million in Q1 2024, driven by reduced content and operating costs [6]. - Total operating expenses decreased by 34.4% to RMB 503.7 million (US$ 69.4 million) from RMB 768.2 million in Q1 2024, with selling and marketing expenses down by 32.9% [9]. Shareholder Value Initiatives - As of March 31, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents totaling RMB 4,766.5 million (US$ 656.8 million) [13]. - The company repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares for a total of US$ 66.5 million under its existing share repurchase program [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Zhihu Inc. reported a significant turnaround in its financial performance for the fiscal year 2024, achieving profitability in the fourth quarter for the first time, driven by strategic execution and improved operational efficiency [3][9][11]. Financial Performance Highlights - **Fourth Quarter 2024 Results**: Total revenues were RMB 859.2 million (US$ 117.7 million), a decrease from RMB 1,138.3 million in the same period of 2023 [4][9]. - **Revenue Breakdown**: - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 315.9 million (US$ 43.3 million) from RMB 465.2 million [4]. - Paid membership revenue slightly declined to RMB 420.2 million (US$ 57.6 million) from RMB 455.9 million [5]. - Vocational training revenue fell to RMB 84.0 million (US$ 11.5 million) from RMB 169.3 million [5]. - **Cost Management**: Cost of revenues decreased by 31.5% to RMB 318.5 million (US$ 43.6 million) [6]. - **Gross Profit and Margin**: Gross profit was RMB 540.7 million (US$ 74.1 million) with a gross margin of 62.9%, up from 59.1% year-over-year [7][9]. - **Operating Expenses**: Total operating expenses decreased by 37.9% to RMB 528.8 million (US$ 72.4 million) [7][10]. - **Net Income**: Net income for the fourth quarter was RMB 86.4 million (US$ 11.8 million), compared to a net loss of RMB 103.1 million in the same period of 2023 [9][11]. Fiscal Year 2024 Overview - **Total Revenues**: For the fiscal year 2024, total revenues were RMB 3,598.9 million (US$ 493.0 million), down from RMB 4,198.9 million in 2023 [14]. - **Revenue Sources**: - Marketing services revenue was RMB 1,247.1 million (US$ 170.9 million), down from RMB 1,653.0 million [14]. - Paid membership revenue was RMB 1,762.0 million (US$ 241.4 million), slightly down from RMB 1,826.6 million [15]. - Vocational training revenue decreased to RMB 468.1 million (US$ 64.1 million) from RMB 565.6 million [15]. - **Gross Margin Improvement**: Gross margin improved to 60.6% from 54.7% in 2023 [17]. - **Net Loss**: The net loss for the year narrowed to RMB 169.0 million (US$ 23.1 million), a significant reduction from RMB 839.5 million in 2023 [20]. Share Repurchase Programs - As of December 31, 2024, the company repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares for a total price of US$ 66.5 million under its existing US$ 100 million share repurchase program [21]. - A concurrent share repurchase program was established in June 2024, effective until June 26, 2025 [21]. Cash Position - As of December 31, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaling RMB 4,859.0 million (US$ 665.7 million), down from RMB 5,462.9 million a year earlier [13].