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Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-04 12:30
Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q2 2025 were $126 million, down 27% year over year and 7% quarter over quarter [7] - Marketing services revenues were $16 million, down 21% year over year but up 14% quarter over quarter [7] - Online game revenues were $106 million, down 28% year over year and 10% quarter over quarter [7] - GAAP net loss attributable to Silver dot com Limited was $20 million, compared to a net loss of $38 million in Q2 2024 [8] - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to total.com Limited was $20 million, compared to a net loss of $34 million in the same quarter last year [8] Business Segment Performance - Sohu Media Platform revenues for the quarter were $19 million, down from $24 million in the same quarter last year, with an operating loss of $69 million [16] - Changyou's quarterly revenues were $107 million, down from $148 million in the same quarter last year, but operating profit increased to $51 million from $32 million [16] Market Insights - The advertising market is experiencing weakness due to macroeconomic uncertainties and lower consumer spending [24] - The auto sector remains the largest advertising sector, followed by FMCG and IT services, with stabilization noted in the auto sector [25] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on enhancing user engagement through differentiated events and product optimization [6] - There is a strategy to diversify game offerings and explore new verticals, including card-based RPGs and casual games [14] - The company aims to build a larger user base in social media, which is seen as critical for future growth [36] Management Commentary on Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the current macroeconomic challenges but remains optimistic about future user growth and market share expansion [24][26] - The company is utilizing AI to improve operational efficiency in gaming and enhance user experience in social media platforms [26][27] Other Important Information - As of July 2025, the company had repurchased 6.6 million ADS for approximately $83 million [15] - There are no current plans for additional capital returns beyond the share buyback program, as the focus remains on user base expansion [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on marketing services revenue and advertising sentiment - Management noted that advertising revenue is facing sequential weakness due to macroeconomic conditions and lower disposable income [24][25] Question: AI application in operations - AI is being used to improve efficiency in gaming and enhance search capabilities in social media apps, utilizing various language models [26][27] Question: Future capital return plans - Management confirmed that the focus is on the share buyback program, with no immediate plans for dividends or other capital returns [28] Question: Breakeven timing for marketing services revenue - Management indicated that breakeven is uncertain due to the nonlinear growth of the user base in social networks [36] Question: Sequential improvement in gaming revenue - The gaming segment is expected to perform stably, with new game releases anticipated to contribute to revenue [37] Question: Impact of events on user growth - Events like K-pop competitions are seen as community builders that help attract users to the Sohu app [39][40]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-19 12:30
Financial Performance and Key Metrics - In Q1 2025, total revenues were $136 million, down 3% year-over-year and up 1% quarter-over-quarter [7] - Marketing services revenues were $14 million, down 15% year-over-year and 27% quarter-over-quarter [7] - Online game revenues were $117 million, flat year-over-year and up 7% quarter-over-quarter [7] - GAAP net income was $182 million compared to a net loss of $25 million in Q1 2024 [8] - Non-GAAP net loss was $16 million compared to a net loss of $22 million in Q1 2024 [8] Business Line Performance - Sohu Media platform revenues were $70 million, compared to $20 million in the same quarter last year, with an operating loss of $70 million [19] - Changyou's quarterly revenues were $180 million, down from $190 million in the same quarter last year, with an operating profit of $55 million [19] Market Data and Key Metrics - For Q2 2025, marketing services revenues are expected to be between $60 million and $70 million, implying a year-over-year decrease of 14% to 19% [20] - Online game revenues are expected to be between $96 million and $106 million, implying a year-over-year decrease of 28% to 35% [20] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on enhancing its social media platform and leveraging unique IPs for monetization opportunities [6] - The online gaming business is adopting a top game strategy, diversifying its portfolio with various game types, and expanding into global markets [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the advertising sentiment is mixed, with the auto sector performing better while luxury goods and alcohol spending is declining [24] - The company expects a similar trend in advertising for the second half of the year, with a focus on accelerating growth through its social network platform [25] - AI is seen as beneficial for the gaming business, improving efficiency in art design and production [29] Other Important Information - The company reversed a tax expense previously recognized, amounting to approximately $199 million, which was an accounting treatment issue rather than a cash flow event [8][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Recent trend in advertising sentiment and outlook for the second half - Management indicated that the auto sector is performing better, while luxury goods and alcohol spending is declining, with expectations for a similar trend in the second half [24][25] Question: Impact of AI on advertising and online games - Management stated that AI has a marginal impact on the media platform but is beneficial for gaming, improving efficiency in various production aspects [26][29] Question: Details on the tax reversal - The tax reversal was an accounting issue related to uncertainty that has now been resolved, with no actual cash flow involved [42][45] Question: ADR delisting risk and alternative plans - Management noted that the situation is speculative and that they would consider alternatives if necessary, but currently, there are no immediate plans [48][52]
Sohu.com(SOHU) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-02-18 22:30
Financial Performance Overview - In Q4 2024, total revenues were $135 million, down 5% year-over-year and 11% quarter-over-quarter [6] - Brand advertising revenues were $19 million, down 7% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter [6] - Online game revenues were $110 million, down 4% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter [6] - GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu was $21 million, compared to a net loss of $13 million in Q4 2023 [6] - Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu was $15 million, compared to a net loss of $11 million in Q4 2023 [6] - For the full year 2024, total revenues were $598 million, flat compared to 2023 [7] Business Segment Performance Sohu Media Platform - Quarterly revenues were $24 million, compared to $25 million in the same quarter last year [15] - Quarterly operating loss was $69 million, compared to an operating loss of $68 million in the same quarter last year [15] - For the full year 2024, revenues were $91 million, down from $140 million in 2023 [16] - Full year operating loss was $287 million, compared to an operating loss of $269 million in 2023 [16] Online Games - Quarterly revenues for Changyou's online games were $111 million, compared to $115 million in the same quarter last year [16] - Quarterly operating profit was $48 million, compared to an operating profit of $47 million in the same quarter last year [16] - For the full year 2024, revenues were $506 million, down from $485 million in 2023 [16] - Full year operating profit was $196 million, compared to an operating profit of $203 million in 2023 [16] Market Trends and Strategic Direction - The company is focusing on improving technology and optimizing products to enhance user experience [8] - Sohu is integrating online and offline events to attract younger users and stimulate content generation [9][10] - The online game business is expected to maintain a user-centric approach while expanding its portfolio with diverse game types [13][14] Management Commentary on Economic Environment - Management noted that the decline in advertising revenue is attributed to a weak macroeconomic environment, leading to reduced marketing budgets from advertisers [23][34] - There is a trend of decreased spending in the automotive sector, with FMCG now becoming the top sector for advertising [36] Other Important Information - As of February 2025, Sohu had repurchased 4.2 million ADS for approximately $52 million, with $100 million remaining in the buyback program [15][33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on brand advertising business and gaming expectations - Management acknowledged that the decline in advertising is due to the overall economic situation, with advertisers spending less [23] - For gaming, the performance is expected to be flat quarter-over-quarter [24] Question: Overall macro sentiment and advertising budget - Management indicated that consumer spending is down, affecting marketing budgets, particularly in the automotive sector [34] - FMCG has risen to become the top sector for advertising, with increased spending noted in smaller items like food and electronics [36]