GAAP operating profit was US$48 million, compared with an operating profit of
US$53 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and US$51 million for the third quarter of 2023.
Non-GAAP operating profit was US$47 million, compared with a
non-GAAP operating profit of US$54 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and US$52 million for the third quarter of 2023.
Fiscal Year 2023 Unaudited Financial Results
Total revenues were US$485 million, a decrease of 18% year-over-year. Online game revenues were US$480 million, a decrease of
18% year-over-year. Online advertising revenues were US$5 million, a decrease of 27% year-over-year.
GAAP and non-GAAP gross
profit were both US$418 million, a decrease of 16% year-over-year.
GAAP operating expenses were US$216 million, a
decrease of 3% year-over-year.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$215 million, a
decrease of 1% year-over-year.
GAAP operating profit was US$202 million, compared with an operating profit of
US$277 million for 2022.
Non-GAAP operating profit was US$203 million, compared
with a non-GAAP operating profit of US$282 million for 2022.
Recent Development
Sohu today announced that on March 2, 2024, its board of directors authorized an increase in Sohus previously-announced share repurchase from up to
US$80 million to up to US$150 million of the outstanding ADSs of Sohu. As previously announced, the ADSs may be purchased from time to time over a two-year period commencing November 11, 2023 at
Sohus managements discretion at prevailing market prices in accordance with Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Sohus management will continue to determine the timing and amount of any purchases of ADSs based on their evaluation of market conditions, the trading price of ADSs and other factors. The share repurchase program may be suspended or
discontinued at any time. Sohu plans to continue to fund repurchases from its existing cash balance. As of February 29, 2024, Sohu had repurchased 1,276,457 ADSs under the share repurchase program for an aggregate cost of approximately
US$12 million.
Business Outlook
For the first
quarter of 2024, Sohu estimates:
|
|
|
Brand advertising revenues to be between US$15 million and US$17 million; this implies an annual
decrease of 25% to 33%, and a sequential decrease of 16% to 26%. |
|
|
|
Online game revenues to be between US$110 million and US$120 million; this implies an annual decrease
of 7% to 15%, and a sequential decrease of 4% to a sequential increase of 5%. |
|
|
|
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between
US$23 million and US$33 million; and GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited to be between US$26 million and US$36 million. |
For the first quarter 2024 guidance, the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of RMB7.10=US$1.00, as compared with the actual exchange rate of
approximately RMB6.84=US$1.00 for the first quarter of 2023, and RMB7.15=US$1.00 for the fourth quarter of 2023.
This forecast reflects Sohus
managements current and preliminary view, which is subject to substantial uncertainty.
Non-GAAP
Disclosure
To supplement the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAP), Sohus management uses non-GAAP measures of gross profit, operating profit, net income, net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited and diluted net income
attributable to Sohu.com Limited per ADS, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Companys consolidated statements of operations with
respect to the Companys investments; the impact of income tax related to changes in the fair value of the Companys investments; and interest expense recognized in connection with the Toll Charge imposed by the U.S. TCJA. These measures
should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.