Phoenix New Media Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Unaudited Financial Results
BEIJING, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) ("Phoenix New Media", "ifeng" or the "Company"), a leading new media company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
"As online content regulation in China became increasingly stringent during 2018, we continued to adapt and evolve with the changing media landscape. As an industry leader, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing our users with leading professional journalism and world-class news content," Mr. Shuang Liu, CEO of Phoenix New Media, commented. "In the fourth quarter, we actively expanded our user base and service offerings by diversifying into lifestyle verticals like entertainment and fashion, refining our We-Media operations, increasing investments in our digital reading business, enhancing our video operations, and accelerating our in-house original content production capabilities. Looking forward to 2019, we will maintain our focus on optimizing both our users' experience and the ROI for our advertisers. We are also looking for opportunities to expand our products and content offerings through mergers and acquisitions."
Ms. Betty Ho, CFO of Phoenix New Media, further stated, "In the fourth quarter of 2018, our total revenues decreased by 13.5% year over year to RMB399.2 million under the new accounting standard of ASC606 and decreased by 6.0% year over year to RMB434.1 million under the prior accounting standard of ASC605, primarily as a result of 14-day temporary service suspension and the macroeconomic slowdown. However, as the fourth quarter normally is our strongest quarter, our total revenues increased by 21.2% sequentially, driven by a 26.5% growth of our advertising revenues compared to the third quarter of 2018 under the new accounting standard of ASC606. The advertising revenue generated from our FENG app has increased by 24.5% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2018 under the prior accounting standard. While we are expecting the economic headwind to continue into 2019, we are confident that our continuous efforts in diversifying our revenue streams and improving the synergies between our business lines will help us weather through the near-term uncertainties and deliver long-term value to our shareholders."
Acquisition of Yitian Xindong
On December 19, 2018, the Company announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire 25.5% equity interests in Beijing Yitian Xindong Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("Yitian Xindong"), for an aggregate purchase price of RMB144 million (the "Acquisition"). Yitian Xindong owns the mobile application Tadu, a leading online digital reading application in China that currently has more than one million daily active users.
On December 28, 2018, the Company completed the Acquisition and gained a 51.0% voting rights of Yitian Xindong by entering an agreement with Shenzhen Bingruixin Technology Co., Ltd. ("Bingruixin"), a 25.5% shareholder of Yitian Xindong, who agreed to entrust voting rights with respect to the 25.5% equity interests in Yitian Xindong to the Company. Accordingly, the Company was able to consolidate Yitian Xindong and had consolidated the unaudited financial statements of Yitian Xindong for the 3-day period from December 29, 2018 to December 31, 2018. The revenue of Yitian Xindong for the 3-day period was RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million), which was included in the consolidated paid service revenues.
On March 1, 2019, the Company acquired another 25.5% equity interests in Yitian Xindong from Bingruixin. As a result, the Company currently holds 51.0% equity interests in and a 51.0% voting rights of Yitian Xindong and expects to continue to consolidate Yitian Xindong's financial statements.
Adoption of ASC606
Beginning from January 1, 2018, the Company adopted a new accounting standard of ASC606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the "new accounting standard") by applying the modified retrospective method. The financial data presented in the Company's financial statements for the quarters of 2018 and the fiscal year 2018 are in accordance with the new accounting standard while all financial data presented for the quarters of 2017 and the fiscal year 2017 are in accordance with ASC605, Revenue Recognition (the "prior accounting standard").
The impact of applying the new accounting standard on the Company's unaudited financial results as compared to the prior accounting standard for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:
Three
M
onths
E
nded
December 31, 2018
Adjustments New
A
ccounting
S
tandard
(2)
Prior
A
ccounting
S
tandard
(1)
Sales
T
axes
A
nd Barter Contract
S T
urcharges ransaction ulfillment
s F
C
osts
(RMB in thousands)
R
evenues 434,068 (35,821) 987 399,234
Net advertising revenues 388,667 (33,675) 987 355,979
Paid services revenues 45,401 (2,146) 43,255
Cost of revenues (217,198) 35,821 (52) 157 (181,272)
Gross profit 216,870 935 157 217,962
Operating expenses (254,447) (2,564) (257,011)
Sales and marketing expenses (152,958) (2,564) (155,522)
Loss
from operations (37,577) (1,629) 157 (39,049)
Note:
(1) This financial information for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was presented under the prior accounting standard (ASC605).
(2) This financial information for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was presented under the new accounting standard (ASC606).
Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results
REVENUES
Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 were RMB399.2 million (US$58.1 million) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 13.5% from RMB461.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Net advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 were RMB355.9 million (US$51.8 million) (net of advertising agency service fees and sales taxes and surcharges) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 13.3% from RMB410.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Paid services revenues([1]) for the fourth quarter of 2018 were RMB43.3 million (US$6.3 million) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 15.6% from RMB51.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Revenues from digital entertainment([2]) for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased by 23.3% to RMB30.3 million (US$4.4 million) from RMB39.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Revenues from games and others([3]) for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased by 10.5% to RMB13.0 million (US$1.9 million) from RMB11.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB434.1 million (US$63.1 million), which would have represented a decrease of 6.0% from RMB461.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, net advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB388.7 million (US$56.5 million), which would have represented a decrease of 5.3% from RMB410.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily attributable to a 29.2% year-over-year decrease in PC advertising revenues, partially offset by a 24.5% year-over-year increase in mobile application advertising revenues. The decrease in net advertising revenues was mainly due to the challenging market condition and the negative impact from the 14-day temporary service suspension of ifeng News mobile application, WAP, and certain channels on ifeng.com between September 26, 2018 and October 9, 2018.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, paid services revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB45.4 million (US$6.6 million), which would have represented a decrease of 11.4% from RMB51.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, revenues from digital entertainment for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB31.6 million (US$4.6 million), which would have represented a decrease of 19.9% from RMB39.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, due to a 23.2% decrease in the MVAS revenues mainly resulting from the decline in users' demand for services provided through telecom operators in China. Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, revenues from online digital reading for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB14.4 million (US$2.1 million), which would have represented a decrease of 15.5% from RMB17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, mainly due to the tightening regulations in China regarding online digital reading content and the impact of the 14-day temporary service suspension. Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, revenues from games and others for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB13.8 million (US$2.0 million), which would have represented an increase of 17.2% from RMB11.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
COST OF REVENUES
Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB181.3 million (US$26.4 million) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 13.1% from RMB208.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 would have been RMB217.2 million (US$31.6 million), which would have represented an increase of 4.1% from RMB208.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The decrease in cost of revenues under the new accounting standard was mainly due to:
-- The sales taxes and surcharges were RMB35.8 million (US$5.2 million) in
the fourth quarter of 2018, which was excluded from cost of revenues and
recorded as a reduction item of revenues under the new accounting
standard, as compared to sales taxes and surcharges of RMB39.9 million
in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was recorded as a component of cost
of revenues under the prior accounting standard ASC605.
-- Content and operational costs for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased
to RMB153.9 million (US$22.4 million) from RMB143.6 million in the
fourth quarter of 2017, primarily attributable to an increase in
advertisement-related content production cost.
-- Revenue sharing fees to telecom operators and channel partners for the
fourth quarter of 2018 increased to RMB13.2 million (US$1.9 million)
from RMB12.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily
attributable to the increase in fees paid to some channel partners, and
partially offset by the decrease in the revenue sharing fees of MVAS
products to telecom operators.
-- Bandwidth costs for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased to RMB14.2
million (US$2.1 million) from RMB12.8 million in the fourth quarter of
2017.
-- Share-based compensation included in cost of revenues was RMB2.5 million
(US$0.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to RMB1.2
million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The change was mainly due to the
adjustment of the estimated forfeiture rate of share-based awards as a
result of the demission rate of headcounts recorded in the fourth
quarter of 2018.
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB218.0 million (US$31.7 million), as compared to RMB253.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased slightly to 54.6% from 54.8% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
To supplement the financial measures presented in accordance with the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company has presented certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press release, which excluded the impact of certain reconciling items as stated in the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below. The related reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are presented in the accompanying "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results of Operation Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures."
Non-GAAP gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2018, which excluded share-based compensation, increased slightly to 55.2% from 55.1% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
OPERATING EXPENSES AND LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2018 slightly decreased by 0.6% to RMB257.0 million (US$37.4 million) from RMB258.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Share-based compensation included in operating expenses was RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to RMB3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. As the Company recognized share-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures, on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting term of the awards, there was less share-based compensation recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018 for share options granted prior to 2018.
Loss from operations for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB39.0 million (US$5.7 million), as compared to RMB5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased to negative 9.8% from negative 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was primarily due to the decrease in revenues resulting from the impact of the 14-day temporary service suspension and the slowdown of the macroeconomics.
Non-GAAP loss from operations for the fourth quarter of 2018, which excluded share-based compensation, was RMB34.4 million (US$5.0 million), as compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2018, which excluded share-based compensation, decreased to negative 8.6% from negative 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
OTHER INCOME OR LOSS
Other income or loss reflects interest income, interest expense, foreign currency exchange gain or loss, income or loss from equity method investments, net of impairments, and others, net([4]). Total net other income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million), as compared to RMB19.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
-- Interest income for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased to RMB8.6
million (US$1.3 million) from RMB13.2 million in the fourth quarter of
2017.
-- Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased to RMB2.4
million (US$0.4 million), from RMB3.7 million in the fourth quarter of
2017, which was primarily due to the decrease in outstanding short-term
bank loans in the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to that of 2017.
-- Foreign currency exchange loss for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB0.3
million (US$0.05 million), as compared to foreign currency exchange loss
of RMB4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was mainly caused
by the less significant appreciation of Renminbi against US dollars in
the fourth quarter of 2018 as compared to that of 2017 that generated
less exchange loss in Renminbi denominated borrowings recorded in the
Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not Renminbi.
-- Income from equity method investments for the fourth quarter of 2018,
net of impairments, was RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million), as compared to
income from equity method investments of RMB4.9 million in the fourth
quarter of 2017.
-- Others, net, for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased slightly to RMB9.9
million (US$1.4 million), from RMB10.0 million in the fourth quarter of
2017.
NET INCOME/ (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PHOENIX NEW MEDIA LIMITED
Net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB38.3 million (US$5.6 million), as compared to net income attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited of RMB11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Net margin for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased to negative 9.6% from positive 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Net loss per diluted ADS([5]) in the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB0.53 (US$0.08), as compared to net income per diluted ADS of RMB0.16 in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for the fourth quarter of 2018, which excluded share-based compensation and income or loss from equity method investments, net of impairments, was RMB37.7 million (US$5.5 million), as compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited of RMB11.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP net margin for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased to negative 9.4% from positive 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS in the fourth quarter of 2018 was RMB0.52 (US$0.08), as compared to non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS of RMB0.16 in the fourth quarter of 2017.
For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company's weighted average number of ADSs used in the computation of diluted net loss per ADS was 72,767,164. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a total of 582,149,952 ordinary shares outstanding, or the equivalent of 72,768,744 ADSs.
CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
As of December 31, 2018, the Company's cash and cash equivalents, term deposits and short term investments and restricted cash were RMB1.36 billion (US$197.3 million). Restricted cash represents deposits placed as security for banking facilities granted to the Company, which are restricted in their withdrawal or usage.
Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Results
The impact of applying the new accounting standard on the Company's unaudited financial results as compared to the prior accounting standard for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:
Year
E
nded
December 31, 2018
Adjustments New
A
ccounting
S
tandard
(2)
Prior
A
ccounting
S
tandard
(1)
Sales
T
axes
A
nd Barter Contract
S T F
urcharges ransaction
s ulfillment
C
osts
(RMB in thousands)
R
evenues 1,495,691 (122,962) 4,650 1,377,379
Net advertising revenues 1,306,930 (113,309) 4,650 1,198,271
Paid services revenues 188,761 (9,653) 179,108
Cost of revenues (719,213) 122,962 (454) 157 (596,548)
Gross profit 776,478 4,196 157 780,831
Operating expenses (900,536) (4,317) (904,853)
Sales and marketing expenses (533,245) (4,317) (537,562)
Loss
from operations (124,058) (121) 157 (124,022)
Note:
(1) This financial information for the year ended December 31, 2018 was presented under the prior accounting standard (ASC605).
(2) This financial information for the year ended December 31, 2018 was presented under the new accounting standard (ASC606).
REVENUES
Total revenues for fiscal year 2018 were RMB1.38 billion (US$200.3 million) under the new accounting standard, which represents a decrease of 12.6% from RMB1.58 billion in fiscal year 2017.
Net advertising revenues for fiscal year 2018 were RMB1.20 billion (US$174.3 million) (net of advertising agency service fees and sales taxes and surcharges) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 11.5% from RMB1.35 billion in fiscal year 2017.
Paid service revenues for fiscal year 2018 were RMB179.1 million (US$26.1 million) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 19.2% from RMB221.6 million in fiscal year 2017.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, total revenues for fiscal year 2018 would have decreased by 5.0% to RMB1.50 billion (US$217.5 million) from RMB1.58 billion in fiscal year 2017.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, net advertising revenues (net of advertising agency service fees and sales taxes and surcharges) for fiscal year 2018 would have decreased by 3.4% to RMB1.31 billion (US$190.1 million) from RMB1.35 billion in fiscal year 2017, primarily due to the decrease in PC advertising revenues, which was partially offset by the 28.9% year-over-year growth in mobile application advertising revenues.
Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, paid service revenues for fiscal year 2018 would have decreased by 14.8% to RMB188.8 million (US$27.5 million) from RMB221.6 million in fiscal year 2017, which was primarily due to the 39.5% year-over-year decrease of revenues from MVAS products.
COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT
Cost of revenues for fiscal year 2018 was RMB596.5 million (US$86.8 million) under the new accounting standard, which represented a decrease of 18.0% from RMB727.2 million in fiscal year 2017. Under the prior accounting standard ASC605, cost of revenues for fiscal year 2018 would have been RMB719.2 million (US$104.6 million), which would have represented a decrease of 1.1% from RMB727.2 million in fiscal year 2017. Share-based compensation included in cost of revenues was RMB3.7 million (US$0.5 million) in fiscal year 2018, as compared to RMB5.0 million in fiscal year 2017. As the Company recognized share-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures, on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting term of the awards, there was less share-based compensation recognized in fiscal year 2018 for share options granted prior to 2018.
Gross profit for fiscal year 2018 decreased to RMB780.8 million (US$113.6 million) from RMB847.9 million in fiscal year 2017. Gross margin for fiscal year 2018 increased to 56.7% from 53.8% in fiscal year 2017. Non-GAAP gross margin, which excludes share-based compensation, for fiscal year 2018 increased to 57.0% from 54.2% in fiscal year 2017.
OPERATING EXPENSES AND INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
Total operating expenses for fiscal year 2018 increased to RMB904.8 million (US$131.6 million) from RMB832.9 million in fiscal year 2017. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to the increase in mobile traffic acquisition expenses. Share-based compensation included in operating expenses decreased to RMB10.2 million (US$1.5 million) in fiscal year 2018 from RMB15.8 million in fiscal year 2017. As the Company recognized share-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures, on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting term of the awards, there was less share-based compensation recognized in fiscal year 2018 for share options granted prior to 2018.
Loss from operations for fiscal year 2018 was RMB124.0 million (US$18.0 million), as compared to income from operations of RMB15.0 million in fiscal year 2017. Operating margin for fiscal year 2018 was negative 9.0%, as compared to positive 1.0% in fiscal year 2017.
Non-GAAP loss from operations, which excluded share-based compensation, for fiscal year 2018 was RMB110.0 million (US$16.0 million), as compared to non-GAAP income from operations of RMB35.8 million in fiscal year 2017. Non-GAAP operating margin for fiscal year 2018 was negative 8.0%, as compared to positive 2.3% in fiscal year 2017.
NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PHOENIX NEW MEDIA LIMITED
Net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for fiscal year 2018 was RMB63.2 million (US$9.2 million), as compared to net income attributable to Phoenix New Media of RMB37.5 million in fiscal year 2017. Net margin for fiscal year 2018 was negative 4.6%, as compared to positive 2.4% in fiscal year 2017. Net loss per diluted ADS for fiscal year 2018 was RMB0.87 (US$0.13), as compared to net income per diluted ADS of RMB0.51 in fiscal year 2017.
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for fiscal year 2018, which excluded share-based compensation and income/(loss) from equity method investments, net of impairments, was RMB54.6 million (US$7.9 million), as compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited of RMB52.0 million in fiscal year 2017. Non-GAAP net margin for fiscal year 2018 was negative 4.0%, as compared to positive 3.3% in fiscal year 2017. Non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS for fiscal year 2018 was RMB0.75 (US$0.11), as compared to non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS of RMB0.70 in fiscal year 2017.
Business Outlook
For the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB254.8 million and RMB274.8 million; net advertising revenues are expected to be between RMB193.8 million and RMB208.8 million; and paid services revenues are expected to be between RMB61.0 million and RMB66.0 million.
All of the above forecasts reflect the Company's current and preliminary view on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.
Conference Call Information
The Company will hold a conference call at 9:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on March 18, 2019 (March 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time) to discuss its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2018 unaudited financial results and operating performance.
To participate in the call, please use the dial-in numbers and conference ID below:
International:
+65 67135440
Mainland China: 4001200654
Hong Kong:
+852 30186776
United States:
+1 8456750438
United Kingdom: 08000159724
Australia: 1300713759
Conference ID: 7279276
A replay of the call will be available through March 26, 2019 by using the dial-in numbers and conference ID below:
International:
+61 290034211
Mainland China: 4006322162
Hong Kong:
+852 30512780
United States:
+1 6462543697
Conference ID: 7279276
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.ifeng.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Phoenix New Media Limited uses non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP income or loss from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited, non-GAAP net margin and non-GAAP net income or loss per diluted ADS, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP gross profit is gross profit excluding share-based compensation. Non-GAAP gross margin is non-GAAP gross profit divided by total revenues. Non-GAAP income or loss from operations is income or loss from operations excluding share-based compensation. Non-GAAP operating margin is non-GAAP income or loss from operations divided by total revenues. Non-GAAP net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited is net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited excluding share-based compensation and income or loss from equity method investments, net of impairments. Non-GAAP net margin is non-GAAP net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited divided by total revenues. Non-GAAP net income or loss per diluted ADS is non-GAAP net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited divided by weighted average number of diluted ADSs. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the aforementioned non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items add clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with the related GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses these non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that using these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its business allows both management and investors to assess the Company's performance against its competitors and ultimately monitor its capacity to generate returns for investors. The Company also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of items like share-based compensation and income or loss from equity method investments, net of impairments, which have been and will continue to be significant and recurring in its business. However, the use of these non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's gross profit, income or loss from operations and net income or loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for the period. In addition, because these non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider these non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as an alternative to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Exchange Rate
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.8755 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on December 31, 2018 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.
About Phoenix New Media Limited
Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) is a leading new media company providing premium content on an integrated Internet platform, including PC and mobile, in China. Having originated from a leading global Chinese language TV network based in Hong Kong, Phoenix TV, the Company enables consumers to access professional news and other quality information and share user-generated content on the Internet through their PCs and mobile devices. Phoenix New Media's platform includes its PC channel, consisting of ifeng.com website, which comprises interest-based verticals such as news, finance, fashion, military and digital reading, and interactive services; its mobile channel, consisting of mobile news applications, mobile video application, HTML5-based mobile Internet websites, and mobile digital reading application; and its operations with the telecom operators that provides content and mobile value-added services.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Phoenix New Media's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Phoenix New Media may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Phoenix New Media's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of online and mobile advertising, online video and mobile paid services markets in China; the Company's reliance on online and mobile advertising and MVAS for a majority of its total revenues; the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its services; the Company's expectations regarding maintaining and strengthening its relationships with advertisers, partners and customers; the Company's investment plans and strategies, fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's plans to enhance its user experience, infrastructure and services offerings; the Company's reliance on mobile operators in China to provide most of its MVAS; changes by mobile operators in China to their policies for MVAS; competition in its industry in China; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, and its annual reports on Form 20-F. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Phoenix New Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
[1] Paid services revenues comprise of (i)
revenues from digital entertainment, which
includes MVAS and digital reading, and (ii)
revenues from games and others, which
includes web-based games, mobile games,
content sales, and other online and mobile
paid services through the Company's own
platforms.
[2] Digital entertainment includes mobile
value-added services delivered through
telecom operators' platforms, or MVAS, and
digital reading.
[3] Games and others include web-based and
mobile games, content sales, and other online
and mobile paid services through the
Company's own platforms.
[4] "Others, net" primarily consists of
government subsidies and litigation loss
provisions.
[5] "ADS" means American Depositary Share of
the Company. Each ADS represents eight Class
A ordinary shares of the Company.
For investor and media inquiries please contact:
Phoenix New Media Limited
Qing Liu
Email: investorrelations@ifeng.com
ICR, Inc.
Jack Wang
Tel: +1 (646) 405-4883
Email: investorrelations@ifeng.com
Phoenix New Media Limited
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
December 31, December 31,
December 31,
2017 2018 2018
---
RMB
RMB
US$
Audited*
Unaudited
Unaudited
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 362,862 174,024 25,311
Term deposits and short term investments 737,657 912,594 132,731
Restricted cash 336,700 269,648 39,219
Accounts receivable, net 458,744 484,113 70,411
Amounts due from related parties 187,214 91,228 13,269
Prepayment and other current assets 57,458 88,963 12,938
Convertible loans due from a related party 102,631 -
Total current assets 2,243,266 2,020,570 293,879
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net 64,454 95,631 13,909
Intangible assets, net 6,712 97,448 14,173
Goodwill - 338,288 49,202
Available-for-sale debt investments 1,196,330 1,961,474 285,285
Equity investments, net 15,342 33,694 4,901
Deferred tax assets 60,460 60,160 8,750
Other non-current assets 12,544 23,454 3,411
Total non-current assets 1,355,842 2,610,149 379,631
Total assets 3,599,108 4,630,719 673,510
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term loans 330,000 267,665 38,930
Accounts payable 262,657 264,753 38,507
Amounts due to related parties 14,140 25,218 3,668
Advances from customers 65,196 54,601 7,941
Taxes payable 92,214 101,386 14,746
Salary and welfare payable 134,471 132,316 19,245
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 173,253 227,328 33,063
Total current liabilities 1,071,931 1,073,267 156,100
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities 1,312 140,960 20,502
Long-term liabilities 24,714 26,131 3,801
Total non-current liabilities 26,026 167,091 24,303
Total liabilities 1,097,957 1,240,358 180,403
Shareholders' equity:
Phoenix New Media Limited shareholders' equity:
Class A ordinary shares 17,180 17,487 2,543
Class B ordinary shares 22,053 22,053 3,207
Additional paid-in capital 1,587,575 1,604,588 233,378
Statutory reserves 81,237 87,620 12,744
Retained earnings 229,250 159,621 23,215
Accumulated other comprehensive income 570,244 1,188,358 172,840
Total Phoenix New Media Limited shareholders' equity 2,507,539 3,079,727 447,927
Noncontrolling interests (6,388) 310,634 45,180
Total shareholders' equity 2,501,151 3,390,361 493,107
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 3,599,108 4,630,719 673,510
* Derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's Form 20-F dated April 26, 2018.
Phoenix New Media Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
(Amounts in
thousands, except for number of shares and per share (or ADS) data)
Three Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
---
December 31,
September 30,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
2017 2018 2018 2018 2017 2018 2018
RMB
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited Audited
*
Unaudited
Unaudited
Revenues:
Net advertising revenues 410,547 281,500 355,979 51,775 1,353,480 1,198,271 174,281
Paid service revenues 51,240 47,840 43,255 6,291 221,612 179,108 26,050
Total revenues 461,787 329,340 399,234 58,066 1,575,092 1,377,379 200,331
Cost of revenues (208,679) (152,236) (181,272) (26,365) (727,197) (596,548) (86,764)
Gross profit 253,108 177,104 217,962 31,701 847,895 780,831 113,567
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing expenses (156,590) (140,998) (155,522) (22,620) (493,664) (537,562) (78,185)
General and administrative expenses (50,457) (41,692) (44,670) (6,497) (146,923) (162,568) (23,645)
Technology and product development (51,494) (50,969) (56,819) (8,264) (192,325) (204,723) (29,776)
expenses
Total operating expenses (258,541) (233,659) (257,011) (37,381) (832,912) (904,853) (131,606)
(Loss)/income from operations (5,433) (56,555) (39,049) (5,680) 14,983 (124,022) (18,039)
Other income/(loss):
Interest income 13,213 12,349 8,608 1,252 54,286 47,445 6,901
Interest expense (3,746) (3,080) (2,442) (355) (22,221) (13,544) (1,970)
Foreign currency exchange (loss)/gain (4,481) 6,066 (317) (46) (23,560) 6,849 996
Income from equity method investments, net 4,865 4,240 3,977 578 6,296 5,352 778
of impairments
Gain on disposal of convertible loans due - 10,565 10,565 1,537
from a related party
Others, net 10,037 5,773 9,854 1,433 19,423 21,848 3,178
Income/(loss) before tax 14,455 (20,642) (19,369) (2,818) 49,207 (45,507) (6,619)
Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,294) 3,889 (20,220) (2,941) (14,783) (20,105) (2,924)
Net income/(loss) 11,161 (16,753) (39,589) (5,759) 34,424 (65,612) (9,543)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling 660 127 1,292 188 3,048 2,390 348
interests
Net income/(loss) attributable to Phoenix 11,821 (16,626) (38,297) (5,571) 37,472 (63,222) (9,195)
New Media Limited
Net income/(loss) 11,161 (16,753) (39,589) (5,759) 34,424 (65,612) (9,543)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: fair 22,227 52,111 462,558 67,276 321,538 566,320 82,368
value remeasurement for available-for-
sale investments**
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of (14,609) 39,966 (2,534) (369) (49,640) 51,794 7,533
tax: foreign currency translation
adjustment
Comprehensive income 18,779 75,324 420,435 61,148 306,322 552,502 80,358
Comprehensive loss attributable to 660 127 1,292 188 3,048 2,390 348
noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to 19,439 75,451 421,727 61,336 309,370 554,892 80,706
Phoenix New Media Limited
Net income/(loss) attributable to Phoenix 11,821 (16,626) (38,297) (5,571) 37,472 (63,222) (9,195)
New Media Limited
Net income/(loss) per Class A and Class B
ordinary share:
Basic 0.02 (0.03) (0.07) (0.01) 0.07 (0.11) (0.02)
Diluted 0.02 (0.03) (0.07) (0.01) 0.06 (0.11) (0.02)
Net income/(loss) per ADS (1 ADS represents
8 Class A ordinary shares):
Basic 0.16 (0.23) (0.53) (0.08) 0.52 (0.87) (0.13)
Diluted 0.16 (0.23) (0.53) (0.08) 0.51 (0.87) (0.13)
Weighted average number of Class A and
Class B ordinary shares used in computing
net income/(loss) per share:
Basic 576,851,243 581,962,548 582,137,314 582,137,314 574,786,887 581,084,453 581,084,453
Diluted 591,174,724 581,962,548 582,137,314 582,137,314 590,433,907 581,084,453 581,084,453
* Derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's Form 20-F dated April 26, 2018.
** The Company adopted ASU 2016-1, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, beginning from January 1, 2018. After the adoption of this new accounting standard, the Company measures long-
term equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value through earnings. As investments in Particle meet the definition of debt securities, which are recorded as available-for-sale investments,
there is no impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-1 on the available-for-sale investments in Particle and the changes in their fair value continue to be recorded in other comprehensive income.
There were minor revisions to revenues and cost of revenues for the previous quarters of 2018, which were determined as immaterial adjustment under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin: No. 99 - Materiality.
Phoenix New Media Limited
Condensed Segment Information
(Amounts in
thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve
Months Ended
---
December 31,
September 30,
December 31, December 31,
December 31,
December 31, December 31,
2017 2018 2018 2018 2017 2018 2018
RMB
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited Audited
*
Unaudited
Unaudited
Revenues:
Net advertising service 410,547 281,500 355,979 51,775 1,353,480 1,198,271 174,281
Paid service 51,240 47,840 43,255 6,291 221,612 179,108 26,050
Total revenues 461,787 329,340 399,234 58,066 1,575,092 1,377,379 200,331
Cost of revenues
Net advertising service 181,361 132,519 166,652 24,239 602,945 517,533 75,272
Paid service 27,318 19,717 14,620 2,126 124,252 79,015 11,492
Total cost of revenues 208,679 152,236 181,272 26,365 727,197 596,548 86,764
Gross profit
Net advertising service 229,186 148,981 189,327 27,536 750,535 680,738 99,009
Paid service 23,922 28,123 28,635 4,165 97,360 100,093 14,558
Total gross profit 253,108 177,104 217,962 31,701 847,895 780,831 113,567
* Derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's Form 20-F dated April 26, 2018.
Phoenix New Media Limited
Condensed Information of Cost of Revenues
(Amounts in
thousands)
Three Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
---
December 31,
September 30,
December 31, December 31,
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2017 2018 2018 2018 2017 2018 2018
RMB
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited Audited
*
Unaudited
Unaudited
Revenue sharing fees 12,350 14,261 13,201 1,920 72,613 47,539 6,914
Content and operational costs 143,588 123,281 153,866 22,379 466,379 491,868 71,539
Bandwidth costs 12,830 14,694 14,205 2,066 55,050 57,141 8,311
Sales taxes and surcharges** 39,911 133,155 -
Total cost of revenues 208,679 152,236 181,272 26,365 727,197 596,548 86,764
* Derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's Form 20-F dated April 26, 2018.
** The sales taxes and surcharges in the quarters of 2018 and the fiscal year 2018 were excluded from cost of revenues and recorded as a reduction of revenues under the new revenue recognition accounting standard (ASC606), while sales taxes and surcharges in the quarters of 2017 and fiscal year 2017 were recorded as a component of cost of revenues
under the prior accounting standard (ASC605).
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results of Operations Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except for number of ADSs and per ADS data)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
---
Non-GAAP
Non-GAAP
Non-GAAP
GAAP Adjustments
Non-GAAP
GAAP Adjustments
Non-GAAP
GAAP Adjustments
Non-GAAP
---
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Unaudited
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
Unaudited
Unaudited
Gross profit 253,108 1,221 (1) 254,329 177,104 442 (1) 177,546 217,962 2,469 (1) 220,431
Gross margin 54.8% 55.1% 53.8% 53.9% 54.6% 55.2%
(Loss)/income from (5,433) 4,677 (1) (756) (56,555) 2,535 (1) (54,020) (39,049) 4,614 (1) (34,435)
operations
Operating margin (1.2%) (0.2%) (17.2%) (16.4%) (9.8%) (8.6%)
4,677 (1) 2,535 (1) 4,614 (1)
(4,865) (2) (4,240) (2) (3,977) (2)
Net income/(loss) 11,821 (188) 11,633 (16,626) (1,705) (18,331) (38,297) 637 (37,660)
attributable to
Phoenix New
Media Limited
Net margin 2.6% 2.5% (5.0%) (5.6%) (9.6%) (9.4%)
Net income/(loss) per 0.16 0.16 (0.23) (0.25) (0.53) (0.52)
ADS-diluted
Weighted average 73,896,840 73,896,840 72,745,318 72,745,318 72,767,164 72,767,164
number of ADSs
used in computing
diluted net
income/(loss) per
ADS
(1) Share-based compensation
(2) Income from equity method investments, net of impairments
Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items have no income tax effect.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results of Operations Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except for number of ADSs and per ADS data)
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
---
Non-GAAP
Non-GAAP
GAAP Adjustments
Non-GAAP
GAAP Adjustments
Non-GAAP
---
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Unaudited
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
Unaudited Unaudited
Gross profit 847,895 5,017 (1) 852,912 780,831 3,750 (1) 784,581
Gross margin 53.8% 54.2% 56.7% 57.0%
Income/(loss) from operations 14,983 20,852 (1) 35,835 (124,022) 13,989 (1) (110,033)
Operating margin 1.0% 2.3% (9.0%) (8.0%)
20,852 (1) 13,989 (1)
(6,296) (2) (5,352) (2)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Phoenix 37,472 14,556 52,028 (63,222) 8,637 (54,585)
New Media Limited
Net margin 2.4% 3.3% (4.6%) (4.0%)
Net income/(loss) per ADS-diluted 0.51 0.70 (0.87) (0.75)
Weighted average number of ADSs used in 73,804,238 73,804,238 72,635,557 72,635,557
computing diluted net income/(loss) per
ADS
(1) Share-based compensation
(2) Income from equity method investments, net of impairments
Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items have no income tax effect.
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SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited
