Hello Group Inc. Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2024

Tue, 28 May 2024 15:23:00 +0800

BEIJING, May 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) ("Hello Group" or the "Company"), a leading player in mainland China's online social networking space, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2024.  

First Quarter of 2024 Highlights

• Net revenues decreased by 9.2% year over year to RMB2,560.4 million (US$354.6 million*) in the first quarter of 2024.
• Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. decreased to RMB5.2 million (US$0.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, from RMB390.3 million in the same period of 2023.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) decreased to RMB59.9 million (US$8.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, from RMB471.9 million in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the accrual of withholding income tax of RMB448.6 million (US$62.1 million) on historical undistributed earnings generated by our wholly-foreign owned enterprise ("WFOE").
• Diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was RMB0.03 (US$0.00) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB1.96 in the same period of 2023.
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB0.31 (US$0.04) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB2.36 in the same period of 2023.
• Monthly Active Users ("MAU") on Tantan app were 13.7 million in March 2024, compared to 19.5 million in March 2023.
• For the Momo app total paying users was 7.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 7.8 million for the same period last year. Tantan had 1.1 million paying users for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 1.6 million from the year ago period.

"We have made steady progress in implementing our strategic priorities for Momo, Tantan, and our new endeavors since the beginning of the year," commented Yan Tang, Chairman and CEO of Hello Group. "Product innovation and our ability to leverage technological advancements have enabled Momo to play an important role in helping users discover new relationships and build meaningful interactions. This has laid a solid foundation for us to maintain user and revenue scale over the long term. I am also glad to see that our overseas team has accelerated the localization process to drive continued growth in the new endeavors. We look forward to delivering high quality social and entertainment services to a much broader user base global wise." 

First Quarter of 2024 Financial Results

Net revenues

Total net revenues were RMB2,560.4 million (US$354.6 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 9.2% from RMB2,818.9 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Live video service revenues were RMB1,238.5 million (US$171.5 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 13.3% from RMB1,429.3 million during the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to our proactive operational adjustments to de-emphasise large scale competition events in the Momo app and a soft consumer sentiment in the current macro environment, and to a lesser degree, Tantan pivoting away from the less dating-centric live video service.

Value-added service revenues mainly include virtual gift revenues and membership subscription revenues. Total value-added service revenues were RMB1,294.4 million (US$179.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 4.9% from RMB1,361.5 million during the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to our product adjustments to improve Momo app's ecosystem as well as the impact of the macro economy on consumer sentiment, and to a lesser extent, the decline in Tantan's paying users. The decrease was partially offset by the rapid revenue growth from the new standalone apps.

Mobile marketing revenues were RMB26.6 million (US$3.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 26.2% from RMB21.1 million during the same period of 2023.

Mobile games revenues were RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 88.3% from RMB3.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Net revenues from the Momo segment decreased from RMB2,510.1 million in the first quarter of 2023 to RMB2,318.9 million (US$321.2 million) in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues from value-added service and live video service on Momo app. The decrease was partially offset by the revenue growth of the new standalone apps. Net revenues from the Tantan segment decreased from RMB308.6 million in the first quarter of 2023 to RMB241.5 million (US$33.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, mainly due to the decrease in net revenues from live video service, and to a lesser extent, the decrease from value-added service.

Cost and expenses

Cost and expenses were RMB2,120.0 million (US$293.6 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 12.4% from RMB2,419.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (a) a decrease in revenue sharing with broadcasters related to live video service on Momo app and Tantan app, and a decrease in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients of virtual gift service on Momo app. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients for new standalone apps; (b) a decrease in salary expenses and share-based compensation expenses, due to our continuous optimization in personnel costs and the newly granted share options which had lower fair value; (c) a decrease in sales and marketing expenses due to less marketing and promotional spend on live video service and our strategy to trim inefficient channel marketing spend.

Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB2,065.3 million (US$286.0 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 11.6% from RMB2,337.4 million during the same period of 2023.

Income from operations

Income from operations was RMB460.3 million (US$63.8 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB436.2 million during the same period of 2023. Income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB434.0 million (US$60.1 million) in the first quarter of 2024, which decreased from RMB435.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. Income from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB28.6 million (US$4.0 million) in the first quarter of 2024, which increased from RMB5.2 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB515.0 million (US$71.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB517.8 million during the same period of 2023. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB488.5 million (US$67.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, which decreased from RMB507.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB28.8 million (US$4.0 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB14.5 million in the first quarter of 2023.  

Income tax expenses

Income tax expenses were RMB557.6 million (US$77.2 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB122.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, we accrued an income tax expenses of RMB109.0 million (US$15.1 million) associated with the profit generated in this quarter. Additionally, we accrued a withholding income tax of RMB448.6 million (US$62.1 million) associated with our WFOE's historical undistributed earnings for the potential remittance of earnings from our WFOE to its offshore parent company in the form of dividend distribution. Because we believe that we might continue to distribute the WFOE's undistributed earnings in the future to fund our demands in overseas business operations, payments of dividends, potential investments, etc, to be prudent, we accrued withholding tax on the total balance of undistributed earnings of our WFOE as of March 31, 2024. From the first quarter of 2024, dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in the Chinese mainland to its offshore parent company in Hong Kong are qualified for the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, instead of the normal withholding tax rate of 10%.

Net income

Net income was RMB5.2 million (US$0.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB389.5 million during the same period of 2023. Net loss of the Momo segment was RMB20.8 million (US$2.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net income of RMB389.0 million in the same period of 2023. Net income from the Tantan segment was RMB28.2 million (US$3.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB4.5 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB59.9 million (US$8.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB471.1 million during the same period of 2023. Non-GAAP net income from the Momo segment was RMB33.7 million (US$4.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, which decreased from RMB461.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income of the Tantan segment was RMB28.4 million (US$3.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB13.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.

Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB5.2 million (US$0.7 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB390.3 million during the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB59.9 million (US$8.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB471.9 million during the same period of 2023.

Net income per ADS

Diluted net income per ADS was RMB0.03 (US$0.00) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB1.96 in the first quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB0.31 (US$0.04) in the first quarter of 2024, compared to RMB2.36 in the first quarter of 2023.

Cash and cash flow

As of March 31, 2024, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash totaled RMB15,115.8 million (US$2,093.5 million), compared to RMB13,478.5 million as of December 31, 2023.

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2024 was RMB400.2 million (US$55.4 million), compared to RMB451.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Recent Development

Payment of a special cash dividend

In March 2024, Hello Group's board of directors declared a special cash dividend in the amount of US$0.54 per ADS, or US$0.27 per ordinary share. The cash dividend was paid on April 30, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2024. The aggregate amount of cash dividends paid was US$98.9 million.

Share repurchase program

On June 7, 2022, Hello Group's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$200 million of its shares up to June 6, 2024 (the "Share Repurchase Program"). On March 14, 2024, Hello Group's board of directors approved to amend the Share Repurchase Program to (i) extend the term of the Share Repurchase Program up to June 30, 2026, and (ii) upsize the Share Repurchase Program so that the Company is authorized to, from time to time, acquire up to an aggregate of US$286.1 million worth of its shares in the form of ADSs and/or the ordinary shares of the Company in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

As of May 28, 2024, the Company has repurchased 22.3 million ADSs for US$122.6 million on the open market under Share Repurchase Program announced on June 7, 2022 and amended on March 14, 2024, at an average purchase price of US$5.48 per ADS.

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2024, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB2.65 billion to RMB2.75 billion, representing a decrease of 15.5% to 12.4% year over year. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

Note 1: Non-GAAP measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we, Hello Group, use various non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation.

Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.

Our non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of our continuing operations and our prospects for the future. Our non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to the GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

Our non-GAAP information (including non-GAAP cost and operating expenses, income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), net income attributable to Hello Group Inc., and diluted net income per ADS) is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future significant recurring expenses in our results of operations. We compensate for such limitation by providing reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to our U.S. GAAP measures. Please see the reconciliation tables at the end of this earnings release.

Conference Call

Hello Group's management will host an earnings conference call on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on May 28, 2024).

Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to:

https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10039014-cp8m51.html.

Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through June 4, 2024. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:

U.S. / Canada: 1-855-883-1031

Hong Kong: 800-930-639

Passcode: 10039014

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Hello Group's website at https://ir.hellogroup.com.

About Hello Group Inc.

We are a leading player in mainland China's online social networking space. Through Momo, Tantan and other properties within our product portfolio, we enable users to discover new relationships, expand their social connections and build meaningful interactions. Momo is a mobile application that connects people and facilitates social interactions based on location, interests and a variety of online recreational activities. Tantan, which was added into our family of applications through acquisition in May 2018, is a leading social and dating application. Tantan is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections as well as meet interesting people. Starting from 2019, we have incubated a number of other new apps, such as Hertz, Soulchill, Duidui and Tietie, which target more niche markets and more selective demographics.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Hello Group Inc.

Investor Relations
Phone: +86-10-5731-0538
Email: ir@hellogroup.com 

Christensen

In China
Ms. Xiaoyan Su
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com 

In U.S.

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com 

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to our management quotes, our financial outlook for the second quarter of 2024, as well as the amount of, timing, methods and funding sources for repurchases of our shares under the share repurchase program.

Our forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Our actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the first quarter of 2024 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the second quarter of 2024 and may be unable to grow our business in the manner planned. We may also modify our strategy for growth.  Moreover, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from what we currently anticipate, including those relating to our ability to retain and grow our user base, our ability to attract and retain sufficiently trained professionals to support our operations, our ability to anticipate and develop new services and enhance existing services to meet the demand of our users or customers, the market price of the Company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time, the Company's cash flows from operations, general economic conditions, and other factors.  For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.