DouYu International Holdings Limited Reports First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

WUHAN, China, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DouYu International Holdings Limited ("DouYu" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: DOYU), a leading game-centric live streaming platform in China and a pioneer in the eSports value chain, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Financial and Operational Highlights

• Total net revenues in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB2,152.7 million (US$328.6 million), compared with RMB2,278.0 million in the same period of 2020.
• Gross profit in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB260.2 million (US$39.7 million), compared with RMB485.9 million in the same period of 2020, implying a gross margin of 12.1% in the first quarter of 2021.
• Net loss in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB101.8 million (US$15.5 million), compared with a net income of RMB254.5 million in the same period of 2020.
• Adjusted net loss in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB70.7 million (US$10.8 million), compared with an adjusted net income of RMB296.9 million in the same period of 2020.
• Average MAUs in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 21.3% to 191.9 million from 158.1 million in the same period of 2020.
• Average mobile MAUs in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 4.5% to 59.1 million from 56.6 million in the same period of 2020.
• Quarterly average paying user count in the first quarter of 2021 was 7.0 million, compared with 7.6 million in the same period of 2020.

Mr. Shaojie Chen, Chief Executive Officer of DouYu, commented, "We are pleased to announce that we maintained steady operational growth in the first quarter of 2021 as we continued to upgrade our operational system. On a year-over-year basis, our total average MAUs increased by 21.3% to 191.9 million while our average mobile MAUs increased by 4.5% to 59.1 million. By continuously enriching our content library and diversifying our live streaming, video, and community content offerings, we remain committed to developing a diversified and industry leading game-centric integrated platform."

Mr. Hao Cao, Vice President of DouYu, commented, "In the first quarter of 2021, our total revenues were RMB2.15 billion and gross profit was RMB260.2 million, representing a gross margin of 12.1%. During the quarter, we increased our investments in content, as we remained focused on improving our content production in both our video and community businesses. Looking ahead, we will continue to optimize the monetization capabilities and improve monetization efficiency of our platform while striving to generate more long-term value for our shareholders. "

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Total net revenues in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB2,152.7 million (US$328.6 million), compared with RMB2,278.0 million in the same period of 2020.

Live streaming revenues in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB1,998.6 million (US$305.1 million), compared with RMB2,113.0 million in the same period of 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the reversion of paying users' consumption of the virtual items to that of the pre-pandemic level, as the pandemic was gradually brought under control in China. This decline was partially offset by our implementation of more effective operational strategies, which helped improve the participation levels and paying behaviors of key paying users on our platform in the period.

Advertising and other revenues in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB154.1 million (US$23.5 million), compared with RMB165.0 million in the same period of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to the trend of game advertisers normalizing their marketing expenditures, which were relatively higher in the same period last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB1,892.5 million (US$288.9 million), compared with RMB1,792.2 million in the same period of 2020, primarily due to increased revenue sharing fees and content costs.

Revenue sharing fees and content costs in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 5.4% to RMB1,659.6 million (US$253.3 million) from RMB1,574.8 million in the same period of 2020. This was because of the Company's increased investments in the broadcasting rights for eSports tournaments, in-house production of proprietary events, and quality streamers in the overseas market.

Bandwidth costs in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB172.1 million (US$26.3 million), compared with RMB152.9 million in the same period of 2020. This was mainly due to the promotion of high-quality viewing options offered on the Company's platform and was partially offset by improved bandwidth efficiency as a result of in-house technology upgrades.

Gross profit in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB260.2 million (US$39.7 million), compared with RMB485.9 million in the same period of 2020. Gross margin in the first quarter of 2021 was 12.1%, compared with 21.3% in the same period of 2020. This decrease was primary due to the increase in content costs for eSports tournaments and bandwidth costs, together with the decrease in revenues.

Sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB209.9 million (US$32.0 million), compared with RMB107.4 million in the same period of 2020. This was mainly attributable to the increased sponsorships and promotions of eSports tournaments compared to the same period of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increased promotional activities for user acquisition.

Research and development expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB111.3 million (US$17.0 million), compared with RMB92.9 million in the same period of 2020. This increase was primarily due to our additional investments in technical personnel.

General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB88.1 million (US$13.4 million), compared with RMB84.6 million in the same period of 2020.

Other operating income, net in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB23.9 million (US$3.7 million), compared with RMB16.6 million in the same period of 2020.

Loss from operations in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB125.1 million (US$19.1 million), compared with a profit from operations of RMB217.6 million in the same period of 2020.

Adjusted operating loss in the first quarter of 2021, which adds back share-based compensation expenses, was RMB91.8 million (US$14.0 million), compared with an adjusted operating income of RMB259.5 million in the same period of 2020.

Income tax expenses in the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 were nil due to the Company's cumulative net losses and the resulting tax loss carryforward.

Net loss in the first quarter of 2021 was RMB101.8 million (US$15.5 million), compared with a net income of RMB254.5 million in the same period of 2020.

Adjusted net loss in the first quarter of 2021, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, share of income in equity method investments, and impairment loss of investments, was RMB70.7 million (US$10.8 million), compared with an adjusted net income of RMB296.9 million in the same period of 2020.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS^[1] in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB0.19 (US$0.03) and RMB0.19 (US$0.03) respectively. Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the first quarter of 2021 were RMB0.10 (US$0.01) and RMB0.10 (US$0.01) respectively.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 8:00 am Eastern Time (or 8:00 pm Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:

The replay will be accessible through May 25, 2021, by dialing the following numbers:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.douyu.com/.

About DouYu International Holdings Limited

Headquartered in Wuhan, China, DouYu International Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: DOYU) is a leading game-centric live streaming platform in China and a pioneer in the eSports value chain. DouYu operates its platform on both PC and mobile apps, through which users can enjoy immersive and interactive games and entertainment live streaming. DouYu's platform brings together a deep pool of top live streamers. By providing a sustainable streamer development system built on advanced technology infrastructure and capabilities, DouYu helps ensure a consistent supply of quality content. Through collaborations with a variety of participants across the eSports value chain, the Company has gained coveted access to a wide variety of premium eSports content, which further attracts viewers and enhances user experience. For more information, please see http://ir.douyu.com/.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted operating income (loss) is calculated as operating income (loss) adjusted for share-based compensation expenses. Adjusted net income is calculated as net loss adjusted for share-based compensation expenses, share of income (loss) in equity method investments, gain on disposal of investment or subsidiaries and impairment loss on investments. Adjusted net income attributable to DouYu is calculated as net income attributable to DouYu adjusted for share-based compensation expenses, share of income (loss) in equity method investments, gain on disposal of investment or subsidiaries and impairment loss of investments. Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ordinary share is non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ordinary share. The Company adjusted the impact of (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) share of income (loss) in equity method investments, (iii) gain on disposal of investment or subsidiaries and (iv)impairment loss of investments to understand and evaluate the Company's core operating performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are presented to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As non-GAAP financial measures have material limitations as analytical metrics and may not be 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 non-GAAP financial measures as a substitute for, or superior to, such metrics in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results" near the end of this release.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2021, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled in U.S. dollars at that rate on March 31, 2021, or at any other rate.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in Huya and DouYu's documents filed with the SEC, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements and information or historical performance: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of Huya and DouYu to terminate the definitive merger agreement between Huya and DouYu; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Huya, DouYu or their respective shareholders or directors; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the merger, including the risk that regulatory approvals required for the merger are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated or that are material and adverse to Huya's or DouYu's business; a delay in closing the merger; the ability to obtain approval by DouYu's shareholders on the expected terms and schedule; business disruptions from the proposed merger that will harm Huya's or DouYu's business, including current plans and operations; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the merger; certain restrictions during the pendency of the merger that may impact Huya's or DouYu's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the ability of Huya or DouYu to retain and hire key personnel; uncertainty as to the long-term value of the Class A ordinary shares of Huya following the merger; the continued availability of capital and financing following the merger; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which Huya and DouYu operate; changes in Huya's or DouYu's anticipated revenue and income; changes in DouYu's operating or other expenses; the degree to which Huya or DouYu encounters competition; and general political, economic and market conditions.

Investor Relations Contact

Mao Mao
DouYu International Holdings Limited
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (646) 224-6934

Xinran Rao
ICR, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (646) 224-6934

Media Relations Contact

Iris Ding
DouYu International Holdings Limited
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (646) 308-1475

Edmond Lococo
ICR, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (646) 308-1475

SOURCE DouYu International Holdings Limited