Phoenix New Media Reports First Quarter 2019 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, May 13, 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 first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Mr. Shuang Liu, CEO of Phoenix New Media, commented, "I am so pleased that our topline exceeded our expectations. In the first quarter of 2019, we continued to focus on enhancing our AI framework by further improving its synergies with our editorial system. The successful integration of human expertise and AI algorithms not only strengthened our ability to generate and distribute high-quality content, but also allowed us to maintain our professional journalism standards and provide unbiased, premium content to our users. In addition, our new growth initiatives in our content offering strategy, digital reading and our expansion in lifestyle related verticals have all out-performed our expectations.

Despite headwinds from macroeconomic uncertainties and industry challenges, we are confident that our ability to generate accurate and highly relevant sales leads in a variety of niche verticals can help our clients achieve a high ROI with a limited marketing budget."

Ms. Betty Ho, CFO of Phoenix New Media, further stated, "For the first quarter of 2019, our total revenues reached RMB284.9 million, exceeding the high end of our previous guidance as a result of the better than expected performance of the digital reading business of Tadu. The total consolidated paid services revenues for the first quarter of 2019 increased by 66.1% year over year to RMB68.9 million. However, our net advertising revenues for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to RMB216.0 million primarily as a result of macroeconomic uncertainties and increased competition. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in the expansion of original content and to further diversify our product offerings. We are actively exploring potential investment in premium content and expect the synergies between our different businesses to enable us to enter into a fresh growth cycle."

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

REVENUES

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB284.9 million (US$42.4 million), which were flat as compared with the same quarter last year, though the Company consolidated the revenues from Beijing Yitian Xindong Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("Yitian Xindong" or "Tadu") of RMB43.5 million (US$6.5 million), the advertising revenues were decreased due to macroeconomic headwind and intense competition.

Net advertising revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB216.0 million (US$32.2 million), which represented a decrease of 11.3% from RMB243.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily attributable to a 9.0% year-over-year decrease in PC advertising revenues and a 12.4% year-over-year decrease in mobile advertising revenues.

Paid services revenues^[1] for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB68.9 million (US$10.3 million), which represented an increase of 66.1% from RMB41.5 million in the first quarter of 2018. Revenues from paid contents for the first quarter of 2019 increased 147.8% to RMB52.9 million (US$7.9 million) from RMB21.4 million in the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the inclusion of digital reading revenues from Tadu. Revenues from games for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB3.1 million (US$0.5 million), which represented a decrease of 35.0% from RMB4.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. Revenues from MVAS for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB7.9 million (US$1.2 million), which represented a decrease of 42.0% from RMB13.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. Revenues from others for the first quarter of 2019 were RMB5.0 million (US$0.7 million), which represented an increase of 200.8% from RMB1.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, mainly caused by the increase in revenues from commissions generated from online transactions.

COST OF REVENUES

Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB178.2 million (US$26.5 million), representing an increase of 38.4% from RMB128.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. The increase in cost of revenues was mainly due to:  

• Content and operational costs for the first quarter of 2019 increased from RMB105.8 million in the first quarter of 2018 to RMB147.0 million (US$21.9 million), primarily attributable to an increase in IP production costs.
• Revenue sharing fees to telecom operators and channel partners for the first quarter of 2019 increased from RMB8.6 million in the first quarter of 2018 to RMB17.3 million (US$2.6 million), primarily attributable to the increase in revenue sharing fees paid to content providers by Tadu.
• Share-based compensation included in cost of revenues was RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to RMB0.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily attributable to the newly granted restricted share units to some employees under a restricted share unit scheme adopted in 2018 by Fread Limited, a subsidiary of the Company.

The increase in cost of revenues was partially offset by decrease in bandwidth costs from RMB14.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 to RMB13.9 million (US$2.1 million) for the first quarter of 2019.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB106.7 million (US$15.9 million), as compared to RMB156.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to 37.5% from 54.9% in the first quarter of 2018, mainly caused by the 38.4% year-over-year increase in cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2019 as explained above.

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 first quarter of 2019, which excluded share-based compensation, decreased to 38.0% from 55.0% in the first quarter of 2018.

OPERATING EXPENSES AND LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2019 increased by 6.9% from RMB214.0 million in the first quarter of 2018 to RMB228.8 million (US$34.1 million), primarily attributable to the inclusion of operating expenses from Tadu. Share-based compensation included in operating expenses was RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to RMB3.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. 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 first quarter of 2019 for share options granted prior to 2019. 

Loss from operations for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB122.1 million (US$18.2 million), as compared to loss from operations of RMB57.9 million in the first quarter of 2018. Operating margin for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to negative 42.9% from negative 20.3% in the first quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP loss from operations for the first quarter of 2019, which excluded share-based compensation, was RMB118.1 million (US$17.6 million), as compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB54.4 million in the first quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP operating margin for the first quarter of 2019, which excluded share-based compensation, decreased to negative 41.5% from negative 19.1% in the first quarter of 2018.

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^[2]. Total net other income for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million), as compared to net other loss of RMB5.2 million in the first quarter of 2018.

• Interest income for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to RMB8.7 million (US$1.3 million) from RMB12.9 million in the first quarter of 2018.
• Interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to RMB2.9 million (US$0.4 million), from RMB4.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, which was primarily due to the decrease in outstanding short-term bank loans in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to that of 2018.
• Foreign currency exchange loss for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million), as compared to foreign currency exchange loss of RMB15.1 million in the first quarter of 2018, which was mainly caused by the less significant appreciation of Renminbi against US dollars in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to that of 2018 that generated less exchange loss in Renminbi denominated liabilities recorded in the Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not Renminbi.
• Loss from equity method investments, net of impairments, for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million), as compared to loss from equity method investments, net of impairment, of RMB2.4 million in the first quarter of 2018.
• Others, net, for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million), from RMB4.1 million in the first quarter of 2018.

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO PHOENIX NEW MEDIA LIMITED

Net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for the first quarter of 2019 was RMB119.7 million (US$17.8 million), as compared to net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited of RMB57.5 million in the first quarter of 2018. Net margin for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to negative 42.0% from negative 20.2% in the first quarter of 2018. Net loss per diluted ADS^[3] in the first quarter of 2019 was RMB1.65 (US$0.25), as compared to net loss per diluted ADS of RMB0.79 in the first quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited for the first quarter of 2019, which excluded share-based compensation and income or loss from equity method investments, net of impairments, was RMB111.8 million (US$16.7 million), as compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to Phoenix New Media Limited of RMB51.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP net margin for the first quarter of 2019 decreased to negative 39.2% from negative 18.2% in the first quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS in the first quarter of 2019 was RMB1.54 (US$0.23), as compared to non-GAAP net loss per diluted ADS of RMB0.71 in the first quarter of 2018. 

For the first quarter of 2019, the Company's weighted average number of ADSs used in the computation of diluted net loss per ADS was 72,773,389. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had a total of 582,249,952 ordinary shares outstanding, or the equivalent of 72,781,244 ADSs.

CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

As of March 31, 2019, the Company's cash and cash equivalents, term deposits and short term investments and restricted cash were RMB1.75 billion (US$260.3 million). Restricted cash represents deposits placed as security for banking facilities granted to the Company, which are restricted in their withdrawal or usage. The increase of cash balance was due to the receipt of the US$100.0 million deposit from proposed buyers of investments in Particle Inc. ("Particle").

On February 23, 2019, the Company entered into a binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with an independent third party to sell 32% of the total outstanding shares of Particle on an as-if converted basis to such party or its designated entities (collectively referred to as the "Proposed Buyers") for a total consideration of US$448.0 million in cash. The proposed buyers have paid cash deposit of US$100.0 million to the Company, and the Company and the proposed buyers entered into the formal purchase agreement (the "SPA") on March 22, 2019 (the "Proposed Transactions"). Completion of the Proposed Transactions is still subject to certain closing conditions, though some of them have been met and some of them are progressing. There is no assurance that the Proposed Transactions will ever be closed. The fair value of available-for-sale debt investments in Particle increased from RMB1,959.5 million as of December 31, 2018 to RMB2,728.4 million (US$406.6 million) as of March 31, 2019, mainly due to the increased possibility of completing the Proposed Transactions based on the status of various closing conditions used in the valuation of available-for-sale debt investments in Particle for the first quarter of 2019.

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2019, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB374.1 million and RMB394.1 million; net advertising revenues are expected to be between RMB308.8 million and RMB323.8 million; and paid services revenues are expected to be between RMB65.3 million and RMB70.3 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 May 13, 2019 (May 14, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time) to discuss its first quarter 2019 unaudited financial results and operating performance.

To participate in the call, please use the dial-in numbers and conference ID below:

A replay of the call will be available through May 21, 2019 by using the dial-in numbers and conference ID below:

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 RMB6.7112 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2019 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 and interactive services; its mobile channel, consisting of mobile news applications, mobile video application, digital reading applications and mobile Internet website; and its operations with the telecom operators that provides 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.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Phoenix New Media Limited
Qing Liu
Email: [email protected] 

ICR, Inc.
Jack Wang
Tel: +1 (646) 405-4883
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited