Hello Group Inc. MOMO

BEIJING, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) ("Hello Group" or the "Company"), a leading mobile social and entertainment platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2023.  

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Highlights

• Net revenues decreased by 6.5% year over year to RMB3,002.9 million (US$423.0 million*) in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. increased to RMB452.5 million (US$63.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, from RMB398.0 million in the same period of 2022.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) increased to RMB514.7 million (US$72.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, from RMB487.9 million in the same period of 2022.
• Diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was RMB2.32 (US$0.33) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.01 in the same period of 2022.
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.63 (US$0.37) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.46 in the same period of 2022.
• Monthly Active Users ("MAU") on Tantan app were 13.7 million in December 2023, compared to 18.4 million in December 2022.
• For the Momo app total paying users was 7.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 7.8 million for the same period last year. Tantan had 1.2 million paying users for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 1.7 million from the year ago period.

Full Year 2023 Highlights

• Net revenues decreased by 5.5% year over year to RMB12,002.3 million (US$1,690.5 million) for the full year of 2023.
• Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB1,957.6 million (US$275.7 million) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1,484.3 million during the same period of 2022.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB2,224.7 million (US$313.3 million) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1,885.8 million during the same period of 2022.
• Diluted net income per ADS was RMB9.84 (US$1.39) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB7.31 during the same period of 2022.
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB11.17 (US$1.57) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB9.20 during the same period of 2022.

"2023 was a busy, yet fruitful year. Despite many changes and challenges in the external environment, our team made steady progress against our strategic priorities." Commented Yan Tang, Chairman and CEO of Hello Group. "With solid improvement in cost efficiency, we were able to meaningfully improve the profitability of the company against economic headwinds. I am also pleased to see that our new endeavors in the overseas market have started bearing fruits, which gives us more confidence to invest more resources and take bigger strides to explore wider markets abroad."

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Financial Results

Net revenues

Total net revenues were RMB3,002.9 million (US$423.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 6.5% from RMB3,212.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Live video service revenues were RMB1,523.9 million (US$214.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 11.6% from RMB1,724.2 million during the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a soft consumer sentiment in the current macro environment and our proactive operation adjustments to de-emphasise large scale competition events in the Momo app, 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 RMB1,424.9 million (US$200.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 1.7% from RMB1,449.5 million during the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the macro economy on consumer sentiment as well as our product adjustments to improve Momo app's ecosystem, and to a lesser extent, the decline in Tantan's paying users that resulted from a reduction in channel investment, the anti-spam campaign and the adjustments to subscription renewals. The decrease was partially offset by the rapid revenue growth from the new standalone apps.

Mobile marketing revenues were RMB44.9 million (US$6.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 36.4% from RMB32.9 million during the same period of 2022.

Mobile games revenues were RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 2.4% from RMB5.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Net revenues from the Momo segment decreased from RMB2,865.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 to RMB2,728.7 million (US$384.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, 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 RMB346.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 to RMB272.2 million (US$38.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, 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 RMB2,431.8 million (US$342.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 11.2% from RMB2,738.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (a) a decrease in revenue sharing with broadcasters related to live video service on the Momo app and on the Tantan app, and a decrease in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients of virtual gift service on the 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 our initiatives to control cost and optimize Tantan's channel marketing strategy and, to a lesser extent, Momo's strategy to trim inefficient channel marketing spend.

Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB2,369.5 million (US$333.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 10.5% from RMB2,648.3 million during the same period of 2022.

Other operating income (loss), net

Other operating income was RMB30.8 million (US$4.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a loss of RMB65.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. The other operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2022 mainly included a contingent loss accrual of RMB92.9 million related to an ongoing investigation of the alleged illegal activity on the source of the funding consumed on Momo's platform.

Income from operations

Income from operations was RMB602.0 million (US$84.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB409.2 million during the same period of 2022. Income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB576.9 million (US$81.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, which increased from RMB435.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Income from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB26.8 million (US$3.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a loss from operations of RMB21.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB664.2 million (US$93.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB499.2 million during the same period of 2022. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB638.9 million (US$90.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, which increased from RMB519.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB27.0 million (US$3.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB15.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.  

Income tax expenses

Income tax expenses were RMB183.4 million (US$25.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB109.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in income tax expenses was primarily due to the higher profit in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Net income

Net income was RMB452.5 million (US$63.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB397.0 million during the same period of 2022. Net income from the Momo segment was RMB430.0 million (US$60.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB397.1 million in the same period of 2022. Net income from the Tantan segment was RMB24.2 million (US$3.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB514.7 million (US$72.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB487.0 million during the same period of 2022. Non-GAAP net income from the Momo segment was RMB492.1 million (US$69.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, which increased from RMB480.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP net income of the Tantan segment was RMB24.4 million (US$3.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB11.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.

Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB452.5 million (US$63.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB398.0 million during the same period of 2022.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB514.7 million (US$72.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB487.9 million during the same period of 2022.

Net income per ADS

Diluted net income per ADS was RMB2.32 (US$0.33) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.01 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.63 (US$0.37) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2.46 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Cash and cash flow

As of December 31, 2023, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term investments, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash totaled RMB13,478.5 million (US$1,898.4 million), compared to RMB13,398.8 million as of December 31, 2022.

Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB415.9 million (US$58.6 million), compared to RMB538.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Net revenues for the full year of 2023 were RMB12,002.3 million (US$1,690.5 million), a decrease of 5.5% from RMB12,704.2 million in the same period of 2022.

Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB1,957.6 million (US$275.7 million) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1,484.3 million during the same period of 2022.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB2,224.7 million (US$313.3 million) for the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1,885.8 million during the same period of 2022.

Diluted net income per ADS was RMB9.84 (US$1.39) during the full year of 2023, compared to RMB7.31 in the same period of 2022.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB11.17 (US$1.57) during the full year of 2023, compared to RMB9.20 in the same period of 2022.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB2,277.2 million (US$320.7 million) during the full year of 2023, compared to RMB1,226.9 million in the same period of 2022.

Recent Development

Declaration of a special cash dividend

Hello Group's board of directors has declared a special cash dividend in the amount of US$0.54 per ADS, or US$0.27 per ordinary share. The cash dividend will be paid on April 30, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2024. The ex-dividend date will be April 11, 2024. The aggregate amount of cash dividends to be paid is approximately US$103 million, which will be funded by available cash on the Company's balance sheet.

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"). As of March 14, 2024, the Company has repurchased 16.2 million ADSs for US$86.1 million on the open market under this program, at an average purchase price of US$5.31 per ADS.

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.

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB2.45 billion to RMB2.55 billion, representing a decrease of 13.1% to 9.5% 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 Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on March 14, 2024).

Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to:

https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10037219-7ww6gf.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 March 21, 2024. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:

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

Hong Kong: 800-930-639

Passcode: 10037219

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 China's online social and entertainment 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. We also operate a number of other applications to serve different social and entertainment demands from our users.

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 first 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 fourth quarter of 2023 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the first 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.