Momo Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019

BEIJING, March 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Momo Inc. MOMO ("Momo" or the "Company"), a leading mobile social networking platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2019. 

Fourth Quarter of 2019 Highlights

• Net revenues increased by 22% year over year to RMB4,687.9 million (US$673.4 million*) in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Net income attributable to Momo Inc. increased to RMB1,055.9 million (US$151.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019 from RMB660.8 million in the same period of 2018.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Momo Inc. (note 1) increased to RMB1,252.5 million (US$179.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, from RMB887.4 million in the same period of 2018.
• Diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was RMB4.74 (US$0.68) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB3.04 in the same period of 2018.
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB5.61 (US$0.81) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB4.05 in the same period of 2018.
• Monthly Active Users ("MAU") on Momo application were 114.5 million in December 2019, compared to 113.3 million in December 2018.
• Total paying users of our live video service and value-added service, without double counting the overlap and including 4.5 million paying users of Tantan, were 13.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 13.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, which included 3.9 million paying users of Tantan.

Full Year 2019 Highlights

• Net revenues increased 27% year over year to RMB17,015.1 million (US$2,444.1 million) for the full year of 2019.
• Net income attributable to Momo Inc. was RMB2,970.9 million (US$426.7 million) for the full year of 2019, compared with RMB2,815.8 million for 2018.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Momo Inc. (note 1) was RMB4,493.3 million (US$645.4 million) for the full year of 2019, compared with RMB3,462.1 million for 2018.
• Diluted net income per ADS was RMB13.52 (US$1.94) for the full year of 2019, compared with RMB13.18 for 2018.
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB20.26 (US$2.91) for the full year of 2019, compared with RMB16.17 for 2018.

"2019 was a fruitful year, with total net revenue up by 27%, net income up by 6% and Non-GAAP net income up by 30%. The strong financial performance is a testament of the competence of our team," commented Yan Tang, Chairman and CEO of Momo. "Looking into the year 2020, we are going to continue to focus on enhancing user experience and drive product innovations in order to capture the many growth opportunities ahead of us."

Fourth Quarter of 2019 Financial Results

Net revenues

Total net revenues were RMB4,687.9 million (US$673.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 22% from RMB3,843.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Live video service revenues were RMB3,383.5 million (US$486.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 14% from RMB2,959.2 million during the same period of 2018, as a result of the effective growth strategy to apply different products and operational efforts for different cohorts of users.

Value-added service revenues mainly include virtual gift revenues and membership subscription revenues. Total value-added service revenues were RMB1,189.1 million (US$170.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 65% from RMB722.4 million during the same period of 2018. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the continued growth of the virtual gift business on the Momo application driven by more functions launched and more paying scenarios introduced to enhance the social experience of Momo users, and to a lesser extent, the increase in the membership subscription revenues of Tantan.

Mobile marketing revenues were RMB93.0 million (US$13.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of 24% from RMB122.1 million during the same period of 2018. The decrease in mobile marketing revenues was primarily caused by the decreased demand from our advertising and marketing customers and the decrease in advertisement properties on Momo's platform.

Mobile games revenues were RMB14.4 million (US$2.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of 43% from RMB25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in mobile game revenues was mainly due to the continued decrease in quarterly paying users of mobile games.

Net revenues from Momo segment increased from RMB3,609.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 to RMB4,317.3 million (US$620.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily driven by the significant increase in net revenues from live video service and value-added service. Net revenues from Tantan segment increased from RMB223.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 to RMB369.8 million (US$53.1million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, which was mainly due to the increase in the number of paying users of Tantan.

Cost and expenses

Cost and expenses were RMB3,581.1 million (US$514.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 12% from RMB3,195.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to: (a) an increase in revenue sharing with broadcasters related to our live video service and virtual gift recipients; (b) an increase in marketing and promotional expenses to attract users on both Momo and Tantan platforms and to promote our live video services; (c) an increase in infrastructure-related spending, such as bandwidth costs and server depreciation costs, driven by more functions introduced on Momo's platform. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in production cost in connection with a television program.

Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB3,374.9 million (US$484.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 14% from RMB2,959.6 million during the same period of 2018.

Other operating income

Other operating income was RMB142.6 million (US$20.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase from RMB141.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2018. The other operating income mainly consisted of government incentives.

Income from operations

Income from operations was RMB1,249.4 million (US$179.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB789.6 million during the same period of 2018. Income from operations of Momo segment was RMB1,458.5 million (US$209.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, increasing from RMB1,092.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Loss from operations of Tantan segment was RMB202.7 million (US$29.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to loss from operations of RMB219.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB1,455.7 million (US$209.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB1,025.7 million during the same period of 2018. Non-GAAP income from operations of Momo segment was RMB1,593.9 million (US$229.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, increasing from RMB1,200.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP loss from operations of Tantan segment was RMB135.0 million (US$19.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB92.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Income tax expenses

Income tax expenses were RMB253.7 million (US$36.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, increasing from RMB183.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase was mainly because we generated higher profit in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Net income

Net income was RMB1,052.3 million (US$151.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB646.4 million during the same period of 2018. Net income from Momo segment was RMB1,246.9 million (US$179.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, increasing from RMB940.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Net loss from Tantan segment was RMB188.2 million (US$27.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to net loss of RMB206.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB1,248.9 million (US$179.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB873.0 million during the same period of 2018. Non-GAAP net income from Momo segment was RMB1,382.3 million (US$198.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, increasing from RMB1,048.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP net loss of Tantan segment was RMB130.2 million (US$18.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to non-GAAP net loss of RMB88.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Net income attributable to Momo Inc.

Net income attributable to Momo Inc. was RMB1,055.9 million (US$151.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB660.8 million during the same period of 2018.

Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Momo Inc. was RMB1,252.5 million (US$179.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB887.4 million during the same period of 2018.

Net income per ADS

Diluted net income per ADS was RMB4.74 (US$0.68) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB3.04 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB5.61 (US$0.81) in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to RMB4.05 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Cash and cash flow

As of December 31, 2019, Momo's cash, cash equivalents and term deposits totaled RMB14,925.3 million (US$2,143.9 million), compared to RMB11,292.6 million as of December 31, 2018. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2019 was RMB1,675.1 million (US$240.6 million), compared to RMB1,163.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Full Year 2019 Financial Results

Net revenues for the full year of 2019 were RMB17,015.1 million (US$2,444.1 million), an increase of 27% from RMB13,408.4 million in the same period of 2018, primarily driven by the significant increase in net revenues from live video service and value-added service.

Net income attributable to Momo Inc. was RMB2,970.9 million (US$426.7 million) for the full year of 2019, compared to RMB2,815.8 million during the same period of 2018.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Momo Inc. (note 1) was RMB4,493.3 million (US$645.4 million) for the full year of 2019, compared to RMB3,462.1 million during the same period of 2018.

Diluted net income per ADS was RMB13.52 (US$1.94) during the full year of 2019, compared to RMB13.18 in the same period of 2018.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB20.26 (US$2.91) during the full year of 2019, compared to RMB16.17 in the same period of 2018.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB5,448.9 million (US$782.7 million) during the full year of 2019, compared to RMB3,327.7 million in the same period of 2018.

Recent Development - Declaration of Special Cash Dividend

Momo's board of directors has declared a special cash dividend in the amount of US$0.76 per ADS, or US$0.38 per ordinary share. The cash dividend will be paid on April 30, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2020. The ex-dividend date will be April 7, 2020. The aggregate amount of cash dividends to be paid is approximately US$161 million, which will be funded by surplus cash on the Company's balance sheet.

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2020, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB3.45 billion to RMB3.55 billion, representing a decrease of 7.3% to 4.6% year over year. This forecast considers the potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change, particularly as to the potential impact of the COVID-19 on the economy in China.

Note 1: Non-GAAP measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we use various non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions.

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 Momo Inc., and diluted net income per ADS) is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in our results of operations. We compensate for these limitations 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

Momo's management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on March 19, 2020).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

Please dial in 15 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 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, March 26, 2020. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Momo's website at http://ir.immomo.com.

About Momo

Momo is a leading mobile social networking platform in China. Momo connects people in a personal and lively way through a revolutionary mobile-based social networking platform. With powerful and precise location-based features, Momo enables users to connect with each other and expand relationships from online to offline. Momo's platform includes the Momo mobile application and a variety of related features, functionalities, tools and services that it provides to users, customers and platform partners. Leveraging its social interest graph engine and analysis of user behavior data, Momo is able to provide users a customized experience based on their social preferences and needs. Momo users can maintain and strengthen their relationships through private and group communication tools, content creation and sharing functions, as well as the offline social activities promoted on Momo's platform. Momo users are also able to enjoy live video on our platform. In addition, in May 2018, Momo completed its acquisition of Tantan, a leading social and dating app for the younger generation. Tantan, whose primary users consist of young Chinese singles, is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections, as well as meet interesting people.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Momo Inc.

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

Christensen

In China
Mr. Christian Arnell
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: carnell@christensenir.com

In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.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 and our financial outlook for the first quarter of 2020. 

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 and full year of 2019 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the first quarter of 2020 and may be unable to grow our business in the manner planned. We may also modify our strategy for growth.  In addition, 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, and the impact of the COVID-19 to Momo's business operations and the economy in China. 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.