Changyou Reports First Quarter 2011 Results
Monday , April 25, 2011 01:00ET
BEIJING, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Changyou.com Limited ("Changyou" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CYOU), a leading online game developer and operator in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
First Quarter 2011 Highlights
-- Total revenues reached a record US$97.1 million, an increase of 6%
quarter-over-quarter and 35% year-over-year, and exceeded the high end
of the Company's guidance by US$2.1 million.
-- Net income reached a record US$52.8 million, or US$0.99 per fully
diluted ADS(1). Net income increased by 11% quarter-over-quarter and 33%
year-over-year.
-- Non-GAAP(2) net income (i.e., excluding share-based compensation
expenses) reached a record US$54.6 million, or US$1.02 per fully diluted
ADS, exceeding the high end of the Company's guidance by US$3.6 million.
Non-GAAP net income increased by 10% quarter-over-quarter and 28%
year-over-year.
-- Aggregate registered accounts for the Company's games(3) grew 5%
quarter-over-quarter and 33% year-over-year to 116.5 million.
-- Aggregate active paying accounts ("APA") for the Company's games grew 7%
quarter-over-quarter and 21% year-over-year to approximately 2.88
million.
(1) Each American depositary share ("ADS") represents two Class A
ordinary shares.
(2) Explanation of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures and
related reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are included in
the accompanying "Non-GAAP Disclosure" and "Reconciliations to
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations."
(3) Comprises the following games operated in China: Tian Long Ba Bu
("TLBB"), Blade Online, Blade Hero 2, Da Hua Shui Hu, Zhong Hua Ying
Xiong, Immortal Faith and San Jie Qi Yuan.
Mr. Tao Wang, Changyou's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "2011 is an exciting year for Changyou as we prepare for the launch of new games, such as Duke of Mount Deer, or DMD, while our current games continue to generate solid returns. Our leading game franchise, Tian Long Ba Bu, or TLBB, has continued to attract new, existing and returning players to its thriving community as we constantly update the game with new content. Similarly, we are seeing growing interest from players for our upcoming game. DMD, which entered a new round of closed beta testing today, is slated for a launch this summer. In this round of testing, game testers will also be able to carry over user accounts through the full launch period. With the updated version, we have unveiled a new, self-developed server technology and a host of unique gameplay not found in any other existing massively multiplayer online games. With the continued strength of the online games industry in China, the imminent launch of DMD, and the ongoing success of our TLBB franchise, we look to accelerate our position as a leading online game company in China."
Mr. Dewen Chen, president and chief operating officer, continued, "To expand on our existing business, we have recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliates, a reputable Web-based game developer that developed DDTank, one of the most popular Web-based games in China. We expect that our new venture into this fast-growing segment will not only bring many opportunities, but will also supplement growth in our core MMORPG business."
Mr. Alex Ho, Changyou's chief financial officer, added, "The first quarter of 2011 marks a strong start to the year as we once again delivered record total revenues and record non-GAAP net income. Management's confidence in Changyou's business prospects, our strong cash position, and debt-free balance sheet give us the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives as they arise and put the necessary disciplines in place to continue to create value for our shareholders."
First Quarter 2011 Operational Results
Aggregate registered accounts for the Company's games as of March 31, 2011 increased 5% quarter-over-quarter and 33% year-over-year to 116.5 million.
Aggregate peak concurrent users ("PCU") for the Company's games was 1 million, a decrease of 3% quarter-over-quarter and an increase of 10% year-over-year.
Aggregate APA for the Company's games increased 7% quarter-over-quarter and 21% year-over-year to 2.88 million.
Average revenue per active paying account ("ARPU") for the Company's games decreased 4% quarter-over-quarter and increased 4% year-over-year to RMB210, which is consistent with the Company's intention to have ARPU within a range that keeps the Company's games affordable for the majority of Chinese game players.
First Quarter 2011 Unaudited Financial Results
Revenues
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2011 increased 6% quarter-over-quarter and 35% year-over-year to US$97.1 million.
Online game revenues for the first quarter of 2011, which includes revenues from game operations and overseas licensing revenues, increased 3% quarter-over-quarter and 32% year-over-year to US$94.9 million.
Revenues from game operations for the first quarter of 2011 increased 4% quarter-over-quarter and 32% year-over-year to US$92.9 million. The increases were mainly due to the continued popularity of TLBB in China.
Overseas licensing revenues for the first quarter of 2011 decreased 10% quarter-over-quarter and increased 7% year-over-year to US$2.0 million. The sequential decrease was largely the result of greater competition in mature online game markets abroad. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to increased momentum of TLBB in Vietnam and Thailand in the first quarter of 2011.
Other revenues for the first quarter of 2011 were $2.2 million, and reflect cinema advertising revenues from our wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Jing Mao Cultural Communications Ltd. and its affiliate ("Jing Mao"), which were consolidated into the Company's financial statements commencing February 1, 2011.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2011 increased 3% quarter-over-quarter and 28% year-over-year to US$85.5 million. Non-GAAP gross profit for the first quarter of 2011 increased 3% quarter-over-quarter and 28% year-over-year to US$85.6 million. Both gross margin and non-GAAP gross margin in the first quarter of 2011 were 88%, which compares with 90% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 93% in the first quarter of 2010. The decline in gross margin was mainly due to the consolidation of Jing Mao, which operates a lower-margin cinema advertising business, into the Company's financial statements commencing February 1, 2011.
Gross profit and non-GAAP gross profit of the online games business for the first quarter of 2011 increased 4% quarter-over-quarter and 29% year-over-year to US$86.0 million. Both gross margin and non-GAAP gross margin of the online games business for the first quarter of 2011 was 91%, which compares with 90% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 93% in the first quarter of 2010. Gross loss and non-GAAP gross loss of other business for the first quarter of 2011 were US$0.4 million.
Operating Expenses
For the first quarter of 2011, total operating expenses were US$25.0 million, down 9% quarter-over-quarter and up 17% year-over-year. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$23.2 million, down 9% quarter-over-quarter and up 26% year-over-year.
GAAP product development expenses decreased 18% quarter-over-quarter and increased 55% year-over-year to US$10.7 million. Non-GAAP product development expenses decreased 17% quarter-over-quarter and increased 83% year-over-year to US$10.0 million. The quarter-over-quarter decreases in both GAAP and non-GAAP product development expenses were mainly because the Company incurred expenses related to royalties for licensed games in the fourth quarter of 2010. The year-over-year increases in both GAAP and non-GAAP product development expenses were mainly due to higher salaries and benefits in the first quarter of 2011.
GAAP sales and marketing expenses decreased 12% quarter-over-quarter and 10% year-over-year to US$8.7 million. Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses decreased 13% quarter-over-quarter and 11% year-over-year to US$8.5 million. The sequential and year-over-year decreases in GAAP and non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses were primarily due to a reduction in advertising spending in the first quarter of 2011 in order to focus on the preparation for the promotion of the Company's new game, Duke of Mount Deer.
GAAP general and administrative expenses were US$5.5 million, an increase of 23% quarter-over-quarter and 16% year-over-year. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses were US$4.8 million, an increase of 28% quarter-over-quarter and 37% year-over-year. The sequential increases in GAAP and non-GAAP general and administrative expenses were primarily due to an increase in professional fees in the first quarter of 2011. The year-over-year increases in GAAP and non-GAAP general and administrative expenses were primarily due to higher salaries and benefits in the first quarter of 2011.
Operating Profit
Operating profit for the first quarter of 2011 increased 9% quarter-over-quarter and 34% year-over-year to US$60.5 million. Operating margin in the first quarter of 2011 was 62%, up from 60% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and down from 63% in the first quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP operating profit for the first quarter of 2011 increased 9% quarter-over-quarter and 29% year-over-year to US$62.3 million. Non-GAAP operating margin in the first quarter of 2011 was 64%, up from 62% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and down from 67% in the first quarter of 2010.
Net Income
For the first quarter of 2011, net income increased 11% quarter-over-quarter and 33% year-over-year to US$52.8 million. Non-GAAP net income increased 10% quarter-over-quarter and 28% year-over-year to US$54.6 million. Fully diluted earnings per ADS were US$0.99, up from US$0.90 in the fourth quarter of 2010 and US$0.75 in the first quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per ADS were US$1.02, up from US$0.93 in the fourth quarter of 2010 and US$0.80 in the first quarter of 2010. Net margin for the first quarter of 2011 was 54%, up from 52% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and down from 55% in the first quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP net margin for the first quarter of 2011 was 56%, up from 54% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and down from 59% in the first quarter of 2010.
Cash Balances
As of March 31, 2011, Changyou had a net cash balance of US$406.5 million, up from US$351.0 million as of December 31, 2010. Operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2011 was a net inflow of US$58.9 million.
Other Business Developments
Changyou to Acquire Majority Stake in 7Road
On April 22, 2011, Changyou entered into a definitive agreement under which Changyou will acquire 68.258% of the equity in Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliates ("7Road") for fixed cash consideration of approximately US$68.26 million, plus additional variable cash consideration of up to a maximum of US$32.76 million that is contingent upon the achievement of specified performance milestones through December 31, 2012. 7Road is a developer of Web-based games and the creator of DDTank, one of the most popular multiplayer Web-based shooting games in China. The acquisition will broaden Changyou's product offerings to include Web-based games and bring in a team of experienced developers. The acquisition is expected to be completed by June 30, 2011, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions specified in the agreement.
Business Outlook
The following guidance excludes the acquisition of 7Road.
For the second quarter of 2011, Changyou estimates:
-- Total revenues to be between US$97.0 million and US$100.0 million,
including online games revenues of US$95.0 million to US$97.0 million.
-- Non-GAAP net income to be between US$49.0 million and US$50.5 million.
-- Non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per ADS to be between US$0.92 and
US$0.95.
-- Assuming no new grants of share-based awards, share-based compensation
expense to be between US$1.0 million and US$1.5 million, reducing fully
diluted earnings per ADS by US$0.02 to US$0.03.
