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Why Is Sohu.com (SOHU) Down 34.5% Since Last Earnings Report?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Sohu.com (SOHU - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 34.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sohu.com due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Sohu Q1 Loss Narrows Y/Y on Improved Cost Structure
Sohu.com Inc. reported first-quarter 2019 non-GAAP loss of $1.39 per share, which was much narrower than the year-ago quarter’s loss of $2.50 per share. The figure also came within the guided range of loss of $1.30 and $1.55.
The narrower year-over-year loss can be attributed to the positive impact of the company’s cost-saving efforts.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at a loss of $1.51.
Sohu’s revenues of $431.4 million were down 5.2% year over year but exceeded the guided range of $390–$415 million on strong performance of its search and game businesses.
Quarter Details
Total online advertising revenues (inclusive of revenues from brand advertising, search and search related businesses) increased 0.2% year over year to $277 million.
Brand advertising revenues in the reported quarter however fell 23.6% on a year-over-year basis to $42.9 million, mainly due to decrease in video and portal advertising revenues. Search and search-related revenues increased 6.3% year over year to $234 million.
However, seasonality and sluggish macroeconomic conditions in China negatively impacted ad revenues in the reported quarter. Nevertheless, Sohu’s efforts to minimize the impact by introducing customized solutions for a few of its advertising partners was a positive.
Online game revenues of $99.1 million were down 6.1% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to “natural decline in revenue of Changyou's older games, including Legacy TLBB Mobile.” Moreover, other revenues declined 24.3% year over year to $55.2 million.
Sohu Video non-GAAP revenues were $26 million, down 16% year over year. Notably, video advertising revenues were $10 million in the first quarter.
Sohu Video’s loss narrowed owing to stringent cost controls. Notably, operating loss was down 43% year over year to $27 million. Additionally, Sohu Video showcased appealing content to its users in the reported quarter.
Sohu Media Portal non-GAAP revenues were down 26% on a year-over-year basis to $23 million. However, in the reported quarter, the “number of articles posted by third party writers” increased 10% sequentially.
Sohu noted that it improved content on the platform by strengthening its partnerships with quality content providers to improve user engagement levels. Additionally, the company improved its news app to get more people to use the product.
Sogou’s revenues increased 2% year over year to $253 million. Net loss in the reported quarter was $3 million as against net income of $20 million in the year-ago period.
Sogou’s search and mobile keyboard witnessed healthy growth by using its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Sogou mobile keyboard daily active users (DAUs) reached 443 million, an increase of 23% year over year. Notably, Sogou became the “third largest mobile app in terms of DAU in China”, per iResearch.
Changyou’s revenues declined 10% year over year to $123 million. In the reported quarter, Changyou’s net income was $37 million as against net loss of $16 million in the year-ago quarter.
Margins
Non-GAAP gross margin in the quarter contracted 300 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 40%.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the company’s online advertising business contracted 600 bps on a year-over-year basis to 23%.
Brand advertising business margin was 20% compared with 9% in the year-ago quarter. The improvement was primarily driven by a decrease in video content cost. Non-GAAP gross margin of the search and search-related business in the quarter was 24% compared with 34% in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was particularly due to higher traffic acquisition cost.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the online game business expanded 200 bps to 86%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $214.9 million, down 5.6% year over year owing to reduction in salary and benefit expenses. Sohu’s non-GAAP operating loss was $43.7 million compared with a loss of $33.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
Sohu exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents (and short-term investments) of $1.88 billion compared with $1.86 billion as of Dec 31, 2018.
Q2 Guidance
Sohu expects total revenues in the range of $469–$494 million.
Brand Advertising revenues are anticipated to be in the range of $47-$52 million, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 15-24%.
Online game revenues are expected in the band of $90-$100 million, indicating a year-over- year change of (5%) to 6%.
Sogou revenues are projected to be in the range of $303-$313 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 1-4%.
Non-GAAP net loss is anticipated to be in the range of $38-$48 million. Non-GAAP loss per share is projected to be between 95 cents and $1.2.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Sohu.com has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. However, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Notably, Sohu.com has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is Sohu.com (SOHU) Down 34.5% Since Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Sohu.com (SOHU - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 34.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sohu.com due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Sohu Q1 Loss Narrows Y/Y on Improved Cost Structure
Sohu.com Inc. reported first-quarter 2019 non-GAAP loss of $1.39 per share, which was much narrower than the year-ago quarter’s loss of $2.50 per share. The figure also came within the guided range of loss of $1.30 and $1.55.
The narrower year-over-year loss can be attributed to the positive impact of the company’s cost-saving efforts.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at a loss of $1.51.
Sohu’s revenues of $431.4 million were down 5.2% year over year but exceeded the guided range of $390–$415 million on strong performance of its search and game businesses.
Quarter Details
Total online advertising revenues (inclusive of revenues from brand advertising, search and search related businesses) increased 0.2% year over year to $277 million.
Brand advertising revenues in the reported quarter however fell 23.6% on a year-over-year basis to $42.9 million, mainly due to decrease in video and portal advertising revenues. Search and search-related revenues increased 6.3% year over year to $234 million.
However, seasonality and sluggish macroeconomic conditions in China negatively impacted ad revenues in the reported quarter. Nevertheless, Sohu’s efforts to minimize the impact by introducing customized solutions for a few of its advertising partners was a positive.
Online game revenues of $99.1 million were down 6.1% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to “natural decline in revenue of Changyou's older games, including Legacy TLBB Mobile.” Moreover, other revenues declined 24.3% year over year to $55.2 million.
Sohu Video non-GAAP revenues were $26 million, down 16% year over year. Notably, video advertising revenues were $10 million in the first quarter.
Sohu Video’s loss narrowed owing to stringent cost controls. Notably, operating loss was down 43% year over year to $27 million. Additionally, Sohu Video showcased appealing content to its users in the reported quarter.
Sohu Media Portal non-GAAP revenues were down 26% on a year-over-year basis to $23 million. However, in the reported quarter, the “number of articles posted by third party writers” increased 10% sequentially.
Sohu noted that it improved content on the platform by strengthening its partnerships with quality content providers to improve user engagement levels. Additionally, the company improved its news app to get more people to use the product.
Sogou’s revenues increased 2% year over year to $253 million. Net loss in the reported quarter was $3 million as against net income of $20 million in the year-ago period.
Sogou’s search and mobile keyboard witnessed healthy growth by using its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Sogou mobile keyboard daily active users (DAUs) reached 443 million, an increase of 23% year over year. Notably, Sogou became the “third largest mobile app in terms of DAU in China”, per iResearch.
Changyou’s revenues declined 10% year over year to $123 million. In the reported quarter, Changyou’s net income was $37 million as against net loss of $16 million in the year-ago quarter.
Margins
Non-GAAP gross margin in the quarter contracted 300 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 40%.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the company’s online advertising business contracted 600 bps on a year-over-year basis to 23%.
Brand advertising business margin was 20% compared with 9% in the year-ago quarter. The improvement was primarily driven by a decrease in video content cost. Non-GAAP gross margin of the search and search-related business in the quarter was 24% compared with 34% in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was particularly due to higher traffic acquisition cost.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the online game business expanded 200 bps to 86%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $214.9 million, down 5.6% year over year owing to reduction in salary and benefit expenses. Sohu’s non-GAAP operating loss was $43.7 million compared with a loss of $33.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
Sohu exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents (and short-term investments) of $1.88 billion compared with $1.86 billion as of Dec 31, 2018.
Q2 Guidance
Sohu expects total revenues in the range of $469–$494 million.
Brand Advertising revenues are anticipated to be in the range of $47-$52 million, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 15-24%.
Online game revenues are expected in the band of $90-$100 million, indicating a year-over- year change of (5%) to 6%.
Sogou revenues are projected to be in the range of $303-$313 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 1-4%.
Non-GAAP net loss is anticipated to be in the range of $38-$48 million. Non-GAAP loss per share is projected to be between 95 cents and $1.2.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Sohu.com has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. However, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Notably, Sohu.com has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.