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Sohu.com (SOHU) Up 20.7% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Sohu.com (SOHU - Free Report) . Shares have added about 20.7% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sohu.com due for a pullback? 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 Q2 Loss Flat Year Over Year, Revenues Down
Sohu.com reported second-quarter 2019 non-GAAP loss of $1.27 per share, remaining flat with the year-ago quarter’s loss. The reported loss was wider than the higher end of management’s guided range of loss of 95 cents and $1.20.
The company reported GAAP loss of $1.35 per share, wider than the year-ago loss of $1.23. However, the figure was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.55.
Revenues of $474.8 million were down 2.3% year over year and came within the guided range of $469–$494 million. Improved performance of the company’s online game businesses and cost savings initiatives couldn’t mitigate the decline in brand advertising domain.
However, on a constant currency basis, revenues of $507 million represent growth of 4% year over year.
The company’s top-line was negatively impacted by a decline in ad spending that can be attributed to overall softness in macroeconomic conditions. Moreover, trade war between the United States and China remains a growth deterrent.
Further, sluggishness in IT and auto industry is keeping management cautious. Efforts to diversify end-markets and explore new growth verticals with increasing spend on product enhancements are likely to weigh on near-term profitability.
Quarter in Detail
Total online advertising revenues (inclusive of revenues from brand advertising, search and search related businesses) declined 3.6% year over year to $319.9 million.
Brand advertising revenues in the reported quarter fell 28.6% on a year-over-year basis to $43.9 million, primarily owing to decrease in video and portal advertising revenues. Search and search-related revenues improved 2.1% year over year to $275.9 million.
Online game revenues of $102.1 million were up 8.4% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to improvement in performance of “Changyou's older games” and positive impact of promotional activities undertaken during the quarter.
Meanwhile, other revenues declined almost 12% year over year to $52.7 million.
Sohu Video non-GAAP revenues were $21 million, down 34% year over year. Notably, video advertising revenues were $8 million in the second quarter.
Sohu Video’s loss narrowed due to stringent cost controls. Notably, operating loss was down 34.3% year over year to $23 million. Additionally, Sohu Video showcased appealing content to users in the reported quarter.
Sohu Media Portal non-GAAP revenues were down 27% on a year-over-year basis to $24 million. The company continues to support third-party writers to deliver engaging content, with an aim to boost user retention.
The company is focused on improving content on the platform to improve user engagement levels and gain good advertising revenues. Additionally, Sohu is striving to enhance content across Sogou Video App, Sohu News App and HOYO, to get more people to use the product.
Sogou’s revenues increased 1% year over year to $304 million.
Sogou’s search and mobile keyboard witnessed healthy growth by using AI technology. Sogou mobile keyboard daily active users (DAUs) reached 450 million, an increase of 17% year over year. Notably, Sogou sustained its position as the “second-largest search engine” based in China. Meanwhile, Sogou Mobile Keyboard continues to be “third largest Chinese mobile app” on expanding user base.
Changyou’s revenues improved 5% year over year to $119 million on robust performance of legacy PC games. Management is optimistic on Changyou’s focus on diversification of gaming portfolio, and efforts to bolster engagement and improve resilience of legacy PC games including TLBB.
Margins
Non-GAAP gross margin in the quarter contracted 100 bps on a year-over-year basis to 43%.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the company’s online advertising business contracted 200 bps on a year-over-year basis to 33%.
Brand advertising business margin expanded 500 bps on a year-over-year basis to 28%. 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 contracted 400 bps to 34%. The decrease was particularly due to higher traffic acquisition cost.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the online game business contracted 300 bps to 82%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $238 million, down 2.1% year over year.
Sohu’s non-GAAP operating loss was $33.7 million compared with a loss of $31 million in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Jun 30, 2019, Sohu’s cash and cash equivalents (and short-term investments) came in at $1.698 billion compared with $1.882 billion reported at the end of previous quarter.
Q3 Guidance
Sohu expects total revenues in the range of $445–$470 million.
Brand Advertising revenues are anticipated to be in the range of $45-$50 million, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 12-21%.
Online game revenues are expected in the band of $80-$90 million, suggesting year-over- year decrease of 6-17%.
Sogou revenues are projected to be in the range of $304-$314 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 10-14%.
Non-GAAP net loss is anticipated to be in the range of $22-$32 million. Non-GAAP loss per share is projected to be between 55 cents and 80 cents.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Analysts were quiet during the last two month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions. The consensus estimate has shifted 28.24% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Sohu.com has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile 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
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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Sohu.com (SOHU) Up 20.7% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Sohu.com (SOHU - Free Report) . Shares have added about 20.7% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sohu.com due for a pullback? 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 Q2 Loss Flat Year Over Year, Revenues Down
Sohu.com reported second-quarter 2019 non-GAAP loss of $1.27 per share, remaining flat with the year-ago quarter’s loss. The reported loss was wider than the higher end of management’s guided range of loss of 95 cents and $1.20.
The company reported GAAP loss of $1.35 per share, wider than the year-ago loss of $1.23. However, the figure was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.55.
Revenues of $474.8 million were down 2.3% year over year and came within the guided range of $469–$494 million. Improved performance of the company’s online game businesses and cost savings initiatives couldn’t mitigate the decline in brand advertising domain.
However, on a constant currency basis, revenues of $507 million represent growth of 4% year over year.
The company’s top-line was negatively impacted by a decline in ad spending that can be attributed to overall softness in macroeconomic conditions. Moreover, trade war between the United States and China remains a growth deterrent.
Further, sluggishness in IT and auto industry is keeping management cautious. Efforts to diversify end-markets and explore new growth verticals with increasing spend on product enhancements are likely to weigh on near-term profitability.
Quarter in Detail
Total online advertising revenues (inclusive of revenues from brand advertising, search and search related businesses) declined 3.6% year over year to $319.9 million.
Brand advertising revenues in the reported quarter fell 28.6% on a year-over-year basis to $43.9 million, primarily owing to decrease in video and portal advertising revenues. Search and search-related revenues improved 2.1% year over year to $275.9 million.
Online game revenues of $102.1 million were up 8.4% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to improvement in performance of “Changyou's older games” and positive impact of promotional activities undertaken during the quarter.
Meanwhile, other revenues declined almost 12% year over year to $52.7 million.
Sohu Video non-GAAP revenues were $21 million, down 34% year over year. Notably, video advertising revenues were $8 million in the second quarter.
Sohu Video’s loss narrowed due to stringent cost controls. Notably, operating loss was down 34.3% year over year to $23 million. Additionally, Sohu Video showcased appealing content to users in the reported quarter.
Sohu Media Portal non-GAAP revenues were down 27% on a year-over-year basis to $24 million. The company continues to support third-party writers to deliver engaging content, with an aim to boost user retention.
The company is focused on improving content on the platform to improve user engagement levels and gain good advertising revenues. Additionally, Sohu is striving to enhance content across Sogou Video App, Sohu News App and HOYO, to get more people to use the product.
Sogou’s revenues increased 1% year over year to $304 million.
Sogou’s search and mobile keyboard witnessed healthy growth by using AI technology. Sogou mobile keyboard daily active users (DAUs) reached 450 million, an increase of 17% year over year. Notably, Sogou sustained its position as the “second-largest search engine” based in China. Meanwhile, Sogou Mobile Keyboard continues to be “third largest Chinese mobile app” on expanding user base.
Changyou’s revenues improved 5% year over year to $119 million on robust performance of legacy PC games. Management is optimistic on Changyou’s focus on diversification of gaming portfolio, and efforts to bolster engagement and improve resilience of legacy PC games including TLBB.
Margins
Non-GAAP gross margin in the quarter contracted 100 bps on a year-over-year basis to 43%.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the company’s online advertising business contracted 200 bps on a year-over-year basis to 33%.
Brand advertising business margin expanded 500 bps on a year-over-year basis to 28%. 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 contracted 400 bps to 34%. The decrease was particularly due to higher traffic acquisition cost.
Non-GAAP gross margin of the online game business contracted 300 bps to 82%.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $238 million, down 2.1% year over year.
Sohu’s non-GAAP operating loss was $33.7 million compared with a loss of $31 million in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Jun 30, 2019, Sohu’s cash and cash equivalents (and short-term investments) came in at $1.698 billion compared with $1.882 billion reported at the end of previous quarter.
Q3 Guidance
Sohu expects total revenues in the range of $445–$470 million.
Brand Advertising revenues are anticipated to be in the range of $45-$50 million, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 12-21%.
Online game revenues are expected in the band of $80-$90 million, suggesting year-over- year decrease of 6-17%.
Sogou revenues are projected to be in the range of $304-$314 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 10-14%.
Non-GAAP net loss is anticipated to be in the range of $22-$32 million. Non-GAAP loss per share is projected to be between 55 cents and 80 cents.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Analysts were quiet during the last two month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions. The consensus estimate has shifted 28.24% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Sohu.com has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile 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
Sohu.com has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.