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LIZHI INC. Reports Second Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LIZHI INC. (“LIZHI” or the “Company” or “We”) (NASDAQ: LIZI), an audio-based social and entertainment platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operational Highlights

  • Net revenues were RMB592.9 million (US$81.8 million) in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 15% increase from RMB515.7 million in the second quarter of 2022.
  • Average total mobile MAUs1 in the second quarter of 2023 was 45.6 million, compared with 49.7 million in the second quarter of 2022.
  • Average total monthly paying users2 in the second quarter of 2023 was 433.7 thousand, compared with 485.1 thousand in the second quarter of 2022.

Mr. Jinnan (Marco) Lai, Founder and CEO of LIZHI, commented, “In the second quarter of 2023, we continued to integrate pioneering technologies to drive innovation and optimization across our global business. Despite the macro challenges, we remained committed to deepening the application of advanced technologies, promoting a healthy ecosystem and enhancing our competitiveness through cutting-edge products and refined operations.”

Ms. Chengfang Lu, Acting Chief Financial Officer of LIZHI, stated, “We maintained year-over-year revenue growth in the second quarter of 2023 while focusing on building a sustainable and innovation-driven ecosystem. Moving forward, we will continue strengthening core technologies to spur ongoing product development and promote global business expansion over the long-term.”

__________________

1 Refers to the average monthly number of active users across our platforms and Apps in a given period, calculated by dividing (i) the sum of mobile active users for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in the same period.
2 Refers to the average monthly number of paying users in a given period, calculated by dividing (i) the total number of paying users in each month of such period by (ii) the number of months in the same period.

Second Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

Net revenues were RMB592.9 million (US$81.8 million) in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 15% increase from RMB515.7 million in the second quarter of 2022, as we diversified our audio entertainment product matrix.

Cost of revenues was RMB418.4 million (US$57.7 million) in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 23% increase from RMB340.1 million in the second quarter of 2022, mainly attributable to (i) the increased revenue sharing fees to our content creators as the Company’s revenues grew, and the increased percentage of the revenue sharing fees to incentivize our content creators, (ii) the increased salary and welfare benefits expenses related to the increased average salary, and (iii) the increased payment handling costs.

Gross profit was RMB174.4 million (US$24.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB175.6 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP gross profit3 was RMB175.6 million (US$24.2 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB176.8 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2023 was 29%, compared with 34% in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP gross margin in the second quarter of 2023 was 30%, compared with 34% in the second quarter of 2022.

Operating expenses were RMB166.6 million (US$23.0 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB161.6 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Research and development expenses were RMB75.2 million (US$10.4 million) in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 7% increase from RMB70.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to (i) the increased salary and welfare benefits expenses related to the increase in the number of our research and development staff, (ii) the increased rental expenses, and (iii) partially offset by the decreased share-based compensation expenses and expenses related to research and development services provided by third parties.

Selling and marketing expenses were RMB67.5 million (US$9.3 million) in the second quarter of 2023, representing an 11% increase from RMB60.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, primarily attributable to the (i) increased branding and marketing expenses, and (ii) the increased salary and welfare benefits expenses related to the increase in the number of our sales and marketing staff. The Company will monitor its discretionary advertising and promotion expenses and adjust accordingly depending on market conditions.

General and administrative expenses were RMB23.9 million (US$3.3 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB30.6 million in the second quarter of 2022, mainly driven by the decreased provision for litigation contingencies, professional service fees, share-based compensation expenses and other miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by the increased salary and welfare benefits expenses related to the increased average salary.

Operating income was RMB7.8 million (US$1.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB14.1 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP operating income4 was RMB13.6 million (US$1.9 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB21.2 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Net income was RMB11.6 million (US$1.6 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB18.9 million in the second quarter of 2022.

__________________

3 Non-GAAP gross profit is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. This adjustment amounted to RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million) and RMB1.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Please refer to the section below titled “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for details.
4 Non-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses. This adjustment amounted to RMB5.8 million (US$0.8 million) and RMB7.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Please refer to the section below titled “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for details.

Non-GAAP net income was RMB17.3 million (US$2.4 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB26.0 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.s ordinary shareholders was RMB13.2 million (US$1.8 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB18.8 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.s ordinary shareholders5 was RMB19.0 million (US$2.6 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB26.0 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS6 were RMB0.25 (US$0.03) and RMB0.24 (US$0.03), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB0.37 and RMB0.36 in the second quarter of 2022, respectively.

Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS7 were both RMB0.35 (US$0.05) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with RMB0.50 per ADS in the second quarter of 2022.

Balance Sheets

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB697.1 million (US$96.1 million).

__________________

5 Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses. These adjustments amounted to RMB5.8 million (US$0.8 million) and RMB7.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Please refer to the section below titled “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for details.
6 ADS refers to American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Basic and diluted net income per ADS is net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ADS.
7 Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ADS used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per ADS.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will host an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on August 29, 2023 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on August 30, 2023).

For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete the online registration 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, a personal PIN and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

Registration Link:https://register.vevent.com/register/BI99e37448e7294f288c09c8cc9b3ac447


Once registration is completed, please dial in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the earnings call and enter the personal PIN as instructed to connect to the call.

Additionally, a live webcast of the conference call and a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.lizhi.fm.

About LIZHI INC.

LIZHI INC. has created a comprehensive audio-based social ecosystem with a global presence. The Company aims to cater to users’ interests in audio entertainment and social networking through its product portfolios. LIZHI INC. envisions an audio ecosystem where everyone can be connected and interact through voices. LIZHI INC. has been listed on Nasdaq since January 2020.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.lizhi.fm.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

LIZHI uses non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating loss/income, non-GAAP net loss/income, non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP gross profit is gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP gross margin is non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of net revenues. Non-GAAP operating loss/income is operating loss/income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net loss/income is net loss/income, excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders is net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS is non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ADS used in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of the above reconciling item adds clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measure for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measure is useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the non-cash effect of share-based compensation expenses.

However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company’s net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, superior to, or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” near the end of this release. 

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB are made at a rate of RMB7.2513 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on June 30, 2023, set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollars amounts referred could be converted into U.S. dollar or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: LIZHI’s goals and strategies; LIZHI’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online audio market; the expectation regarding the rate at which to gain active users, especially paying users; LIZHI’s ability to monetize the user base; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and overseas markets; the impact of the COVID-19 to LIZHI’s business operations and the economy in China and elsewhere generally; any adverse changes in laws, regulations, rules, policies or guidelines applicable to LIZHI; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

LIZHI INC.
IR Department
Tel: +86 (20) 8381-8791
E-mail: ir@lizhi.fm

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com

 
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
  December
31,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB US$
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents  568,192  686,627  94,690
Short-term investments  111,353  -    -  
Restricted cash  10,323  10,428  1,438
Accounts receivable, net  3,233  2,437  336
Prepayments and other current assets  30,391  25,809  3,559
       
Total current assets  723,492   725,301   100,023
       
Non-current assets      
Property, equipment and leasehold improvement, net  26,546  21,228  2,927
Intangible assets, net  1,183  1,595  220
Right-of-use assets, net  25,116  17,204  2,373
       
Total non-current assets  52,845   40,027   5,520
       
TOTAL ASSETS  776,337   765,328   105,543
       
LIABILITIES      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable  53,832  51,408  7,089
Deferred revenue  35,677  29,435  4,059
Salary and welfare payable  136,837  122,685  16,919
Taxes payable  5,421  5,657  780
Short-term loans  73,765  7,226  997
Lease liabilities due within one year  18,372  14,141  1,950
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  47,622  50,780  7,003
       
Total current liabilities  371,526   281,332   38,797
       
Non-current liabilities      
Lease liabilities  8,195  3,750  517
Other non-current liabilities  3,952  3,627  500
       
Total non-current liabilities  12,147   7,377   1,017
       
TOTAL LIABILITIES  383,673   288,709   39,814

  

 
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
  December
31,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB US$
       
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Class A Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value, 1,268,785,000      
shares authorized, 818,962,260 shares issued and
803,607,050 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022;
1,268,785,000 shares authorized, 838,962,260 shares issued
and 816,105,590 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023).
 543 557 77
Class B Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value, 231,215,000      
shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31,
2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively).
 168 168 23
Treasury stock (10) (16) (2)
Additional paid in capital 2,657,433 2,675,783 369,007
Statutory reserves 529 529 73
Accumulated deficit (2,280,543) (2,217,974) (305,873)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,557 21,952 3,028
TOTAL LIZHI Inc.’s shareholders’ equity  392,677   480,999   66,333
       
Non-controlling interests (13) (4,380) (604)
       
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  392,664   476,619   65,729
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  776,337   765,328   105,543


 
LIZHI INC. 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June
30,
2022
 March
31,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$
               
Net revenues              
Audio entertainment revenues 513,018 628,766 590,530 81,438 1,027,040 1,219,296 168,149
Podcast, advertising and other revenues 2,676 2,225 2,327 321 5,367 4,552 628
Total net revenues  515,694   630,991   592,857   81,759   1,032,407   1,223,848   168,777
Cost of revenues (1) (340,063) (434,559) (418,446) (57,706) (688,684) (853,005) (117,635)
Gross profit  175,631   196,432   174,411   24,053   343,723  370,843   51,142
               
Operating expenses (1)              
Selling and marketing expenses (60,756) (58,848) (67,522) (9,312) (120,765) (126,370) (17,427)
General and administrative expenses (30,550) (22,968) (23,934) (3,301) (52,928) (46,902) (6,468)
Research and development expenses (70,262) (71,911) (75,184) (10,368) (141,356) (147,095) (20,285)
Total operating expenses (161,568) (153,727) (166,640) (22,981) (315,049) (320,367) (44,180)
               
Operating income 14,063  42,705  7,771  1,072  28,674  50,476  6,962
               
Interest income, net 480 856 1,022 141 425 1,878 259
Foreign exchange losses (424) (259) (352) (49) (810) (611) (84)
Investment income 146 1,609 1,397 193 240 3,006 415
Government grants 4,169 3,189 2,005 277 6,795 5,194 716
Others, net 480 268 142 20 51 410 57
               
Income before income taxes 18,914  48,368  11,985  1,654  35,375  60,353  8,325
               
Income tax expenses (61) (39) (424) (58) (104) (463) (64)
               
Net income 18,853  48,329  11,561  1,596  35,271  59,890  8,261
               
Net (income)/loss attributable to the non-controlling interests shareholders (7) 1,033 1,646 227 3 2,679 369
               
Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders 18,846  49,362  13,207  1,823  35,274  62,569  8,630


 
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June
30,
2022
 March
31,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$
               
Net income 18,853  48,329  11,561  1,596  35,271  59,890  8,261
               
Other comprehensive income/(loss):              
Foreign currency translation adjustments 15,344 (3,225) 10,428 1,438 14,126 7,203 993
Total comprehensive income 34,197 45,104  21,989  3,034  49,397 67,093  9,254
Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to non‑controlling interests shareholders (7) 1,060 1,811 250 3 2,871 396
Comprehensive income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders 34,190 46,164  23,800  3,284  49,400 69,964  9,650
               
Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per share              
—Basic 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.06 0.01
—Diluted 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.06 0.01
Weighted average number of ordinary shares              
—Basic 1,031,036,519 1,058,873,983 1,074,052,668 1,074,052,668 1,026,970,940 1,066,505,256 1,066,505,256
—Diluted 1,035,130,441 1,067,721,922 1,079,619,876 1,079,619,876 1,030,795,632 1,070,735,706 1,070,735,706
               
Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per ADS              
—Basic 0.37 0.93 0.25 0.03 0.69 1.17 0.16
—Diluted 0.36 0.92 0.24 0.03 0.68 1.17 0.16
Weighted average number of ADS              
—Basic 51,551,826 52,943,699 53,702,633 53,702,633 51,348,547 53,325,263 53,325,263
—Diluted 51,756,522 53,386,096 53,980,994 53,980,994 51,539,782 53,536,785 53,536,785


 
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
(1) Share-based compensation was allocated in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:
 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June
30,
2022
 March
31,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$
               
Cost of revenues 1,211 1,748 1,219 168 3,817 2,967 409
Selling and marketing expenses 267 625 456 63 1,274 1,081 149
General and administrative expenses 2,644 3,494 1,912 264 5,433 5,406 746
Research and development expenses 2,993 4,290 2,194 303 5,354 6,484 894


 
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
 
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June
30,
2022
 March
31,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2022
 June
30,
2023
 June
30,
2023
  RMB RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$
               
Gross profit 175,631 196,432 174,411 24,053 343,723 370,843 51,142
Share-based compensation expenses 1,211 1,748 1,219 168 3,817 2,967 409
Non-GAAP gross profit 176,842  198,180  175,630  24,221  347,540  373,810  51,551
               
Operating income 14,063 42,705 7,771 1,072 28,674 50,476 6,962
Share-based compensation expenses 7,115 10,157 5,781 798 15,878 15,938 2,198
Non-GAAP operating income 21,178  52,862  13,552  1,870  44,552  66,414  9,160
               
Net income 18,853 48,329 11,561 1,596 35,271 59,890 8,261
Share-based compensation expenses 7,115 10,157 5,781 798 15,878 15,938 2,198
Non-GAAP net income 25,968  58,486  17,342  2,394  51,149  75,828  10,459
               
               
Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders 18,846 49,362 13,207 1,823 35,274 62,569 8,630
Share-based compensation expenses 7,115 10,157 5,781 798 15,878 15,938 2,198
Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders 25,961  59,519  18,988  2,621  51,152  78,507  10,828
               
Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per share              
—Basic 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.05 0.07 0.01
—Diluted 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.05 0.07 0.01
Weighted average number of ordinary shares              
—Basic 1,031,036,519 1,058,873,983 1,074,052,668 1,074,052,668 1,026,970,940 1,066,505,256 1,066,505,256
—Diluted 1,035,130,441 1,067,721,922 1,079,619,876 1,079,619,876 1,030,795,632 1,070,735,706 1,070,735,706
               
Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per ADS              
—Basic 0.50 1.12 0.35 0.05 1.00 1.47 0.20
—Diluted 0.50 1.11 0.35 0.05 0.99 1.47 0.20
Weighted average number of ADS              
—Basic 51,551,826 52,943,699 53,702,633 53,702,633 51,348,547 53,325,263 53,325,263
—Diluted 51,756,522 53,386,096 53,980,994 53,980,994 51,539,782 53,536,785 53,536,785
               

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