SINA Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019 Unaudited Financial Results

BEIJING, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SINA Corporation (the "Company" or "SINA") (NASDAQ: SINA), a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights

• Net revenues increased 4% year-over-year to $593.3 million. Non-GAAP net revenues increased 4% year-over-year to $590.7 million, representing an increase of 5% on a constant currency basis ^[1].
• Advertising revenues decreased 5% year-over-year to $460.9 million.
• Non-advertising revenues increased 49% year-over-year to $132.5 million. Non-GAAP non-advertising revenues increased 51% year-over-year to $129.8 million.
• Net loss attributable to SINA was $175.4 million, or $2.53 for diluted net loss per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders. Non-GAAP net income attributable to SINA was $82.7 million, or $1.17 for non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders.

Fiscal Year 2019 Highlights

• Net revenues increased 3% year-over-year to $2.16 billion. Non-GAAP net revenues increased 3% year-over-year to $2.15 billion, representing an increase of 7% on a constant currency basis ^[2].
• Advertising revenues decreased 3% year-over-year to $1.74 billion.
• Non-advertising revenues increased 31% year-over-year to $419.3 million. Non-GAAP non-advertising revenues increased 32% year-over-year to $408.9 million.
• Net loss attributable to SINA was $70.5 million, or $1.03 for diluted net loss per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders. Non-GAAP net income attributable to SINA was $232.6 million, or $3.26 for non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of 2019, SINA reported net revenues of $593.3 million, an increase of 4% compared to $573.0 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $590.7 million, an increase of 4% compared to $570.4 million for the same period last year.

Advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $460.9 million, a decrease of 5% compared to $484.3 million for the same period last year, primarily due to decreases in Weibo and portal advertising revenues as well as negative currency translation impact.

Non-advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $132.5 million, an increase of 49% compared to $88.7 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP non-advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $129.8 million, an increase of 51% compared to $86.1 million for the same period last year. The year-over-year growth in non-advertising revenues was mainly attributable to increased revenues generated from SINA fin-tech businesses.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 77%, compared to 79% for the same period last year. Advertising gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 81%, compared to 82% for the same period last year. Non-advertising gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 64%, up from 57% for the same period last year, benefiting from better gross margin profile of SINA fin-tech businesses.

Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 totaled $438.4 million, compared to $319.9 million for the same period last year, mainly attributable to a one-time litigation reserve of approximately $125.8 million recorded in relation to an arbitration ruling announced by Company on December 27, 2019, which is excluded under non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 totaled $282.8 million, compared to $288.6 million for the same period last year.       

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $18.7 million, compared to $130.1 million for the same period last year, mainly due to impact of the aforementioned one-time litigation reserve. Operating margin was 3%, compared to 23% for the same period last year. Non-GAAP income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $174.9 million, an increase of 10% compared to $159.6 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP operating margin was 30%, compared to 28% for the same period last year.

Non-operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $208.4 million, compared to non-operating loss of $12.6 million for the same period last year. Non-operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2019 mainly included (i) a $177.8 million impairment on the Company's investment in Yixia Tech Co., Ltd., which is excluded under non-GAAP measures; (ii) a $19.2 million net loss from fair value changes of investments, which is excluded under non-GAAP measures; (iii) a $10.4 million net earnings from equity method investments, which is reported one quarter in arrears; (iv) a $15.3 million net interest and other income.     

Income tax expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $6.6 million, compared to $14.3 million for the same period last year, largely attributable to increase in tax deduction based on preferential tax policy upon approval from relevant authorities.

Net loss attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $175.4 million, compared to a net income attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders of $16.4 million for the same period last year. Diluted net loss per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $2.53, compared to a diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders of $0.22 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net income attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $82.7 million, compared to $57.7 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $1.17, compared to $0.80 for the same period last year.

As of December 31, 2019, SINA's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $2.9 billion, compared to $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2018, mainly due to net proceeds received from Weibo's senior notes offering and offset by continued investment activities. For the fourth quarter of 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was $301.7 million, capital expenditures totaled $8.5 million, and depreciation and amortization expenses amounted to $11.0 million.

Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Results

For fiscal year 2019, SINA reported net revenues of $2.16 billion, an increase of 3% compared to $2.11 billion in 2018. Non-GAAP net revenues for 2019 were $2.15 billion, an increase of 3% compared to $2.10 billion in 2018.

Advertising revenues in 2019 were $1.74 billion, a decrease of 3% compared to $1.79 billion in 2018, primarily due to a decline in portal advertising revenues and negative currency translation impact.

Non-advertising revenues in 2019 were $419.3 million, an increase of 31% compared to $319.0 million in 2018. Non-GAAP non-advertising revenues in 2019 were $408.9 million, an increase of 32% compared to $308.6 million in 2018, benefiting from increased revenues generated from SINA fin-tech businesses and incremental revenues derived from Weibo's live streaming business acquired in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Gross margin in 2019 was 77%, compared to 79% in 2018. Advertising gross margin in 2019 was 81%, flat year over year. Non-advertising gross margin in 2019 was 63%, compared to 65% in 2018.    

Operating expenses in 2019 totaled $1.30 billion, compared to $1.19 billion in 2018. Non-GAAP operating expenses in 2019 totaled $1.06 billion, compared to $1.07 billion in 2018.

Income from operations in 2019 was $370.3 million, compared to $467.0 million in 2018, mainly due to impact of the aforementioned one-time litigation reserve. Operating margin was 17%, compared to 22% in 2018. Non-GAAP income from operations in 2019 was $611.9 million, compared to $581.5 million in 2018. Non-GAAP operating margin was 28%, flat year over year.

Non-operating loss in 2019 was $115.1 million, compared to a non-operating income of $88.5 million in 2018. Non-operating loss in 2019 mainly included (i) a $165.3 million net gain from fair value changes on investments, which is excluded under non-GAAP measures; (ii) a $342.0 million impairment on the Company's certain investments, mainly including a $177.8 million impairment on the Company's investment in Yixia Tech Co., Ltd., which is excluded under non-GAAP measures; and (iii) a $64.1 million net interest and other income.     

Income tax expenses in 2019 were $146.5 million, compared to $129.1 million in 2018, largely attributable to the deferred tax charges recognized from the fair value changes of investments and offset by increase in tax deduction based on preferential tax policy upon approval from relevant authorities. Non-GAAP income tax expenses in 2019 were $97.4 million, compared to $91.0 million in 2018.

Net loss attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders in 2019 was $70.5 million, compared to a net income attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders of $125.6 million in 2018. Diluted net loss per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders in 2019 was $1.03, compared to a diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders of $1.70 in 2018. Non-GAAP net income attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders in 2019 was $232.6 million, compared to $227.1 million in 2018. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders in 2019 was $3.26, compared to $3.07 in 2018.

For the fiscal year of 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was $744.0 million, capital expenditures totaled $29.5 million, and depreciation and amortization expenses amounted to $44.6 million.

Non-GAAP Measures

This release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP net revenues, non-GAAP advertising revenues, non-GAAP non-advertising revenues, non-GAAP advertising and non-advertising gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income attributable to SINA's ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP diluted net income per share. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, measures of the Company's financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company's non-GAAP financial measures may be defined differently than similar terms used by other companies. Accordingly, care should be exercised in understanding how the Company defines its non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company's non-GAAP financial measures exclude recognition of deferred revenues related to the license granted to Leju, stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, goodwill and acquired intangibles impairment, litigation reserve for arbitration, adjustment for non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items on the share of equity method investments (net of share of amortization of intangibles not on their books), gain (loss) on sale of investment, deemed disposal, fair value changes and impairment on investment, adjustment for non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items for the income attributable to non-controlling interests, amortization of convertible debt and senior notes issuance cost, and income tax effects of above non-GAAP to GAAP reconciling items. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their financial and operating decision-making, because management believes these measures reflect the Company's ongoing business operations in a manner that allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in the following ways: (i) in comparing the Company's current financial results with the Company's past financial results in a consistent manner, and (ii) in understanding and evaluating the Company's current operating performance and future prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose. The Company also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses, gain (loss) and other items (i) that are not expected to result in future cash payments or (ii) that are non-recurring in nature or may not be indicative of the Company's core operating results and business outlook.

Use of non-GAAP financial measures has limitations. The Company's non-GAAP financial measures do not include all income and expense items that affect the Company's operations.  They may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Management compensates for these limitations by also considering the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the section below titled "Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Results."

Conference Call

SINA will host a conference call from 7:10 a.m. – 7:40 a.m. Eastern Time on February 26, 2020 (or 8:10 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. Beijing Time on February 26, 2020) to present an overview of the Company's financial performance and business operations. A live webcast of the call will be available through the Company's corporate website at http://ir.sina.com. The conference call can be accessed as follows:

A replay of the conference call will be available through morning Eastern Time March 5, 2020. The dial-in number is +61 2 8199 0299. The passcode for the replay is 6968115.

About SINA

SINA is a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities. Its digital media network of SINA.com (portal), SINA mobile (mobile portal and mobile apps) and Weibo (social media) enables internet users to access professional media and user generated content in multi-media formats from personal computers and mobile devices and share their interests with friends and acquaintances.

SINA.com offers distinct and targeted professional content on each of its region-specific websites and a full range of complementary offerings. SINA mobile provides news information, professional and entertainment content customized for mobile users through mobile applications and mobile portal site SINA.cn.

Weibo is a leading social media platform for people to create, distribute and discover content. Based on an open platform architecture, Weibo provides unprecedented and simple way for people and organizations to publicly express themselves in real time, interact with others on a massive global platform and stay connected with the world.

Through these properties and other product lines, SINA offer an array of online media and social media services to its users to create a rich canvas for businesses and advertisers to effectively connect and engage with their targeted audiences.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to, among other things, SINA's expected financial performance and SINA's strategic and operational plans (as described, without limitation, in quotations from management in this press release). SINA may also make forward-looking statements in the Company's periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "confidence," "estimates" and similar statements. SINA assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this press release and elsewhere. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to failure to meet internal or external expectations of future performance given the rapidly evolving markets; condition of the global financial and credit market; the uncertain regulatory landscape in China; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's reliance on online advertising sales and value-added services for a majority of its revenues; failure to successfully develop, introduce, drive adoption of or monetize new features and products, including portal, Weibo and fin-tech products; failure to enter and develop the small and medium enterprise market by the Company or through cooperation with other parties, such as Alibaba; failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses; risks associated with the Company's investments, including adverse impacts on our financial results from equity pick-up, fair value changes and impairment; and failure to compete successfully against new entrants and established industry competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in SINA's 2018 annual reports on Form 20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:

Investor Relations
SINA Corporation
Phone: +86 10 5898 3336
Email: ir@staff.sina.com.cn