Youdao Reports Third Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results

HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Youdao, Inc. ("Youdao" or the "Company") (NYSE: DAO), a leading technology-focused intelligent learning company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights^[1]

• Total net revenues were RMB1.4 billion (US$197.2 million), representing a 35.0% increase from the same period in 2021.
  - Net revenues from learning services were RMB888.5 million (US$124.9 million), representing a 37.2% increase from the same period in 2021.
  - Net revenues from smart devices were RMB356.5 million (US$50.1 million), representing a 40.1% increase from the same period in 2021.
  - Net revenues from online marketing services were RMB157.5 million (US$22.1 million), representing a 14.9% increase from the same period in 2021.
• Gross margin was 54.2%, compared to 52.6% for the same period in 2021.

"We achieved record-high revenues of RMB1.4 billion in Q3, up 35.0% year-over-year, mainly due to our continuous innovation in learning services and smart devices. Since the beginning of this year, we have launched five new smart devices for various consumer learning scenarios. The success of our newly-designed products, such as the Youdao Dictionary Pen X5 and Youdao Smart Learning Pad, has infused confidence in our ability to generate return on investment through continuous innovation. We help our customers learn even better through more innovative products and services," said Dr. Feng Zhou, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Youdao.

"Our transition from regulatory changes last year is mostly finished. Despite the many obstacles and the uncertain macro environment, we are seizing the bigger picture opportunity to evolve and make advancements in our company that solidify our sustainable growth over the long term," Dr. Zhou concluded.

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Net Revenues 

Net revenues for the third quarter of 2022 were RMB1.4 billion (US$197.2 million), representing a 35.0% increase from RMB1.0 billion for the same period of 2021.

Net revenues from learning services were RMB888.5 million (US$124.9 million) for the third quarter of 2022, representing a 37.2% increase from RMB647.5 million for the same period of 2021. The year-over-year growth was primarily driven by the strong sales performance from the new services initiated after the implementation of the "Double Reduction" Policy.

Net revenues from smart devices were RMB356.5 million (US$50.1 million) for the third quarter of 2022, representing a 40.1% increase from RMB254.5 million for the same period of 2021, primarily driven by the popularity of Youdao's newly launched products, such as the Youdao Dictionary Pen X5.

Net revenues from online marketing services were RMB157.5 million (US$22.1 million) for the third quarter of 2022, representing a 14.9% increase from RMB137.0 million for the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase in revenues from online marketing services was mainly attributable to the increase in performance-based advertisements through third parties' internet properties.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2022 was RMB760.2 million (US$106.9 million), representing a 39.0% increase from RMB546.9 million for the same period of 2021. Gross margin increased to 54.2% for the third quarter of 2022 from 52.6% for the same period of 2021.

Gross margin for learning services was 64.5% for the third quarter of 2022, compared with 65.0% for the same period of 2021.

Gross margin for smart devices increased to 40.4% for the third quarter of 2022 from 33.7% for the same period of 2021. The improvement was mainly attributable to the popularity of Youdao's newly launched Youdao Dictionary Pen X5, which carries a higher gross margin than other products.

Gross margin for online marketing services was 27.1% for the third quarter of 2022, compared with 29.2% for the same period of 2021. The decrease was mainly attributable to the increase in performance-based advertisements through third parties' internet properties, which typically have a lower gross margin profile.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were RMB979.2 million (US$137.7 million), compared with RMB772.6 million for the same period of last year.

Sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were RMB709.8 million (US$99.8 million), representing an increase of 28.3% from RMB553.4 million for the same period of 2021. This increase was mainly driven by increasing sales and marketing efforts associated with Youdao's learning services and smart devices.

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were RMB212.9 million (US$29.9 million), representing an increase of 30.1% from RMB163.6 million for the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll-related expenses associated with a larger number of development and technology professionals in smart devices and education digitalization solutions.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were RMB56.5 million (US$7.9 million), compared with RMB55.6 million for the same period of 2021.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations for the third quarter of 2022 was RMB219.0 million (US$30.8 million), compared with RMB225.7 million for the same period in 2021. The margin of loss from operations was 15.6%, compared with 21.7% for the same period of last year.

Net Loss from Continuing Operations Attributable to Youdao's Ordinary Shareholders

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Youdao's ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2022 was RMB183.9 million (US$25.9 million), compared with RMB225.3 million for the same period of last year. Non-GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to Youdao's ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2022 was RMB164.4 million (US$23.1 million), compared with RMB200.2 million for the same period of last year.

Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary shares ("ADSs") of the Company from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders for the third quarter of 2022 was RMB1.49 (US$0.21), compared with RMB1.84 for the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss from continuing operations per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB1.33 (US$0.19), compared with RMB1.63 for the same period of 2021.

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2022, Youdao's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments totaled RMB953.1 million (US$134.0 million), compared with RMB1.6 billion as of December 31, 2021. For the third quarter of 2022, net cash used in continuing operating activities was RMB294.1 million (US$41.3 million), capital expenditures totaled RMB12.7 million (US$1.8 million), and depreciation and amortization expenses amounted to RMB11.6 million (US$1.6 million). Youdao's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on management's ability to implement an effective business plan in future periods in light of the changing regulatory environment, generate operating cash flows and continue to be able to obtain outside sources of financing as necessary for Youdao's future development. As of the date of this release, Youdao has received various financial support from the NetEase Group, including, among others, RMB878.0 million short-term loans and US$70.0 million long-term loans with maturity dated March 31, 2024 drawn down under the US$300.0 million revolving loan facility.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company's contract liabilities, which mainly consisted of deferred revenues generated from Youdao's learning services, were RMB996.5 million (US$140.1 million), compared with RMB1.1 billion as of December 31, 2021.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company today also announced that its board of directors has authorized the Company to adopt a share repurchase program in the near future in accordance with applicable laws and regulations for up to US$20 million of its Class A ordinary shares (including in the form of ADSs) during a period of up to 36 months.

Repurchases under the Company's share repurchase program, if adopted, may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or block trades, and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations. The timing and conditions of the share repurchases will be subject to various factors including the requirements under Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Conference Call

Youdao's management team will host a teleconference call with simultaneous webcast at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 17, 2022 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time: 6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2022). Youdao's management will be on the call to discuss the financial results and answer questions.

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.youdao.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible by phone one hour after the conclusion of the live call at the following numbers, until November 24, 2022:

About Youdao, Inc. 

Youdao, Inc. (NYSE: DAO) is a leading technology-focused intelligent learning company in China dedicated to developing and using technologies to provide learning content, applications and solutions to users of all ages. Building on the popularity of its online knowledge tools such as Youdao Dictionary and Youdao Translation, Youdao now offers smart devices, STEAM courses, adult and vocational courses, and education digitalization solutions. In addition, Youdao has developed a variety of interactive learning apps. Youdao was founded in 2006 as part of NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES; HKEX: 9999), a leading internet technology company in China.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.youdao.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

Youdao considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted income/(loss) from continuing operations per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").

Youdao defines non-GAAP net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders as net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets from business combination, impairment of long-term investments, income tax effects of above GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items, and adjustment for GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items for the income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company's shareholders enables Youdao's management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of these items, which are non-cash charges in nature. Youdao believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, which possibly do not reflect all items of expense that affect our operations. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures Youdao uses may differ from the non-GAAP measures uses by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

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 GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release.

The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between our GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures. Youdao encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.1135 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on September 30, 2022 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ 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. 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. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports 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. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding such risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. 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:
Jeffrey Wang
Youdao, Inc.
Tel: +86-10-8255-8163 ext. 89980
E-mail: IR@rd.netease.com

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Emilie Wu
Tel: +86-21-6039-8363
E-mail: youdao@thepiacentegroup.com

In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc. 
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: youdao@thepiacentegroup.com

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