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iQIYI Inc (IQ) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Revenue Challenges with Strategic ...

In This Article:

  • Total Revenue: RMB7.2 billion, down 10% annually.

  • Membership Services Revenue: RMB4.4 billion, down 13% annually.

  • Online Advertising Revenue: RMB1.3 billion, down 20% year over year.

  • Content Distribution Revenue: RMB814 million, grew 52% annually.

  • Other Revenues: RMB729 million, decreased by 8% annually.

  • Content Cost: RMB4.0 billion, down 5% annually.

  • Total Operating Expenses: RMB1.4 billion, down 5% annually.

  • Non-GAAP Operating Income: RMB369 million with a margin of 5%.

  • Operating Cash Flow: RMB243 million, positive for ten consecutive quarters.

  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: RMB4.7 billion at the end of Q3.

Release Date: November 21, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • iQIYI Inc (NASDAQ:IQ) regained the number one position in viewership market share for long-form videos, driven by successful drama releases.

  • The company has introduced mini and short dramas, which have gained considerable popularity and offer new monetization opportunities.

  • iQIYI Inc (NASDAQ:IQ) is leveraging AI technology to improve business efficiency, including content translation and dubbing for overseas markets.

  • The company has launched a Family Account option to enhance user experience and combat unauthorized password sharing.

  • iQIYI Inc (NASDAQ:IQ) recorded solid performance in its overseas business, with significant growth in membership revenue in markets like Hong Kong, UK, Brazil, and Australia.

Negative Points

  • Total revenues for the third quarter were down 10% annually, with membership services revenue decreasing by 13%.

  • Advertising revenue decreased by 20% year over year, primarily due to a decline in brand ad business.

  • The company faced challenges in the supply of premium female-oriented and ancient costume dramas, impacting membership revenue.

  • Macro headwinds and increased entertainment options have led to more cautious consumer spending.

  • Despite advancements, the company experienced a decrease in brand ad revenue due to weak advertiser sentiment amid macroeconomic challenges.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can management elaborate on the strategy for mini and short dramas? A: Yu Gong, CEO, explained that iQIYI has integrated mini and short dramas into its content ecosystem, complementing traditional long-form videos. Mini dramas are 1 to 5 minutes long, while short dramas are 5 to 20 minutes. The company is focusing on mini dramas, offering them for free to subscribers and introducing a subscription model to enhance membership retention and attract new users. The strategy includes licensing, buyouts, and profit-sharing to develop high-quality content unique to iQIYI.