Connect with us

Technology

China Literature Announces 2024 Interim Results

Published

on

HONG KONG, Aug. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — China Literature Limited (“China Literature” or “the Company”, stock code: 0772), a leading online literature and intellectual property (“IP”) incubation platform in China, today announced the unaudited consolidated results for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Results Highlights(1)

Total revenues increased 27.7% year-over-year to RMB4,190.9 million (USD588.1 million).
–     Revenues from online business were RMB1,940.4 million (USD272.3 million), compared with RMB1,984.4 million in the first half of 2023, primarily attributed to our continuous optimization of return on investment (“ROI”) on our distribution channels and focus on driving growth in our core products.
–     Revenues from IP operations and others increased 73.3% year-over-year to RMB2,250.6 million (USD315.8 million) due to solid growth from our IP operations businesses across the board, driven primarily by an increase in the release of blockbuster drama series, film, and animated series, the expanded licensing of our IP for adaptation to business partners, as well as the significant growth of new initiatives.On a non-IFRS(2) basis, which is intended to reflect core earnings by excluding certain one-time and/or non-cash items:
–     Operating profit increased 14.3% year-over-year to RMB624.2 million (USD87.6 million). Operating margin was 14.9%, compared with 16.6% in the first half of 2023.
–     Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased 16.4% year-over-year to RMB702.1 million (USD98.5 million), and its margin was 16.8%, compared to 18.4% in the first half of 2023.
–     Basic earnings per share were RMB0.69. Diluted earnings per share were RMB0.69.On an IFRS basis:
–     Operating profit increased 46.1% year-over-year to RMB454.4 million (USD63.8 million). Operating margin increased from 9.5% to 10.8%.
–     Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased 33.9% year-over-year to RMB504.3 million (USD70.8 million) and its margin increased from 11.5% to 12.0%.
–     Basic earnings per share were RMB0.50. Diluted earnings per share were RMB0.49.

(1) Figures stated in USD are based on USD1 to RMB7.1268.
(2) Non-IFRS adjustments exclude share-based compensation, M&A related impact such as net losses from investee companies and amortization of intangible assets, as well as related income tax effects.
(3) Certain figures included in this press release have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures shown in the breakdown items.

Mr. Hou Xiaonan, Chief Executive Officer of China Literature, commented, “During the first half of 2024, we continued to execute our high-quality content strategy and made significant progress in maximizing the potential of our premium IPs across the industry value chain. We delivered an exceptional performance, especially in our live action TV and film business. Our film YOLO (热辣滚烫) continues to lead nationwide box office sales in 2024 so far, while the drama series The Legend of Shen Li (与凤行), Joy of Life 2 (庆余年第二季) and The Tale of Rose (玫瑰的故事) were all released to critical acclaim. These success stories set a strong foundation for what we anticipate will be a ‘blockbuster year’ for China Literature’s content business. In the first half of 2024, our total revenues increased 27.7% year-over-year with revenues from IP operations in particular surging 75.7% year-over-year. Operating margin expanded to 10.8% from 9.5% in the same period last year, and the non-IFRS profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased by 16.4% year-over-year.

Throughout the period, we continued to strengthen our IP incubation and foster the flourishing of our content ecosystem by nurturing high-quality writers and literary works, and further optimizing and upgrading community operations. With this enhanced content and operational framework, monthly paying users grew steadily on a sequential basis to 8.8 million during the first half of the year. We have made solid progress in IP visualization with the launch of several premium titles. Notably, Joy of Life 2 (庆余年第二季), adapted from our renowned IP, achieved phenomenal success both domestically and internationally, and became the most watched mainland Chinese TV series on Disney+, setting a new benchmark for the global reach and appeal of Chinese film and television content. We have also taken an important step in the commercialization of our IP. Merchandise based on Joy of Life (庆余年) and our other popular comics, animation and drama related IPs have gained widespread popularity, expanding the reach and value of our IP portfolio.

We have long maintained the conviction that innovation is the key to driving growth and making breakthroughs. Therefore, we are accelerating the deployment and integration of AI technologies across our diverse businesses. We continue to refine our ‘Smart Pen’ Large Language Model (LLM), empowering writers to boost their productivity, and leverage AI translation technology to drive rapid growth in the number of translated works on our overseas platform. At the same time, we are actively exploring the integration of AI with various IP content formats including audiobooks, animation, videos, and merchandise. Looking forward, we will continue to embrace the new opportunities that technological advancements bring to revitalize the industry, uphold our foundational values of ‘content, platform, and IP’, and keep committed to creating good stories that will live forever.”

Financial Review(3)

Revenues increased 27.7% year-over-year to RMB4,190.9 million (USD588.1 million).

Revenues from online business were RMB1,940.4 million (USD272.3 million), compared with RMB1,984.4 million in the first half of 2023. A further breakdown of this category is as follows:

Online business revenues from our self-owned platform products decreased slightly from RMB1,709.7 million in the first half of 2023 to RMB1,694.2 million (USD237.7 million), as the Company continued to optimize ROI on our distribution channels and focus on driving growth in our core products;Online business revenues from our channels on Tencent products were RMB130.7 million (USD18.3 million), compared with RMB177.0 million in the prior corresponding period, mainly due to a continuous decrease in advertising revenues from free-to-read channels as the Company focuses on developing a high-quality pay-to-read business model with more content distributed through pay-to-read channels with higher ROI; andOnline business revenues from third-party platforms increased 18.2% year-over-year to RMB115.5 million (USD16.2 million), primarily due to increased collaboration with our third-party distribution partners.

Revenues from IP operations and others increased 73.3% year-over-year to RMB2,250.6 million (USD315.8 million).

Revenues from IP operations increased 75.7% year-over-year to RMB2,202.8 million (USD309.1 million), due to solid growth from our IP operations businesses across the board, driven primarily by an increase in the release of blockbuster drama series, film, and animated series, as well as expanded licensing of our IP for adaptation to business partners. In addition, new initiatives such as short dramas, merchandise and collectible card business grew significantly during the period; andRevenues from the “others” category, consisting mainly of sales of physical books, increased 6.9% year-over-year to RMB47.7 million (USD6.7 million).

Cost of revenues increased 25.6% year-over-year to RMB2,107.7 million (USD295.7 million), in line with the increase in revenues, primarily due to i) higher production costs associated with an increase in the release of TV, web and animated series and film; and ii) an increase in content costs as we boosted investment in high-quality content.

Gross profit increased 29.8% year-over-year to RMB2,083.2 million (USD292.3 million). Gross margin increased to 49.7% from 48.9% in the first half of 2023.

Interest income increased 13.0% year-over-year to RMB90.6 million (USD12.7 million), as a result of higher interest income from bank deposits.

Net other losses were RMB3.7 million (USD0.5 million), compared with net other gains of RMB5.8 million in the first half of 2023. The year-over-year change was mainly due to disposal gains and net fair value changes related to certain investee companies.

Selling and marketing expenses increased 41.0% year-over-year to RMB1,158.9 million (USD162.6 million), mainly due to an increase in promotion and advertising expenses associated with the Company’s film and drama series as more titles were released during the first half of 2024. As a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expenses were 27.7%, compared with 25.0% in the first half of 2023.

General and administrative expenses increased by 1.9% year-over-year to RMB544.8 million (USD76.4million), primarily due to higher employee benefits expenses. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 13.0% from 16.3% in the first half of 2023.

Net provision for impairment losses on financial assets reflected the provision for doubtful receivables. In the first half of 2024, the provision for doubtful receivables was RMB12.0 million (USD1.7 million) on a net basis, mainly associated with IP businesses.

Operating profit increased 46.1% year-over-year to RMB454.4 million (USD63.8 million).

Income tax expense was RMB99.1 million (USD13.9 million), compared with RMB49.6 million in the first half of 2023, primarily due to an increase in taxable income.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased 33.9% year-over-year to RMB504.3 million (USD70.8 million). On a non-IFRS basis, profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased by 16.4% year-over-year to RMB702.1 million (USD98.5 million).

Key Operating Information

Average MAUs on our self-owned platform products and self-operated channels were 176.0 million, a decrease of 16.9% year-over-year from 211.7 million. A further breakdown of MAUs is as follows:
–     MAUs on our self-owned platform products remained stable on a year-over-year basis at 105.3 million, compared with 105.4 million in the first half of 2023; and
–     MAUs on our self-operated channels on Tencent products decreased 33.5% year-over-year from 106.3 million to 70.7 million, primarily as a result of the optimization of our operational efficiency with more content distributed through our core pay-to-read products, leading to a decline in users acquired through free-to-read channels.Average MPUs on our self-owned platform products and self-operated channels increased 0.4% slightly year-over-year to 8.8 million in the first half of 2024.Monthly ARPU for our pay-to-read business decreased 1.9% year-over-year from RMB32.3 to RMB31.7 in the first half of 2024, mainly due to changes in revenue mix from different product offerings.

Other Key Information

EBITDA increased 34.7% year-over-year to RMB501.5 million (USD70.4 million). Adjusted EBITDA increased 24.7% year-over-year to RMB587.6 million (USD82.5 million). As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s net cash position was RMB9,208.1 million (USD1,292.0 million).Free cash flow* was RMB1,531.8 million (USD214.9 million), compared to RMB475.7 million in the first half of 2023.New Classics Media, on a standalone basis, recorded RMB1,050.3 million (USD147.4 million) in revenues and RMB300.3 million (USD42.1 million) in profit attributable to equity holders of the company in the first half of 2024.

* Free cash flow: operating cash flow deducts payments for lease liabilities and payments for capital expenditures.

Business Review and Outlook

Success of Top IP Sequels and Establishment of an Integrated Content Operation Mechanism

On May 16, 2024, Joy of Life 2 (庆余年第二季), the eagerly anticipated second season of the drama series adapted from our renowned IP, made its highly successful debut. The drama series quickly became a national sensation – shattering domestic records with a meteoric rise in viewership and popularity during its 18-day prime-time run. On Tencent Video, its popularity index surpassed 34,000 points, setting an all-time record high. It also maintained the top position in nationwide live viewership rankings on CCTV-8 for 18 consecutive days and topped the charts across major industry review platforms including Kuyun, Douban, Maoyan, Beacon and Enlightent.

Joy of Life 2 not only achieved phenomenal success domestically, it also captivated international audiences with its simultaneous release on Disney+ where it quickly became the platform’s highest-viewed mainland Chinese TV series. It is currently being translated into 14 languages for release into other markets around the world.

Joy of Life 2’s success extended far beyond that of a standalone project. It exemplifies our strategy to leverage resources across various departments and effectively collaborate with both upstream and downstream partners. We assembled our largest-ever dedicated team during the project’s early development stages to drive this. Simultaneously, we rolled out Joy of Life-themed products across various media formats, including online literature, drama series, online games, merchandise and collectible cards. This approach aims at maximizing the IP’s impact on audiences and fully unleashing its monetization potential. For example:

We launched a virtual fan zone on Qidian Reading APP alongside the release of Joy of Life 2, which gave readers free access to the author’s trilogy for a limited time as well as offered a series of engaging activities. These initiatives resulted in a 38-fold increase in reading volume sequentially, generated over 100 million visits to the virtual fan zone, and set a new annual record for daily active users of Qidian Reading APP.We also released 11 categories of Joy of Life-themed merchandise including blind boxes, accessories and a premium collectible card series featuring 308 card designs. Sales of the blind boxes exceeded 200,000 units, while the collectible cards generated over RMB20 million in GMV before the drama’s release, making them the all-time best-selling collectible cards in the drama-themed category.We launched a series of offline events that attracted a large number of fans. These events engaged participants to share their experiences online, sparking a viral wave of social media activity and user-generated content.

This fully-integrated approach sets a new standard for managing our flagship IP holistically and will be applied to other premium IPs in our portfolio.

The remarkable success of the Joy of Life franchise validates two crucial aspects of our strategy. First, it demonstrates our consistent ability to create and replicate blockbuster IP. Second, it showcases the power of our business model, which collaborates with partners across the entire IP value chain to maximize the potential of our premium IP. We have long been committed to fostering a robust ecosystem for IP development. Our success in operating our flagship IP through effective mobilization and coordination of resources across multiple stakeholders within our ecosystem marks a significant milestone.

IP Creation

We continued to strengthen the content ecosystem of our online reading business. In the first half of this year, our online reading platform added approximately 170,000 writers and 320,000 literary works, collectively contributing over 21 billion Chinese characters. A steady stream of high-quality new works continued to be released, with the number of newly signed literary works with over 50,000 average subscribers per chapter increasing 75% year-over-year. Additionally, the number of newly signed literary works generating over RMB2 million in reading revenue grew 33% year-over-year. Notably, we’ve seen a surge in young talent, with writers born in the 1990s accounting for over 70% of newly-added Platinum and Phenomenal Writers in the first half of 2024.

While nurturing high-quality writers and promoting outstanding literary works remains a core focus, we remain committed to building a robust user community, strengthening operations for flagship IP, and amplifying fan engagement. With our enhanced content and operational framework, monthly paying users grew steadily on a sequential basis to over 8.8 million during the first half of the year.

We continued to expand into overseas markets. As of June 30, 2024, WebNovel, our foreign language online reading platform, offered approximately 5,000 works translated from Chinese and approximately 650,000 original works created locally.

IP Visualization

We launched several top-tier titles during the first half of 2024, garnering enthusiastic audience reception and widespread acclaim.

In the live action TV and film segment, we had one box office champion film and three blockbuster drama series, including:

YOLO (热辣滚烫): this film led nationwide box office receipts in 2024 so far, with sales of RMB3.5 billion.The Legend of Shen Li (与凤行): this drama series achieved a popularity index of over 31,000 on Tencent Video during its broadcasting run, held the top position on Mango TV Drama Popularity List for 22 days, and ranked first in viewership ratings among provincial satellite TV networks during the same time slot according to China Audio Video Big Data.Joy of Life 2 (庆余年第二季): as mentioned earlier, the highly-anticipated second season of the drama series achieved extraordinary results, laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of the Joy of Life IP.The Tale of Rose (玫瑰的故事): this drama series achieved a popularity index of over 31,000 on Tencent Video during its broadcasting run, setting a record high for the urban drama genre on Tencent Video. It also ranked first in national prime-time drama series ratings, according to China Audio Video Big Data.

These productions have not only captivated domestic audiences but have also made significant inroads in overseas markets. In addition to the abovementioned Joy of Life 2, The Legend of Shen Li was aired in over 180 countries and regions globally in 16 languages. YOLO was distributed by Sony Pictures globally and is currently the highest-grossing Chinese-language film overseas this year.

In the animation segment, we launched a number of new series including The Richest Man in Game (亏成首富从游戏开始) and The Charm of Soul Pets (幻宠师), as well as sequels to classic titles such as The King’s Avatar (全职高手) and Start with a Mountain (开局一座山). We released new episodes for our long-running annual animated series Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹), helping it to maintain its top ranking on Tencent Video’s annual bestseller list. According to Guduo Data, 15 of the top 20 most watched online animated series in the first half of 2024 were adapted from China Literature’s IPs.

In the first half of the year, we completed the acquisition of the assets of Tencent Animation and Comics, adding a number of top Chinese comic IPs such as The Outcast (一人之下) and The Fox Spirit Matchmaker (狐妖小红娘) to our portfolio. Going forward, we will leverage Tencent Animation and Comics’ high-quality production capabilities to further accelerate our IP visualization process.

IP Commercialization and Monetization

In the merchandise segment, we unveiled a diverse array of trendy collectibles and merchandise based on popular IPs such as Joy of Life (庆余年), The King’s Avatar (全职高手), Lord of the Mysteries (诡秘之主) and Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹). These offerings, including blind boxes, toy collectibles and accessories, were launched alongside the releases of the online content. In addition, we continued to expand the scope and scale of our IP licensing for merchandise.

We made significant progress in our collectible cards business in the first half of 2024. Our goal is to build China Literature’s own IP universe of collectible cards, meeting Chinese collectors’ growing demand for high-quality, IP-based products while further expanding IP monetization. Our collectible cards series based on the drama series The Legend of Shen Li (与凤行) and Joy of Life (庆余年) have delivered strong results. We plan to launch more series, such as collectible cards based on the drama series Guardians of the Dafeng (大奉打更人). Additionally, we have a rich portfolio of comic and animation IPs that can be adapted into collectible cards for global distribution. In the second half of 2024, we will launch comic/animation-themed cards both domestically and globally, including The King’s Avatar (全职高手), Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹), Lord of the Mysteries (诡秘之主), The Outcast (一人之下) and The Fox Spirit Matchmaker (狐妖小红娘). In the first half of this year, total GMV for our IP-based collectible cards reached approximately RMB100 million.

In the games segment, two titles based on our IPs, Soul Land (斗罗大陆) and Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹), were launched in the first half of this year, generating solid sales. We have a rich portfolio of IP-based games set to be released in the near future, including Lord of the Mysteries (诡秘之主).

Exploration into New Technologies and Emerging Business Opportunities

We are strategically deploying AI capabilities across our diverse businesses to enhance our ecosystem. We continue to refine our “Smart Pen” Large Language Model (LLM), empowering writers to boost their productivity. Our AI translation technology is driving rapid growth in the number of translated works on our overseas platform. In the first half of 2024, WebNovel, our overseas reading platform, added over 1,200 AI-translated works in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, and Indonesian. Notably, approximately 40% of the top 100 bestselling works on WebNovel are AI-translated. We are actively exploring the integration of AI technology with various IP content formats, including audiobooks, animation, videos, and merchandise.

Responding to the rapidly growing short-form drama market, we leveraged our content strengths and extensive creator network to produce high-quality short-form drama adaptations of our IP. We’ve achieved several successes, with the best performing title generating RMB30 million in grossing receipts. For the whole year, we plan to release over 100 short-form dramas and explore new innovative formats such as interactive short-form dramas.

Outlook

We delivered an exceptional performance in the first half of 2024. We released four blockbuster titles, firmly underscoring our commitment to our premium IP strategy. The launch of Joy of Life 2 (庆余年第二季) exemplified successful collaboration with our ecosystem partners, achieving success that benefits everyone in the value chain. We also achieved notable progress in the international markets, IP commercialization, and new business initiatives. Looking forward, we will continue to strengthen our IP incubation, enhance IP visualization and commercialization, optimize our operational framework for flagship IP, and explore new technologies and emerging business opportunities. We believe these endeavors will deliver long-term and sustainable returns for the shareholders who have consistently believed in and supported us on this journey.

About China Literature Limited

China Literature is dedicated to building a deep and immersive intellectual property (“IP”) universe for the Mandarin-speaking world. It incubates original IPs from its online literature platform, which are subsequently adapted on a range of digital entertainment mediums, including comics, animation, film, TV series, web series and games. The virtual world created by these digital offerings become an inseparable part of a user’s daily life. China Literature creates and promotes IPs mainly through Qidian Reading and QQ Reading, its leading online literature platforms, as well as New Classics Media, a renowned film and TV drama series production house in China. China Literature collaborates with Tencent, its shareholder and strategic partner, as well as other third-party partners to distribute and develop IP content and to enhance value of its IP. Many of the Company’s online literature works have been successfully adapted into animation, TV series, web series, film and games, including Joy of Life, Candle in the Tomb, Soul Land, The King’s Avatar and My Heroic Husband. China Literature’s rich and extensive content library as well as its unparalleled capability and resources to adapt IP into various entertainment formats is a significant competitive advantage that lies at the core of its business model. For more information, please visit http://ir.yuewen.com/.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

To supplement the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain non-IFRS financial measures, namely non-IFRS operating profit, non-IFRS operating margin, non-IFRS profit for the period, non-IFRS net margin, non-IFRS profit attributable to equity holders of the Company, non-IFRS basic EPS and non-IFRS diluted EPS as additional financial measures, have been presented in this press release for the convenience of readers. These unaudited non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of the Company’s financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures may be defined differently from similar terms used by other companies. In addition, non-IFRS adjustments include relevant non-IFRS adjustments for the Company’s material associates based on available published financials of the relevant material associates, or estimates made by the Company’s management based on available information, certain expectations, assumptions and premises.

Our management believes that the presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding IFRS measures, provides useful information to investors and management regarding the financial and business trends relating to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Our management also believes that the non-IFRS financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s operating performances. From time to time, there may be other items that the Company may include or exclude in reviewing its financial results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the industry and business outlook, forecast business plans and growth strategies of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are stated herein on the basis of the outlook at the time of this press release. They are based on certain expectations, assumptions and premises, some of which are subjective or beyond our control. These forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and may not be realized in future. Underlying the forward-looking statements is a large number of risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in our other public disclosure documents on our corporate website.

CHINA LITERATURE

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

Six months ended June 30,

2024

2023

(RMB in million, unless specified)

Revenues

Online business(1)

1,940.4

1,984.4

Intellectual property operations and others(2)

2,250.6

1,298.6

4,190.9

3,283.0

Cost of revenues

(2,107.7)

(1,678.3)

Gross profit

2,083.2

1,604.8

                                                  Gross margin

49.7 %

48.9 %

Interest income

90.6

80.1

Other (losses)/gains, net

(3.7)

5.8

Selling and marketing expenses

(1,158.9)

(822.1)

General and administrative expenses

(544.8)

(534.5)

Net provision for impairment losses on financial assets

(12.0)

(23.1)

Operating profit

454.4

310.9

                                                  Operating margin

10.8 %

9.5 %

Finance costs, net

(2.1)

(2.8)

Share of net profit of associates and joint ventures

150.6

117.5

Profit before income tax

603.0

425.6

Income tax expense

(99.1)

(49.6)

Profit for the period

503.9

376.0

                                                  Net margin

12.0 %

11.5 %

Profit attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

504.3

376.7

Non-controlling interests

(0.4)

(0.7)

503.9

376.0

Earnings per share

(in RMB per share)

– Basic earnings per share

0.50

0.37

– Diluted earnings per share

0.49

0.37

Notes:

(1) Revenues from online business primarily reflect revenues from online paid reading, online advertising and distribution of third-party online games on our platform.

(2) Revenues from intellectual property operations and others primarily reflect revenues from production and distribution of TV, web and animated series, films, licensing
     of copyrights, operation of self-operated online games, and sales of physical books. 

 

 

CHINA LITERATURE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Six months ended June 30,

2024

2023

(RMB in million)

Profit for the period

503.9

376.0

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

Item that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Share of other comprehensive loss of associates

(0.2)

(4.9)

Currency translation differences

(19.0)

(48.5)

Item that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Net gain/(loss) from change in fair value of financial
       asset at fair value through other comprehensive
       income

1.4

(4.1)

Share of other comprehensive income of an associate

3.1

Currency translation differences

47.9

125.6

30.2

71.3

Total comprehensive income for the period

534.1

447.2

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

534.5

447.9

Non-controlling interests

(0.4)

(0.7)

534.1

447.2

 

 

CHINA LITERATURE

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Six months ended June 30,

2024

2023

(RMB in million, except percentages)

Revenues

Online business

1,940.4

1,984.4

Intellectual property operations and others

2,250.6

1,298.6

Total revenues

4,190.9

3,283.0

Cost of revenues

Online business

(966.0)

(997.8)

Intellectual property operations and others

(1,141.8)

(680.5)

Total cost of revenues

(2,107.7)

(1,678.3)

Gross profit

Online business

974.4

986.6

Intellectual property operations and others

1,108.8

618.1

Total gross profit

2,083.2

1,604.8

Gross margin

Online business

50.2 %

49.7 %

Intellectual property operations and others

49.3 %

47.6 %

Total gross margin

49.7 %

48.9 %

 

 

CHINA LITERATURE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As of

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

(RMB in million)

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

115.3

128.3

Right-of-use assets

177.4

207.7

Intangible assets

7,327.4

7,330.1

Investments in associates and joint ventures

1,064.2

924.7

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

853.2

856.0

Financial asset at fair value through other
     comprehensive income

5.6

4.1

Deferred income tax assets

488.8

394.1

Prepayments, deposits and other assets

292.5

291.6

Term deposits

2,199.0

1,829.0

12,523.4

11,965.7

Current assets

Inventories

716.6

743.7

Television series and film rights

857.7

995.1

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

2,817.6

2,442.7

Trade and notes receivables

2,127.9

1,988.2

Prepayments, deposits and other assets

1,186.5

1,212.6

Term deposits

1,303.2

1,038.7

Cash and cash equivalents

2,898.3

2,801.8

11,907.8

11,222.8

Total assets

24,431.3

23,188.5

EQUITY

Capital and reserves attributable to the equity holders
  of the Company

Share capital

0.7

0.7

Treasury shares

(16.5)

Shares held for RSU schemes

(16.6)

(16.6)

Share premium

16,374.7

16,312.6

Other reserves

1,831.2

2,173.3

Retained earnings

1,059.3

555.0

19,232.7

19,024.9

Non-controlling interests

(0.9)

(0.5)

Total equity

19,231.7

19,024.4

 

 

As of

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

(RMB in million)

LIABILITIES

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

119.9

153.2

Long-term payables

8.1

1.2

Deferred income tax liabilities

132.1

134.5

Deferred revenue

23.1

24.2

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

247.8

283.2

560.9

Current liabilities

Borrowings

10.0

10.0

Lease liabilities

81.7

74.9

Trade payables

1,222.1

1,119.7

Other payables and accruals

1,935.3

997.7

Deferred revenue

1,144.5

879.3

Current income tax liabilities

237.4

266.4

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

285.2

255.1

4,916.3

3,603.1

Total liabilities

5,199.5

4,164.0

Total equity and liabilities

24,431.3

23,188.5

 

 

CHINA LITERATURE

RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

Six months ended June 30,

2024

2023

(RMB in million)

Reconciliation of operating profit to EBITDA and
     adjusted EBITDA:

Operating profit

454.4

310.9

Adjustments:

Interest income

(90.6)

(80.1)

Other losses/(gains), net

3.7

(5.8)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

17.8

17.0

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

36.2

38.4

Amortization of intangible assets

79.9

91.8

EBITDA

501.5

372.2

Adjustments:

Share-based compensation

55.4

70.9

Expenditure related to acquisition

30.7

28.2

Adjusted EBITDA

587.6

471.4

 

 

CHINA LITERATURE

RECONCILIATIONS OF IFRS TO NON-IFRS RESULTS

Six months ended June 30, 2024

Adjustments

As
reported

Share-based
compensation

Net losses from investments
and acquisitions(1)

Amortization of
intangible assets(2)

Tax effects

Non-IFRS

(RMB in million, unless specified)

Operating profit

454.4

55.4

104.7

9.5

624.2

Profit for the period

503.9

55.4

104.7

9.5

28.0

701.7

Profit attributable to equity
holders of the Company

504.3

55.4

104.7

9.5

28.0

702.1

EPS (RMB per share)

  – basic

0.50

0.69

  – diluted

0.49

0.69

Operating margin

10.8 %

14.9 %

Net margin

12.0 %

16.7 %

Six months ended June 30, 2023

Adjustments

As reported

Share-based
compensation

Net losses from investments
and acquisitions(1)

Amortization of
intangible assets(2)

Tax effects

Non-IFRS

(RMB in million, unless specified)

Operating profit

310.9

70.9

153.9

10.1

545.8

Profit for the period

376.0

70.9

147.2

10.1

(1.8)

602.4

Profit attributable to equity
holders of the Company

376.7

70.9

147.2

10.1

(1.8)

603.1

EPS (RMB per share)

  – basic

0.37

0.60

  – diluted

0.37

0.59

Operating margin

9.5 %

16.6 %

Net margin

11.5 %

18.3 %

Notes:

(1) This item mainly includes the disposal gain, impairment provision and fair value changes arising from our investee companies, the fair value changes of consideration
     liabilities related to the acquisition of NCM, and the compensation costs for certain employees and former owners of NCM.

(2) Represents amortization of intangible assets and TV series and film rights resulting from acquisitions.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-literature-announces-2024-interim-results-302219758.html

SOURCE China Literature

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

10x Genomics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Published

on

By

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 10x Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TXG), a leader in single cell and spatial biology, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

Recent Updates

Revenue was $150.8 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing a 3% decrease over the corresponding period of 2025. Excluding $16.8 million related to one-time license and royalty revenue in the first quarter of 2025, revenue increased 9% over the corresponding period of 2025.Launched Atera, a new platform to redefine how biology is measured and understood. Atera was engineered to deliver spatial whole-transcriptome analysis with single-cell sensitivity at unprecedented scale. The Company expects to start shipping Atera in the second half of 2026.Announced a partnership with Bioptimus, a global AI biotech company, to launch STELA, a multinational spatial data generation initiative to create foundational datasets connecting underlying biology with disease outcomes. The initiative is starting this effort on our Xenium platform and plans to expand to Atera over time.Ended the first quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $539.8 million, representing a $112.9 million increase from March 31, 2025.

“We had a solid start to the year, with double-digit growth in Single Cell consumables reaction volumes and double-digit growth in Spatial consumables revenue,” said Serge Saxonov, Co-founder and CEO of 10x Genomics. “The biggest highlight is our recent launch of Atera, which represents the most significant product introduction in our history. We are extremely encouraged by the extraordinary early customer response.”

First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Revenue was $150.8 million for the first quarter of 2026, a 3% decrease from the corresponding period of 2025. Excluding $16.8 million related to a patent litigation settlement recognized in the first quarter of 2025, revenue increased 9% over the corresponding period of 2025.

Gross margin was 70% for the first quarter of 2026, as compared to 68% for the corresponding prior year period. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to lower warranty costs and lower inventory write-downs, partially offset by a decrease in license and royalty revenue reflecting a non-recurring royalty benefit recognized in the first quarter of 2025.

Operating expenses were $123.2 million for the first quarter of 2026, a 15% decrease from $144.8 million for the corresponding prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by lower outside legal expenses and personnel expenses, partially offset by a non-recurring gain on settlement of $9.2 million recognized in the first quarter of 2025.

Operating loss was $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2026, as compared to operating loss of $39.3 million for the corresponding prior year period.

Net loss was $13.5 million for the first quarter of 2026, as compared to a net loss of $34.4 million for the corresponding prior year period.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $539.8 million as of March 31, 2026.

2026 Financial Guidance 

10x Genomics is maintaining its full year 2026 revenue guidance of $600 million to $625 million. Excluding the non-recurring license and royalty revenue related to patent litigation settlements in 2025, this represents 0% to 4% growth over full year 2025.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

10x Genomics will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2026 financial results, business developments and outlook after market close on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 1:30 PM Pacific Time / 4:30 PM Eastern Time. A webcast of the conference call can be accessed at http://investors.10xgenomics.com. The webcast will be archived and available for replay at least 45 days after the event.

About 10x Genomics

10x Genomics is a life science technology company building products to accelerate the mastery of biology and advance human health. Our integrated research solutions include instruments, consumables and software for single cell and spatial biology, which help academic and translational researchers and biopharmaceutical companies understand biological systems at a resolution and scale that matches the complexity of biology. Our products are behind breakthroughs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience and more, fueling powerful discoveries that are transforming the world’s understanding of health and disease. To learn more, visit 10xgenomics.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Bluesky or YouTube.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. All statements included in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “outlook,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “see,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “would,” “likely,” “seek” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding 10x Genomics, Inc.’s products, services, business strategy, collaborations and opportunities and 10x Genomics, Inc.’s financial performance and results of operations, including expectations regarding revenue and guidance. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, forecasts, beliefs, estimates, assumptions and information currently available to management. Actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors and such statements should not be relied upon as representing 10x Genomics, Inc.’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. 10x Genomics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in 10x Genomics’ expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. The material risks and uncertainties that could affect 10x Genomics, Inc.’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the company’s most recently-filed 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed on February 12, 2026 and the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and elsewhere in the documents 10x Genomics, Inc. files with the SEC from time to time.

Disclosure Information

10x Genomics uses filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its website (www.10xgenomics.com), press releases, public conference calls, public webcasts and its social media accounts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Contacts

Investors: investors@10xgenomics.com

Media: media@10xgenomics.com

10x Genomics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended
March 31,

2026

2025

Products and services revenue

$      149,896

$      137,823

License and royalty revenue

947

17,060

Revenue (1)

150,843

154,883

Cost of products and services revenue (2)

44,665

49,438

Gross profit

106,178

105,445

Operating expenses:

Research and development (2)

56,847

64,245

Selling, general and administrative (2)

66,377

89,728

Gain on settlement

(9,200)

Total operating expenses

123,224

144,773

Loss from operations

(17,046)

(39,328)

Other income (expense):

Interest income

5,014

3,686

Other income (expense), net

(815)

2,136

Total other income

4,199

5,822

Loss before provision for income taxes

(12,847)

(33,506)

Provision for income taxes

623

852

Net loss

$      (13,470)

$      (34,358)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$         (0.10)

$         (0.28)

Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted

128,291,153

122,606,091

__________________________

(1)

The following table represents total revenue by source for the periods indicated (in thousands). Spatial includes the Company’s Visium and Xenium products:

Three Months Ended
March 31,

2026

2025

Instruments

Single Cell

$         5,223

$         5,913

Spatial

6,039

8,902

Total instruments revenue

11,262

14,815

Consumables

Single Cell

88,894

84,109

Spatial

40,907

31,247

Total consumables revenue

129,801

115,356

Services

8,833

7,652

Products and services revenue

149,896

137,823

License and royalty revenue

947

17,060

Total revenue

$      150,843

$      154,883

(1)

The following table presents revenue by geography based on the location of the customer for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Three Months Ended
March 31,

2026

2025

Americas

United States*

$       76,693

$       86,818

Americas (excluding United States)

3,406

3,752

Total Americas

80,099

90,570

Europe, Middle East and Africa

36,852

31,895

Asia-Pacific

China

15,837

16,883

Asia-Pacific (excluding China)

18,055

15,535

Total Asia-Pacific

33,892

32,418

Total revenue

$      150,843

$      154,883

*

Includes license and royalty revenue.

(2)

Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,

(in thousands)

2026

2025

Cost of revenue

$         1,918

$         2,481

Research and development

10,695

14,106

Selling, general and administrative

10,029

14,489

Total stock-based compensation expense

$       22,642

$       31,076

 

10x Genomics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

March 31,
2026

December 31,
2025

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$      490,285

$      473,966

Marketable securities

49,563

49,443

Accounts receivable, net

39,031

47,013

Other receivables

17,106

35,480

Inventory

53,487

56,341

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

20,261

22,208

Total current assets

669,733

684,451

Property and equipment, net

220,591

226,711

Operating lease right-of-use assets

58,390

60,450

Goodwill

4,511

4,511

Intangible assets, net

59,910

62,329

Other noncurrent assets

2,624

2,913

Total assets

$    1,015,759

$    1,041,365

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$       17,425

$       12,733

Accrued compensation and related benefits

21,506

42,500

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

33,680

39,971

Deferred revenue

24,342

23,902

Operating lease liabilities

11,330

10,985

Contingent consideration, current

5,315

23,363

Total current liabilities

113,598

153,454

Contingent consideration, noncurrent

1,222

1,237

Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent

70,059

73,376

Deferred revenue, noncurrent

10,138

10,501

Other noncurrent liabilities

6,418

6,471

Total liabilities

201,435

245,039

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock

Common stock

2

2

Additional paid-in capital

2,338,269

2,306,690

Accumulated deficit

(1,524,061)

(1,510,591)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

114

225

Total stockholders’ equity

814,324

796,326

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$    1,015,759

$    1,041,365

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/10x-genomics-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-302766095.html

SOURCE 10x Genomics, Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

OUTFRONT Media Announces Quarterly Dividend

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.30 per share payable on June 30, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2026.

About OUTFRONT Media Inc.
OUTFRONT is one of the largest and most trusted out-of-home media companies in the U.S., helping brands connect with audiences in the moments and environments that matter most. As OUTFRONT evolves, it’s defining a new era of in-real-life (IRL) marketing, turning public spaces into platforms for creativity, connection, and cultural relevance. With a nationwide footprint across billboards, digital displays, transit systems, and other out-of-home formats, OUTFRONT turns creative into powerful real-world experiences. Its in-house agency, OUTFRONT STUDIOS, and award-winning innovation team, XLabs, deliver standout storytelling, supported by advanced technology and data tools that can drive measurable impact.

Contacts:

Investors

Media

Stephan Bisson

Courtney Richards

Investor Relations

Events & Communications

(212) 297-6573

(646) 876-9404

stephan.bisson@outfront.com 

courtney.richards@outfront.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-announces-quarterly-dividend-302766109.html

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

OUTFRONT Media Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Published

on

By

Revenues of $429.6 million

Operating income of $55.9 million

 Net income attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. of $19.1 million

Adjusted OIBDA of $100.4 million

AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. of $61.0 million

Quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, payable June 30, 2026

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

“Our first quarter results demonstrate our continued strong performance, with revenue, OIBDA, and AFFO all exceeding our guidance,” said Nick Brien, Chief Executive Officer of OUTFRONT Media. “Importantly, this exceptional performance was driven by strong results across our entire business, with billboard and transit both contributing to this success.”

Three Months Ended
March 31,

$ in Millions, except per share amounts

2026

2025

Revenues

$429.6

$390.7

Operating income

55.9

13.9

Adjusted OIBDA

100.4

64.2

Net income (loss) before allocation to redeemable and non-redeemable
 noncontrolling interests

19.3

(20.7)

Net income (loss)1

19.1

(20.6)

Net income (loss) per share1,2,3

$0.11

($0.14)

Funds From Operations (FFO)1

63.5

26.5

Adjusted FFO (AFFO)1

61.0

27.1

Shares outstanding3

177.1

166.4

Notes: See exhibits for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures; 1) References to “Net income (loss)”, “FFO” and “AFFO” mean “Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.”, “FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.” and “AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.,” respectively; 2) References to “per share” mean per common share for diluted earnings per weighted average share; 3) Diluted weighted average shares outstanding. 

First Quarter 2026 Results

Consolidated Results
Reported revenues of $429.6 million increased $38.9 million, or 10.0%, for the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the same prior-year period.

Total operating expenses of $227.5 million increased $6.2 million, or 2.8%, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher variable billboard property lease expenses, higher transit franchise costs, including higher guaranteed minimum annual payments to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the “MTA”) due to inflation, higher production expenses, and higher maintenance and utilities costs, partially offset by the impact of lost billboards in the period.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) of $107.3 million decreased $7.4 million, or 6.5%, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to lower compensation-related expenses, including severance and salaries, and lower credit card usage by customers, partially offset by higher professional fees, including software and technology expenses, a higher allowance for bad debt and higher client entertainment expenses.

Adjusted OIBDA of $100.4 million increased $36.2 million, or 56.4%, compared to the same prior-year period.

Segment Results

Billboard
Reported billboard segment revenues of $332.9 million increased $22.2 million, or 7.1%, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher proceeds from condemnations and an increase in average revenue per display (yield), including the impact of programmatic platforms on digital billboard revenues, partially offset by lost billboards in the period.

Operating expenses increased $3.5 million, or 2.4%, due primarily to higher variable billboard property lease costs, higher maintenance and utilities, higher site-related costs, and higher compensation-related expenses, partially offset by the impact of lost billboards in the period.

SG&A expenses increased $1.3 million, or 1.9%, due primarily to higher professional fees, including software and technology expenses, and a higher allowance for bad debt, partially offset by lower credit card usage by customers and lower compensation-related expenses.

Adjusted OIBDA of $116.4 million increased $17.4 million, or 17.6%, compared to the same prior-year period.

Transit
Reported transit segment revenues of $95.0 million increased $17.3 million, or 22.3%, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to an increase in average revenue per display (yield), partially offset by the impact of new and lost transit franchise contracts.

Operating expenses increased $3.0 million, or 4.0%, due primarily to higher guaranteed minimum annual payments to the MTA due to inflation, higher display production costs, and higher posting and rotation costs.

SG&A expenses increased $1.5 million, or 8.7%, due primarily to higher compensation-related expenses, including severance and commissions, higher professional fees, including higher software and technology expenses, partially offset by lower credit card usage by customers.

Adjusted OIBDA loss decreased $12.8 million, or 90.1%, compared to the same prior-year period.

Other
Reported revenues decreased $0.6 million, or 26.1%, operating expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 16.7%, and Adjusted OIBDA decreased $0.3 million, or 60.0%, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to a decrease in third-party digital equipment sales.

Corporate
Corporate expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased $6.3 million, or 29.9%, compared to the same prior-year period to $14.8 million, due primarily to lower compensation-related expenses, including severance, and lower professional fees, including fees related to a management consulting project.

Interest Expense
Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2026 was $36.0 million, including amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.4 million, as compared to $36.0 million, including amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.5 million, in the same prior-year period. The weighted average cost of debt was 5.3% as of March 31, 2026 and 5.4% as of March 31, 2025.

Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes decreased $0.1 million, or 20.0%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same prior-year period. Cash paid for income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $0.4 million.

Net Income Attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Net income attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. was $19.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to a Net loss attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. of $20.6 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 177.1 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to 166.4 million for the same prior-year period. Net income per common share for diluted earnings per weighted average share was $0.11 in the first quarter of 2026 compared to a Net loss per common share for diluted earnings per weighted average share of $0.14 in the same prior-year period.

FFO
FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. was $63.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $37.0 million, or 139.6%, from the same prior-year period, driven primarily by higher Adjusted OIBDA.

AFFO
Starting at the end of 2025, we modified our calculation of AFFO to include amortization of direct lease acquisition costs instead of cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs, as management believes that this calculation of AFFO is a more appropriate measure of performance period-over-period and consistent with how we calculate FFO. Accordingly, relevant prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation.

AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. was $61.0 million in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $33.9 million, or 125.1%, from the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher Adjusted OIBDA and a higher non-cash effect of straight-line rent, partially offset by lower equity earnings.

Cash Flow & Capital Expenditures
Net cash flow provided by operating activities of $75.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, increased $41.7 million, or 124.1%, compared to $33.6 million in the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher net income, as adjusted for non-cash items, the timing of accounts receivables and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by a decrease in deferred revenues. Total capital expenditures increased $6.9 million, or 40.1%, to $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to the same prior-year period, due primarily to increased growth in digital displays, increased maintenance spending for billboard display upgrades and increased spending for safety-related projects.

Dividends
In the three months ended March 31, 2026, we paid cash dividends of $53.4 million on our common stock and vested restricted share units granted to employees. We announced on May 7, 2026, that our board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock of $0.30 per share payable on June 30, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2026.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2026, our liquidity position included unrestricted cash of $67.2 million and $494.9 million of availability under our $500.0 million revolving credit facility, net of $5.1 million of issued letters of credit against the letter of credit facility sublimit under the revolving credit facility, and $150.0 million of additional availability under our accounts receivable securitization facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, no shares of our common stock were sold under our at-the-market equity offering program, of which $232.5 million remains available. Total indebtedness as of March 31, 2026 was $2.6 billion, excluding $14.8 million of deferred financing costs, and includes a $500.0 million term loan, $450.0 million of senior secured notes and $1.7 billion of senior unsecured notes.

Conference Call
We will host a conference call to discuss the results on May 7, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call numbers are 833-461-5787 (U.S. callers) and 585-542-9983 (International callers) and the passcode for both is 404991578.  Live and replay versions of the conference call will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of our website, www.outfront.com.

Supplemental Materials
In addition to this press release, we have provided a supplemental investor presentation which can be viewed on our website, www.outfront.com.

About OUTFRONT Media Inc.
OUTFRONT is one of the largest and most trusted out-of-home media companies in the U.S., helping brands connect with audiences in the moments and environments that matter most. As OUTFRONT evolves, it’s defining a new era of in-real-life (IRL) marketing, turning public spaces into platforms for creativity, connection, and cultural relevance. With a nationwide footprint across billboards, digital displays, transit systems, and other out-of-home formats, OUTFRONT turns creative into powerful real-world experiences. Its in-house agency, OUTFRONT STUDIOS, and award-winning innovation team, XLabs, deliver standout storytelling, supported by advanced technology and data tools that can drive measurable impact.

Contacts:

Investors

Media

Stephan Bisson

Courtney Richards

Investor Relations

Events & Communications

(212) 297-6573

(646) 876-9404

stephan.bisson@outfront.com

courtney.richards@outfront.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) provided throughout this document, this document and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial measures as described below. We calculate and define “Adjusted OIBDA” as operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, net (gain) loss on dispositions and stock-based compensation. We calculate Adjusted OIBDA margin by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenues. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin are among the primary measures we use for managing our business, evaluating our operating performance and planning and forecasting future periods, as each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance. Our management believes users of our financial data are best served if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because eliminating certain non-comparable items highlight operational trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures.  It is management’s opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier for users of our financial data to compare our results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. When used herein, references to “FFO” and “AFFO” mean “FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.” and “AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.,” respectively. We calculate FFO in accordance with the definition established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). FFO reflects net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc. adjusted to exclude gains and losses from the sale of real estate assets, depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, amortization of direct lease acquisition costs and the same adjustments for our equity-based investments and redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests, as well as the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We calculate AFFO as FFO adjusted to include amortization of direct lease acquisition costs as such costs are generally amortized over a period ranging from four weeks to one year and therefore are incurred on a regular basis. AFFO also includes cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures since these are routine uses of cash that are necessary for our operations. In addition, AFFO excludes certain non-cash items, including non-real estate depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, accretion expense, the non-cash effect of straight-line rent, amortization of deferred financing costs and the same adjustments for our redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests, along with the non-cash portion of income taxes, and the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We use FFO and AFFO measures for managing our business and for planning and forecasting future periods, and each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance, especially compared to other real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Our management believes users of our financial data are best served if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of FFO and AFFO, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because adjusting results to reflect items that have more bearing on the operating performance of REITs highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. It is management’s opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier to compare our results to other companies in our industry, as well as to REITs. Since Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted OIBDA margin, FFO and AFFO are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss) and net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc., the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as indicators of operating performance. These measures, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, these measures do not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and are not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs.

Please see Exhibits 4-5 of this release for a reconciliation of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
We have made statements in this document that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “likely,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “forecast” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions related to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and may not be able to be realized. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: declines in advertising and general economic conditions; competition; government regulation; our ability to operate our digital display platform; losses and costs resulting from recalls and product liability, warranty and intellectual property claims; our ability to obtain and renew key municipal contracts on favorable terms; taxes, fees and registration requirements; decreased government compensation for the removal of lawful billboards; content-based restrictions on outdoor advertising; seasonal variations; acquisitions and other strategic transactions that we may pursue could have a negative effect on our results of operations; dependence on our management team and other key employees; experiencing a cybersecurity incident; changes in regulations and consumer concerns regarding privacy, information security and data, or any failure or perceived failure to comply with these regulations or our internal policies; asset impairment charges for our long-lived assets and goodwill; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations; our substantial indebtedness; restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness; incurrence of additional debt; interest rate risk exposure from our variable-rate indebtedness; our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness; cash available for distributions; hedging transactions; the ability of our board of directors to cause us to issue additional shares of stock without common stockholder approval; certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us; our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited; our failure to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; REIT distribution requirements; availability of external sources of capital; we may face other tax liabilities even if we remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; complying with REIT requirements may cause us to liquidate investments or forgo otherwise attractive investments or business opportunities; our ability to contribute certain contracts to a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”); our planned use of TRSs may cause us to fail to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; REIT ownership limits; complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively; the ability of our board of directors to revoke our REIT election at any time without stockholder approval; the Internal Revenue Service may deem the gains from sales of our outdoor advertising assets to be subject to a 100% prohibited transaction tax; establishing operating partnerships as part of our REIT structure; and other factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026. All forward-looking statements in this document apply as of the date of this document or as of the date they were made and, except as required by applicable law, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2026

2025

Revenues

$         429.6

$         390.7

Expenses:

Operating

227.5

221.3

Selling, general and administrative

107.3

114.7

Net loss on dispositions

1.0

0.1

Depreciation

20.7

23.6

Amortization

17.2

17.1

Total expenses

373.7

376.8

Operating income

55.9

13.9

Interest expense, net

(36.0)

(36.0)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of investee
 companies

19.9

(22.1)

Provision for income taxes

(0.4)

(0.5)

Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax

(0.2)

1.9

Net income (loss) before allocation to redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling
 interests

19.3

(20.7)

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests

0.2

(0.1)

Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.

$           19.1

$         (20.6)

Net income (loss) per common share:

Basic

$           0.11

$         (0.14)

Diluted

$           0.11

$         (0.14)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

175.5

166.4

Diluted

177.1

166.4

 

Exhibit 2:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

As of

(in millions)

March 31,
2026

December 31,
2025

Assets:

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$           67.2

$           99.9

Receivables, less allowance ($25.0 in 2026 and $23.2 in 2025)

294.3

365.7

Prepaid lease and franchise costs

2.6

5.1

Prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs

0.2

Other prepaid expenses

25.6

21.9

Other current assets

11.6

11.1

Total current assets

401.5

503.7

Property and equipment, net

644.3

643.8

Goodwill

2,006.4

2,006.4

Intangible assets

603.6

612.0

Operating lease assets

1,553.8

1,521.5

Other assets

28.5

24.2

Total assets

$        5,238.1

$        5,311.6

Liabilities:

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$           33.3

$           50.2

Accrued compensation

42.4

72.3

Accrued interest

23.4

35.1

Accrued lease and franchise costs

62.7

72.2

Other accrued expenses

63.2

55.5

Deferred revenues

60.1

57.7

Short-term operating lease liabilities

179.5

172.9

Other current liabilities

27.6

29.4

Total current liabilities

492.2

545.3

Long-term debt, net

2,584.5

2,583.4

Asset retirement obligation

34.1

34.0

Operating lease liabilities

1,398.9

1,374.7

Other liabilities

39.2

40.3

Total liabilities

4,548.9

4,577.7

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

25.8

22.0

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock (2026 – 450.0 shares authorized, and 176.1 shares issued and
 outstanding; 2025 – 450.0 shares authorized, and 175.2 issued and outstanding)

1.8

1.8

Additional paid-in capital

2,604.6

2,619.3

Distribution in excess of earnings

(1,944.6)

(1,910.8)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

0.1

0.1

Total stockholders’ equity

661.9

710.4

Noncontrolling interests

1.5

1.5

Total liabilities and equity

$        5,238.1

$        5,311.6

 

Exhibit 3:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2026

2025

Operating activities:

Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.

$          19.1

$         (20.6)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow provided by operating activities:

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests

0.2

(0.1)

Depreciation and amortization

37.9

40.7

Stock-based compensation

5.6

9.5

Provision for doubtful accounts

2.2

1.5

Accretion expense

0.7

0.7

Net loss on dispositions

1.0

0.1

Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax

0.2

(1.9)

Distributions from investee companies

0.3

0.3

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount and premium

1.4

1.5

Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities:

Decrease in receivables

69.2

45.3

Increase in prepaid MTA equipment deployment costs

(0.2)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

(3.5)

0.8

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses

(57.1)

(67.8)

Increase in operating lease assets and liabilities

0.5

2.1

Increase in deferred revenues

2.4

16.7

Increase (decrease) in income taxes

0.5

Other, net

(4.6)

4.3

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

75.3

33.6

Investing activities:

Capital expenditures

(24.1)

(17.2)

Acquisitions

(8.1)

(5.7)

MTA franchise rights

(1.8)

(4.0)

Net proceeds from dispositions

0.7

Investment in investee companies

(4.0)

Return of investments in investee companies

1.5

Net cash flow used for investing activities

(38.0)

(24.7)

Financing activities:

Proceeds from borrowings under short-term debt facilities

50.0

Repayments of borrowings under short-term debt facilities

(10.0)

Taxes withheld for stock-based compensation

(16.6)

(12.3)

Dividends

(53.4)

(53.0)

Net cash flow used for financing activities

(70.0)

(25.3)

 

Exhibit 3:  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2026

2025

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(32.7)

(16.4)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

99.9

46.9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$          67.2

$          30.5

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid for income taxes

$           0.4

$            —

Cash paid for interest

47.1

46.2

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Accrued purchases of property and equipment

3.3

13.4

Accrued MTA franchise rights

1.9

1.6

Taxes withheld for stock-based compensation

2.8

2.6

 

Exhibit 4:  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended March 31, 2026

(in millions, except percentages)

Billboard

Transit

Other

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenues

$        332.9

$        95.0

$          1.7

$             —

$       429.6

Operating income (loss)

$         82.5

$         (6.4)

$          0.2

$          (20.4)

$         55.9

Net loss on dispositions

0.9

0.1

1.0

Depreciation

18.1

2.6

20.7

Amortization

14.9

2.3

17.2

Stock-based compensation

5.6

5.6

Adjusted OIBDA

$        116.4

$         (1.4)

$          0.2

$          (14.8)

$       100.4

Adjusted OIBDA margin

35.0 %

(1.5) %

11.8 %

*

23.4 %

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

(in millions, except percentages)

Billboard

Transit

Other

Corporate

Consolidated

Revenues

$        310.7

$        77.7

$          2.3

$             —

$       390.7

Operating income (loss)

$         61.0

$       (17.0)

$          0.5

$          (30.6)

$         13.9

Net (gain) loss on dispositions

0.7

(0.6)

0.1

Depreciation

21.6

2.0

23.6

Amortization

15.7

1.4

17.1

Stock-based compensation

9.5

9.5

Adjusted OIBDA

$         99.0

$       (14.2)

$          0.5

$          (21.1)

$         64.2

Adjusted OIBDA margin

31.9 %

(18.3) %

21.7 %

*

16.4 %

 

Exhibit 5:  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES  
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2026

2025

Net income (loss) attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.

$           19.1

$         (20.6)

Depreciation of billboard advertising structures

16.2

18.8

Amortization of real estate-related intangible assets

14.3

15.1

Amortization of direct lease acquisition costs

13.0

13.2

Net loss on disposition of real estate assets

1.0

0.1

Adjustment related to redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests

(0.1)

(0.1)

FFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.

$           63.5

$           26.5

Non-cash portion of income taxes

0.5

Cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs

(13.0)

(13.2)

Maintenance capital expenditures

(7.0)

(6.3)

Other depreciation

4.5

4.8

Other amortization

2.9

2.0

Stock-based compensation

5.6

9.5

Non-cash effect of straight-line rent

2.4

1.1

Accretion expense

0.7

0.7

Amortization of deferred financing costs

1.4

1.5

AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.(a)

$           61.0

$           27.1

 

Exhibit 6:  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES  
(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(in millions)

2026

2025

Adjusted OIBDA

$         100.4

$           64.2

Interest expense, net, less amortization of deferred financing costs

(34.6)

(34.5)

Cash paid for income taxes

(0.4)

Maintenance capital expenditures

(7.0)

(6.3)

Equity in earnings of investee companies, net of tax

(0.2)

1.9

Non-cash effect of straight-line rent

2.4

1.1

Accretion expense

0.7

0.7

Adjustment related to redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests

(0.3)

AFFO attributable to OUTFRONT Media Inc.(a)

$           61.0

$           27.1

 

Exhibit 7:  OPERATING EXPENSES

(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

%

(in millions, except percentages)

2026

2025

Change

Operating expenses:

Billboard property lease

$         111.3

$         109.2

1.9 %

Transit franchise

59.7

58.0

2.9

Posting, maintenance and other

56.5

54.1

4.4

Total operating expenses

$         227.5

$         221.3

2.8

 

Exhibit 8:  EXPENSES BY SEGMENT

(Unaudited) See Notes on Page 14

Three Months Ended

March 31,

%

(in millions, except percentages)

2026

2025

Change

Billboard:

Billboard property lease

$         111.3

$         109.2

1.9 %

Billboard posting, maintenance and other

37.1

35.7

3.9

Billboard operating expenses

$         148.4

$         144.9

2.4

Billboard SG&A expenses

$           68.1

$           66.8

1.9

Transit:

Transit franchise

$           59.7

$           58.0

2.9

Transit posting, maintenance and other

17.9

16.6

7.8

Transit operating expenses

$           77.6

$           74.6

4.0

Transit SG&A expenses

$           18.8

$           17.3

8.7

NOTES TO EXHIBITS

PRIOR PERIOD PRESENTATION CONFORMS TO CURRENT REPORTING CLASSIFICATIONS.

(a)

Starting at the end of 2025, we modified our calculation of AFFO to include amortization of direct lease acquisition costs instead of the cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs, as management believes that this calculation of AFFO is a more appropriate measure of performance period-over-period and consistent with how we calculate FFO. Accordingly, relevant prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation.

*     Calculation not meaningful.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-reports-first-quarter-2026-results-302766116.html

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending