Sohu Q1 2026 Earnings Call Summary

1Key Financial Results and Metrics

Total Revenues: $141 million, up 4% year-over-year but down 1% quarter-over-quarter.

Marketing Services Revenue: $13 million, down 8% year-over-year and 26% quarter-over-quarter.

Online Game Revenue: $125 million, up 6% year-over-year and 3% quarter-over-quarter.

Net Loss: GAAP net loss of $4 million compared to a net income of $182 million in Q1 2025 and $223 million in Q4 2025. Non-GAAP net loss was also $4 million, an improvement from a $16 million loss in Q1 2025.

Operating Loss in Marketing Services: $70 million, consistent with the previous year.

2Strategic Updates and Business Highlights

Sohu Media Platform: Focused on enhancing user experience through innovative events and product upgrades. Notable offline events included the Sohu News Marathon and the Physics Class seminar, which increased user engagement.

Online Gaming: Strong performance driven by high-quality content and operational refinements. Continued to engage players through holiday events and new content for existing games.

Share Repurchase Program: As of May 13, 2026, Sohu repurchased 8.7 million ADS at a cost of approximately $160 million.

3Forward Guidance and Outlook

Q2 2026 Expectations:

Marketing Services Revenue: Estimated between $30 million and $40 million, indicating a year-over-year decline of 10% to 17%.

Online Game Revenue: Expected between $104 million and $114 million, reflecting a potential annual decline of 2% to an increase of 8%.

Anticipated net losses (both GAAP and non-GAAP) to be between $25 million and $50 million.

4Bad News, Challenges, or Points of Concern

Declining Marketing Services Revenue: Significant quarter-over-quarter decline raises concerns about advertising demand and economic conditions.

Economic Headwinds: Management noted a downturn in the overall economy affecting advertiser spending, leading to cautious budget allocations across sectors.

Increased Competition: The advertising market is becoming more competitive, making it difficult for Sohu to secure ad budgets.

User Spending Constraints: Chinese consumers are reportedly spending less due to economic pressures, including high mortgage payments, which could impact future revenue.

5Notable Q&A Insights

Advertising Outlook: Management indicated that the advertising environment is weaker than previously expected, with all sectors, including automotive and FMCG, showing reduced budgets.

Gaming Performance: Q2 gaming revenue is expected to decline due to fewer promotional activities, although current performance aligns with expectations.

Operating Loss Clarification: The $70 million operating loss in the marketing segment was confirmed, attributed to user acquisition and product development costs.

Economic Conditions: The management emphasized that the macroeconomic situation has worsened compared to earlier projections, affecting overall revenue outlook. Overall, Sohu's Q1 2026 results reflect a mixed performance with strong online gaming revenue but significant challenges in marketing services, compounded by broader economic pressures. The company remains focused on strategic initiatives to enhance user engagement and explore new monetization opportunities.