Hello Group Inc. Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2025

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    BEIJING, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hello Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) (“Hello Group” or the “Company”), a leading player in Asia’s online social and entertainment space, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2025.  

    First Quarter of 2025 Highlights

    • Net revenues decreased by 1.5% year over year to RMB2,520.8 million (US$347.4 million*) in the first quarter of 2025.
    • Net revenues from overseas increased by 71.9% year over year to RMB414.6 million (US$57.1 million) in the first quarter of 2025.
    • Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. increased to RMB358.0 million (US$49.3 million) in the first quarter of 2025, from RMB5.2 million in the same period of 2024.
    • Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) increased to RMB403.8 million (US$55.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, from RMB59.9 million in the same period of 2024. 
    • Diluted net income per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) was RMB2.07 (US$0.29) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB0.03 in the same period of 2024. 
    • Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.34 (US$0.32) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB0.31 in the same period of 2024.
    • Monthly Active Users (“MAU”) on Tantan app were 10.7 million in March 2025, compared to 13.7 million in March 2024.
    • For the Momo app total paying users was 4.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 7.1 million for the same period last year. Tantan had 0.8 million paying users for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 1.1 million from the year ago period.

    * This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rate solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars, in this press release, were made at a rate of RMB7.2567 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 31, 2025 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

    “Q1 marked a strong start to 2025,” commented Yan Tang, Chairman and CEO of Hello Group. “Our mainland PRC businesses continue to deliver solid profits, thanks to our ongoing efforts in cost reduction and efficiency improvement, as well as gradual stabilization of external factors. Meanwhile, our overseas business growth has accelerated, driven by further localization of existing products and the initial monetization of new apps. We expect the overseas products to make an increasingly meaningful contribution to the Group’s financials in the coming quarters.”

    First Quarter of 2025 Financial Results

    Net revenues

    Total net revenues were RMB2,520.8 million (US$347.4 million) in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 1.5% from RMB2,560.4 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    Starting from the first quarter of 2025, the Company combined the live video service and value-added services lines, which are now collectively referred to as value-added services. This change reflects the increasing convergence of the two business lines in terms of user mentality and product format. The combined reporting more accurately reflects user behavior and spending across the Company’s social entertainment ecosystem. Additionally, the Company consolidated mobile marketing services, mobile games and other services, which are now collectively reported under “other services.”

    Value-added service revenues mainly include virtual gift revenues from various audio, video and text- based scenarios, and membership subscription revenues. Total value-added service revenues were RMB2,489.9 million (US$343.1 million) in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 1.7% from RMB2,532.9 million during the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a soft consumer sentiment among top users in the current macro environment of Momo app, and to a lesser extent, the decline in Tantan’s paying users which was in turn due to the decline in user base. The decrease was partially offset by the rapid revenue growth from our overseas apps, driven by the strong performance of the relatively established brand–Soulchill and the monetization of a collection of new apps.

    Other services revenues were RMB30.9 million (US$4.3 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB27.5 million during the same period of 2024.

    Net revenues from Chinese mainland decreased from RMB2,319.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 to RMB2,106.2 million (US$290.2 million) in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues from Momo app and Tantan app. Net revenues from overseas increased from RMB241.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 to RMB414.6 million (US$57.1 million) in the first quarter of 2025, driven by the growth of Souchill and incremental revenue from emerging brands.

    Cost and expenses

    Cost and expenses were RMB2,234.5 million (US$307.9 million) in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 5.4% from RMB2,120.0 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to: (a) an increase in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients for overseas apps, which was partially offset by a decrease in revenue sharing with broadcasters on Momo apps; and (b) an increase in sales and marketing expenses related to the promotion of overseas apps, partially offset by a decrease in Tantan’s marketing and promotional expense due to our continuous initiatives to control cost and optimize Tantan’s channel marketing strategy.

    Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB2,188.8 million (US$301.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB2,065.3 million during the same period of 2024.

    Income from operations

    Income from operations was RMB299.5 million (US$41.3 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB460.3 million during the same period of 2024.

    Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB345.3 million (US$47.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB515.0 million during the same period of 2024.  

    Income tax expenses

    Income tax expenses were RMB70.4 million (US$9.7 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB557.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in income tax expenses was primarily due to the accrual in the first quarter of 2024 of withholding income tax of RMB448.6 million associated with historical undistributed earnings generated by our wholly-foreign owned enterprise.

    Net income

    Net income was RMB358.5 million (US$49.4 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB5.2 million during the same period of 2024.

    Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB404.3 million (US$55.7 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB59.9 million during the same period of 2024.

    Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.

    Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB358.0 million (US$49.3 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB5.2 million during the same period of 2024.

    Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB403.8 million (US$55.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB59.9 million during the same period of 2024.

    Net income per ADS

    Diluted net income per ADS was RMB2.07 (US$0.29) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB0.03 in the first quarter of 2024.

    Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.34 (US$0.32) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB0.31 in the first quarter of 2024.

    Cash and cash flow

    As of March 31, 2025, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash totaled RMB12,785.9 million (US$1,761.9 million), compared to RMB14,728.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2025 was RMB239.7 million (US$33.0 million), compared to RMB400.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    Change in Segment Reporting

    Effective from the first quarter of 2025, the Company implemented the strategic decision to integrate the operations of Momo, Tantan, and QOOL into a unified business structure, and as a result, changed its segment disclosure from three operating segments to a single operating segment. This change reflects the Company’s strategic focus and aligns with the financial information that the Company’s chief operating decision maker currently receives and uses to allocate resources and assess performance of the Company. Prior period segment information has been retrospectively revised to conform to the current presentation.

    Recent Development

    Payment of a special cash dividend

    In March 2025, Hello Group’s board of directors declared a special cash dividend in the amount of US$0.30 per ADS, or US$0.15 per ordinary share. The cash dividend was paid in April 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 11, 2025. The aggregate amount of cash dividends paid was US$47.9 million.

    Share repurchase program

    As of June, 5, 2025, the Company has repurchased 47.8 million ADSs for US$291.3 million on the open market under Share Repurchase Program announced on June 7, 2022 and amended on March 14, 2024 and March 12, 2025, at an average purchase price of US$6.07 per ADS. The remaining size of the program is USD $194.8 million.

    Business Outlook

    For the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB2.57 billion to RMB2.67 billion, representing a decrease of 4.5% to 0.8% year over year. This forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

    Note 1: Non-GAAP measures

    To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we, Hello Group, use various non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and such adjustments has no impact on income tax.

    Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.

    Our non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of our continuing operations and our prospects for the future. Our non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to the GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

    Our non-GAAP information (including non-GAAP cost and operating expenses, income from operations, net income, net income attributable to Hello Group Inc., and diluted net income per ADS) is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and such adjustments has no impact on income tax. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future significant recurring expenses in our results of operations. We compensate for such limitation by providing reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to our U.S. GAAP measures. Please see the reconciliation tables at the end of this earnings release.

    Conference Call

    Hello Group’s management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on June 5, 2025).

    Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to:

    https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10047425-78qg9r.html.

    Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

    A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through June 12, 2025. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:

    U.S. / Canada: 1-855-883-1031

    Hong Kong: 800-930-639
    Passcode: 10047425

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Hello Group’s website at https://ir.hellogroup.com.

    About Hello Group Inc.

    We are a leading player in Asia’s online social networking space. Through Momo, Tantan and other properties within our product portfolio, we enable users to discover new relationships, expand their social connections and build meaningful interactions. Momo is a mobile application that connects people and facilitates social interactions based on location, interests and a variety of online recreational activities. Tantan, which was added into our family of applications through acquisition in May 2018, is a leading social and dating application. Tantan is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections as well as meet interesting people. Starting from 2019, we have incubated a number of other new apps, such as Hertz, Soulchill, and Duidui, which target more niche markets and more selective demographics.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Hello Group Inc.

    Investor Relations
    Phone: +86-10-5731-0538
    Email: ir@hellogroup.com

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In U.S.

    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to our management quotes, our financial outlook for the second quarter of 2025, as well as the amount of, timing, methods and funding sources for repurchases of our shares under the share repurchase program.

    Our forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Our actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the first quarter of 2025 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the second quarter of 2025 and may be unable to grow our business in the manner planned. We may also modify our strategy for growth.  Moreover, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from what we currently anticipate, including those relating to our ability to retain and grow our user base, our ability to attract and retain sufficiently trained professionals to support our operations, our ability to anticipate and develop new services and enhance existing services to meet the demand of our users or customers, the market price of the Company’s stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time, the Company’s cash flows from operations, general economic conditions, and other factors.  For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.          

    Hello Group Inc.

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

    (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Three months

    Ended March 31

    2024

    2025

    2025

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    Net revenues(i):

    Value-added service

    2,532,917

    2,489,902

    343,118

    Other services

    27,503

    30,933

    4,262

    Total net revenues

    2,560,420

    2,520,835

    347,380

    Cost and expenses:

    Cost of revenues

    (1,503,008)

    (1,569,074)

    (216,224)

    Research and development

    (192,191)

    (195,769)

    (26,978)

    Sales and marketing

    (293,431)

    (329,178)

    (45,362)

    General and administrative

    (131,381)

    (140,511)

    (19,363)

    Total cost and expenses

    (2,120,011)

    (2,234,532)

    (307,927)

    Other operating income, net

    19,906

    13,182

    1,817

    Income from operations

    460,315

    299,485

    41,270

    Interest income

    121,107

    120,338

    16,583

    Interest expense

    (23,698)

    (30,659)

    (4,225)

    Other gain or loss, net

    (9,245)

    Income before income tax and share of income on equity method
    investments

    548,479

    389,164

    53,628

    Income tax expenses

    (557,613)

    (70,406)

    (9,702)

    (Loss) income before share of income on equity method
    investments

    (9,134)

    318,758

    43,926

    Share of income on equity method investments

    14,318

    39,731

    5,475

    Net income 

    5,184

    358,489

    49,401

    Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest

    495

    68

    Net income attributable to the shareholders of Hello Group Inc.

    5,184

    357,994

    49,333

    Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders

    Basic

    0.01

    1.05

    0.15

    Diluted

    0.01

    1.04

    0.14

    Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary
    share

    Basic

    374,650,649

    339,405,347

    339,405,347

    Diluted

    389,278,806

    345,905,274

    345,905,274

    (i) The following table presents revenues by geographic area based on the addresses of our customers of our users:

    Three months

      Ended March 31

    2024

    2025

    2025

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    Chinese mainland

    2,319,223

    2,106,233

    290,247

    Overseas

    241,197

    414,602

    57,133

    Total

    2,560,420

    2,520,835

    347,380

    Hello Group Inc.

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

    (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Three months

    Ended March 31

    2024

    2025

    2025

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    Net income 

    5,184

    358,489

    49,401

    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

    Foreign currency translation adjustment

    54,894

    (43,338)

    (5,972)

    Comprehensive income 

    60,078

    315,151

    43,429

    Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributed to the non-controlling
    interest

    3,084

    (599)

    (83)

    Comprehensive income attributable to Hello Group Inc.

    56,994

    315,750

    43,512

    Hello Group Inc.

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

    December 31

    March 31

    March 31

    2024

    2025

    2025

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    Assets

    Current assets

    Cash and cash equivalents

    4,122,659

    5,381,833

    741,636

    Short-term deposits

    2,026,245

    762,835

    105,121

    Restricted cash

    4,566,477

    2,637,531

    363,461

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB12,433 and
    RMB17,427 as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively

    192,317

    222,213

    30,622

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    1,104,172

    1,099,969

    151,580

    Total current assets

    12,011,870

    10,104,381

    1,392,420

    Long-term deposits

    3,059,860

    3,051,340

    420,486

    Long-term restricted cash

    953,285

    952,391

    131,243

    Right-of-use assets, net

    252,169

    216,054

    29,773

    Property and equipment, net

    897,036

    916,423

    126,286

    Intangible assets, net

    86,661

    191,927

    26,448

    Rental deposits

    13,280

    13,387

    1,845

    Long-term investments

    825,533

    863,342

    118,972

    Other non-current assets

    110,960

    133,420

    18,386

    Deferred tax assets

    36,066

    35,726

    4,923

    Goodwill

    136,250

    249,412

    34,370

    Total assets

    18,382,970

    16,727,803

    2,305,152

    Liabilities and equity

    Current liabilities

    Accounts payable

    615,254

    619,824

    85,414

    Deferred revenue

    427,702

    437,351

    60,269

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    704,410

    652,234

    89,880

    Lease liabilities due within one year

    141,971

    127,765

    17,606

    Income tax payable

    157,057

    56,565

    7,795

    Deferred consideration in connection with business acquisitions-current

    28,027

    27,863

    3,840

    Convertible Senior Notes-current

    20,191

    20,090

    2,768

    Dividends payable

    347,403

    47,873

    Long-term borrowings, current portion

    1,938,385

    1,939,245

    267,235

    Short-term borrowings

    2,365,535

    675,000

    93,017

    Total current liabilities

    6,398,532

    4,903,340

    675,697

    Deferred consideration in connection with business acquisitions-non current

    65,694

    65,310

    9,000

    Lease liabilities

    115,105

    92,338

    12,725

    Deferred tax liabilities

    241,915

    254,530

    35,075

    Long-term borrowings

    3,227

    445

    Other non-current liabilities

    129,051

    143,552

    19,782

    Total liabilities

    6,950,297

    5,462,297

    752,724

    Shareholder’s equity (ii)

    11,432,673

    11,265,506

    1,552,428

    Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

    18,382,970

    16,727,803

    2,305,152

    (ii): As of March 31, 2025, the number of ordinary shares outstanding was 321,338,936.

    Hello Group Inc.

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

    (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Three months

    Ended March 31

    2024

    2025

    2025

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    Cash flows from operating activities:

    Net income 

    5,184

    358,489

    49,401

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation of property and equipment

    14,310

    12,391

    1,708

    Amortization of intangible assets

    1,279

    6,191

    853

    Share-based compensation

    54,670

    40,860

    5,631

    Share of income on equity method investments

    (14,318)

    (39,731)

    (5,475)

    Returns on investments

    508

    70

    Loss on long-term investments

    9,245

    Gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment

    258

    (102)

    (14)

    Provision of loss on receivable and other assets

    1,776

    5,405

    745

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable

    10,980

    (19,144)

    (2,638)

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (9,677)

    11,375

    1,568

    Rental deposits

    (802)

    (110)

    (15)

    Deferred tax assets

    (2,498)

    340

    47

    Other non-current assets

    (7,597)

    35,046

    4,829

    Accounts payable

    (17,454)

    (13,543)

    (1,866)

    Income tax payable

    6,036

    (100,979)

    (13,915)

    Deferred revenue

    16,674

    9,035

    1,245

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    (56,800)

    (70,983)

    (9,782)

    Deferred tax liabilities

    365,011

    12,713

    1,752

    Other non-current liabilities

    23,893

    (8,040)

    (1,108)

    Net cash provided by operating activities

    400,170

    239,721

    33,036

    Cash flows from investing activities:

    Purchase of property and equipment

    (44,176)

    (27,814)

    (3,833)

    Payment for business acquisition

    (194,390)

    (26,788)

    Cash received on maturity of short-term deposits

    300,000

    1,107,245

    152,582

    Purchase of long-term deposits

    (718,860)

    Cash received on maturity of long-term deposits

    718,860

    150,000

    20,671

    Cash received from sales of long-term investment

    2,000

    Loan to a third-party company

    (27,478)

    (3,787)

    Other investing activities

    385

    192

    26

    Net cash provided by investing activities

    258,209

    1,007,755

    138,871

    Cash flows from financing activities:

    Proceeds from exercise of share options

    11

    2

    Repurchase of ordinary shares

    (112,261)

    (201,529)

    (27,771)

    Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    1,331,635

    Repayment of short-term borrowings

    (215)

    (1,690,535)

    (232,962)

    Repayment of long-term borrowings

    (395)

    (54)

    Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities

    1,219,170

    (1,892,457)

    (260,787)

    Effect of exchange rate changes

    20,814

    (25,685)

    (3,541)

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

    1,898,363

    (670,666)

    (92,421)

    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period

    8,282,912

    9,642,421

    1,328,761

    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period

    10,181,275

    8,971,755

    1,236,340

    Hello Group Inc.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures

    (All amounts in thousands, except per share data)

    1.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP cost and operating expenses, income from operations, and net income to comparable GAAP measures.

    Three months

    Three months

    Three months

    Ended March 31, 2024

    Ended March 31, 2025

    Ended March 31, 2025

    GAAP

    Share-based
    compensation

    Non-GAAP

    GAAP

    Amortization of
    intangible assets
    from business
    acquisitions

    Share-based
    compensation

    Non-GAAP

    GAAP

    Amortization of
    intangible assets
    from business
    acquisitions

    Share-based
    compensation

    Non-GAAP

    RMB

    RMB

    RMB

    RMB

    RMB

    RMB

    RMB

    US$

    US$

    US$

    US$

    Cost of revenues

    (1,503,008)

    1,882

    (1,501,126)

    (1,569,074)

    1,263

    1,774

    (1,566,037)

    (216,224)

    174

    244

    (215,806)

    Research and development

    (192,191)

    8,786

    (183,405)

    (195,769)

    859

    9,060

    (185,850)

    (26,978)

    118

    1,249

    (25,611)

    Sales and marketing

    (293,431)

    6,117

    (287,314)

    (329,178)

    2,790

    4,311

    (322,077)

    (45,362)

    384

    594

    (44,384)

    General and administrative

    (131,381)

    37,885

    (93,496)

    (140,511)

    25,715

    (114,796)

    (19,363)

    3,544

    (15,819)

    Cost and operating expenses

    (2,120,011)

    54,670

    (2,065,341)

    (2,234,532)

    4,912

    40,860

    (2,188,760)

    (307,927)

    676

    5,631

    (301,620)

    Income from operations

    460,315

    54,670

    514,985

    299,485

    4,912

    40,860

    345,257

    41,270

    676

    5,631

    47,577

    Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.

    5,184

    54,670

    59,854

    357,994

    4,912

    40,860

    403,766

    49,333

    676

    5,631

    55,640

    Source: Hello Group Inc.