| Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements is in conformity with US GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weibo, its wholly owned subsidiaries, VIE, and VIE’s subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Commencing on January 1, 2016, in order to enhance comparability with industry peers, payables that have been invoiced or formally agreed with the suppliers were recorded in accounts payable. The relevant amounts in prior periods have been reclassified from accrued and other liabilities accordingly. Such reclassification amounted to $37.9 million as of December 31, 2015.
Use of estimates
Conformity with US GAAP requires the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates form the basis for judgments the management makes about the carrying values of the assets and liabilities, which are not readily apparent from other sources. GAAP requires making estimates and judgments in several areas, including, but not limited to, the basis of consolidation, revenue recognition, fair value accounting, income taxes, goodwill and other long-lived assets, allowances for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, and the estimated useful lives of assets. The management bases the estimates and judgments on historical information and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from such estimates.
Revenue recognition
Advertising and marketing revenues
Advertising and marketing revenues are derived principally from online advertising, including social display ads and promoted marketing. Social display ad arrangements allow customers to place advertisements on particular areas of the Group’s platform in particular formats and over particular periods of time, which is typically no more than three months. The Group enters into cost per mille (“CPM”), or cost per thousand impressions, advertising arrangements with the customers, under which the Group recognizes revenues based on the number of times that the advertisement has been displayed. The Group also enters into cost per day (“CPD”) advertising arrangements with customers, under which the Group recognizes revenues ratably over the contract periods.
Promoted marketing arrangements are primarily priced based on CPM or cost per engagement (“CPE”). An engagement may include when a user clicks on a link, becomes a follower of the marketing customer account, shares the promoted feed or marks the feed as a favorite. Under the CPM model, customers are obligated to pay when the advertisement is displayed, while under the CPE model, customers are obligated to pay based on the number of engagements with the promoted feed.
Revenues are recognized only when the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) the price is fixed or determinable; (3) the service is performed; and (4) collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured. The majority of the Group’s revenue transactions are based on standard business terms and conditions, which are recognized net of agency rebates. Advertising arrangements involving multiple deliverables are broken down into single-element arrangements based on their relative selling price for revenue recognition purposes. For multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, it is required that the arrangement consideration to be allocated to all deliverables at the inception of the arrangement on the following basis: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of selling price, if it exists, otherwise, (b) third-party evidence (TPE) of the selling price. If neither (a) nor (b) exists, then use (c) management’s best estimate of the selling price of the deliverable. The Group primarily uses VSOE to allocate the arrangement consideration if such selling price is available. For the deliverables that have not been sold separately, the best estimate of the selling price (BESP) is used, which has taken into consideration of the pricing of advertising areas of the Group’s platform with similar popularity and advertisements with similar format and quoted prices from competitors and other market conditions. Revenues recognized with reference to BESP were immaterial for all periods presented. The Group recognizes revenues on the elements delivered and defers the recognition of revenues for the undelivered elements until the remaining obligations have been satisfied.
Revenues from barter transactions are recognized during the period in which the advertisements are displayed on the Group’s properties. Barter transactions in which physical goods or services (other than advertising services) are received in exchange for advertising services are recorded based on the fair values of the goods or services received. Revenues from barter transactions were immaterial for all periods presented.
Other revenues
The Group generates other revenues principally from fee-based services, including game-related services, VIP membership and data licensing. Revenues from these services are recognized over the periods in which the services are performed, provided that no significant obligations remain, collection of the receivable is reasonably assured and the amounts can be accurately estimated.
Game-related services. Game-related service revenues are mostly generated from the sale of virtual items from games operated by the Group. The Group collects payments from the game players in connection with the sale of virtual currency, which are converted into in-game credits (game tokens) that can be used to purchase virtual items in the third-party developed games. The Group remits certain predetermined percentages of the proceeds to the game developers when the virtual currency is converted into in-game credits.
The Group has determined that the game developers are the primary obligors for the game-related service given that the game developers are responsible for developing, maintaining and updating the game related services and have reasonable latitude to establish the prices of virtual items for which in-game credits are used. The Group views the game developers to be its customers, and the Group’s primary responsibility is to promote the games of the developers, provide virtual currency exchange service, maintain the platform for game players to easily access the games and offer customer support to resolve registration, log-in, currency exchange and other related issues. Accordingly, the Group records game-related revenue, net of predetermined revenue sharing with the game developers.
Virtual currencies in general are not refundable once they have been sold unless there are unused in-game credits at the time a game is discontinued. Sale of virtual currencies net of the game developer proceeds are recognized as revenues over the estimated consumption period of in-game virtual items, which is typically from a few days to one month after the purchase of in-game credits.
VIP membership. VIP membership is a service package consisting of user certification and preferential benefits, such as daily priority listings and higher quota for following user accounts. Prepaid VIP membership fees are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the contract period of the membership service.
Data licensing. The Group began to offer data licensing arrangements that allow its customers to access, search and analyze historical and real-time data on its platform. The data licensing arrangement is for a fixed period, typically one year, and such revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues consists mainly of costs associated with the maintenance of platform, which primarily include bandwidth and other infrastructure costs, labor cost and turnover taxes levied on the revenues, part of which were allocated from SINA (see Note 1 Reorganization ). The Group presents taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction on a gross basis in the financial statements. The Group is subject to 6.7% Value-Added Tax (“VAT”) and surcharges for its revenues and an additional 3% cultural business construction fees for its advertising and marketing revenues. The total amount of such taxes on its advertising and marketing revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were $23.2 million, $35.3 million and $49.9 million, respectively.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses consist mainly of online and offline advertising and promotional expenses, salary, benefits and commission expenses, and facility expenses. Advertising and promotional expenses generally represent the expenses of promotions of corporate image and product marketing. The Group expenses all advertising and promotional expenses as incurred and classifies these expenses under sales and marketing expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the advertising and promotional expenses were $71.0 million, $81.2 million and $92.2 million, respectively.
Product development expenses
Product development expenses consist mainly of payroll-related expenses and infrastructure costs incurred for enhancement to and maintenance of the Group’s platform, as well as costs associated with new product development and product enhancements, part of which were allocated from SINA (see Note 1 Reorganization ). The Group expenses all costs incurred for the planning and post implementation phases of development and costs associated with repair or maintenance of the existing site or the development of platform content. Since inception, the amount of costs qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial and, as a result, all product development costs have been expensed as incurred.
Stock-based compensation
All stock-based awards to employees and directors, such as stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”), are measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards. Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures, is recognized as expenses on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.
The Group uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options. The determination of estimated fair value of stock-based payment awards on the grant date using an option pricing model is affected by the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the expected value volatility of the Company over the expected term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, a risk-free interest rate and expected dividends, if any. Options granted generally vest over four years.
The Group recognizes the estimated compensation cost of restricted share units based on the fair value of its ordinary shares on the date of the grant. The Group recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over a vesting term of generally four years for service-based restricted share units. The Group also recognizes the compensation cost of performance-based restricted share units, net of estimated forfeitures, according to the probability of performance goal achievement at the end of each reporting period.
Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Group uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option and records stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. See Note 7 Stock-based Compensation for further discussion on stock-based compensation.
Taxation
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability approach. Under this approach, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The Group records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not. Income tax liability is calculated based on a separate return basis as if the Group had filed separate tax returns before the Reorganization.
Uncertain tax positions. To assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
Operating leases
The Group leases office space under operating lease agreements with initial lease terms ranging from one to five and a half years. Rental expense is recognized from the date of initial possession of the leased property on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, part of which were allocated from SINA (see Note 1 Reorganization ). Certain lease agreements contain rent holidays, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease renewal periods are considered on a lease-by-lease basis and are generally not included in the initial lease terms. The allocated rental expenses from SINA for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, were $4.0 million, $3.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
Cash equivalents
The Group considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are comprised of investments in time deposits stated at cost plus accrued interest.
Accounts receivable and allowances for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. The Group maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts which reflects its best estimate of amounts that will not be collected. The Group determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a historical, rolling average, bad debt rate in the prior period and other factors, such as credit-worthiness of the customers and the age of the receivable balances. The Group also provides specific provisions for bad debts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected. If the financial condition of the Group’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, more bad debt allowances may be required.
Fair value measurements
Financial instruments
All financial assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
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Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
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Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical asset or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
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Level 3 applies to asset or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable due from third parties, accounts receivable due from Alibaba, accounts receivable due from other related parties, amount due from/to SINA, accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities approximates fair value because of their short-term nature. See Note 15 Financial Instruments for additional information.
Long-term investments
Long-term investments are comprised of investments in publicly traded and privately held companies. For long-term investments over which the Group does not have significant influence, the cost method of accounting is used. For long-term investments in shares that are not common stock or in-substance common stock and that do not have readily determinable fair value, the cost method accounting is used. The Group uses the equity method to account for ordinary-share-equivalent equity investments over which it has significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control.
The Group monitors its investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method for other-than-temporary impairment by considering factors such as current economic and market conditions and the operating performance of the business, including current earnings trends, undiscounted cash flows, and other company-specific information, such as recent financing rounds. Determination of the fair value, particularly for investments in privately-held companies whose revenue model is unclear, requires significant judgment to determine appropriate estimates and assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the calculation of the fair value of the investments and the determination of whether any identified impairment is other-than-temporary. If any impairment is considered other-than-temporary, the Group will write down the asset to its fair value and take the corresponding charge to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The Group recorded an impairment charge of $2.5 million, $6.6 million and $31.6 million to the carrying value of long-term investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Group invests in marketable equity securities to meet business objectives and intends to hold the securities for more than a year from the balance sheet date. These marketable securities are reported at fair value, classified and accounted for as available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities under long-term investments. The treatment of a decline in the fair value of an individual security is based on whether the decline is other-than-temporary. The Group assesses its available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary impairment by considering factors including, but not limited to, its ability and intent to hold the individual security, severity of the impairment, expected duration of the impairment and forecasted recovery of fair value. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses, if any, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. If the Group determines a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the individual security is written down to fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of unrealized loss recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to net income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The fair value of the investment would then become the new cost basis of the investment and is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value. The Group recorded an impairment charge of nil, nil and $4.8 million to AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Business combination
Business combinations are recorded using the purchase method of accounting, and the cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. The costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interests. The excess of the (i) the total of consideration paid, fair value of the non-controlling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the subsidiary acquired over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the subsidiary acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the consideration of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Long-lived assets
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment, if any. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally from three to four years for computers and equipment and five years for furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease term. Depreciation expenses were $21.8 million, $19.5 million and $13.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the Group’s acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries and consolidated VIE. The Group assesses goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC Subtopic 350-20 (“ASC 350-20”), Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Goodwill, which requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined by ASC 350-20. US GAAP provides the option to apply the qualitative assessment first and then the quantitative assessment, if necessary, or to apply the quantitative assessment directly. The qualitative approach starts the goodwill impairment test by assessing qualitative factors, which by taking into consideration of macroeconomics, overall financial performance, industry and market conditions and the share price of the Group, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If so, the quantitative impairment test is performed; otherwise, no further testing is required. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of goodwill with its carrying value. For reporting units directly applying a quantitative assessment, the goodwill impairment test is quantitatively performed by comparing the fair values of those reporting units to their carrying amounts. The Group adopted the option to apply the qualitative approach to assess its goodwill on the relevant reporting units. Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Judgment in estimating the fair value of reporting units includes estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and making other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit.
Intangible assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets arising from acquisitions are recognized at fair value upon acquisition and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally from two to five years. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets other than goodwill to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold or use is based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Judgment is used in estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and making other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of the asset’s fair value.
Deferred revenues
Deferred revenues consist of contractual billings in excess of recognized revenue and payments received in advance of revenue recognition, which are mainly from the customer advance of the advertising and marketing services and the sales of the fee-based services, such as virtual currency or in-game virtual items sold for game related services and VIP membership.
Non-controlling interests
For the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries and VIE, non-controlling interests are recognized to reflect the portion of their equity that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company as the controlling shareholder. To reflect the economic interest held by non-controlling shareholders, net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling ordinary shareholders is recorded as non-controlling interests in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Non-controlling interests are classified as a separate line item in the equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and have been separately disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements to distinguish the interests from that of the Company.
Foreign currency
The Company’s reporting currency and functional currency are the U.S. dollar. The Group’s operations in China and in international regions use their respective currencies as their functional currencies. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates of exchange in the period for revenues, costs and expenses. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as a component of shareholders’ equity. Translation gains or losses are not released to net income (loss) unless the associated net investment has been sold, liquidated, or substantially liquidated.
Foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing on the transactions dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are included in interest and other income, net.
Foreign currency translation adjustments included in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were loss of $1.5 million, $7.9 million and $18.9 million, respectively. Net foreign currency transaction gains or losses arise from transacting in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity and the amounts recorded were immaterial for each of the periods presented.
Net Income (loss) per share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Options and RSUs are not considered outstanding in computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period under treasury stock method. Potential ordinary shares include options to purchase ordinary shares and RSUs, unless they were anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted net income (loss) per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e. an increase in earnings per share amounts or a decrease in loss per share amounts) on net income (loss) per share. The Group uses the two-class method to calculate net income (loss) per share as both classes share the same rights in dividends. Therefore, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for both classes of ordinary shares.
Segment reporting
In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Group’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer, reviews the consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group as a whole. The Group currently operates and manages its business in two principal business segments globally—advertising and marketing services and other services. Information regarding the business segments provided to the Group’s CODM is at the revenue level and the Group currently does not allocate operating costs or assets to its segments, as its CODM does not use such information to allocate resources or evaluate the performance of the operating segments. As the Group’s long-lived assets are substantially all located in the PRC and substantially the Group’s revenues are derived from within the PRC, no geographical information is presented.
Concentration of risks
Concentration of credit risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. In addition, with the majority of its operations in China, the Group is subject to RMB currency risk and offshore remittance risk, both of which have been difficult to hedge and the Group has not done so. The Group limits its exposure to credit loss by depositing its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions in the US, PRC and Hong Kong, which are among the largest and most respected with high ratings from internationally-recognized rating agencies, that management believes are of high credit quality. The Group periodically reviews these institutions’ reputations, track records and reported reserves.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, the Group had $334.6 million and $393.6 million, respectively, in cash and bank time deposits (with terms generally up to twelve months) with large domestic banks in China. China promulgated a Bankruptcy Law that came into effect on June 1, 2007, which contains a separate article expressly stating that the State Council may promulgate implementation measures for the bankruptcy of Chinese banks based on the Bankruptcy Law. Under the Bankruptcy Law, a Chinese bank may go bankrupt. In addition, since China’s concession to WTO, foreign banks have been gradually permitted to operate in China and have become significant competitors to Chinese banks in many aspects, especially since the opening of RMB business to foreign banks in late 2006. Therefore, the risk of bankruptcy on Chinese banks in which the Group holds cash and bank deposi |
