Ms. Catherine Liu, Chief Financial Officer of Huya, commented, “While driving significant user growth, we have also been able to achieve improving financial results in the third quarter of 2020. Our total net revenues and gross profit increased year-over-year by 24.3% and 52.7%, respectively. Our operating margin increased to 7.9% in the third quarter of 2020, substantially improved from 2.8% in the third quarter of 2019, while our non-GAAP operating margin increased to 11.8%, compared to 6.5% in the third quarter of 2019. With such strong operating leverage, we have confidence that we can execute on the many opportunities ahead of us.”
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Total net revenues for the third quarter of 2020 increased by 24.3% to RMB2,814.8 million (US$414.6 million), from RMB2,265.1 million for the same period of 2019.
Live streaming revenues increased by 23.2% to RMB2,657.2 million (US$391.4 million) for the third quarter of 2020, from RMB2,156.1 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to the increase in the number of paying users and the average spending per paying user on Huya Live. The increase in the number of paying users was primarily driven by the Company’s overall user growth. The increase in the average spending per paying user was primarily driven by the enrichment and enhancement of content, products and services.
Advertising and other revenues increased by 44.6% to RMB157.6 million (US$23.2 million) for the third quarter of 2020, from RMB109.0 million for the same period of 2019, primarily driven by the increasing and diversifying advertiser base, mainly attributable to strengthened recognition of Huya’s brand name in China’s online advertising market.
Cost of revenues increased by 18.0% to RMB2,194.3 million (US$323.2 million) for the third quarter of 2020 from RMB1,858.8 million for the same period of 2019, primarily attributable to the increase in revenue sharing fees and content costs, and personnel-related costs.
Revenue sharing fees and content costs increased by 21.1% to RMB1,826.7 million (US$269.0 million) for the third quarter of 2020 from RMB1,508.9 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to the increase in revenue sharing fees in relation to higher live streaming revenues, and increased spending in content creators, e-sports and self-produced content. The year-over-year increase was partially offset by benefits from economies of scale.
Bandwidth costs decreased by 1.4% to RMB207.6 million (US$30.6 million) for the third quarter of 2020 from RMB210.5 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to improved management in bandwidth costs and continued technology enhancement efforts.
Gross profit increased by 52.7% to RMB620.6 million (US$91.4 million) for the third quarter of 2020 from RMB406.3 million for the same period of 2019. Gross margin increased to 22.0% for the third quarter of 2020 from 17.9% for the same period of 2019.
Research and development expenses increased by 35.4% to RMB182.7 million (US$26.9 million) for the third quarter of 2020 from RMB135.0 million for the same period of 2019, mainly attributable to increased personnel-related expenses.
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