Yalla Group Limited (“Yalla” or the “Company”) (NYSE: YALA), the largest Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-based online social networking and gaming company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the firstquarter ended March31, 2025.
FirstQuarter 2025Financial and Operating Highlights
— Revenueswere US$83.9million in the first quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 6.5% from the firstquarter of 2024.
— Revenues generated from chatting services in the first quarter of 2025 were US$53.5 million.
— Revenues generated from games services in the first quarter of 2025 were US$30.1 million.
— Net incomewas US$36.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 17.0% increase from US$31.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. Net margin[1] was43.4% in the first quarter of 2025.
— Non-GAAP net income[2]was US$39.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, a10.9% increase from US$35.3million in the first quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP net margin[3] was 46.6% in the first quarter of 2025.
— Average MAUs[4]increased by 17.9% to44.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 from 37.8 million in the first quarter of 2024.
— The number of paying users[5]on our platform decreased by 8.0% to 11.8million in the first quarter of 2025 from 12.8million in the first quarter of 2024.
“We kicked off 2025 with a strong first quarter. Even with the impact of Ramadan, which fell entirely within the first quarter this year, our revenues reached US$83.9 million, up 6.5% year over year and beating the upper end of our guidance,” said Mr. Yang Tao, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Yalla. “Furthermore, without increasing selling and marketing expenses, we drove a 17.9% increase in average MAUs to 44.6 million, mainly attributable to our refined user acquisition strategy tailoredfor Ramadan, as well as our AI-driven traffic acquisition optimizations.
“Our product portfolio is thriving and primed for expansion. We completed first-round product testing on an exciting Match-3 title slated for launch in the third quarter of 2025 and boast a robust lineup of promising mid-core games in our pipeline. To deepen our commitment to returning shareholder value, we plan to further accelerate our share buyback program, raising this year's target by an additional US$22 million to a total of US$50 million for 2025. Looking ahead, we will remain dedicated to harnessing technological innovation as our engine and user needs as our compass, expanding the boundaries of MENA's digital ecosystem as we realize our vision of building the largest destination for online social networking and entertainment activities in MENA,” Mr. Yang concluded.
Ms. Karen Hu, CFO of Yalla, commented, “We are pleased to report a robust performance in the first quarter of 2025 through continued execution excellence and efficiency enhancements. Disciplined cost management and improved operating leverage propelled a 17.0% year-over-year increase in net income to US$36.4 million. Our net margin also expanded substantially year over year to 43.4%, while non-GAAP net margin rose to 46.6%. These financial accomplishments enabled us to accelerate our share buyback program, with 4,275,812 shares totaling US$27.4million repurchased from January 1 through May 16, 2025. Moreover, all shares repurchased this year will be canceled, generating sustained shareholder benefits. Supported by solid fundamentals and a clear strategic roadmap, we are confident in our ability to seize future opportunities and create lasting value for our stakeholders.”
FirstQuarter 2025 Financial Results
Revenues
Our revenues were US$83.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 6.5% increase from US$78.7 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily driven by our broadening user base and enhanced monetization capability. Our average MAUs increased by 17.9% to44.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 from 37.8 million in the first quarter of 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, revenues generated from chatting services were US$53.5 million, and revenues from games services were US$30.1 million.
Costs and expenses
Our total costs and expenses were US$52.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 6.2% increase from US$49.6 million in the first quarter of 2024.
Our cost of revenues was US$29.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 2.2 % increase from US$28.6 million in the same period last year, primarily due to higher commission fees paid to third-party payment platforms as a result of increasing revenues generated. Cost of revenues as a percentage of our total revenues decreased to34.8% in the first quarter of 2025 from 36.3% in the first quarter of 2024.
Our selling and marketing expenses were US$6.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 14.3% decrease from US$8.1million in the same period last year, primarily due to a decrease in incentive compensation. Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total revenues decreased to 8.3% in the first quarter of 2025 from 10.3% in the first quarter of 2024.
Our general and administrative expenses were US$8.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 30.8% increase from US$6.6million in the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation and higher professional service fees. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of our total revenues increased to 10.4% in the first quarter of 2025 from 8.4% in the first quarter of 2024.
Our technology and product development expenses were US$7.8million in the first quarter of 2025, a 25.0% increase from US$6.3million in the same period of last year, primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits for our technology and product development staff, driven by an increase in the headcount of our technology and product development staff to support the development of new businesses and expansion of our product portfolio. Technology and product development expenses as a percentage of our total revenues increased to 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025 from 8.0% in the first quarter of 2024.
Operating income
Operating income was US$31.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 7.1% increase from US$29.1 million in the same period last year.
Non-GAAP operating income[6]
Non-GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2025 was US$34.0 million, a 1.8% increase from US$33.3million in the same period last year.
Interest income
Interest income was flat at US$6.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the first quarter of 2024.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense was US$1.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with US$3.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to a decrease in UAE corporate tax.
Net income
As a result of the foregoing, our net income was US$36.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 17.0% increase from US$31.1 million in the first quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP net income
Non-GAAP net income in the first quarter of 2025 was US$39.1 million, a 10.9% increase from US$35.3 million in the same period last year.
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US$0.23and US$0.20, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025, while basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US$0.20and US$0.17, respectively, in the same period of 2024.
Non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share[7]
Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US$0.25 and US$0.22, respectively, in the firstquarter of 2025, compared with US$0.22and US$0.20, respectively, in the same period of 2024.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits and short-term investments
As of March31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits and short-term investments of US$690.9million, compared with US$656.3 million as of December31, 2024.
Sharerepurchase program
Pursuant to the Company's share repurchase program beginning on May 21, 2021, with an extended expiration date of May 21, 2026, from January 1 through May 16, 2025, the Company repurchased 4,275,812 American depositary shares (“ADSs”),representing 4,275,812 Class A ordinary shares, from the open market with cash for an aggregate amount of approximately US$27.4million, including US$5.4million in the firstquarter of 2025.As of May 16, 2025, the Company had cumulatively completed cash repurchases in the open market of 11,580,950 ADSs, representing 11,580,950 Class A ordinary shares, for an aggregate amount of approximately US$76.9million, since the inception of the current share repurchase program. The aggregate value of ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares that remain available for purchase under the current share repurchase program was US$73.1million as of May 16, 2025.
Outlook
For the secondquarter of 2025, Yalla currently expects revenues to be between US$76.0 million and US$83.0 million.
The above outlook is based on current market conditions and reflects the Company management's current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change.
Conference Call
The Company's management will host an earnings conference call on Monday, May19, 2025, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time, which is Tuesday, May20, 2025, at 4:00 AM Dubai Time, or Tuesday, May20, 2025, at 8:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong time.
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.yalla.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible until May26,2025, by dialing the following telephone numbers:
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, this press release presents non-GAAP financial measures, namely non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net margin and non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share, as supplemental measures to review and assess the Company's operating performance. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define non-GAAP operating income as operating income excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP net income as net income excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP net margin as non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenues. We define non-GAAP net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders as net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders, excluding share-based compensation. We define non-GAAP earnings per ordinary share as non-GAAP net income attributable to Yalla Group Limited's shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding.
By excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges, the Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business and enhance the overall understanding of the Company's past performance and future prospects. Investors can better understand the Company's operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess its core operating results, as they exclude share-based compensation expenses, which are not expected to result in cash payments. The Company also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company's management in its financial and operational decision-making.
The non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using the non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation has been and may continue to be incurred in the Company's business and is not reflected in the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures. Further, the non-GAAP financial measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.
The Company compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of its non-GAAP financial measures in the reconciliations to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating its performance. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results are set forth at the end of this press release.
About Yalla Group Limited
Yalla Group Limited is the largest MENA-based online social networking and gaming company, in terms of revenuesin 2022. The Company operates two flagship mobile applications, Yalla, a voice-centric group chat platform, and Yalla Ludo, a casual gaming application featuring online versions of board games, popular in MENA, with in-game voice chat and localized Majlis functionality. Building on the success of Yalla and Yalla Ludo, the Company continues to add engaging new content, creating a regionally-focused, integrated ecosystem dedicated to fulfilling MENA users' evolving online social networking and gaming needs. Through its holding subsidiary, Yalla Game Limited, the Company has expanded its capabilities in mid-core and hard-core games in the MENA region, leveraging its local expertise to bring innovative gaming content to its users. In addition, the growing Yalla ecosystem includes YallaChat, an IM product tailored for Arabic users, WeMuslim, a product that supports Arabic users in observing their customs, and casual games such as Yalla Baloot and 101 Okey Yalla, developed to sustain vibrant local gaming communities in MENA. Yalla is also actively exploring outside of MENA with Yalla Parchis, a Ludo game designed for the South American markets. Yalla's mobile applications deliver a seamless experience that fosters a sense of loyalty and belonging, establishing highly devoted and engaged user communities through close attention to detail and localized appeal that profoundly resonates with users.
For more information, please visit: https://ir.yalla.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Yalla Group Limited's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Yalla Group Limited's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Yalla Group Limited does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Yalla Group Limited Investor Relations Kerry Gao – IR Director Tel: +86-571-8980-7962 Email: ir@yalla.com
Piacente Financial Communications Jenny Cai Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
Piacente Financial Communications Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com
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