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 second quarter ended June 30, 2025.
SecondQuarter 2025Financial and Operating Highlights
— Revenueswere US$84.6million in the second quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 4.1% from the secondquarter of 2024.
— Revenues generated from chatting services in the second quarter of 2025 were US$53.6 million.
— Revenues generated from games services in the second quarter of 2025 were US$30.7 million.
— Net incomewas US$36.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, a 16.4% increase from US$31.4 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net margin[1] was43.2% in the second quarter of 2025.
— Non-GAAP net income[2] was US$39.4million in the second quarter of 2025, an 11.7% increase from US$35.2million in the second quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP net margin[3] was 46.5% in the second quarter of 2025.
— Average MAUs[4]increased by 8.8% to42.4million in the second quarter of 2025 from 39.0 million in the second quarter of 2024.
— The number of paying users[5]on our platform decreased by 7.0% to 11.2 million in the second quarter of 2025 from 12.0million in the second quarter of 2024.
“We delivered another robust performance in the second quarter,” said Mr. Yang Tao, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Yalla. “Our revenues reached US$84.6 million, beating the upper end of our guidance. Improvements in our internal processes boosted operational efficiency, bringing our net margin to 43.2%, a year-over-year expansion of 4.6percentage points. Meanwhile, our continued efforts to enrich our product portfolio and maintain a highly-engaged community drove an 8.8% year-over-year increase in average MAUs to 42.4 million.
“Building on these strong fundamentals, we continued to upgrade our flagship applications and broaden our product portfolio, expanding into new verticals to tap into MENA's thriving digital transformation. We have two exciting Match-3 titles scheduled for release in the third quarter and a roguelike game set to debutin the fourth quarter this year. Additionally, our game distribution services segment is preparing for the distribution of a hard-core title. Going forward, Yalla Group will continue toenrich users' digital lives with a diverse lineup of gaming products while working alongside partners to foster a sustainable digital ecosystem in MENA, compounding our advantages in this compelling market and unlocking its value for all of our stakeholders,”Mr. Yang concluded.
Ms. Karen Hu, CFO of Yalla, commented, “Strong execution across our operations fueled this quarter's strong results, highlighted by better-than-expected revenues and enhanced profitability. Our disciplined cost management and improved efficiency resulted in a 16.4% year-over-year increase in our net income to US$36.5 million. Bolstered by this success, we continued to accelerate our expanded share buyback program, with 6,230,299 shares totaling US$41.0 million repurchased this year through June30, 2025. We are open to further scaling this program, reflecting our deep confidence in the Company's future growth potential and dedication to elevating shareholder value. Looking ahead, we remain committed to product innovation and operational excellence as we advance toward our vision of becoming the most popular platform for online social networking and entertainment activities in MENA.”
SecondQuarter 2025 Financial Results
Revenues
Our revenues were US$84.6million in the second quarter of 2025, a 4.1% increase from US$81.2 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily driven by our broadening user base and enhanced monetization capability. Our average MAUs increased by 8.8% to42.4million in the second quarter of 2025 from 39.0million in the second quarter of 2024.
In the second quarter of 2025, revenues generated from chatting services were US$53.6million, and revenues from games services were US$30.7million.
Costs and expenses
Our total costs and expenses were US$53.9million in the second quarter of 2025, a 4.6% increase from US$51.6million in the second quarter of 2024.
Our cost of revenues was US$27.9million in the second quarter of 2025, a 3.7% decrease from US$29.0 million in the second quarter of 2024,primarily due to lower commission fees paid to third-party payment platforms as a result of diversified payment channels and lower share-based compensation expenses recognized in the second quarter of 2025. Cost of revenues as a percentage of our total revenues decreased to33.0% in the second quarter of 2025 from 35.7% in the second quarter of 2024.
Our selling and marketing expenses were US$8.7million in the second quarter of 2025, a 2.0% increase from US$8.5million in the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to higher advertising and market promotion expenses attributable to our continued user acquisition efforts and expanding product portfolio. Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total revenues decreased to 10.2% in the second quarter of 2025 from 10.5% in the second quarter of 2024.
Our general and administrative expenses were US$9.0million in the second quarter of 2025, an18.8% increase from US$7.6million in the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to increases in incentive compensation and foreign exchange loss. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of our total revenues increased to 10.6% in the second quarter of 2025 from 9.3% in the second quarter of 2024.
Our technology and product development expenses were US$8.3million in the second quarter of 2025, a 28.6% increase from US$6.5million in the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits for our technology and product development staff, driven by an increase in their headcount 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 9.9% in the second quarter of 2025 from 8.0% in the second quarter of 2024.
Operating income
Operating income was US$30.6 million in the second quarter of 2025, a 3.4% increase from US$29.6million in the second quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP operating income[6]
Non-GAAP operating income in the second quarter of 2025 wasflat at US$33.5million comparedwith that of the second quarter of 2024.
Interest income
Interest income was US$6.8million in the second quarter of 2025, compared with US$7.1 million in the second quarter of 2024.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense was US$1.5million in the second quarter of 2025, compared with US$5.8million in the second 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$36.5million in the second quarter of 2025, a 16.4% increase from US$31.4 million in the second quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP net income
Non-GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2025 was US$39.4million, an 11.7% increase from US$35.2million in the second quarter of 2024.
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US$0.24 and US$0.20, respectively, in the second quarter of 2025, while basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were US$0.20and US$0.17, respectively, in the second quarter 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 secondquarter of 2025, compared with US$0.22and US$0.19, respectively, in the second quarter of 2024.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits and short-term investments
As of June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits and short-term investments of US$704.1 million, compared with US$656.3 million as of December 31, 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 June30, 2025, the Company repurchased 6,230,299 American depositary shares (“ADSs”),representing 6,230,299 Class A ordinary shares, from the open market with cash for an aggregate amount of approximately US$41.0million, including US$5.4 million in the first quarter of 2025and US$35.6million in the secondquarter of 2025.As of June 30, 2025, the Company had cumulatively completed cash repurchases in the open market of 13,535,437ADSs, representing 13,535,437 Class A ordinary shares, for an aggregate amount of approximately US$90.4 million, 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$59.6 million as of June 30, 2025. In addition, the Company has decided to cancel all shares repurchased in 2025. As of August 11, 2025, the Company had cancelled 6,230,299 ADSs, representing 6,230,299 Class A ordinary shares.
Outlook
For the thirdquarter of 2025, Yalla currently expects revenues to be between US$78.0million and US$85.0million.
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, August11, 2025, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time, which is Tuesday, August12, 2025, at 4:00 AM Dubai Time, or Tuesday, August12, 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 August18,2025, 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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