Online game revenues were US$121 million, down 16% year-over-year and 18% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the natural decline of our older games, including Little Raccoon: Heroes and TLBB PC. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to fewer in-game promotional activities launched for TLBB PC during the quarter, as well as the natural decline of Sea of Dawn, which was launched during the third quarter of 2022.
Gross Margin
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin were 78%, compared with 73% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 71% in the third quarter of 2022.
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the brand advertising business were 51%, compared with 28% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2% in the third quarter of 2022. The margin increase was mainly due to a waiver of unpaid long-term accounts payable of approximately US$10 million recognized during the quarter.
Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games were 84%, compared with 84% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 84% in the third quarter of 2022.
Operating Expenses
GAAP operating expenses were US$130 million, down 10% year-over-year and 13% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$130 million, down 10% year-over-year and 13% quarter-over-quarter. The decreases were mainly due to Changyou’s decrease in marketing and promotional spending for online games.
Operating Loss
GAAP operating loss was US$6 million, compared with an operating loss of US$3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and an operating loss of US$18 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Non-GAAP operating loss was US$5 million, compared with an operating loss of US$3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and an operating loss of US$17 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Income Tax Expense
GAAP income tax expense was US$7 million, compared with income tax expense of US$9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and income tax expense of US$16 million in the third quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$5 million, compared with income tax expense of US$6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and income tax expense of US$14 million in the third quarter of 2022. Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2022 included a one-time tax benefit of US$7 million recognized by Changyou as a result of pre-adjustment of its income tax due for 2022, as well as some of Changyou’s subsidiaries having been granted preferential tax rates upon their receipt of Software Enterprise status for 2021.
Net Income/(Loss)
GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$7 million, or a net loss of US$0.21 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net loss of US$22 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited was US$2 million, or a net loss of US$0.06 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with net income of US$0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net loss of US$17 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term time deposits totaled approximately US$1.44 billion.
Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Results
Revenues
Total revenues were US$734 million, down 12% compared with 2021.
Brand advertising revenues were US$103 million, down 24% compared with 2021.