Hong Kong-listed CHINA LIT (stock code 00772) released its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2025. The group faced a challenging year, marked by weaker intellectual-property (IP) monetisation and a large goodwill impairment, which pushed statutory earnings into the red despite sustained cash strength.
Financial Highlights • Revenue fell 9.3 % year-on-year (YoY) to RMB 7.37 billion, dragged by an 18.9 % slide in IP operations and other income to RMB 3.32 billion. • Online business revenue edged up 0.4 % to RMB 4.05 billion, now contributing 54.9 % of the top line. • Gross profit contracted 13.4 % to RMB 3.40 billion; gross margin slipped to 46.1 % (2024: 48.3 %). • Operating loss widened to RMB 0.80 billion (2024: loss of RMB 0.34 billion). • Net loss attributable to equity holders reached RMB 0.78 billion, versus a loss of RMB 0.21 billion a year earlier, largely due to a RMB 1.81 billion goodwill impairment related to New Classics Media. • Non-IFRS profit attributable to shareholders declined 24.8 % to RMB 0.86 billion. • Adjusted EBITDA fell 33.5 % to RMB 0.61 billion; margin narrowed to 8.3 % (2024: 11.4 %). • Net cash stood at RMB 9.44 billion with no borrowings; free cash outflow was RMB 0.44 billion.
Operational Metrics • Average monthly active users (MAUs) on self-owned platforms and Tencent channels dropped 17.3 % to 137.8 million, mainly reflecting a 46.3 % contraction in Tencent-channel traffic. • Average monthly paying users (MPUs) slipped 1.1 % to 9.0 million, while monthly ARPU improved 2.8 % to RMB 32.9.
Segment Performance 1. Online Business – Revenue: RMB 4.05 billion (+0.4 % YoY). – Gross margin: 51.3 % (2024: 51.0 %). – Self-owned platforms grew 0.9 % to RMB 3.56 billion, offsetting a 22.3 % fall in Tencent-channel revenue.
2. IP Operations & Others – Revenue: RMB 3.32 billion (-18.9 % YoY). – Gross margin: 39.8 % (2024: 45.6 %). – IP licensing fell due to fewer drama and film releases, though new businesses gained traction: • IP merchandise GMV exceeded RMB 1.10 billion (+>100 % YoY). • AI-animated drama, launched in 2H 2025, delivered revenue above RMB 0.10 billion.
Cost Dynamics Total costs of revenue decreased 5.5 % to RMB 3.97 billion, aided by lower drama and film production spend. Selling & marketing and G&A expenses fell 11.1 % and 11.9 %, respectively, reflecting tighter cost control.
Balance Sheet & Liquidity Total assets declined to RMB 21.58 billion, while the liabilities-to-assets ratio improved to 18.8 %. The group maintained an unutilised bank facility of RMB 1.72 billion and reported zero gearing.
Capital Deployment Full-year capital expenditure reached RMB 0.09 billion; combined capex and long-term investments totalled RMB 0.45 billion (+23.7 % YoY). Share repurchases during 2025 totalled HKD 158.02 million (6.34 million shares), all subsequently cancelled.
Dividend The board does not recommend a final dividend for FY 2025.
Strategic Outlook Management will centre on an “IP + AI” roadmap, leveraging artificial-intelligence tools across content creation, adaptation, and global distribution. Key growth levers include AI-animated dramas, short-form dramas, and expanded IP merchandise, supported by a RMB 100 million creation fund and continued investment in AIGC technologies.
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