UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20152016

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM    TO    

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-30961

 

 

Sohu.com Inc.

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

 

 

 

Delaware 98-0204667

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF

INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

 

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

Level 18, SOHU.com Media Plaza

Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District

Beijing 100190

People’s Republic of China

(011) 8610-6272-6666

(Address, including zip code, of registrant’s principal executive offices

and registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x  Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Class

  

Outstanding at September 30, 20152016

Common stock, $.001 par value

  38,637,05238,732,891

 

 

 


SOHU.COM INC.

Table of Contents

 

    PAGE 
PART I 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
Item 1 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

  3  
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20142015 and September 30, 20152016

  3  
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 20152016

  54  
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 20152016

  75  
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 20152016

  96  
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  118  
Item 2 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  4745  
Item 3 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  8176  
Item 4 

Controls and Procedures

  8278  
PART II 

OTHER INFORMATION

 
Item 1 

Legal Proceedings

  8278  
Item 1A 

Risk Factors

  8378  
Item 2 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  8378  
Item 3 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  8378  
Item 4 

Mine Safety Disclosures

  8378  
Item 5 

Other Information

  8378  
Item 6 

Exhibits

  8378  
 

Signatures

  8479  
 

Exhibit Index

  8580  

-2-


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(In thousands, except par value)

 

  As of   As of 
  December 31,
2014
   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2015
 September 30,
2016
 

ASSETS

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $876,340    $1,073,879    $1,245,205   $1,092,085  

Restricted time deposits

   282,186     241,680     227,285   0  

Short-term investments

   191,577     260,431     174,515   264,109  

Accounts receivable, net

   230,401     285,296     273,617   204,748  

Prepaid and other current assets

   116,704     161,764  

Held-for-sale assets

   0     10,080  

Assets held for sale

   0   101,786  

Prepaid and other current assets (including $15,820 and $29,852, respectively, due from a related party as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   158,890   274,701  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total current assets

   1,697,208     2,033,130     2,079,512   1,937,429  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Long-term investments, net

   62,093   68,861  

Restricted time deposits

   136,694   9,270  

Fixed assets, net

   540,778     523,867     508,692   525,899  

Intangible assets, net

   55,415   33,593  

Goodwill

   303,426     155,018     154,219   69,688  

Long-term investments, net

   24,067     65,480  

Intangible assets, net

   110,691     62,870  

Restricted time deposits

   144,562     139,407  

Prepaid non-current assets

   8,933     6,772     6,254   5,167  

Other assets

   37,344     32,590     39,315   25,546  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $2,867,009    $3,019,134    $3,042,194   $2,675,453  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable (including accounts payable of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of $3,495 and $33,095, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

  $127,758    $131,782  

Accrued liabilities (including accrued liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $78,051 and $75,198, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   239,231     317,345  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue (including receipts in advance and deferred revenue of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $53,641 and $48,028, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   127,740     137,583  

Accrued salary and benefits (including accrued salary and benefits of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $6,300 and $10,130, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   108,741     86,822  

Taxes payable (including taxes payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $10,767 and $20,974, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   33,380     50,403  

Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $1,669 and $1,559, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   22,356     24,096  

Accounts payable (including accounts payable of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of $23,757 and $11,505, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

  $129,025   $163,843  

Accrued liabilities (including accrued liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $79,012 and $84,379, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   309,657   335,046  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue (including receipts in advance and deferred revenue of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $55,319 and $48,764, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   135,385   128,943  

Accrued salary and benefits (including accrued salary and benefits of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $11,357 and $10,377, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   99,631   84,783  

Taxes payable (including taxes payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $21,424 and $9,435, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   67,480   38,764  

Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $1,490 and $1,375, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   24,884   26,247  

Short-term bank loans (including short-term bank loans of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil as of both December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   344,500   0  

Liabilities held for sale (including liabilities held for sale of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil and $2,452, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   0   3,236  

Other short-term liabilities (including other short-term liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $106,976 and $136,159, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016, and due to a related party of $13,005 and $29,608, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   154,017    198,171  

Total current liabilities

   1,264,579   979,033  
  

 

  

 

 

Long-term accounts payable (including long-term accounts payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $2,858 and nil as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   4,600   17,272  

Long-term taxes payable (including long-term taxes payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil and $13,986 as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   24,732   33,199  

Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil as of both December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   17,531   14,037  
  

 

  

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

   46,863   64,508  
  

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   1,311,442   1,043,541  
  

 

  

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

Sohu.com Inc. shareholders’ equity:

   

Common stock: $0.001 par value per share (75,400 shares authorized; 38,653 shares and 38,733 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

  $45   $45  

Additional paid-in capital

   798,357   823,921  

Treasury stock (5,889 shares as of both December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016)

   (143,858 (143,858

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   50,151   25,962  

Retained earnings

   536,327   378,203  
  

 

  

 

 

Total Sohu.com Inc. shareholders’ equity

   1,241,022   1,084,273  

Noncontrolling interest

   489,730   547,639  
  

 

  

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,730,752   1,631,912  
  

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $3,042,194   $2,675,453  
  

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

-3-


Short-term bank loans (including short-term bank loans of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil as of both December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   25,500    25,500  

Other short-term liabilities (including other short-term liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $30,893 and $107,107, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   105,644    154,085  

Contingent consideration (including contingent consideration of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $3,935 and nil, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   3,935    0  

Held-for-sale liabilities (including held-for-sale liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil and $1,251, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   0    1,251  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   794,285    928,867  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Long-term accounts payable (including long-term accounts payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $21,534 and $23,503 as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   5,143    4,257  

Long-term bank loans (including long-term bank loans of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil as of both December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   344,500    319,000  

Long-term taxes payable (including long-term taxes payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of nil as of both December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   24,829    24,765  

Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $1,799 and nil, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   7,417    12,666  

Contingent consideration (including contingent consideration of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Company of $1,929 and nil, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   1,929    0  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

   383,818    360,688  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   1,178,103    1,289,555  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

Sohu.com Inc. shareholders’ equity:

   

Common stock: $0.001 par value per share (75,400 shares authorized; 38,507 shares and 38,637 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   44    45  

Additional paid-in capital

   650,148    783,801  

Treasury stock (5,889 shares as of both December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

   (143,858  (143,858

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   109,402    72,868  

Retained earnings

   585,925    566,727  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Sohu.com Inc. shareholders’ equity

   1,201,661    1,279,583  

Noncontrolling interest

   487,245    449,996  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,688,906    1,729,579  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $2,867,009   $3,019,134  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2015  2016  2015  2016 

Revenues:

    

Online advertising:

    

Brand advertising (including revenues generated from a related party of nil for the three months ended both September 30, 2015 and 2016, and of nil and $862, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2016)

 $151,517   $110,871   $436,187   $349,261  

Search and search-related

  147,938    150,667    388,270    444,633  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal of online advertising revenues

  299,455    261,538    824,457    793,894  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Online games

  152,501    98,553    509,845    300,309  

Others

  70,134    50,491    136,686    144,469  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

  522,090    410,582    1,470,988    1,238,672  

Cost of revenues:

    

Online advertising:

    

Brand advertising

  91,163    102,137    295,562    281,427  

Search and search-related

  62,365    76,457    170,836    210,547  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal of cost of online advertising revenues

  153,528    178,594    466,398    491,974  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Online games

  34,635    23,719    128,049    75,232  

Others

  25,996    20,571    63,066    60,783  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

  214,159    222,884    657,513    627,989  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

  307,931    187,698    813,475    610,683  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

    

Product development

  92,779    90,007    295,741    261,645  

Sales and marketing (including expenses generated for a related party of nil for the three months ended both September 30, 2015 and 2016, and of nil and $216, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2016)

  98,596    110,584    285,701    318,597  

General and administrative

  33,330    38,670    128,214    95,927  

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

  40,324    0    40,324    0  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  265,029    239,261    749,980    676,169  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

  42,902    (51,563  63,495    (65,486
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income /(loss)

  70,219    3,678    72,936    (16,971

Net interest income

  5,192    6,118    17,455    16,297  

Exchange difference

  4,322    702    3,452    3,546  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax expense

  122,635    (41,065  157,338    (62,614

Income tax expense

  (29,461  (974  (57,280  (15,272
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

  93,174    (42,039  100,058    (77,886

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders

  42,142    32,775    107,345    80,238  

Deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders

  11,911    0    11,911    0  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

 $39,121   $(74,814 $(19,198 $(158,124
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  93,174    (42,039  100,058    (77,886

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (61,470  (7,619  (59,509  (35,031

Change in unrealized gain /(loss) for available-for-sale securities

  (6,129  (693  4,695    (2,121
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

  (67,599  (8,312  (54,814  (37,152
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income /(loss)

  25,575    (50,351  45,244    (115,038
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest shareholders

  23,215    29,724    89,065    67,275  

Deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders

  11,911    0    11,911    0  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

 $(9,551 $(80,075 $(55,732 $(182,313
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

 $1.01   $(1.93 $(0.50 $(4.09
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic net income loss per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  38,633    38,728    38,582    38,695  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

 $1.00   $(1.94 $(0.52 $(4.12
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Shares used in computing diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  38,665    38,728    38,582    38,695  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

-4-


SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMECASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2014  2015  2014  2015 

Revenues:

     

Online advertising:

     

Brand advertising

  $148,823   $151,517   $393,334   $436,187  

Search and search-related

   98,437    147,938    247,810    388,270  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal of online advertising revenues

   247,260    299,455    641,144    824,457  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Online games

   150,338    152,501    467,603    509,845  

Others

   32,817    70,134    87,134    136,686  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   430,415    522,090    1,195,881    1,470,988  

Cost of revenues:

     

Online advertising:

     

Brand advertising

   83,424    91,163    230,462    295,562  

Search and search–related

   46,375    62,365    118,532    170,836  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal of cost of online advertising revenues

   129,799    153,528    348,994    466,398  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Online games

   33,949    34,635    90,798    128,049  

Others

   17,912    25,996    50,252    63,066  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

   181,660    214,159    490,044    657,513  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   248,755    307,931    705,837    813,475  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

     

Product development

   107,971    92,779    327,911    295,741  

Sales and marketing

   131,742    98,596    410,702    285,701  

General and administrative

   49,730    33,330    138,330    128,214  

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

   0    40,324    0    40,324  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   289,443    265,029    876,943    749,980  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (40,688  42,902    (171,106  63,495  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income

   896    70,219    5,340    72,936  

Net interest income

   7,468    5,192    24,704    17,455  

Exchange difference

   (610  4,322    27    3,452  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax benefit /(expense)

   (32,934  122,635    (141,035  157,338  

Income tax benefit /(expense)

   1,036    (29,461  2,562    (57,280
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

   (31,898  93,174    (138,473  100,058  

Less: Net income /(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders

   (4,760  42,142    (19,138  107,345  

Deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders

   0    11,911    27,747    11,911  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(27,138 $39,121   $(147,082 $(19,198
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

   (31,898  93,174    (138,473  100,058  

Other comprehensive loss

   (1,005  (67,599  (14,084  (54,814
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income /(loss)

   (32,903  25,575    (152,557  45,244  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2015  2016 

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net income /(loss)

  $100,058   $(77,886

Adjustments to reconcile net income /(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Amortization of intangible assets and purchased video content in prepaid expense

   129,475    105,773  

Depreciation

   60,798    53,769  

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   40,324    0  

Share-based compensation expense

   28,465    16,147  

Impairment of intangible assets

   12,015    6,027  

Investment loss from equity investments

   3,791    1,006  

Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts

   1,676    4,341  

Gain from sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries

   (55,139  0  

Gain from sale of an equity investment

   (12,962  0  

Change in fair value of short-term investments

   (1,050  (7,732

Others

   2,163    (407

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

   

Accounts receivable

   (67,284  56,560  

Prepaid and other assets

   2,941    17,782  

Accounts payable

   7,150    17,507  

Accrued liabilities and other short-term liabilities

   66,636    64,720  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

   11,202    (2,792

Taxes payable

   17,592    (45,782

Deferred tax

   9,612    5,191  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   357,463    214,224  

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Purchase of intangible and other assets

   (106,613  (134,513

Purchase of fixed assets

   (84,127  (89,990

Proceeds from financial instruments

   542,372    295,591  

Purchase of financial instruments

   (618,960  (282,000

Purchase of long-term investments

   (37,803  (12,940

Funds to /(Return of funds from) a third party

   (20,033  3,619  

Matching loan to a related party

   (13,086  (18,115

Consideration received from sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries, net of cash in 7Road upon its disposition

   183,114    0  

Cash received related to restricted time deposits, net

   30,840    225,462  

Proceeds received from sale of an equity investment

   11,938    0  

Other cash proceeds related to investing activities

   3,866    3,840  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (108,492  (9,046

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Matching loan from a related party

   12,900    17,041  

Issuance of common stock

   2,124    3  

Exercise of share-based awards in subsidiary

   7    288  

Repayments of loans from offshore banks

   (25,500  (344,500

Repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders

   (21,015  0  

Repurchase of Changyou American depositary shares (“ADSs”)

   (14,517  0  

Other cash proceeds /(payments) related to financing activities

   2,855    (423
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (43,146  (327,591

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   (8,220  (20,427

Reclassification of cash and cash equivalents to assets held for sale

   (66  (10,280
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net increase /(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   197,539    (153,120

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   876,340    1,245,205  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $1,073,879   $1,092,085  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

   

Barter transactions

  $1,411   $9,259  

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activity:

   

Consideration payable for an acquisition and an equity investment

   10,722    0  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

-5-


Less: Comprehensive income /(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest shareholders

   (4,607  23,215    (22,718  89,065  

Deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders

   0    11,911    27,747    11,911  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(28,296 $(9,551 $(157,586 $(55,732
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(0.71 $1.01   $(3.82 $(0.50
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

   38,485    38,633    38,457    38,582  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(0.74 $1.00   $(3.91 $(0.52
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Shares used in computing diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

   38,485    38,665    38,457    38,582  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

(In thousands)

     Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders’ Equity    
  Total  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings
  Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Beginning balance

 $1,688,906   $44   $650,148   $(143,858 $109,402   $585,925   $487,245  

Issuance of common stock

  2,126    1    2,125    0    0��   0    0  

Repurchase of Changyou ADSs

  (14,517  0    (9,982  0    0    0    (4,535

Share-based compensation expense

  28,515    0    16,684    0    0    0    11,831  

Settlement of share-based awards in subsidiary

  357    0    33,649    0    0    0    (33,292

Repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders, net of transaction expense

  (21,329  0    90,719    0    0    (11,911  (100,137

Purchase of noncontrolling interest in RaidCall

  0    0    458    0    0    0    (458

Noncontrolling interest recognized in domestic companies

  277    0    0    0    0    0    277  

Net income attributable to Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling interest shareholders

  100,058    0    0    0    0    (7,287  107,345  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (54,814  0    0    0    (36,534  0    (18,280
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ending balance

 $1,729,579   $45   $783,801   $(143,858 $72,868   $566,727   $449,996  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

-6-


SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSSTATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSCHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

(In thousands)

 

   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2014  2015 

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net income /(loss)

  $(138,473 $100,058  

Adjustments to reconcile net income /(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Amortization of intangible assets and purchased video content in prepaid expense

   99,264    129,475  

Depreciation

   59,059    60,798  

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0    40,324  

Share-based compensation expense

   29,513    28,465  

Impairment of intangible assets

   1,457    12,015  

Investment income /(loss) from investments in debt securities and equity investments

   (1,140  3,791  

Provision /(Reversal) for allowance for doubtful accounts

   (2  1,676  

Change in fair value of put option

   (2,304  0  

Gain from sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries

   0    (55,139

Gain from sale of an equity investment

   0    (12,962

Change in fair value of short-term investments

   (425  (1,050

Others

   1,419    2,163  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

   

Accounts receivable

   (25,759  (67,284

Prepaid and other assets

   32,825    2,941  

Accounts payable

   (4,194  7,150  

Accrued liabilities and other short-term liabilities

   83,676    66,636  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

   (941  11,202  

Taxes payable

   (17,463  17,592  

Deferred tax

   (21,727  9,612  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   94,785    357,463  

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Purchase of intangible and other assets

   (98,706  (106,613

Purchase of fixed assets

   (73,440  (84,127

Purchase of short-term investments, net

   (206,662  (76,588

Purchase of long-term investments

   (24,609  (37,803

Funds to a third party

   0    (20,033

Deposited funds

   0    (13,086

Acquisition of MoboTap, net of cash acquired

   (86,539  0  

Consideration received from sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries, net of cash in 7Road upon its disposition

   0    183,114  

Cash received /(paid) related to restricted time deposits, net

   (13,554  30,840  

Proceeds received from sale of an equity investment

   0    11,938  

Proceeds received from debt securities at maturity

   82,009    0  

Other cash proceeds related to investing activities

   3,404    3,866  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (418,097  (108,492

-7-


Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Loan proceeds

   0    12,900  

Issuance of common stock

   516    2,124  

Exercise of share-based awards in subsidiary

   414    7  

Repayments of loans from offshore banks

   (410,194  (25,500

Repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders

   (47,285  (21,015

Repurchase of Changyou American depositary shares (“ADSs”)

   0    (14,517

Repurchase of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders

   (24,591  0  

Proceeds of loans from offshore banks

   370,000    0  

Payment of contingent consideration

   (2,813  0  

Other cash proceeds /(payments) related to financing activities

   (4,935  2,855  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (118,888  (43,146

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   (4,192  (8,220

Reclassification of cash and cash equivalents to held-for-sale assets

   0    (66
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net increase /(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (446,392  197,539  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   1,287,288    876,340  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $840,896   $1,073,879  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

   

Barter transactions

  $721   $1,411  

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activity:

   

Consideration payable for acquisition and equity investment

   0    10,722  
     Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders’ Equity    
  Total  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings
  Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Beginning balance

 $1,730,752   $45   $798,357   $(143,858 $50,151   $536,327   $489,730  

Share-based compensation expense

  16,145    0    5,095    0    0    0    11,050  

Settlement of share-based awards in subsidiary

  337    0    19,136    0    0    0    (18,799

Contribution from noncontrolling interest shareholder

  0    0    1,333    0    0    0    (1,333

Disposal of noncontrolling interest

  (238  0    0    0    0    0    (238

Other

  (46  0    0    0    0    0    (46

Net income attributable to Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling interest shareholders

  (77,886  0    0    0    0    (158,124  80,238  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (37,152  0    0    0    (24,189  0    (12,963
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ending balance

 $1,631,912   $45   $823,921   $(143,858 $25,962   $378,203   $547,639  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

-8-


SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

(In thousands)

      Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders’ Equity    
   Total  Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings
  Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Beginning balance

  $1,836,720   $44    $601,633   $(143,858 $116,304   $752,582   $510,015  

Issuance of common stock

   516    0     516    0    0    0    0  

Repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders

   (47,285  0     26,276    0    0    (27,747  (45,814

Repurchase of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders

   (24,591  0     0    0    0    0    (24,591

Exercise of right to repurchase from China Web

   1,584    0     1,584    0    0    0    0  

Purchase of equity interests of a VIE from a third party shareholder

   (809  0     11    0    0    0    (820

Share-based compensation expense

   29,485    0     13,048    0    0    0    16,437  

Settlement of share-based awards in subsidiary

   798    0     11,336    0    0    0    (10,538

Acquisition of MoboTap

   53,424    0     0    0    0    0    53,424  

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary

   (4,726  0     (1,777  0    0    0    (2,949

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling interest shareholders

   (138,473  0     0    0    0    (119,335  (19,138

Accumulated other comprehensive income /(loss)

   (14,084  0     0    0    (10,504  0    (3,580
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $1,692,559   $44    $652,627   $(143,858 $105,800   $605,500   $472,446  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

-9-


SOHU.COM INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

(In thousands)

      Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders’ Equity    
   Total  Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings
  Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Beginning balance

  $1,688,906   $44    $650,148   $(143,858 $109,402   $585,925   $487,245  

Issuance of common stock

   2,126    1     2,125    0    0    0    0  

Repurchase of Changyou ADSs

   (14,517  0     (9,982  0    0    0    (4,535

Share-based compensation expense

   28,515    0     16,684    0    0    0    11,831  

Settlement of share-based awards in subsidiary

   357    0     33,649    0    0    0    (33,292

Repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders, net of transaction expense

   (21,329  0     90,719    0    0    (11,911  (100,137

Purchase of noncontrolling interest in RaidCall

   0    0     458    0    0    0    (458

Noncontrolling interest recognized in domestic companies

   277    0     0    0    0    0    277  

Net income attributable to Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling interest shareholders

   100,058    0     0    0    0    (7,287  107,345  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   (54,814  0     0    0    (36,534  0    (18,280
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $1,729,579   $45    $783,801   $(143,858 $72,868   $566,727   $449,996  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

-10--7-


SOHU.COM INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. The Company and Basis of Presentation

1.The Company and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU), a Delaware corporation organized in 1996, is a leading Chinese online media, search and game service group providing comprehensive online products and services on PCs and mobile devices in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). Sohu.com Inc.’s businesses are conducted by Sohu.com Inc. and its subsidiaries and VIEs (collectively referred to as the “Sohu Group” or “the Group”). The Sohu Group consists of Sohu, which when referred to in this report, unless the context requires otherwise, excludes the businesses and the corresponding subsidiaries and VIEs of Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”) and Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou”), Sogou and Changyou. Sogou and Changyou are indirect controlled subsidiaries of Sohu.com Inc. Sohu is a leading Chinese language online media content and services provider. Sogou is a leading online search, client software and mobile Internet product provider in China. Changyou is a leading online game developer and operator in China as measured by the popularity of its PC game TLBBTian Long Ba Bu (“TLBB”) and its mobile game TLBB 3D, and engages primarily in the development, operation and licensing of online games for PCs and mobile devices. Most of the Group’s operations are conducted through the Group’s indirect wholly-owned and majority-owned China-based subsidiaries and VIEs.

Through the operation of Sohu, Sogou and Changyou, the Sohu Group generates online advertising revenues, including brand advertising revenues and search and search-related revenues (which were previously known as search and Web directory revenues);revenues; online games revenues; and othersother revenues. Online advertising and online games are the Group’s core businesses. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, total revenues generated by Sohu, Sogou and Changyou were approximately $522.1 million.

Sohu’s Business

Brand Advertising Business

Sohu’s main business is the brand advertising business, which offers to users, over Sohu’s matrices of Chinese language online media, various content, products and services across multiple Internet-enabled devices such as PCs, mobile phones and tablets. The majority of Sohu’s products and services are provided through Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video and Focus.

 

Sohu Media Portal.Sohu Media Portal is a leading online news and information provider in China. It provides users comprehensive content through www.sohu.com for PCs, the mobile portal m.sohu.com and the mobile phone application Sohu News APP.APP and the mobile portal m.sohu.com;

 

Sohu Video. Sohu Video (tv.sohu.com) is a leading online video content and service provider in China through tv.sohu.com for PCs and the mobile phone application Sohu Video APP; and

 

Focus. Focus (www.focus.cn) is a leading online real estate information and services provider in China.

Revenues generated by the brand advertising business are classified as brand advertising revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

OthersOther Business

Sohu also engages in the othersother business, which includes the filming business, mobile-relatedconsists primarily of interactive broadcasting services, sub-licensing of purchased video content to third parties, and paid subscription services, the filming business, and mobile-related services. Revenues generated by Sohu from the othersother business are classified as othersother revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Sogou’s Business

Search and Search-related Business

The search and search-related business primarily offers advertisers pay-for-click services, as well as online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou. Pay-for-click services enable advertisers’ promotional links to be displayed on the Sogou search result pages and Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites where the links are relevant to the subject and content of such Web pages. Both pay-for-click services and online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou expand distribution of ourits advertisers’ Websitepromotional links and advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites. The search and search-related business benefits significantly from Sogou’s collaboration with Tencent Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “Tencent”), which provides Sogou access to traffic and content generated from users of products and services provided by Tencent.

 

-11--8-


Revenues generated by the search and search-related business are classified as search and search-related revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

OthersOther Business

Sogou also engages in the othersother business primarily by primarily offering Internet value-added services ( “IVAS”(“IVAS”) with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, as well as other services and products provided to users. Revenues generated by Sogou from the othersother business are classified as othersother revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Changyou’s Business

Changyou has three businesses, consistingChangyou’s business lines consist of the online game business, the platform channel business and the othersother business.

Online Game Business

Changyou’s online game business offers to game players (a) PC games, which are interactive online games designed primarily for playingthat are accessed and played simultaneously by hundreds of thousands of game players through personal computers and require that local client-end game access software be installed on PCs;the computers used; (b) mobile games, which are played on mobile devices withand require an Internet connection; and (c) Web games, which are online games that are played over the Internet usingthrough a Web browser.browser with no local game software installation requirements. Web games became a relatively insignificant part of Changyou’s PC games and mobile games are mainly MMOGs, which are interactive online games that may be played simultaneously by hundredsbusiness following the sale of thousands of game players.7Road’s operating company Shenzhen 7Road in August 2015. All of Changyou’s games are operated under the item-based revenue model, wheremeaning game players can play the games for free, but can purchasechoose to pay for virtual items, to enhance the game-playing experience.which are non-physical items that game players can purchase and use within a game, such as gems, pets, fashion items, magic medicine, riding animals, hierograms, skill books and fireworks. Revenues derived from the operation of online games are classified as online game revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Changyou’s flagship game is TLBB, a PC based client-end game. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenues from the PC game is its MMOG Tian Long Ba Bu (“TLBB”).TLBB were $56.0 million and $162.9 million, respectively, accounting for approximately 57% and 54%, respectively, of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 41% and 41%, respectively, of Changyou’s total revenues and approximately 14% and 13%, respectively, of the Sohu Group’s total revenues. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenues from the PC game TLBB were $77.8 million and $244.9 million, respectively, accounting for approximately 51% and 48%, respectively, of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 41% of Changyou’s total revenues for both periods and approximately 15% and 17%, respectively, of the Sohu Group’s total revenues.

Platform Channel Business

Changyou also ownsChangyou’s platform channel business consists primarily of the operation of the 17173.com Website, the Dolphin Browser and operates a number of Web properties and software applications for PCs and mobile devices (collectively referred to as “platform channels”), including theRaidCall. The 17173.com Website, one of the leading game information portals forin China, provides news, electronic forums, online videos and other information services on online games to game players in China; RaidCall, which provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan; and theplayers. The Dolphin Browser is a gateway to a host of user activities on mobile devices, with the majority of its users based in Europe, Russia and Japan. RaidCall provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Changyou management determined that the Dolphin Browser was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyou’s platform channels serve various needsbusiness and therefore formed the intention to divest Changyou’s 51% equity interest in MoboTap Inc., a Cayman Islands company (collectively with its subsidiaries and VIEs “MoboTap”), which is the mobile technology developer behind the Dolphin Browser. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of its usersMoboTap were recognized as assets held for sale and help Changyou reach more user communities and conduct cross-promotionsliabilities held for sale, respectively, in the third quarter of its games and services.2016. Revenues generated by the 17173.com Website are classified as brand advertising revenues and revenues generated by RaidCall and the Dolphin Browser and RaidCall are classified as othersother revenues in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

OthersOther Business

Changyou also operates a cinema advertising business, which consists of ChangyouChangyou’s offering of pre-film cinema advertising slots for advertisements to bethat are shown in cinemas before the screening of movies.a movie in a cinema theatre. Revenues generated by Changyou’s cinema advertising business are classified as othersother revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

-9-


Basis of Consolidation and Recognition of Noncontrolling Interest

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sohu.com Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.

VIE Consolidation

The Sohu Group’s VIEs are wholly or partially owned by certain employees of the Group as nominee shareholders. For consolidated VIEs, management made evaluations of the relationships between the Sohu Group and the VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangements with the VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of such contractual arrangements, the Group controls the shareholders’ voting interests in these VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, management concluded that the Sohu Group is the primary beneficiary of its consolidated VIEs. The Sohu Group has two VIEs that are not consolidated, since the Group is not the primary beneficiary.

-12-


Noncontrolling Interest Recognition

Noncontrolling interests are recognized to reflect the portion of the equity of majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling shareholders. The primary majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs of the Sohu Group which are consolidated in the Group’s consolidated financial statements with noncontrolling interest recognized are Sogou and Changyou.

Basis of Presentation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions toForm 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period.

2. Segment Information

2.Segment Information

The Sohu Group’s segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”), or the decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group’s CODM is Sohu.com Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer.

Commencing in the second quarter of 2015, the CODM did not consider the others segment to be significant enough to be separately reviewed. Therefore, in order to better reflect management’s perspective, the Group combined the brand advertising segment and the others segment, and now identifies them together as the Sohu segment. There are now three segments in the Group, consisting of the Sohu segment, the Sogou segment, and the Changyou segment. The Group has restated the presentation of its reportable segments for prior periods to conform to the current presentation.

-10-


The following tables present summary information by segment (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2014   Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 
  Sohu Sogou Changyou Eliminations Consolidated   Sohu Sogou Changyou Eliminations Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $147,626   $106,158   $180,819   $(4,188 $430,415    $172,902   $162,300   $188,875   $(1,987 $522,090  

Segment cost of revenues

   (85,117 (46,463 (50,278 667   (181,191   (99,742 (66,035 (48,821 539   (214,059

Segment gross profit

   62,509   59,695   130,541   (3,521 249,224     73,160   96,265   140,054   (1,448 308,031  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (218 (193 (58 0   (469   (184 (12 96   0   (100
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   62,291   59,502   130,483   (3,521 248,755     72,976   96,253   140,150   (1,448 307,931  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating expenses:

            

Product development(3)

   (23,767 (26,113 (52,827 788   (101,919   (23,708 (31,573 (40,178 1,348   (94,111

Sales and marketing(1)

   (57,470 (24,570 (52,930 4,165   (130,805   (52,315 (25,775 (21,639 1,599   (98,130

General and administrative

   (12,159 (3,208 (26,832 (189 (42,388   (12,966 (3,956 (17,741 (203 (34,866

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0   0   (40,324 0   (40,324

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (922 (13,094 (456 141   (14,331   (2,228 1,262   3,368   0   2,402  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (94,318 (66,985 (133,045 4,905   (289,443   (91,217 (60,042 (116,514 2,744   (265,029
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating loss

   (32,027 (7,483 (2,562 1,384   (40,688

Operating profit /(loss)

   (18,241 36,211   23,636   1,296   42,902  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other income /(expense)

   1,860   (4 283   (1,243 896  

Other income (3) (4)

   91,736   32   58,554   (80,103 70,219  

Net interest income

   1,966   860   4,642   0   7,468     587   1,326   3,279   0   5,192  

Exchange difference

   (15 4   (599 0   (610   1,360   627   2,335   0   4,322  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax benefit /(expense)

   (28,216 (6,623 1,764   141   (32,934

Income before income tax expense

   75,442   38,196   87,804   (78,807 122,635  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Income tax benefit /(expense)

   1,327   0   (291 0   1,036  

Income tax expense

   (1,091 (2,586 (25,784 0   (29,461
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  $(26,889 $(6,623 $1,473   $141   $(31,898

Net income

  $74,351   $35,610   $62,020   $(78,807 $93,174  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment revenues mainly consists of marketing services (banner advertisements and similar services) provided by the Sohu segment to the Changyou segment.
Note (2):“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

-13-


   Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $172,902   $162,300   $188,875   $(1,987 $522,090  

Segment cost of revenues

   (99,742  (66,035  (48,821  539    (214,059

Segment gross profit

   73,160    96,265    140,054    (1,448  308,031  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (184  (12  96    0    (100
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   72,976    96,253    140,150    (1,448  307,931  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development

   (23,708  (31,573  (40,178  1,348    (94,111

Sales and marketing

   (52,315  (25,775  (21,639  1,599    (98,130

General and administrative

   (12,966  (3,956  (17,741  (203  (34,866

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0    0    (40,324  0    (40,324

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (2,228  1,262    3,368    0    2,402  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (91,217  (60,042  (116,514  2,744    (265,029
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (18,241  36,211    23,636    1,296    42,902  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income

   91,736    32    58,554    (80,103  70,219  

Net interest income

   587    1,326    3,279    0    5,192  

Exchange difference

   1,360    627    2,335    0    4,322  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

   75,442    38,196    87,804    (78,807  122,635  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   (1,091  (2,586  (25,784  0    (29,461
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

  $74,351   $35,610   $62,020   $(78,807 $93,174  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment revenues and other income mainly consists ofexpenses generated from marketing services provided among the Sohu, Sogou and Changyou segments, and Sogou’s repurchase of Sogou shares from Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”).segments.

Note (2):“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $400,695   $267,081   $539,353   $(11,248 $1,195,881  

Segment cost of revenues

   (238,617  (118,152  (132,941  1,120    (488,590

Segment gross profit

   162,078    148,929    406,412    (10,128  707,291  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (562  (706  (186  0    (1,454
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   161,516    148,223    406,226    (10,128  705,837  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development

   (68,099  (75,582  (171,362  3,131    (311,912

Sales and marketing

   (165,408  (49,919  (202,890  11,266    (406,951

General and administrative

   (33,549  (8,395  (70,452  (533  (112,929

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (8,437  (36,523  (1,093  902    (45,151
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (275,493  (170,419  (445,797  14,766    (876,943
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating loss

   (113,977  (22,196  (39,571  4,638    (171,106
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income

   5,287    2,455    1,334    (3,736  5,340  
Note (3):The elimination mainly consists of leasing income and expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou.

Note (4):In the third quarter of 2015, Sogou purchased from Sohu 24.0 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou for $78.8 million. Sohu recognized $78.8 million in other income, which was eliminated in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

-14--11-


Net interest income

   6,515    1,714    16,475    0     24,704  

Exchange difference

   (103  (159  289    0     27  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit/ (expense)

   (102,278  (18,186  (21,473  902     (141,035
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefit/(expense)

   (2,022  0    4,584    0     2,562  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

  $(104,300 $(18,186 $(16,889 $902    $(138,473
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $109,560   $165,952   $135,862   $(792 $410,582  

Segment cost of revenues

   (102,772  (78,788  (41,071  42    (222,589
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment gross profit

   6,788    87,164    94,791    (750  187,993  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (266  (3  (26  0    (295
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   6,522    87,161    94,765    (750  187,698  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development (3)

   (25,043  (34,496  (27,410  1,047    (85,902

Sales and marketing (1)

   (66,555  (26,011  (18,311  1,045    (109,832

General and administrative

   (11,831  (6,409  (12,432  20    (30,652

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (5,509  (190  (7,176  0    (12,875
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (108,938  (67,106  (65,329  2,112    (239,261
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (102,416  20,055    29,436    1,362    (51,563
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income (3)

   1,379    970    2,691    (1,362�� 3,678  

Net interest income /(expense)

   (466  705    5,879    0    6,118  

Exchange difference

   (297  481    518    0    702  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax benefit /(expense)

   (101,800  22,211    38,524    0    (41,065
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax benefit /(expense)

   635    (2,128  519    0    (974
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  $(101,165 $20,083   $39,043   $0   $(42,039
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment revenues mainly consists of revenues and expenses generated from marketing services (banner advertisements and similar services) provided byamong the Sohu, segment to theSogou and Changyou segment.segments.

Note (2):“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $450,776   $426,099   $599,726   $(5,613 $1,470,988  

Segment cost of revenues

   (306,221  (177,401  (174,024  1,091    (656,555

Segment gross profit

   144,555    248,698    425,702    (4,522  814,433  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (847  (119  8    0    (958
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   143,708    248,579    425,710    (4,522  813,475  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development

   (72,362  (93,285  (124,156  3,740    (286,063

Sales and marketing

   (148,241  (64,718  (76,365  5,196    (284,128

General and administrative

   (44,551  (10,873  (56,076  (459  (111,959

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0    0    (40,324  0    (40,324

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (14,371  (5,681  (7,539  85    (27,506
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (279,525  (174,557  (304,460  8,562    (749,980
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (135,817  74,022    121,250    4,040    63,495  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income /(expense)

   91,679    122    63,896    (82,761  72,936  

Net interest income

   2,432    4,011    11,012    0    17,455  

Exchange difference

   1,124    337    1,991    0    3,452  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax expense

   (40,582  78,492    198,149    (78,721  157,338  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   (5,642  (5,900  (45,738  0    (57,280
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  $(46,224 $72,592   $152,411   $(78,721 $100,058  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Note (3):The elimination mainly consists of leasing income and expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou.

-12-


   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $450,776   $426,099   $599,726   $(5,613 $1,470,988  

Segment cost of revenues

   (306,221  (177,401  (174,024  1,091    (656,555

Segment gross profit

   144,555    248,698    425,702    (4,522  814,433  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (847  (119  8    0    (958
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   143,708    248,579    425,710    (4,522  813,475  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development (3)

   (72,362  (93,285  (124,156  3,740    (286,063

Sales and marketing (1)

   (148,241  (64,718  (76,365  5,196    (284,128

General and administrative

   (44,551  (10,873  (56,076  (459  (111,959

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0    0    (40,324  0    (40,324

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (14,371  (5,681  (7,539  85    (27,506
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (279,525  (174,557  (304,460  8,562    (749,980
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (135,817  74,022    121,250    4,040    63,495  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income /(expense) (3) (4)

   91,679    122    63,896    (82,761  72,936  

Net interest income

   2,432    4,011    11,012    0    17,455  

Exchange difference

   1,124    337    1,991    0    3,452  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax expense

   (40,582  78,492    198,149    (78,721  157,338  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   (5,642  (5,900  (45,738  0    (57,280
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  $(46,224 $72,592   $152,411   $(78,721 $100,058  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment revenues and other income mainly consists of revenues and expenses generated from marketing services provided among the Sohu, Sogou and Changyou segments, and Sogou’s repurchase of Sogou shares from Sohu Search.segments.

Note (2):“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

 

   As of December 31, 2014 
   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Eliminations  Consolidated 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $431,272    $224,273    $220,795    $0   $876,340  

Accounts receivable, net

   137,183     15,341     77,969     (92  230,401  

Fixed assets, net

   252,255     44,686     243,837     0    540,778  

Total assets (1)

  $1,159,403    $305,975    $1,547,965    $(146,334 $2,867,009  
Note (3):The elimination mainly consists of leasing income and expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou.

Note (4):In the third quarter of 2015, Sogou purchased from Sohu 24.0 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou for $78.8 million. Sohu recognized $78.8 million in other income, which was eliminated in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

-13-


   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
   Sohu  Sogou  Changyou  Eliminations  Consolidated 

Revenues (1)

  $357,437   $488,829   $394,862   $(2,456 $1,238,672  

Segment cost of revenues

   (284,765  (218,394  (124,795  259    (627,695
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment gross profit

   72,672    270,435    270,067    (2,197  610,977  

SBC (2) in cost of revenues

   (255  (3  (36  0    (294
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   72,417    270,432    270,031    (2,197  610,683  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Product development (3)

   (71,606  (99,781  (87,785  3,328    (255,844

Sales and marketing (1)

   (194,171  (82,618  (43,921  3,040    (317,670

General and administrative

   (36,914  (13,972  (35,985  69    (86,802

SBC (2) in operating expenses

   (4,007  (2,542  (9,304  0    (15,853
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (306,698  (198,913  (176,995  6,437    (676,169
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating profit /(loss)

   (234,281  71,519    93,036    4,240    (65,486
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income /(expense) (3) (4)

   3,832    (26,623  10,060    (4,240  (16,971

Net interest income

   112    4,233    11,952    0    16,297  

Exchange difference

   366    819    2,361    0    3,546  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income /(loss) before income tax benefit /(expense)

   (229,971  49,948    117,409    0    (62,614
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax benefit /(expense)

   1,505    (4,550  (12,227  0    (15,272
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss)

  $(228,466 $45,398   $105,182   $0   $(77,886
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment assets mainly consists of elimination of long-term investments in subsidiariesrevenues and consolidated VIEs.expenses generated from marketing services among the Sohu, Sogou and Changyou segments.

 

Note (2):“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

-15-

Note (3):The elimination mainly consists of leasing income and expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou.


   

 

   As of September 30, 2015 
   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Eliminations  Consolidated 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $424,276    $219,094    $430,509    $0   $1,073,879  

Accounts receivable, net

   192,264     28,386     64,735     (89  285,296  

Fixed assets, net

   232,758     69,867     221,242     0    523,867  

Total assets (1)

  $1,376,726    $350,691    $1,735,738    $(444,021 $3,019,134  

Note (4):In the second quarter of 2016, the Sohu Group recognized a one-time expense of $27.8 million that was related to a donation by Sogou to Tsinghua University related to setting up a joint research institute focusing on artificial intelligence technology.

   As of December 31, 2015 
   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Eliminations  Consolidated 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $430,804    $244,484    $569,917    $0   $1,245,205  

Accounts receivable, net

   176,759     28,986     67,959     (87  273,617  

Fixed assets, net

   223,939     70,447     214,306     0    508,692  

Total assets (1)

  $1,356,263    $387,875    $1,779,506    $(481,450 $3,042,194  

 

Note (1):The elimination for segment assets mainly consists of elimination of intracompany loans between the Sohu segment and the Changyou segment, and elimination of long-term investments in subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.

3. Share-Based Compensation Expense

   As of September 30, 2016 
   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Eliminations  Consolidated 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $231,035    $224,116    $636,934    $0   $1,092,085  

Accounts receivable, net

   121,828     33,344     49,661     (85  204,748  

Fixed assets, net

   208,808     117,318     199,773     0    525,899  

Total assets (1)

  $1,335,854    $474,537    $1,707,259    $(842,197 $2,675,453  

Note (1):The elimination for segment assets mainly consists of elimination of intracompany loans between the Sohu segment and the Changyou segment, and elimination of long-term investments in subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.

3.Share-Based Compensation Expense

Sohu (excluding Fox Video Limited), Sogou, Changyou, and Fox Video Limited (“Sohu Video”) have incentive plans and prior to June 28, 2013 7Road.com Limited (“7Road”) had an incentive plan, for the granting of share-based awards, including common stock or ordinary shares,options, share options restricted shares and restricted share units, to members of the boards of directors, management and other key employees.

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, and Changyou Share-based Awards

For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) sharestock options that Sohu granted before 2006 and Sohu restricted share units, Sogou share-based awards, and Changyou share-based awards under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan, share-based compensation expense is recognized as costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income based on the fair value of the related share-based awards on their grant dates.

-14-


For Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search-related businesses, share-based compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income based on the then-current fair value at each reporting date.

For 1,068,000 Sohu stock options contractually granted on February 7, 2015, 13,000 Sohu stock options contractually granted on May 1, 2016, 2,400,000 Changyou share options converted from restricted share units on February 16, 2015, and 1,998,000 and 100,000 Changyou share options contractually granted on June 1, 2015 and July 28, 2016, respectively, awards are expected to vest and become exercisable in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. For purposes ofUnderASC 718-10-25, as of September 30, 2015 no grant date had occurred, because no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between the companies and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance withASC 718-10-55, as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date, and was re-measured and will be re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. The estimate of the awards’ fair value will be fixed in the period in which the grant date occurs, and cumulative compensation expense will be adjusted based on the fair value at the grant date. In determining the fair value of stock options and share options granted by Sohu and Changyou, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was used, and a binomial valuation model was applied.

Sohu Video Share-based Awards

On January 4, 2012, Sohu Video, the holding entity of Sohu’s video division, adopted a 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan”) which provides for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 ordinary shares of Sohu Video (representing approximately 10% of the outstanding Sohu Video shares on a fully-diluted basis) to management and key employees of the video division and to Sohu management. As of September 30, 2015,2016, grants of options for the purchase of 16,368,200 ordinary shares of Sohu Video had been contractually made, of which options for the purchase of 4,972,800 ordinary shares were vested.

For purposes ofASC 718-10-25, as of September 30, 2015,2016, no grant date had occurred, because the broader terms and conditions of the option awards had neither been finalized nor mutually agreed upon with the recipients. Therefore the fair value of the awards is not determinable and cannot be accounted for. In accordance withASC 718-10-55, the Company’s management determined that the service inception date with respect to vested option awards for the purchase of 4,972,800 shares had preceded the grant date. Therefore, the Group began to recognizerecognized compensation expense for these vested Sohu Video share-based awards in the second quarter of 2014 and re-measured, and will re-measure, the compensation expense on each subsequent reporting date based on the then-current fair values of thethese vested awards until the grant date is established.

-16-


7Road Share-based Awards

On July 10, 2012, 7Road adopted the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan. On June 28, 2013, 7Road’s Board of Directors approved the cancellation of this incentive plan. 7Road concurrently offered to a total of 42 7Road employees holding an aggregate of 2,223,750 restricted share units which had been granted under this incentive plan the right to exchange their restricted share units for, at each employee’s election, in each case subject to the employee’s continued employment by 7Road, either (i) Scheme I: the right to a cash payment of up to an aggregate of $2.90 per restricted share unit exchanged, vesting and payable at the rate of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively, on the first, second and third anniversaries of July 18, 2012, which is the date when the surrendered restricted share units were granted under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan, or (ii) Scheme II: the right to receive an annual cash bonus, over a seven-year period commencing July 1, 2013, based on the adjusted annual cumulative net income of 7Road. As of June 28, 2013, all restricted share units held by these 42 7Road employees had been included in this exchange program. In the third quarter of 2013, 7Road granted to an additional 48 7Road employees the right to receive an annual cash bonus under Scheme II with the same terms as described above.

On August 17, 2015, Changyou completed the sale of the 7Road business. See Note 12- Business Transactions. As of August 17, 2015, Changyou had recognized an aggregate of $4.2 million of compensation expense under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan for Scheme I and $0.7 million of compensation expense for Scheme II. In the future, there will be no compensation expense recognized under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan.

Share-based Compensation Expense Recognition

Share-based compensation expense was recognized in costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20142015 and 2015,2016, respectively, as follows (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Share-based compensation expense  2014   2015   2014   2015   2015   2016   2015   2016 

Cost of revenues

  $469    $99    $1,454    $957    $99    $295    $957    $294  

Product development expenses (1)

   6,052     (1,331   15,999     9,680     (1,331   4,105     9,680     5,801  

Sales and marketing expenses

   937     466     3,751     1,573     466     752     1,573     927  

General and administrative expenses (1)

   7,342     (1,536   25,402     16,255     (1,536   8,018     16,255     9,125  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $14,800    $(2,302  $46,606    $28,465    $(2,302  $13,170    $28,465    $16,147  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

-15-


Share-based compensation expense was recognized for share awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, Changyou and Sohu Video as follows (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Share-based compensation expense  2014   2015   2014   2015   2015   2016   2015   2016 

For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) share-based awards

  $1,337    $2,294    $5,242    $15,031    $2,294    $5,639    $15,031    $4,749  

For Sogou share-based awards (1) (2)

   13,098     (1,230   36,033     5,706     (1,230   180     5,706     2,505  

For Changyou share-based awards (1)

   514     (3,465   1,253     7,529     (3,465   7,202     7,529     9,340  

For Sohu Video share-based awards(1)

   (149   99     4,078     199     99     149     199     (447
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $14,800    $(2,302  $46,606    $28,465    $(2,302  $13,170    $28,465    $16,147  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Note (1): The negative amount resulted from re-measured compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on each reporting date as well as a true-up of share-based compensation expense for forfeited share options and restricted share units for Sogou and Changyou share-based awards.

Note (1):The negative amount resulted from re-measured compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on September 30, 2015 as well as a true-up of share-based compensation expense for forfeited share options and restricted share units for Sogou and Changyou share-based awards.
Note (2):Sogou share-based awards also include compensation expense for Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search-related businesses, and compensation expense equal to the excess of the repurchase price paid to employees over the fair value at the repurchase date of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares that Sogou repurchased in the second quarter of 2014.

Note (2): Compensation expense for Sogou share-based awards also includes compensation expense for Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search-related businesses.

There was no capitalized share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20142015 and 2015.

2016.

 

-17-


4. Fair Value Measurements

4.Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Sohu Group’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, restricted time deposits, short-term investments, accounts receivable, assets held for sale, prepaid and other current assets, held-for-sale assets,long-term investments (including available-for-sale equity securities under long-term investments,securities), restricted time deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue, short-term bank loans,liabilities held for sale, other short-term liabilities held-for-sale liabilities,and long-term accounts payable and long-term bank loans.payable.

U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring the fair value of financial instruments. This hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three-tier fair value hierarchy is:

Level 1 - observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the market place.

Level 3 - unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

The following table sets forth the financial instruments, measured at fair value, by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):

 

      Fair value measurements at reporting date using       Fair value measurements at reporting date using 

Items

  As of
December 31,
2014
   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   As of
December 31,
2015
   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Cash equivalents

  $583,160    $0    $583,160    $0    $727,232    $0    $727,232    $0  

Restricted time deposits

   426,748     0     426,748     0     363,979     0     363,979     0  

Short-term investments

   191,577     0     191,577     0     174,515     0     174,515     0  

Available-for-sale equity securities

   11,273     11,273     0     0     14,301     14,301     0     0  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $1,212,758    $11,273    $1,201,485    $0    $1,280,027    $14,301    $1,265,726    $0  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

-16-


The following table sets forth the financial instruments, measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of September 30, 20152016 (in thousands):

 

      Fair value measurements at reporting date using       Fair value measurements at reporting date using 

Items

  As of
September 30,
2015
   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   As of
September 30,
2016
   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Cash equivalents

  $590,870    $0    $590,870    $0    $769,895    $0    $769,895    $0  

Restricted time deposits

   381,087     0     381,087     0  

Short-term investments

   260,431     0     260,431     0     264,109     0     264,109     0  

Available-for-sale equity securities

   15,939     15,939     0     0     12,180     12,180     0     0  

Restricted time deposits

   9,270     0     9,270     0  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $1,248,327    $15,939    $1,232,388    $0    $1,055,454    $12,180    $1,043,274    $0  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash Equivalents

The Sohu Group’s cash equivalents mainly consist of time deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less.less, and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. The fair values of cash equivalents are determined based on the pervasive interest rates in the market. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use the pervasive interest rates input as Level 2 of fair value measurements. Generally there are no quoted prices in active markets for identical cash equivalents at the reporting date. In order to determine the fair value, the Group must use the discounted cash flow method and observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

-18-


Collateral related to Sogou Incentive Shares Trust Arrangements

In February 2013, Sohu deposited $9.0 million in cash into restricted time deposit accounts at a bank as collateral for credit facilities provided by the bank to certain Sogou employees. The facilities were intended to fund the employees’ early exercise of Sogou share options and related PRC individual income tax. Sohu is not subject to any additional potential payments other than the restricted time deposit amounts, and believes that the fair value of its guarantee liability is immaterial.

Changyou Loans from Offshore Banks, Secured by Time Deposits

Commencing in 2012, Changyou drew down loans from offshore branches of certain banks for the purposes of expediting the payment of a special one-time cash dividend to its shareholders, providing working capital to support its overseas operations, and funding its acquisitions and its share repurchase program. These bank loans are secured by an equivalent or greater amount of RMB deposits by Changyou in the onshore branches of such banks. The loans from the offshore branches of the lending banks are classified as short-term and long-term bank loans based on the loans’ payment terms.

As of September 30, 2015, the total amount of the bank loans was $344.5 million, all of which carried a floating rate of interest based on the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). These loans were secured by RMB deposits in onshore branches of those banks in the total amount of $371.8 million. The deposited amounts are recognized as restricted time deposits. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest income from the restricted time deposits securing the loans was $3.0 million and $10.2 million, respectively, and interest expense on the loans was $1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, interest income from the restricted time deposits securing the loans was $4.1 million and $12.0 million, respectively, and interest expense on the bank loans was $1.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

Short-term Investments

In accordance withASC 825, for investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets, the Sohu Group elected the fair value method at the date of initial recognition and carried these investments at fair value. Changes in the fair value are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as other income /(expense). To estimate fair value, the Group refers to the quoted rate of return provided by banks at the end of each period using the discounted cash flow method. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Sohu Group’s investment in financial instruments was $260.4$264.1 million. The investment instruments were issued by commercial banks in China, and have a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets. Since these investments’ maturity dates are within one year, they are classified as short-term investments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Sohu Group recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income changes in the fair value of short-term investments in the amounts of $2.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Sohu Group recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income changes in the fair value of short-term investments in the amounts of $3.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Sohu Group recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income changes in the fair value of short-term investments in the amount of both $0.4 million.

Available-for-Sale Equity Securities

Available-for-sale equity securities are valued using the market approach based on the quoted prices in active markets at the reporting date. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 1 of fair value measurements. On August 12, 2014, Sohu acquired approximately 6% of the total outstanding common shares of Keyeast Co., Ltd., a Korean-listed company (“Keyeast”), for a purchase price of $15.1 million. The Sohu Group classified this investment as available-for-sale equity securities under long-term investments, and reported it at fair value. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the fair value of the Keyeast available-for-sale equity securities held by Sohu was $15.9$12.2 million. An unrealized gainloss representing the change in fair value of $0.8$2.9 million in the aggregate was recorded as an addition to accumulated other comprehensive income /(loss) in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets.

-17-


Repurchase OptionsAssets and Put OptionLiabilities Held for Sogou Series A Preferred SharesSale

InDuring the three months ended September 2013, Sogou entered into Repurchase Option Agreements with Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”) and Photon Group Limited (“Photon”), the investment vehicle of the Sohu Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Charles Zhang, and a Repurchase/Put Option Agreement with China Web Search (HK) Limited (“China Web”), with respect to Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou held by them. See Note 12 – Sogou Transactions.

The repurchase options were initially recognized in additional paid-in capital in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value when the agreements were signed. Any subsequent changes in the fair values of the repurchase options were not and will not be recognized. The put option was initially recognized in other short-term liabilities in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value when the agreement was signed. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the put option were recognized quarterly in other income /(expense) in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Management30, 2016, Changyou management determined the fair values of the repurchase options when the agreements were signed, and of the put option before Sogou exercised the repurchase option, using the binominal model, with a discount for lack of marketability, given that the repurchase optionsDolphin Browser was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyou’s platform business and therefore formed the put option were not publicly traded atintention to divest Changyou’s 51% equity interest in MoboTap, which is the time of grant. Management mademobile technology developer behind the determination using management’s estimates and assumptions. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 3 of fair value measurements.

-19-


As of September 30, 2015, all of the Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou that were subject to the repurchase options and the put option had been repurchased by Sogou, and the balances of the additional paid-in capital recognized with respect to the repurchase options and of the other short-term liabilities recognized with respect to the put option were zero.

Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of other financial instruments are estimated for disclosure purposes where the financial instruments’ carrying values approximate their fair values.

Held-for-Sale Assets and Liabilities

In September 2015, Changyou’s VIE Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanyou Gamespace”) entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of Beijing Doyo Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“Doyo”), which engages primarily in the online advertising business, to a PRC company owned by the former members of the management of Doyo. The aggregate consideration contemplated by the agreement includes cash consideration of approximately $2.9 million, and forgiveness, effective upon the completion of the sale, of contingent consideration payable to former members of the management of Doyo in the amount of $6.0 million. As of the date of this report, this sale has been completed and Changyou has received most of the cash consideration.

Management treated the fact that the total consideration for the sale of Doyo pursuant to the agreement will be lower than the carrying value of Doyo’s net assets as an indicator that the goodwill associated with Doyo might be impaired.Dolphin Browser. Therefore, in September 2015, management performed a goodwill impairment test and recognized goodwill impairment in the amount of $1.9 million. See Note 5 – Goodwill.

As a consequence of the sale agreement, the assets and liabilities attributable to Doyo wereMoboTap are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale and measured at the lower of their carrying amounts and their fair values, less selling costs, in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015.2016. Details of the aggregate assets and liabilities as ofat September 30, 20152016 are as follows (in thousands):

 

   As of
September 30,
2015
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $66  

Prepaid and other current assets

   2,314  

Goodwill

   5,476  

Fixed assets

   72  

Intangible assets

   2,152  
  

 

 

 

Held-for-sale assets

  $10,080  
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability

   (538

Accrued and other current liability

   (600

Tax payable

   (113
  

 

 

 

Held-for-sale liabilities

  $(1,251
  

 

 

 
   As of September 30,
2016
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $10,280  

Prepaid and other current assets

   2,579  

Goodwill

   83,470  

Intangible assets

   5,457  
  

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

  $101,786  
  

 

 

 

Other liabilities

   3,236  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

  $3,236  
  

 

 

 

Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

Collateral related to Sogou Incentive Shares Trust Arrangements

In February 2013, Sohu deposited $9.0 million in cash into restricted time deposit accounts at a bank as collateral for credit facilities provided by the bank to certain Sogou employees. The facilities were intended to fund the employees’ early exercise of Sogou share options and related PRC individual income tax. Sohu was not subject to any additional potential payments other than the restricted time deposit amounts, and believes that the fair value of its guarantee liability was immaterial.

Changyou Loans from Offshore Banks, Secured by Time Deposits

Commencing in 2012, Changyou drew down loans from offshore branches of certain banks, which are secured by an equivalent or greater amount of RMB deposits by Changyou in the onshore branches of such banks. The loans from the offshore branches of the lending banks are classified as short-term and long-term bank loans based on the loans’ payment terms.

In the first quarter of 2016, Changyou had repaid all of the remaining bank loans of $344.5 million, and restricted time deposits of $354.7 million that secured these loans had been released. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, interest income from the restricted time deposits securing the loans was nil and $0.7 million, respectively, and interest expense on the bank loans was nil and $0.6 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest income from the restricted time deposits securing the loans was $3.0 million and $10.2 million, respectively, and interest expense on the loans was $1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of other financial instruments are estimated for disclosure purposes as follows:

Long-term InvestmentInvestments

Long-term Investment in SoEasy

In August 2014,Under an agreement between Sohu invested $4.8 million inand SoEasy Internet Finance Group Limited (“SoEasy”) entered into in August 2014, Sohu invested $4.8 million and $16.3 million in SoEasy on August 2014 and April 2015, respectively. In February 2016, Sohu invested an additional $16.3$10.5 million in SoEasy. As of September 30, 2015, Sohu’s accumulatedSohu accounted for its investments in SoEasy under long-term investments. These investments include both preferred shares and common shares. Sohu accounted for its investment in SoEasy was $21.1 millionSoEasy’s preferred shares under the cost method, since they were not considered to be common shares in substance and had no readily determinable fair value. Sohu held approximately 35% ofaccounted for its investment in SoEasy’s equity capital. Sohu continued to account for this investmentcommon shares under the equity method, since Sohu can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority of SoEasy’s equity capital or control SoEasy. As of September 30, 2016, the carrying value of Sohu’s investment in SoEasy was $25.0 million.

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Long-term Investment in Zhihu

In September 2015, Sogou paid $12.0 million in cash for approximately 3% of the equity capital of Zhihu Technology Limited (“Zhihu”), a company that mainly engages primarily in the business of operating an online question and answer-based knowledge and information sharinginformation-sharing platform. Sogou accounted for the investment in Zhihu using the cost method, since Sogou does not have significant influence over Zhihu.

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Short-term Receivables and Payables

Accounts receivable and prepaid and other current assets are financial assets with carrying values that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Short-term accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue short-term bank loans and other short-term liabilities are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value due to their short termshort-term nature.

For short-term bank loans, the rates of interest under the agreements with the lending banks were determined based on the prevailing interest rates in the market. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements. For other short-term receivables and payables, the Group estimated fair values using the discounted cash flow method, which is unobservable in the market. The Group classifies the valuation technique as Level 32 of fair value measurements.

Long-term Payables

Long-term accounts payable and long-term bank loans are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value due to any changes in fair value, after considering the discount rate, being immaterial. For long-term accounts payable, and long-term bank loans, the Group estimated fair values using the discounted cash flow method, which is unobservable in the market. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation technique as Level 32 of fair value measurements.

5. Goodwill

Commencing in the second quarter of 2015, the Company’s management did not consider the others segment to be significant enough to be separately reviewed. Therefore, in order to better reflect management’s perspective, the Company combined the brand advertising segment and the others segment, and now identifies them together as the Sohu segment.

The changesChanges in the carrying value of goodwill by segment are as follows (in thousands):

 

   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Total 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

        

Goodwill

  $73,908    $6,309    $297,999    $378,216  

Accumulated impairment losses

   (35,788   0     (39,002   (74,790
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $38,120    $6,309    $258,997    $303,426  

Transactions in 2015

        

Goodwill associated with the acquisition of 7Road de-recognized upon the sale of the 7Road business (1)

   0     0     (109,735   (109,735

Goodwill impairment loss related to MoboTap Inc. (“MoboTap”) (2)

   0     0     (29,569   (29,569

Goodwill associated with the acquisition of Doyo transferred to held-for-sale assets and impaired (3)

   0     0     (7,352   (7,352

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   (613   (241   (898   (1,752
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2015

  $37,507    $6,068    $111,443    $155,018  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2015

        

Goodwill

  $73,295    $6,068    $181,890    $261,253  

Accumulated impairment losses

   (35,788   0     (70,447   (106,235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $37,507    $6,068    $111,443    $155,018  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note (1):The $109.7 million goodwill associated with the acquisition of 7Road was de-recognized due to Changyou’s sale of the 7Road business in the third quarter of 2015.

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Note (2):In the third quarter of 2015, Changyou’s management concluded that MoboTap was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyou’s platform business, and performed a goodwill impairment test for the goodwill generated in the acquisition of MoboTap. As a result, Changyou recorded $29.6 million in goodwill impairment losses.
Note (3):Of the $7.4 million in goodwill associated with the acquisition of Doyo, $ 5.5 million was transferred to held-for-sale assets and $1.9 million was recognized as a goodwill impairment loss in the third quarter of 2015.
   Sohu   Sogou   Changyou   Total 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

        

Goodwill

  $72,980     5,945     181,529     260,454  

Accumulated impairment losses

   (35,788   0     (70,447   (106,235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $37,192    $5,945    $111,082    $154,219  

Transactions in 2016

        

Transferred to assets held for sale

   0     0     (83,470   (83,470

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   (418   (164   (479   (1,061
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2016

  $36,774    $5,781    $27,133    $69,688  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2016

        

Goodwill

  $72,562    $5,781    $97,580    $175,923  

Accumulated impairment losses

   (35,788   0     (70,447   (106,235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $36,774    $5,781    $27,133    $69,688  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

6. Taxation

Sohu.com Inc. is subject to United States (“U.S.”) income tax, and Changyou’s income that is from a U.S. source is generally subject to U.S. income tax. The majority of the subsidiaries and VIEs of the Sohu Group are based in mainland China and are subject to income taxes in the PRC. These China-based subsidiaries and VIEs conduct substantially all of the Sohu Group’s operations, and generate most of the Sohu Group’s income or losses.

The Group did not have any significant penalties or significant interest associated with tax positions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, nor did the Group have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.2016.

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PRC CorporateApplicable Income Tax Rate

The PRC Corporate Income Tax Law (the “CIT Law”) applies an income tax rate of 25% to all enterprises but grants preferential tax treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTEs”). Under this preferential tax treatment, HNTEs can enjoy an income tax rate of 15% for three years,, but need to re-apply after the end of the three-year period. If at any time during theevery three years. During this three-year period, an HNTE must conduct an annual qualification self-review each year to ensure it meets the relevantHNTE criteria and is eligible for the 15% preferential tax bureau questions whetherrate for that year. If an enterprise continuesHNTE fails to qualifymeet the criteria for qualification as an HNTE,HTNE in any year, the enterprise can be subject to further tax examination and may not be able to continue tocannot enjoy the 15% preferential tax rate in that year, and must instead use the regular 25% CIT rate. In addition, theThe CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that a “Software Enterprise” can enjoy an income tax exemption for two years beginning with its first profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. An entity that qualifies as a “Key National Software Enterprise” (“KNSE”) can enjoy a further reduced preferential income tax rate of 10%. Enterprises must perform a self-assessment each year to ensure they meet the relevant criteria for twoqualification as Software Enterprises and/or KNSEs and file required documents with the tax authorities before using the preferential CIT rates. These enterprises will be subject to authorities’ assessment each year after as to whether they are entitled to use the relevant preferential CIT treatments. If at any time during the preferential tax treatment years an enterprise uses the preferential CIT rates but needsfails to re-apply aftermeet applicable criteria for qualification, the end ofrelevant authorities may revoke the two-year period.enterprise’s Software Enterprise/KNSE status.

Principal Entities Qualified as HNTEs

As of September 30, 2015,2016, the following principal entities of the Sohu Group were qualified as HNTEs and were entitled to an income tax rate of 15%.

For Sohu’s Business

 

Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Internet”). Sohu Internet re-applied for HNTE qualification in June 2015. Pending approval of its re-application, Sohu Internet is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as if it had already qualified as an HNTE for 2015.2016 and 2017, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2018.

 

Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Era”), Beijing Sohu New Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Media”) and Guangzhou Qianjun Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Guangzhou Qianjun”). Sohu Era, Sohu Media and Guangzhou QianjunThese three companies are each qualified as HNTEs for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

For Sogou’s Business

 

Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Information”). Sogou Information re-applied for HNTE qualification in July 2015. Pending approval of its re-application, Sogou Information is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as if it had already qualified as an HNTE for 2015.2016 and 2017, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2018.

 

Beijing Sogou Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Technology”). Sogou Technology is qualified as an HNTE for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

For Changyou’s Business

 

Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“AmazGame”) and Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”). AmazGame and Gamease are each qualified as HNTEs for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

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Principal Entities Qualified as Software Enterprises

For Sohu’s Business

 

Beijing Sohu New Momentum Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu New Momentum”). In 2015,2016, Sohu New Momentum is in its second income tax exemption year as a Software Enterprise.

For Changyou’s Business

AmazGame. AmazGame will need to re-apply before the end 2015 for designation as a Key National Software Enterprise in order to be entitled for 2015 and 2016 to the preferential income tax ratefirst of 10% to which it was entitled for the initial two-year period of 2013 and 2014.

Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamespace”). In 2015, Gamespace is in the second of the three years in which it is entitled to a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% as a Software Enterprise.

For Sogou’s Business

 

ICE InformationSogou Technology (Shanghai)recently filed documents for qualification as a KNSE for 2015 pursuant to new requirements for obtaining such qualification that were issued on May 4, 2016. As of the date of this report Sogou Technology had not received a response to the filing.

Beijing Sogou Network Technology Co., Ltd (“ICE Information”Sogou Network”). ICE Information recently filed documents for qualification as a Software Enterprise for 2015 pursuant to new requirements for obtaining such qualification that were issued on May 4, 2016. As of the date of this report Sogou Network had not received a response to the filing.

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For Changyou’s Business

AmazGame. In 2013 and 2014, AmazGame was not subject toqualified as a KNSE and enjoyed a preferential income tax rate of 10%, and recently received confirmation that it was qualified as it incurred losses.a KNSE for 2015.

 

Shenzhen 7Road Network TechnologiesBeijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“7Road Technology”Gamespace”). In 2015, 7Road Technology2016, Gamespace is in the firstthird of the three years in which it is entitled to a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% as a Software Enterprise.

PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends

The CIT Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC to their immediate holding companies outside Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. A holding company in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate under an arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the “Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital” if such holding company is considered a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC foreign invested enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong holding company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%.

In order to fund the distribution of a dividend to shareholders of the Sohu Group’s majority-owned subsidiary Changyou, Changyou’s Board of Directors resolvedmanagement determined to cause one of its PRC subsidiaries to declare and distribute a cash dividend of portionsall of its stand-alone 2012 to 2015earnings and half of its stand-alone subsequent years’ earnings to its direct overseas parent company, Changyou.com (HK) Limited (“Changyou HK”). As of September 30, 2016, Changyou had accrued deferred tax liabilities in the amount of $26.2 million for PRC withholding tax.

With the exception of that dividend, the Sohu Group does not intend to have any of its PRC subsidiaries distribute any undistributed profits of such subsidiaries to their direct overseas parent companies, but rather intends that such profits will be permanently reinvested by such subsidiaries for their PRC operations.

As of September 30, 2015, Changyou had accrued deferred tax liabilities in the amount of $24.1 million for PRC withholding tax.

PRC Value-Added Tax and Business Tax

RevenuesOn May 1, 2016, the transition from the brand advertisingimposition of PRC business revenues fromtax (“Business Tax”) to the search and search-related business, revenues from Changyou’s Web games that were not developed in-house and from licensed mobile games, as well as revenues from mobile-related services which are recorded as others revenue are subject toimposition of value-added tax (“VAT”). was expanded to all industries in China, and as a result all of the Sohu Group’s revenues have been subject to VAT since that date. To record VAT payable, the Group adopted the net presentation method, which presents the difference between the output VAT (at a rate of 6%) and the available input VAT amount (at the rate applicable to the supplier). Other online game revenues from the operation of PC games and self-developed mobile games are subject to a 5% PRC business tax (“Business Tax”).

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc. is a Delaware corporation that is subject to U.S. corporate income tax on its taxable income at a rate of up to 35%. To the extent that Sohu.com Inc. hasportions of its U.S. taxable income, which generally arises mainlysuch as Subpart F income or a dividend, are determined to be from interest incomesources outside of the Sohu Group, the Group accrues U.S. corporate, subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. may be able to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S. income tax liabilities. Any remaining liabilities are accrued in the Group’sCompany’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and makes estimated tax payments as andare made when required by U.S. law.

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Uncertain Tax Positions

The Group is subject to various taxes in different jurisdictions, primarily the USU.S. and the PRC. Management reviews regularly the adequacy of the provisions for taxes as they relate to the income and transactions of the Group. In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Sohu Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. During its review in the third quarter of 2015, the Sohu Group’s management determined that certain equity transactions that took place during the quarter may result in additional tax obligations under relevant tax rules. Accordingly, the Group recognized tax payable in the amount of $14.6 million and recognized tax expense in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

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7. Commitments and Contingencies

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of September 30, 20152016 (in thousands):

 

As of September 30, 2015

  Contractual
Obligation
 

Repayment of principal of bank loans

  $344,500  
As of September 30, 2016    

Purchase of content and services – video

   149,737    $196,173  

Purchase of cinema advertisement slot rights

   109,550  

Purchase of bandwidth

   64,719     57,881  

Purchase of cinema advertisement slot rights

   54,849  

Operating lease obligations

   31,241     25,692  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility – PC games

   24,984  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility - PC games

   15,750  

Purchase of content and services – others

   14,192     9,884  

Interest payment commitment

   11,819  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility - mobile games

   3,866  

Purchase of fixed assets

   2,261  

Expenditures for titles in game development

   1,035  

Fees for operating rights for licensed games in development – mobile games

   3,086     589  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility – mobile games

   2,911  

Fees for operating rights for licensed games in development – PC games

   1,520  

Others

   8,078     3,819  
  

 

   

 

 

Total

  $711,636    $426,500  
  

 

   

 

 

Litigation

The Sohu Group is a party to various litigation matters which it considers routine and incidental to its business. Management does not expect the results of any of these actions to have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

PRC Law and Regulations

The Chinese market in which the Sohu Group operates poses certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties extend to the ability to operate an Internet business and to conduct brand advertising, search and search-related, online game, and othersother services in the PRC. Though the PRC has, since 1978, implemented a wide range of market-oriented economic reforms, continued reforms and progress towards a full market-oriented economy are uncertain. In addition, the telecommunication, information, and media industries remain highly regulated. Restrictions are currently in place and are unclear with respect to which segments of these industries foreign-owned entities, like the Sohu Group, may operate. The Chinese government may issue from time to time new laws or new interpretations of existing laws to regulate areas such as telecommunication, information and media. Certain risks related to PRC law that could affect the Sohu Group’s VIE structure are discussed in Note 9 – VIEs.

Regulatory risks also encompass interpretation by PRC tax authorities of current tax law, including the applicability of certain preferential tax treatments. The Sohu Group’s legal structure and scope of operations in China could be subject to restrictions, which could result in limits on its ability to conduct business in the PRC. Certain risks related to PRC law that could affect the Sohu Group’s VIE structure are discussed in Note 8 - VIEs.

Regulatory risks also encompass interpretation by PRC tax authorities of current tax law, including the applicability of certain preferential tax treatments.

The Sohu Group’s sales, purchase and expense transactions are generally denominated in RMB and a significant portion of its assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB by its subsidiaries in China may require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

-24-


8. Contingent Consideration

Changyou’s acquisition of Doyo included a contingent consideration arrangement that requires additional consideration to be paid by Changyou based on the achievement of specified performance milestones by Doyo for the fiscal years 2013 through 2015. The fair value of the contingent consideration was recognized on the acquisition date using the income approach /discounted cash flow method with a scenario analysis applied. There were no indemnification assets involved. In March 2015, as Doyo’s performance had exceeded the relevant performance milestone, Changyou re-classified such contingent consideration to other short-term liabilities in the amount of $6.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet. In September 2015, Changyou entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of Doyo. The aggregate consideration under the agreement includes cash consideration of approximately $2.9 million, and forgiveness, effective upon the completion of the sale, of the $6.0 million contingent consideration payable. As of the date of this report, this sale has been completed and Changyou has received most of the cash consideration.

9. VIEs

Background

PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that operate Internet information and content, Internet access, online games, mobile, value added telecommunications and certain other businesses in which the Sohu Group is engaged or could be deemed to be engaged. Consequently, the Sohu Group conducts certain of its operations and businesses in the PRC through its VIEs. The Sohu Group consolidates in its consolidated financial statements all of the VIEs of which the Group is the primary beneficiary.

-22-


VIEs Consolidated within the Sohu Group

The Sohu Group adopted the guidance of accounting for VIEs, which requires VIEs to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity. Management made evaluations of the relationships between the Sohu Group and its VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangements with the VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of contractual arrangements with its consolidated VIEs, the Sohu Group controls the shareholders’ voting interests in those VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, the management concluded that the Sohu Group is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs which the Group consolidates.

All of the consolidated VIEs are incorporated and operated in the PRC, and the Group’s principal VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang, the Sohu Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group identified below. Capital for the consolidated VIEs was funded by the Sohu Group through loans provided to Dr. Charles Zhang and other executive officers and employees, and was initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes against the capital of the VIEs upon consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Sohu Group, Dr. Charles Zhang and those other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group who are shareholders of the consolidated VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Group, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Group at any time as requested by the Group to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the consolidated VIEs are assigned to the Sohu Group, and the Group has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the consolidated VIEs, and also has the obligation to absorb losses of the consolidated VIEs. Dr. Charles Zhang and those other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group who are shareholders of the consolidated VIEs have pledged their shares in the consolidated VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the aggregate amount of these loans was $12.6$9.3 million.

Under its contractual arrangements with the consolidated VIEs, the Sohu Group has the power to direct activities of the VIEs, and can have assets transferred freely out of the VIEs without any restrictions. Therefore, the Group considers that there is no asset of a consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC statutory reserves of the VIEs. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital and PRC statutory reserves of the consolidated VIEs totaled $78.6$60.2 million. As all of the consolidated VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the PRC Company Law, creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Sohu Group for any of the liabilities of the consolidated VIEs. Currently there is no contractual arrangement that could require the Sohu Group to provide additional financial support to the consolidated VIEs. As the Sohu Group is conducting certain business in the PRC mainly through the consolidated VIEs, the Group may provide such support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose the Group to a loss.

-25-


The Sohu Group classified the consolidated VIEs within the Sohu Group as principal VIEs or immaterial VIEs based on certain criteria, such as the VIEs’ total assets or revenues. The following is a summary of the principal VIEs within the Sohu Group:

Basic Information for Principal VIEs and Subsidiaries of Principal VIEs

For Sohu’s Business

 

High Century

Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (“High Century”) was incorporated in 2001. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of High Century was $4.6 million and Dr. Charles Zhang and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests, respectively, in this entity.

Heng Da Yi Tong

Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Heng Da Yi Tong “) was incorporated in 2002. As of September 30, 2016, the registered capital of Heng Da Yi Tong was $1.2 million and Dr. Charles Zhang and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests, respectively, in this entity.

 

Sohu Internet

Sohu Internet was incorporated in 2003. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Sohu Internet was $1.6 million and High Century and Heng Da Yi Tong held 75% and 25% interests, respectively,a 100% interest in this entity.

 

Donglin

Beijing Sohu Donglin Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Donglin”) was incorporated in 2010. In the second quarter of 2015, High Century transferred its 50% equity interest in Donglin to Sohu Internet. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Donglin was $1.5 million and Sohu Internet held a 100% interest in this entity.

 

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Heng Da Yi TongTianjin Jinhu

Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information TechnologyTianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd. (“Heng Da Yi Tong”Tianjin Jinhu”) was incorporated in 2002.2011. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Heng Da Yi TongTianjin Jinhu was $1.2$0.5 million and Dr. CharlesYe Deng and Xuemei Zhang each held a 50% interest in this entity. In October, 2016, Ye Deng transferred its 50% equity interest in Tianjin Jinhu to Xiufeng Deng. As of the date of this report, Xiufeng Deng and Wei LiXuemei Zhang each held 80%a 50% interest in this entity.

Guangzhou Qianjun

Guangzhou Qianjun was acquired in November 2014. As of September 30, 2016, the registered capital of Guangzhou Qianjun was $3.3 million and 20% interests, respectively,Tianjin Jinhu held a 100% interest in this entity.

 

Focus Interactive

Beijing Focus Interactive Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Focus Interactive”) was incorporated in July 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, High Century transferred its 100% equity interest in Focus Interactive to Heng Da Yi Tong. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Focus Interactive was $1.6 million and Heng Da Yi Tong held 100% of the equity interests in this entity.

Tianjin Jinhu

Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Jinhu”) was incorporated in 2011. As of September 30, 2015, the registered capital of Tianjin Jinhu was $0.5 million and Ye Deng and Xuemei Zhang each held a 50% interest in this entity.

Guangzhou Qianjun

Guangzhou Qianjun was incorporated in October 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the registered capital of Guangzhou Qianjun was $3.3 million and Tianjin Jinhu held a 100% interest in this entity.

For Sogou’s Business

 

Sogou Information

Sogou Information was incorporated in 2005. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Sogou Information was $2.5 million and Xiaochuan Wang, Sogou’s Chief Executive Officer, High Century and Tencent held 10%, 45% and 45% interests, respectively, in this entity.

For Changyou’s Business

 

Gamease

Gamease was incorporated in 2007. In the second quarter of 2015, Changyou completed the transfer of the equity interests in Gamease held by Tao Wang, the former Chief Executive Officer of Changyou, and Dewen Chen, the current Co-Chief Executive Officer of Changyou, to High Century. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Gamease was $1.3 million and High Century held a 100% interest in this entity.

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Changyou Star

Beijing Changyou Star Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Changyou Star”) was incorporated in 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the registered capital of Changyou Star was $0.2 million and Dewen Chen and Jie Liu each held a 50% interest in this entity.

 

Guanyou Gamespace

Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanyou Gamespace”) was incorporated in 2010. In July 2015, Tao Wang and Dewen Chen transferred their equity interests in Guanyou Gamespace to Gamease, and in the same month Gamease transferred its equity interests in Guanyou Gamespace to Changyou Star. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Guanyou Gamespace was $1.5 million and Beijing Changyou Star Digital Technology Co., Ltd (“Changyou Star”) held a 100% interest in this entity.

 

Shanghai ICE

Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai ICE”) was acquired by Changyou in 2010. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Shanghai ICE was $1.2 million and Runa Pi and Rong Qi eachGamease held a 50%100% interest in this entity.

 

Wuhan Baina Information

Baina (Wuhan) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Baina Information”) was acquired by Gamease in July 2014. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the registered capital of Wuhan Baina Information was $3.0 million and GameaseChangyou Star and Yongzhi Yang the chief executive officer of MoboTap, held 60% and 40% interests, respectively, in this entity.

-24-


Financial Information

The following financial information of the Sohu Group’s consolidated VIEs (including subsidiaries of VIEs) is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

 

   As of 
   December 31,
2014
   September 30,
2015
 

ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $39,534    $113,988  

Restricted time deposit

   294     283  

Accounts receivable, net

   129,881     159,027  

Prepaid and other current assets

   23,827     47,981  

Held-for-sale assets

   0     10,080  

Intercompany receivables due from the Company’s subsidiaries

   176,902     152,825  
  

 

 

   

 

��

 

Total current assets

   370,438     484,184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

   12,597     8,318  

Goodwill

   154,774     36,738  

Long-term investments, net

   7,348     15,854  

Intangible assets, net

   39,726     21,585  

Other non-current assets

   71,767     68,337  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $656,650    $635,016  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

  $3,495    $33,095  

Accrued liabilities

   78,051     75,198  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

   53,641     48,028  

Held-for-sale liabilities

   0     1,251  

Other current liabilities

   53,564     139,770  

Intercompany payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries

   259,009     196,052  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   447,760     493,394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

   25,262     23,503  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $473,022    $516,897  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   As of 
   December 31, 2015   September 30, 2016 

ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $131,270    $141,830  

Accounts receivable, net

   135,925     92,071  

Prepaid and other current assets

   101,951     93,237  

Assets held for sale

   0     12,062  

Intercompany receivables due from the Company’s subsidiaries

   140,396     221,842  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

   509,542     561,042  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term investments, net

   15,960     15,189  

Fixed assets, net

   7,362     5,176  

Intangible assets, net

   18,266     14,977  

Goodwill

   36,351     35,838  

Other non-current assets

   12,057     6,499  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $599,538    $638,721  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

  $23,757    $11,505  

Accrued liabilities

   79,012     84,379  

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

   55,319     48,764  

Liabilities held for sale

   0     2,452  

Other current liabilities

   141,247     157,346  

Intercompany payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries

   175,178     182,537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   474,513     486,983  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term accounts payable

   2,858     0  

Long-term taxes payable

   0     13,986  

Intercompany payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries

   21,717     20,420  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $499,088    $521,389  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

-27-


   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2014   2015   2014   2015 

Net revenue

  $262,280    $309,866    $767,529    $926,460  

Net loss

  $(16,862  $(45,863  $(105,385  $(63,402
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the table below, consolidated VIEs under the Sohu segment and the Sogou segment are classified as Sohu’s VIEs, and consolidated VIEs under the Changyou segment are classified as Changyou’s VIEs.

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2016   2015   2016 

Net revenue

  $309,866    $228,599    $926,460    $675,281  

Net income/(loss)

  $(45,863  $5,338    $(63,402  $20,854  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Cash flows of Sohu’s VIEs  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2014   2015 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $15,751    $17,450  

Net cash used in investing activities

   (2,795   (11,182

Net cash provided by financing activities

  $0    $2,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows of Changyou’s VIEs  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2014   2015 

Net cash provided by /(used in) operating activities

  $16,970    $(34,119

Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities

   (112,013   17,389  

Net cash used in financing activities

  $(793  $0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2015   2016 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $17,450    $20,306  

Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities

   (11,182   1,061  

Net cash provided by financing activities

  $2,286    $0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Summary of Significant Agreements Currently in Effect

Agreements Between Subsidiaries, Consolidated VIEs and Nominee Shareholders

Loan and share pledge agreementbetween Sohu Media and the shareholders of High Century: The agreement provides for loans to the shareholders of High Century for them to make contributions to the registered capital of High Century in exchange for the equity interests in High Century, and the shareholders pledge those equity interests to Sohu Media as security for the loans. The agreement includes powers of attorney that give Sohu Media the power to appoint nominees to act on behalf of the shareholders of High Century in connection with all actions to be taken by High Century. Pursuant to the agreement, the shareholders executed in blank transfers of their equity interests in High Century, which transfers are held by the Sohu Group’s legal department and may be completed and effected at Sohu Media’s election.

-25-


Loan and share pledge agreementbetween Sohu Focus HK(HK) Limited (“Focus HK”) and the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong: The agreement provides for loans to the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong for them to make contributions to the registered capital of Heng Da Yi Tong in exchange for the equity interests in Heng Da Yi Tong, and the shareholders pledge those equity interests to Focus HK as security for the loans. The agreement includes powers of attorney that give Focus HK the power to appoint nominees to act on behalf of the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong in connection with all actions to be taken by Heng Da Yi Tong. Pursuant to the agreement, the shareholders executed in blank transfers of their equity interests in Heng Da Yi Tong, which transfers are held by the Sohu Group’s legal department and may be completed and effected at Focus HK’s election.

Loan and share pledge agreements between Sogou Technology and the shareholders of Sogou Information. The loan agreement provides for a loan to Xiaochuan Wang, the individual shareholder of Sogou Information, to be used by him to make contributions to the registered capital of Sogou Information in exchange for his equity interest in Sogou Information. The loan is interest free-and is repayable on demand, but the shareholder may repay the loan only by transferring to Sogou Technology his equity interest in Sogou Information. Under the pledge agreement, all of the shareholders of Sogou Information pledge their equity interests to Sogou Technology to secure the performance of their obligations under the various VIE-related agreements. If any shareholder of Sogou Information breaches any of his or its obligations under any VIE-related agreements, Sogou Technology is entitled to exercise its right as the beneficiary under the share pledge agreement. The share pledge agreement terminates only after all of the obligations of the shareholders under the various VIE-related agreements are no longer in effect.

-28-


Exclusive equity interest purchase right agreements between Sogou Technology, Sogou Information and the shareholders of Sogou Information. Pursuant to these agreements, Sogou Technology and any third party designated by it have the right, exercisable at any time when it becomes legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the shareholders of Sogou Information all or any part of their equity interests at the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law.

Business operation agreementamong Sogou Technology, Sogou Information and the shareholders of Sogou Information. The agreement sets forth the right of Sogou Technology to control the actions of the shareholders of Sogou Information. The agreement has a term of 10 years, renewable at the request of Sogou Technology.

Powers of Attorney executed by the shareholders of Sogou Information in favor of Sogou Technology with a term of 10 years, extendable at the request of Sogou Technology. These powers of attorney give Sogou Technology the right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of each of the three Sogou Information shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Sogou Information.

Loan agreements and equity pledge agreements between Fox Information Technology (Tianjin) Limited (“Video TianjinTianjin”) and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The loan agreements provide for loans to the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu for them to make contributions to the registered capital of Tianjin Jinhu in exchange for the equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu. Under the equity pledge agreements, the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu pledge to Video Tianjin their equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu to secure the performance of their obligations under the loan agreements and Tianjin Jinhu’s obligations to Video Tianjin under their business agreements. The loans are interest free and are repayable on demand, but the shareholders can only repay the loans by transferring to Video Tianjin their equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu.

Equity interest purchase right agreements between Video Tianjin, Tianjin Jinhu and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. Pursuant to these agreements, Video Tianjin and any third party designated by it have the right, exercisable at any time when it becomes legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu all or any part of their equity interests at the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law.

Business operation agreementamong Video Tianjin, Tianjin Jinhu and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The agreement sets forth the right of Video Tianjin to control the actions of the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The agreement has a term of 10 years, renewable at the request of Video Tianjin.

Powers of Attorney executed by the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu in favor of Video Tianjin with a term of 10 years, extendable at the request of Video Tianjin. These powers of attorney give Video Tianjin the right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of each of the Tianjin Jinhu shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Tianjin Jinhu.

-26-


Loan agreements and equity pledge agreements between AmazGame and the shareholderssole shareholder of Gamease and between Gamespace and the shareholderssole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. The loan agreements provide for loans to the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace for the shareholders to make contributions to the registered capital of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace in exchange for 100% of the equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. The loans are interest free and are repayable on demand, but the shareholders can only repay the loans by transferring to AmazGame and Gamespace, as the case may be, their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. Under the equity pledge agreements, the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace pledge to AmazGame and Gamespace, their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace to secure the performance of their obligations under the loan agreements and Gamease’s and Guanyou Gamespace’s obligations to AmazGame and Gamespace under the various VIE-related agreements. The loans are interest free and are repayable on demand, butIf the shareholders can only repaybreach their obligations under any VIE-related agreements (Gamease’s or Guanyou Gamespace’s breach of any of its obligations under the loans by transferring tovarious applicable VIE-related agreements will be treated as its shareholder’s breach of its obligations), including the equity pledge agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace are entitled to exercise their rights as the case may be, theirbeneficiaries under the applicable equity interests inpledge agreements, including all rights the respective shareholders have as shareholders of Gamease andor Guanyou Gamespace.

Equity interest purchase right agreements betweenamong AmazGame, Gamease and the shareholderssole shareholder of Gamease and betweenamong Gamespace, Guanyou Gamespace and the shareholderssole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace have the right, exercisable at any time if and when it becomesis legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace all or any part of their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace at a purchase price equal to their initial contributions to the registered capital.capital of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.

Powers of attorney executed by the shareholderssole shareholder of Gamease in favor of AmazGame and by the shareholderssole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace in favor of Gamespace, with a term of 10 years. These powers of attorney give the respective boards of directors of AmazGame and Gamespace the exclusive right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of their respective shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.

Business operation agreements betweenamong AmazGame, Gamease and the shareholderssole shareholder of Gamease and betweenamong Gamespace, Guanyou Gamespace and the shareholderssole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. These agreements set forth the right of AmazGame and Gamespace to control the actions of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, as the case may be, and the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. Each agreement has a term of 10 years.

-29-


Call option agreement among ICE Information, Shanghai ICE and Shanghai ICE shareholders. This agreement provides to ICE Information and any third party designated by ICE Information the right, exercisable at any time during the term of the agreement, if and when it is legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the shareholders all or any part of their shares in Shanghai ICE or purchase from Shanghai ICE all or part of its assets or business at the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law. The agreement further provides that Shanghai ICE or its shareholders will transfer back to ICE Information any such purchase price they have received from ICE Information, upon the request of ICE Information, as and to the extent allowed under PRC law. The agreement terminates only if ICE Information is dissolved.

Share pledge agreementamong ICE Information, Shanghai ICE and the shareholders of Shanghai ICE. Pledge by the shareholders to ICE Information of their equity interests in Shanghai ICE, to secure the performance of their obligations and Shanghai ICE’s obligations under the various VIE-related agreements. If Shanghai ICE or any of the shareholders of Shanghai ICE breaches its, his or her obligations under any VIE-related agreements, ICE Information is entitled to exercise its rights as pledgee of the equity interests.

Business operation agreement among ICE Information, Shanghai ICE and the shareholders of Shanghai ICE. This agreement sets forth the right of ICE Information to control the actions of the shareholders of Shanghai ICE. This agreement terminates only if ICE Information is dissolved.

Share pledge agreementamong Baina Zhiyuan (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Baina Technology,Technology”), Wuhan Baina Information and the shareholders of Wuhan Baina Information, which are Gamease and Yongzhi Yang. Pledge byYang, pursuant to which the Gamease and Yongzhi Yangshareholders pledged to Beijing Baina Technology of their equity interests in Wuhan Baina Information to secure the performance of their respective obligations and Wuhan Baina Information’s obligations under the various VIE-related agreements. If Wuhan Baina Information or any of the shareholders of Wuhan Baina Information breaches its or hisbreach their obligations under any VIE-related agreements (Wuhan Baina Information’s breach of any of its obligations under the various VIE-related agreements will be treated as the shareholders’ breach of their obligations), including the share pledge agreement, Beijing Baina Technology is entitled to exercise its rights as pledgeethe beneficiary under the share pledge agreement, including all rights of the equity interests.shareholders as shareholders of Wuhan Baina Information.

Call option agreementamong Beijing Baina Technology, Gamease, Wuhan Baina Information, Changyou Star and Yongzhi Yang. ProvidesThis agreement provides to Beijing Baina Technology and any third party designated by Beijing Baina Technology the right, exercisable at any time during the term of the agreement, if and when it is legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from GameaseChangyou Star and Yongzhi Yang all or any part of their shares in Wuhan Baina Information or to purchase from Wuhan Baina Information all or part of its assets or business at the lower of RMB1.00 (approximately $0.15) or the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law.

Assignment agreementBusiness Operation Agreementamong Beijing Baina Technology, Gamease, Wuhan Baina Information, Changyou Star and Yongzhi Yang. Gamease and Yongzhi Yang, as shareholders of Wuhan Baina Information, irrevocably appointThis agreement grants Beijing Baina Technology or its designee to exercise their voting and other rights as shareholderseffective control of Wuhan Baina Information.

Business Arrangements Between Subsidiaries and Consolidated VIEs

Exclusive technology consulting and service agreementbetween Sohu Era and Sohu Internet. Pursuant to this agreement Sohu Era has the exclusive right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Sohu Internet, in exchange for a percentage of the gross incomerevenue of Sohu Internet. The agreement has an initial term of two years, and is renewable at the request of Sohu Era.

Business cooperation agreement between Sogou Technology and Sogou Information. Pursuant to this agreement, Sogou Information provides Internet information services to Sogou Technology’s customers in exchange for a fee payable to Sogou Information. The agreement has a term of 10 years, and is renewable at the request of Sogou Technology.

-27-


Exclusive technology consulting and service agreementbetween Sogou Technology and Sogou Information. Pursuant to this agreement Sogou Technology has the exclusive right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Sogou Information in exchange for a fee. The agreement has a term of 10 years and is renewable at the request of Sogou Technology.

Exclusive technology consulting and service agreementbetween Video Tianjin and Tianjin Jinhu. Pursuant to this agreement Video Tianjin has the exclusive right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Tianjin Jinhu in exchange for a fee. The agreement has a term of 10 years and is renewable at the request of Video Tianjin.

Technology support and utilization agreements between AmazGame and Gamease and between Gamespace and Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace have the exclusive right to provide certain product development and application services and technology support to Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, respectively, for a fee equal to a predetermined percentage, subject to adjustment by AmazGame or Gamespace at any time, of Gamease’s and Guanyou Gamespace’s respective revenues. Each agreement terminates only when AmazGame or Gamespace is dissolved.

Services and maintenance agreementsbetween AmazGame and Gamease between Gamespace and Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace, respectively, provide marketing, staffing, business operation and maintenance services to Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, respectively, in exchange for a fee equal to the cost of providing such services plus a predetermined margin. Each agreement terminates only when AmazGame or Gamespace, as the case may be, is dissolved.

-30-


Exclusive business cooperation agreementbetween ICE Information and Shanghai ICE. This agreement sets forth the exclusive right of ICE Information to provide business support and technical services to Shanghai ICE. The agreement terminates only if ICE Information is dissolved.

Exclusive technology consulting and services agreement between ICE Information and Shanghai ICE. This agreement provides to ICE Information the exclusive right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Shanghai ICE in exchange for a fee equal to the balance of Shanghai ICE’s gross income after deduction of related costs and expenses. The agreement terminates only if ICE Information is dissolved.

Exclusive Services agreementbetween Beijing Baina Technology and Wuhan Baina Information. Beijing Baina Technology agrees to provide Wuhan Baina Information with technical services, business consulting, capital equipment lease, market consulting, integration of systems, research and development of products and maintenance of systems. Service fees are to be determined with reference to the specific services provided, based on a transfer pricing analysis.

Certain of the contractual arrangements described above between the VIEs and the related wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Sohu Group are silent regarding renewals. However, because the VIEs are controlled by the Sohu Group through powers of attorney granted to the Sohu Group by the shareholders of the VIEs, the contractual arrangements can be, and are expected to be, renewed at the subsidiaries’ election.

VIE-Related Risks

It is possible that the Sohu Group’s operation of certain of its operations and businesses through VIEs could be found by PRC authorities to be in violation of PRC law and regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership of companies that engage in such operations and businesses. While the Sohu Group’s management considers the possibility of such a finding by PRC regulatory authorities under current law and regulations to be remote, on January 19, 2015, the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or (the “MOFCOM”) released on its Website for public comment a proposed PRC law (the “Draft FIE Law”) that appears to include VIEs within the scope of entities that could be considered to be foreign invested enterprises (or “FIEs”) that would be subject to restrictions under existing PRC law on foreign investment in certain categories of industry. Specifically, the Draft FIE Law introduces the concept of “actual control” for determining whether an entity is considered to be an FIE. In addition to control through direct or indirect ownership or equity, the Draft FIE Law includes control through contractual arrangements within the definition of “actual control.” If the Draft FIE Law is passed by the People’s Congress of the PRC and goes into effect in its current form, these provisions regarding control through contractual arrangements could be construed to reach the Sohu Group’s VIE arrangements, and as a result the Sohu Group’s VIEs could become explicitly subject to the current restrictions on foreign investment in certain categories of industry. The Draft FIE Law includes provisions that would exempt from the definition of foreign invested enterprises entities where the ultimate controlling shareholders are either entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC citizens. The Draft FIE Law is silent as to what type of enforcement action might be taken against existing VIEs that operate in restricted or prohibited industries and are not controlled by entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC citizens. If a finding were made by PRC authorities, under existing law and regulations or under the Draft FIE Law if it becomes effective, that the Sohu Group’s operation of certain of its operations and businesses through VIEs is prohibited, regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the licensing and operation of such operations and businesses would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including levying fines, confiscating the Sohu Group’s income, revoking the business or operating licenses of the affected businesses, requiring the Sohu Group to restructure its ownership structure or operations, or requiring the Sohu Group to discontinue all or any portion of its operations. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to the Sohu Group’s business operations, and have a severe adverse impact on the Sohu Group’s cash flows, financial position and operating performance.

-28-


In addition, it is possible that the contracts among the Sohu Group, the Sohu Group’s VIEs and shareholders of its VIEs would not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts were to find that such contracts contravene PRC law and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event that the Sohu Group was unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, the Sohu Group would not be able to exert effective control over the affected VIEs. Consequently, such VIE’s results of operations, assets and liabilities would not be included in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements. If such were the case, the Sohu Group’s cash flows, financial position and operating performance would be severely adversely affected. The Sohu Group’s contractual arrangements with respect to its consolidated VIEs are in place. The Sohu Group’s management believes that such contracts are enforceable, and considers the possibility remote that PRC regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the Sohu Group’s operations and contractual relationships would find the contracts to be unenforceable.

-31-


The Sohu Group’s operations and businesses rely on the operations and businesses of its VIEs, which hold certain recognized and unrecognized revenue-producing assets. The recognized revenue-producing assets include goodwill and intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions. Goodwill primarily represents the expected synergies from combining an acquired business with the Sohu Group. Intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions mainly consist of customer relationships, non-compete agreements, user bases, copyrights, trademarks and developed technologies. Unrecognized revenue-producing assets mainly consist of licenses and intellectual property. Licenses include operations licenses, such as Internet information service licenses and licenses for providing content. Intellectual property developed by the Sohu Group mainly consists of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and domain names. The Sohu Group’s operations and businesses may be adversely impacted if the Sohu Group loses the ability to use and enjoy assets held by these VIEs.

VIEs Not Consolidated within the Sohu Group

As of September 30, 2015, the Group had two VIEs which were not consolidated within the Sohu Group. Since the Sohu Group neither has the power to direct these VIEs’ activities that will significantly impact their economic performance nor has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, these VIEs that could potentially be significant to these VIEs, the Group is not the primary beneficiary and, accordingly, the Group recognizes the investments under the equity method or the cost method according to the share percentage the Group holds. In assessing the maximum exposure to a loss on the investments compared to the cost of its investment, the Sohu Group determined that it did not have further obligations exceeding the cost of the investments and that there were no terms of the investment arrangements that could require the Sohu Group to provide further financial support to the VIEs.

10.9. Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders’ Equity

Takeover Defense

Sohu intends to adopt appropriate defensive measures in the future on a case by case basis as and to the extent that Sohu’s Board of Directors determines that such measures are necessary or advisable to protect Sohu stockholder value in the face of any coercive takeover threats or to prevent an acquirer from gaining control of Sohu without offering fair and adequate price and terms.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock consists of shares repurchased by Sohu.com Inc. that are no longer outstanding and are held by Sohu.com Inc. Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20152016 and 2014,2015, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.

Stock Incentive Plan

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, Changyou, and Sohu Video have incentive plans and prior to June 28, 2013 7Road had an incentive plan, for the granting of share-based awards, including common stock or ordinary shares, share options restricted shares and restricted share units, to their directors, management and other key employees.

1) Sohu.com Inc. Share-based Awards

Sohu’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan

Sohu’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan”) provided for the issuance of up to 9,500,000 shares of common stock, including those issued pursuant to the exercise of sharestock options and upon vesting and settlement of restricted share units. Most of these awards vest over a period of four years. The maximum term of any issued stock right under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan expired on January 24, 2010. As of the expiration date, 9,128,724 shares of common stock had been issued or were subject to issuance upon the vesting and exercise of share options or the vesting and settlement of restricted share units granted under the plan. A new plan (the “Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan”) was adopted by Sohu’s shareholders on July 2, 2010.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, there wasThere has been no share-based compensation expense recognized for awards under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan since 2015, as the requisite service periods for all these awards were fully vested inhad been completed by the end of 2014. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for awardsNo cash has been received under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan was nil and $1.4 million, respectively.

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i) Summarysince 2016, as all of share option activity

A summary of share option activity under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below:

Options

  Number Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
   Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (1)
(in thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

   110    $19.20     0.41    $3,737  

Exercised

   (110   19.20      

Forfeited or expired

   0        
  

 

 

       

Outstanding at September 30, 2015

   0     0     0     0  
  

 

 

       

Vested at September 30, 2015

   0     0     0     0  
  

 

 

       

Exercisable at September 30, 2015

   0     0     0     0  
  

 

 

       

Note (1):The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between Sohu’s closing stock price of $41.3 on September 30, 2015 and the exercise price of share options. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $4.5 million.

No options have been granted under Sohu’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan since 2006. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2015, no compensation expense was recognized for share options because the requisite service periods for all outstanding share optionsthese awards had been completedexercised by the end of 2009.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, total cash received from the exercise of share options amounted to $0.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total cash received from the exercise of share options amounted to $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

ii) Summary of restricted share unit activity

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for restricted share units was nil and $1.4 million, respectively. The total fair value on their respective vesting dates of restricted share units that vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was nil and $9.3 million, respectively. In 2015, there was no share-based compensation expense recognized for the restricted shares units under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as these awards were fully vested in the first quarter of 2014.2015.

Sohu’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan

On July 2, 2010, the Company’s shareholders adopted the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock, including sharesstock issued pursuant to the vesting and settlement of restricted sharestock units and pursuant to the exercise of sharestock options. The maximum term of any stock right granted under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan will expire on July 1, 2020. As of September 30, 2015, 254,7942016, 360,930 shares were available for grant under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.

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i) Summary of sharestock option activity

On February 7, 2015 and May 1, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved contractual grants to members of the Company’s management and key employees of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,068,000 and 13,000 shares of common stock, to the Company’s management and key employeesrespectively, with nominal exercise prices of $0.001. These awards are expected tostock options vest and become exercisable in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon the satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. BecauseThese stock options are substantially similar to restricted stock units except for the nominal exercise price, which would be zero for restricted stock units.

UnderASC 718-10-25 andASC 718-10-55, no grant date can be established for these stock options until a mutual understanding is reached between the Company and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. If the service inception date preceded the grant date, had not been established as of September 30, 2015, compensation expense wasshould be accrued beginning on the service inception date, and will be re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards on each subsequent reporting date until the grant date is established.awards. To determine the fair value of these sharestock options, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date wasis used and a binomial valuation model wasis applied.

On February 7, 2016, 253,250 of these stock options had been granted and had become vested, as a mutual understanding of the subjective performance targets had been reached between the Company and the recipients, the targets had been satisfied, and the service period requirements had been fulfilled. The cumulative share-based compensation expense for these granted stock options has been adjusted and fixed based on the fair value at the grant date of $10.8 million.

A summary of stock option activity under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented below:

           Weighted     
   Number   Weighted   Average   Aggregate 
   Of   Average   Remaining   Intrinsic 
   Shares   Exercise   Contractual   Value (1) 

Options

  (in thousands)   Price   Life (Years)   (in thousands) 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

   0    $       $   

Granted

   253     0.001      

Exercised

   (56   0.001      

Forfeited or expired

   0        
  

 

 

       

Outstanding at September 30, 2016

   197     0.001     8.35     8,717  
  

 

 

       

Vested at September 30, 2016

   197     0.001     8.35     8,717  
  

 

 

       

Exercisable at September 30, 2016

   197     0.001     8.35     8,717  
  

 

 

       

Note (1): The aggregated intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between Sohu’s closing stock price of $44.25 on September 30, 2016 and the nominal exercise prices of the stock options.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for these stock options was $5.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for these shareSohu stock options was $1.7 million and $ 13.3 million, respectively.

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ii) Summary of restricted share unit activity

A summary of restricted sharestock unit activity under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 is presented below:

 

Restricted Share Units

  Number of
Units
(in thousands)
   Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at January 1, 2015

   67    $78.16  

Granted

   17     53.71  

Vested

   (11   58.04  

Forfeited

   (15   83.80  
  

 

 

   

Unvested at September 30, 2015

   58     73.57  
  

 

 

   

Expected to vest thereafter

   44     72.81  
  

 

 

   
   Number of   Weighted-Average 
   Units   Grant-Date 

Restricted Stock Units

  (in thousands)   Fair Value 

Unvested at January 1, 2016

   32    $70.24  

Granted

   11     51.00  

Vested

   (12   56.83  

Forfeited

   (9   63.45  
  

 

 

   

Unvested at September 30, 2016

   22     70.61  
  

 

 

   

Expected to vest after September 30, 2016

   17     68.96  
  

 

 

   

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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for restricted stock units was $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for restricted sharestock units was $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for restricted share units was $1.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, there was $1.7$0.7 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted sharestock units. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.910.6 years. The total fair value on their respective vesting dates of restricted sharestock units that vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The total fair value on their respective vesting dates of restricted stock units that vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The total fair value on their respective vesting dates of restricted share units that vested during both the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $0.2 million.

2) Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards

Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan

Sogou adopted a share incentive plan on October 20, 2010. The number of Sogou ordinary shares issuable under the plan was 41,500,000 after an amendment that was effective August 22, 2014 (as amended, the “Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan”). Awards of share rights may be granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan to management and employees of Sogou and of any present or future parents or subsidiaries or variable interest entitiesVIEs of Sogou. The maximum term of any share right granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan will expire on October 19, 2020. As of September 30, 2015,2016, Sogou had contractually granted options for the purchase of 33,309,51338,441,000 Sogou ordinary shares under the 2010 Sogou Share Incentive Plan.

Of the contractually granted Sogou share options for the purchase of 33,309,51338,441,000 Sogou ordinary shares, options for the purchase of 24,869,51331,241,000 Sogou ordinary shares willvest and become vested and exercisable in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement for management and key employees being met, as well as Sogou’s achievement of performance targets for the corresponding period. TheSubject to achievement of the applicable performance targettargets, of these Sogou share options for each installment will be set at the beginningpurchase of each31,241,000 Sogou ordinary shares, options for the purchase of 30,021,750 Sogou ordinary shares vest and become exercisable in four equal installments and options for the purchase of 1,219,250 Sogou ordinary shares vest and become exercisable in two to four installments over varying periods. Of these Sogou share options for the purchase of 31,241,000 Sogou ordinary shares, the terms of options for the purchase of 980,000 Sogou ordinary shares, which had previously included as vesting period. Accordingly, forconditions a service period requirement and Sogou’s completion of an IPO of its ordinary shares (“Sogou’s IPO”), were amended in the first quarter of 2016 to remove as a condition of vesting completion of Sogou’s IPO and add as a condition of vesting achievement of performance targets. For purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, each installment is considered to be granted as of the date that date.the performance target has been set. As of September 30, 2015, performance targets2016, Sogou had been set forgranted options for the purchase of 23,135,63725,337,008 Sogou ordinary shares subject to vesting upon service period requirements for management and key employees being met and Sogou’s achievement of performance targets and, accordingly, such options were considered granted for purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense.under the 2010 Sogou Share Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2015,2016, options for the purchase of 21,274,24922,923,259 Sogou ordinary shares had become vested and exercisable because both the service period and the performance requirements had been met, and of such vested options, options for the purchase of 18,984,55522,918,596 Sogou ordinary shares had been exercised.

Of the contractually granted Sogou share options, options for the purchase of 8,440,0007,200,000 Sogou ordinary shares willvest and become vested and exercisable in four or five equal installments, with (i) the first installment vesting upon Sogou’s completion of an IPO of its ordinary shares (“Sogou’s IPO”) and the expiration of all underwriters’ lockup periods applicable to Sogou’s IPO, and (ii) each of the three or four subsequent installments vesting on the first, second, third and if applicable, fourth anniversary dates, respectively, of the closing of Sogou’s IPO. The completion of an IPO is considered to be a performance condition of the awards. An IPO is not considered to be probable until it is completed. UnderASC 718, compensation cost should be accrued if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved and should not be accrued if it is not probable that the performance condition will be achieved. As a result, no compensation expense will be recognized related to these Sogou share options until the completion of an IPO, and hence no share-based compensation expense was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20152016 for the options for the purchase of 8,440,0007,200,000 Sogou ordinary shares that are subject to vesting upon completion of Sogou’s IPO.

 

-34--31-


On June 15, 2013,As of September 30, 2016, for purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, Sogou had granted Sogou share options for the purchase of 3,960,00032,537,008 Sogou ordinary shares, of which would have vested and become exercisable in four equal installments, with (i)options for the first installment vesting upon the first anniversarypurchase of the occurrence of either (each, an “Event”): (a) completion of Sogou’s IPO or (b) the consolidation of9,618,412 Sogou with or the acquisition of Sogou by another person or entity in a sale of all or substantially all of Sogou’s assets orordinary shares and (ii) each of the three subsequent installments vesting on the second, third and fourth anniversaries, respectively, of the occurrence of an Event. However, if there was no Event by June 15, 2015, all installments of the options would cease to vest and be cancelled. As there had not been an Event as of June 15, 2015, all of the options ceased to vest and were cancelled.

outstanding. A summary of Sogou share option activity under the Sogou 2010 StockShare Incentive Plan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 is presented below:

 

     Weighted 
 Number Weighted Average 
 Of Average Remaining 
 Shares Exercise Contractual 

Options

  Number Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
  (in thousands) Price Life (Years) 

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

   19,117    $0.236    

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

 12,209   $0.369   

Granted

   1,509     0.001     2,337   0.001   

Exercised

   (3,692   0.001     (3,800 0.001   

Forfeited or expired

   (4,343   0.001     (1,128 0.001   
  

 

      

 

   

Outstanding at September 30, 2015

   12,591     0.358     7.32  

Outstanding at September 30, 2016

 9,618   0.468   6.58  
  

 

      

 

   

Vested at September 30, 2015 and expected to vest thereafter

   3,827      

Vested at September 30, 2016 and expected to vest thereafter

 2,360    
  

 

      

 

   

Exercisable at September 30, 2015

   2,290      

Exercisable at September 30, 2016

 5    
  

 

      

 

   

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan was $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan was negative $0.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan was $9.8 million and $10.7 million, respectively. The negative $0.4 million resulted from Sogou’s true-up of share-based compensation expense for share options forfeited during the third quarter of 2015.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, there was $4.5$7.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested Sogou share options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.330.34 years.

The fair value of the ordinary shares of Sogou was assessed using the income approach /discounted cash flow method, with a discount for lack of marketability, given that the shares underlying the awardawards were not publicly traded at the time of grant, and was determined with the assistance of a qualified professional appraiser using management’s estimates and assumptions. This assessment required complex and subjective judgments regarding Sogou’s projected financial and operating results, its unique business risks, the liquidity of its ordinary shares and its operating history and prospects at the time the grants were made.

The fair value of the Sogou share options granted to Sogou management and key employees was estimated on the date of grant using the Binomial option - pricing model (the “BP Model”) with the following assumptions used:

 

Granted to EmployeesAssumptions Adopted

  

2015

Average risk-free interest rate

  2.48%1.90%~2.77%

Exercise multiple

  2~3

Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)

  1%0%~12%

Weighted average expected option life

  87

Volatility rate

  47%43%~51%50%

Dividend yield

  0%

Fair value

  3.583.18~3.93

Sogou estimated the risk-free rate based on the market yields of U.S. Treasury securities with an estimated country-risk differential as of the valuation date. An exercise multiple was estimated as the ratio of the fair value of the Sogou ordinary shares over the exercise price as of the time the Sogou share option is exercised, based on consideration of research studies regarding exercise patterns based on historical statistical data. In Sogou’s valuation analysis, a multiple of two was applied for employees and a multiple of three was applied for management. Sogou estimated the forfeiture rate to be 0% or 1% for the Sogou management’s share options granted to Sogou management as of September 30, 20152016 and 12% for the Sogou employees’ share options granted to Sogou employees as of September 30, 2015.2016. The life of the Sogou share options is the contract life of the option. Based on the option agreement, the contract life of the optionSogou share options is 10 years. TheAs there is no trading market for Sogou’s ordinary shares, the expected volatility at the valuation date was estimated based on the historical volatility of comparable companies for the period before the grant date with length commensurate with the expected term of the Sogou share options. Sogou has no history or expectation of paying dividends on its ordinary shares. Accordingly, the dividend yield iswas estimated to be 0%.

 

-35--32-


Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement

Under an arrangement providing for Sogou share-based awards to be available for grants to members of Sohu’s Board of Directors, management and other key employees (“Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement”), which was approved by the boards of directors of Sohu and Sogou in March 2011, Sohu has the right to provide to members of Sohu’ Board of Directors, management and other key employees the opportunity to purchase from Sohu up to 12,000,000 ordinary shares of Sogou at a fixed exercise price of $0.625 or $0.001 per share. Of these 12,000,000 ordinary shares, 8,800,000 are Sogou ordinary shares previously held by Sohu and 3,200,000 are Sogou ordinary shares that were newly-issued on April 14, 2011 by Sogou to Sohu at a price of $0.625 per share, or a total of $2.0 million. As of September 30, 2015,2016, Sohu had contractually granted options for the purchase of 10,724,50010,705,000 Sogou ordinary shares to members of Sohu’ Board of Directors, management and other key employees under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement.

Of the contractually granted Sogou share options for the purchase of 10,724,50010,705,000 Sogou ordinary shares, options for the purchase of 8,309,5008,290,000 Sogou ordinary shares willvest and become vested and exercisable in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement for Sohu’s management and key employees being met, as well as Sogou’s achievement of performance targets for the corresponding period. Options for the purchase of 15,000 shares granted to members of Sohu’ Board of Directors will become vested and exercisable upon a service period requirement being met. The performance target for each installment will beis set at the beginning of each vesting period. Accordingly, for purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, each installment is considered to be granted as of that date. As of September 30, 2015, performance targets2016, Sohu had been set forgranted Sogou share options for the purchase of 8,154,5008,290,000 Sogou ordinary shares vesting upon service period requirements for Sohu’s management and key employees being met and Sogou’s achievement of performance targets and, accordingly, such share options were considered granted.under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement. As of September 30, 2015,2016, options for the purchase of 8,064,7408,232,500 Sogou ordinary shares had become vested and exercisable because both the service period and the performance requirements had been met, and vested options for the purchase of 6,979,7007,512,500 Sogou ordinary shares had been exercised.

During 2015, options for the purchase of 15,000 Sogou ordinary shares were granted to members of Sohu’s Board of Directors. These Sogou share options vested and became exercisable as of December 31, 2015, as the service period requirement for vesting was met.

The remaining options for the purchase of 2,400,000 Sogou ordinary shares willvest and become vested and exercisable in five equal installments, with (i) the first installment vesting upon Sogou’s IPO and the expiration of all underwriters’ lockup periods applicable to the IPO, and (ii) each of the four subsequent installments vesting on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary dates, respectively, of the closing of Sogou’s IPO. All installments of the Sogou share options for the purchase of 2,400,000 Sogou ordinary shares that are subject to vesting upon the completion of Sogou’s IPO were considered granted upon the issuance of the options. The completion of a firm commitment IPO is considered to be a performance condition of the awards. An IPO event is not considered to be probable until it is completed. UnderASC 718, compensation cost should be accrued if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved and should not be accrued if it is not probable that the performance condition will be achieved. As a result, no compensation expense will be recognized related to these Sogou share options until the completion of an IPO, and hence no share-based compensation expense was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20152016 for these options for the purchase of 2,400,000 Sogou ordinary shares.

As of September 30, 2016, for purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, Sohu had granted options for the purchase of 10,705,000 Sogou ordinary shares, of which options for the purchase of 3,189,500 Sogou ordinary shares were outstanding. A summary of Sogou share option activity under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 is presented below:

 

     Weighted 
 Number Weighted Average 
 Of Average Remaining 
 Shares Exercise Contractual 

Options

  Number Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
  (in thousands) Price Life (Years) 

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

   4,165    $0.625    

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

 3,664   $0.623   

Granted

   15     0.001     58   0.625   

Exercised

   (584   0.625     (532 0.625   

Forfeited or expired

   (6   0.625     0    
  

 

      

 

   

Outstanding at September 30, 2015

   3,590     0.622     6.90  

Outstanding at September 30, 2016

 3,190   0.623   6.03  
  

 

      

 

   

Vested at September 30, 2015 and expected to vest thereafter

   1,085      

Vested at September 30, 2016 and expected to vest thereafter

 790    
  

 

      

 

   

Exercisable at September 30, 2015

   1,085      

Exercisable at September 30, 2016

 732    
  

 

      

 

   

For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement was $3,094 and $0.3 million, respectively. For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement was nil and $0.7 million, respectively. For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for share options under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement was $2.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

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As of September 30, 2015,2016, there was no$0.1 million unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested Sogou share options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.25 years.

-36-


The method used to determine the fair value of Sogou share options granted to members of Sohu’s Board of Directors, and to Sohu’s executive officersmanagement and other employees was the same as the method used for the Sogou share options granted to Sogou’s management and key employees as described above, except for the assumptions used in the BP Model as presented below:

 

Granted to EmployeesAssumptions Adopted

  2015 

Average risk-free interest rate

   3.012.01%~2.15%%  

Exercise multiple

   2~3  

Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)

   00%%  

Weighted average expected option life

   106  

Volatility rate

   5343%~47%%  

Dividend yield

   00%%  

Fair value

   7.032.56~3.31  

Option Modification

In the first and second quarter of 2013, a portion of the Sogou share options granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan and the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement were exercised early, and the resulting Sogou ordinary shares issued upon exercise were transferred to trusts with the original option grantees as beneficiaries. The trusts will distribute the Sogou ordinary shares to those beneficiaries in installments based on the vesting requirements under the original option agreements. Although these trust arrangements caused a modification of the terms of these Sogou share options, the modification was not considered substantive. Accordingly, no incremental fair value related to these Sogou ordinary shares resulted from the modification, and the remaining share-based compensation expense for these Sogou ordinary shares will continue to be recognized over the original remaining vesting period.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, options for the purchase of 11,660,20011,370,000 Sogou ordinary shares granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan and options for the purchase of 40,800 shares granted under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement, or options for the purchase of a total of 11,701,000 shares, had been exercised early but had not been distributed to the beneficiaries of the trusts. All of the early-exercised Sogou ordinary shares that were distributed to those beneficiaries by the trusts in accordance with the vesting requirements under the original option agreements have been included in the disclosures under the headings “Sogouheading “Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan” and “Share-based Awards to Sohu ManagementPlan” above.

Tencent Share-based Awards Granted to Employees Who Transferred to Sogou with Soso Search-related Businesses

Certain persons who became Sogou employees when Tencent’s Soso search-related businesses were transferred to Sogou on September 16, 2013 had been granted restricted share units under Tencent’s share award arrangements prior to the transfer of the businesses to Sogou. These Tencent restricted share units will continue to vest under the original Tencent share award arrangements provided the transferred employees continue to be employed by Sogou during the requisite service period. After the transfer of the Soso search-related businesses to Sogou, Sogou applied the guidance inASC 505-50 to measure the related compensation expense, based on the then-current fair value at each reporting date, which is deemed to have been incurred by Tencent as an investor on Sogou’s behalf. To determine the then-current fair value of the Tencent restricted share units granted to these employees, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was applied. Because Sogou is not required to reimburse Tencent for such share-based compensation expense, the related amount was recorded by Sogou as a capital contribution from Tencent.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, unvested Tencent restricted share unit awards held by these employees provided for the issuance of up to 169,55053,100 ordinary shares of Tencent, taking into consideration a five-for-one split of Tencent’s shares that became effective in May 2014. Share-basedFor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, share-based compensation expense of negative $0.9$38,458 and $0.8 million, and $1.5 millionrespectively, related to these Tencent restricted share units was recognized in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive incomeincome. The negative $38,458 resulted from Sogou’s true-up of share-based compensation expense for forfeited Tencent restricted share units. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.2015, share-based compensation expense of negative $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to these Tencent restricted share units was recognized in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The negative $0.9 million resulted from Sogou’s true-up of share-based compensation expense for forfeited Tencent restricted share units and re-measurement of share-based compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015,2016, there was $1.0$0.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these unvested Tencent restricted share units. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.211.43 years.

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3) Changyou.com Limited Share-based Awards

Changyou’s 2008 Share Incentive Plan

Changyou’s 2008 Share Incentive Plan (the “Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan”) originally provided for the issuance of up to 2,000,000 Changyou ordinary shares, including Changyou ordinary shares issued pursuant to the exercise of share options and upon vesting and settlement of restricted share units. The 2,000,000 reserved Changyou ordinary shares became 20,000,000 Changyou ordinary shares in March 2009 when Changyou effected a ten-for-one share split of its ordinary shares. Most of the awards granted under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan vest over a period of four years. The maximum term of any share right granted under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan will expire in August 2018.

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Through September 30, 2015,Prior to the completion of Changyou’s initial public offering, Changyou had granted under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan 15,000,000 Changyou ordinary shares to its former chief executive officer Tao Wang, through Prominence Investments Ltd., which is an entity that may be deemed under applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be beneficially owned by Tao Wang. As ofThrough September 30, 2015,2016, Changyou had also granted under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan restricted share units, settleable upon vesting by the issuance of an aggregate of 4,614,098 Changyou ordinary shares, to certain members of its management other than Tao Wang, and certain other Changyou employees.

For both the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for awards under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan was negative $0.3 million. The negative amount resulted from Changyou’s reversal of share-based compensation expense for restricted share units that were cancelled due to termination of employment prior to vesting. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for awards under the Changyou 2008 Share Incentive Plan was $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

i) Share-based Awards granted before Changyou’s IPO

All of the restricted Changyou ordinary shares and restricted share units granted before Changyou’s IPO became vested in 2012 and 2013, respectively.by the end of 2013. Hence there washas been no share-based compensation expense recognized with respect to such restricted Changyou ordinary shares and restricted share units since their respective vesting dates.

ii) Share-based Awards granted after Changyou’s IPO

Through September 30, 2015,2016, in addition to the share-based awards granted before Changyou’s IPO, Changyou had granted restricted share units, settleable upon vesting with the issuance of an aggregate of 1,581,226 Changyou ordinary shares, to certain members of its management other than Tao Wang and to certain of its other employees. These Changyou restricted share units are subject to vesting over a four-year period commencing on their grant dates. Share-based compensation expense for such Changyou restricted share units is recognized on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period. The fair value of Changyou restricted share units was determined based on the market price of Changyou’s ADSs on the grant date.

A summary of activity for these Changyou restricted share units as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 is presented below:

 

Restricted Share Units

  Number of
Units
(in thousands)
   Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
   Number of
Units
(in thousands)
   Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at January 1, 2015

   220    $14.09  

Unvested at January 1, 2016

   20    $14.25  

Granted

   0       0    

Vested

   (47   14.92     0    

Forfeited

   (105   14.02     0    
  

 

     

 

   

Unvested at September 30, 2015

   68     13.64  

Unvested at September 30, 2016

   20     14.25  
  

 

     

 

   

Expected to vest thereafter

   65     13.67  

Expected to vest after September 30, 2016

   20     14.25  
  

 

     

 

   

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for the Changyou restricted share units described above was $22,000 and $66,000, respectively. For both the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for the Changyou restricted share units described above was negative $0.3 million. The negative amount resulted from Changyou’s reversal of share-based compensation expense for Changyou restricted share units that were cancelled due to termination of employment prior to vesting. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for the restricted share units described above was $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, there was $0.1 million of$44,000 unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested restricted share units. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.880.63 years. The total fair value of these restricted share units vested was nil during both the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The total fair value of these restricted share units vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was nil and $0.7 million, respectively. The total fair value of these restricted share units vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was nil and $0.44 million, respectively.

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Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan

On June 27, 2014, Changyou reserved 2,000,000 of its Class A ordinary shares under the Changyou.com Limited 2014 Share Incentive Plan (the “Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan”) for the purpose of making share incentive awards to certain members of its management and key employees. On November 2, 2014, the number of Class A ordinary shares reserved under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan increased from 2,000,000 to 6,000,000. The maximum term of any share right granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan will expire in June 2024. As of September 30, 2015, 2,404,0002016, 2,808,000 shares were available for grant under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan.

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i) Summary of share option activity

On November 2, 2014, Changyou approved the contractual grant of an aggregate of 2,416,000 Class A restricted share units to certain members of its management and certain other employees. On February 16, 2015, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the conversion of 2,400,000 of these Class A restricted share units into options for the purchase of Class A ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.01. On June 1, 2015, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the legalcontractual grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,998,000 Class A restricted share unitsordinary shares to certain members of its management and certain other employees at an exercise price of $0.01.

On July 28, 2016, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the contractual grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 100,000 Class A ordinary shares to certain member of its management at an exercise price of $0.01. These Changyou share options provide for vestingvest in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and the achievement of certain subjective performance targets. TheThese Changyou share options are substantially similar to restricted share units except for the nominal exercise price, which would be zero for restricted share units.

UnderASC 718-10-25 andASC 718-10-55, no grant date had not beencan be established as of September 30, 2015, becauseuntil a mutual understanding had not beenis reached between Changyouthe Company and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. CompensationIf the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense for these options isshould be accrued commencingbeginning on the service inception date, and re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is re-measuredestablished, based on the then-current fair value of the options on each subsequent reporting date until the grant date is established.awards. To determine the fair value of these Changyou share options, the public market price of the underlying Changyou Class A ordinary shares at each reporting date wasis used and a binomial valuation model wasis applied.

On November 2, 2015 and June 1, 2016, 450,000 and 329,000, respectively, of these Changyou share options had been granted and had become vested, as a mutual understanding of the subjective performance targets had been reached between Changyou and the recipients, the targets had been satisfied, and the service period requirements had been fulfilled. The cumulative share-based compensation expense for these granted Changyou share options has been adjusted and fixed based on their fair value of $4.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively, at the grant date.

A summary of Changyou share option activity under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented below:

Options

  Number
Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
(in thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

   450    $0.01     8.84    $5,580  

Granted

   329     0.01      

Exercised

   (269   0.01      

Forfeited or expired

   0        
  

 

 

       

Outstanding at September 30, 2016

   510     0.01     8.32     6,942  
  

 

 

       

Vested at September 30, 2016

   510     0.01     8.32     6,942  
  

 

 

       

Exercisable at September 30, 2016

   510     0.01     8.32     6,942  
  

 

 

       

Note (1): The aggregated intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between Changyou’s closing price of $27.25 per ADS, or $13.63 per Class A ordinary share, on September 30, 2016 and the nominal exercise prices of the share options.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, share-based compensation expense recognized for these share options under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan was $7.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, share-based compensation expense recognized for these share options under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan was negative $3.2 million and $7.7 million, respectively. The negative amount resulted from Changyou’s reversal of share-based compensation expense for restricted share units that were cancelled during the third quarter of 2015 due to termination of employment prior to vesting.

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ii) Summary of restricted share unit activity

As of September 30, 2015,On November 2, 2014, Changyou had contractually granted under the 2014 Share Incentive Plan an aggregate of 16,000 Changyou Class A restricted share units to an employee. These Class A restricted share units are subject to vesting over a four-year period commencing on their grant dates. The fair values as of the grant dates of thethese Changyou restricted share units were determined based on market price of Changyou’s ADSs on the grant dates.

A summary of activity for these restricted share units as of and forDue to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below:

Restricted Share Units

  Number of
Units
(in thousands)
   Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at January 1, 2015

   16    $12.64  

Granted

   0    

Vested

   0    

Forfeited

   (16   12.64  
  

 

 

   

Unvested at September 30, 2015

   0    
  

 

 

   

Expected to vest thereafter

   0    
  

 

 

   

For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, share-based compensation expense recognized for these restricted share units under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan was nil and negative $17,000, respectively, due to termination of employment of an employee during the second quarter of 2015 prior to vesting. Asvesting of September 30, 2015, thereChangyou restricted share units held by the employee, Changyou reversed share-based compensation expense in the amount of $17,000. There was no unrecognized compensation expense for these restricted share units after the second quarter of 2015, as all of them had been forfeited.were forfeited during that quarter.

4) Sohu Video Share-based Awards

On January 4, 2012, Sohu Video adopted the Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan, under which 25,000,000 ordinary shares of Sohu Video are reserved for the purpose of making share incentive awards to management and key employees of Sohu Video and to Sohu management. The maximum term of any share incentive award granted under the Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan will expire on January 3, 2021. As of September 30, 2015,2016, grants of options for the purchase of 16,368,200 ordinary shares of Sohu Video had been contractually made and were subject to vesting in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement being met, as well as Sohu Video’s achievement of performance targets for the corresponding period. For purposes ofASC 718-10-25, as of September 30, 2016, no grant date had occurred, because the broader terms and conditions of the option awards had neither been finalized nor mutually agreed upon with the recipients. As of September 30, 2016, options for the purchase of 4,972,800 Sohu Video ordinary shares were vested.

For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, total share-based compensation expense recognized for vested Sohu Video options under the Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan was $149,000 and options for the purchase of 4,972,800 ordinary shares were vested.

negative $448,000, respectively. For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total share-based compensation expense recognized for vested Sohu Video options under the Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan was $99,000 and $199,000, respectively. For the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2014, total share-based compensation expense recognized for vested options under the Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan was negative $0.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

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The fair value of the Sohu Video options contractually granted to management and key employees of Sohu Video and to Sohu management was estimated on the reporting date using the BP Model, with the following assumptions used:

 

Assumptions Adopted

  2015 

Average risk-free interest rate

   2.241.89

Exercise multiple

   2.8  

Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)

   1019

Weighted average expected option life

   6.35.3  

Volatility rate

   5849.7

Dividend yield

   0  

Fair value

   0.850.78  

5) 7Road Share-based Awards10. Related Party Transactions

See Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation Expense.Changyou’s Loan Arrangements with SoEasy

11.Commencing in April 2015, certain subsidiaries of Changyou Share Repurchase Program

On July 27, 2013, Changyou’s Boardand certain subsidiaries of Directors authorizedSoEasy entered into a share repurchase programseries of uploan agreements pursuant to $100 millionwhich the subsidiaries of Changyou are entitled to draw down HK dollar-denominated or U.S. dollar-denominated loans from the SoEasy subsidiaries and the SoEasy subsidiaries are entitled to draw down equivalent RMB-denominated loans from the subsidiaries of Changyou, to facilitate each other’s business operations. All of the outstanding ADSsloans carry a fixed rate of Changyou over a two-year period from July 27, 2013interest equal to July 26, 2015. In the thirdcurrent market interest rate. During the first quarter of 2015,2016, Changyou repurchased 557,600 ADSs, representing 1,115,200 ordinary shares, at an aggregate costdrew down from SoEasy U.S. dollar-denominated loans of approximately $13.2 million. As of the July 26, 2015 expiration date of the share repurchase program, Changyou had repurchased under the program an aggregate of 1,364,846 Changyou ADSs, representing 2,729,692 ordinary shares, at an aggregate cost$29.9 million and granted RMB-denominated loans to SoEasy of approximately $35$30.2 million.

12. Business Transactions

Changyou-Related Transactions

On August 17, 2015, (i) Changyou’s VIE Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”), a PRC company that is a VIE During the second quarter of 2016, Changyou completed the salerepaid to Shanghai Yong Chong Investment Center LP, a PRC limited partnership,SoEasy U.S. dollar-denominated loans of allapproximately $12.9 million and received from SoEasy RMB-denominated loans of the equity interests in Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company primarily engaged in the Web game business, and (ii) Changyou.com (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changyou, completed the sale to Supermax Holdings Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, of all of the equity capital of Changyou My Sdn. Bhd, a Malaysia company, and Changyou.com (UK) Company Limited, a United Kingdom company, which are engaged in the online game business in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, respectively. The aggregate consideration for these transactions was $205.0 million in cash.$12.1 million. As of September 30, 2015, all2016, Changyou had U.S. dollar-denominated loans payable to SoEasy in a total amount of approximately $29.2 million, which was recorded in other short-term liabilities. As of the considerationsame date, Changyou had been paidRMB-denominated loans receivable from SoEasy in a total amount of approximately $29.2 million, which was recorded in prepaid and other current assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Changyou incurred interest expense of $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and earned interest income of $0.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, total interest expense payable to Changyou. In connection with these transactions, a disposal gain of $55.1SoEasy amounted to $0.4 million, which was recognizedrecorded in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensiveother short-term liabilities; and total interest income for the third quarter of 2015.receivable from SoEasy was $0.7 million, which was recorded in prepaid and other current assets.

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Sogou TransactionsOther Information

On October 22, 2010,For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Sohu Group generated brand advertising revenue from SoEasy of nil and $862,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Group incurred sales and marketing expense for SoEasy of nil and $216,000, respectively.

11. Sogou issued and sold 24.0 million, 14.4 million and 38.4 million, respectively, of its newly-issued Series A Preferred Shares to Alibaba Investment Limited, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (“Alibaba”); China Web; and Photon for $15 million, $9 million, and $24 million, respectively. On June 29, 2012, Sohu purchased Alibaba’s 24.0 million Sogou Series A Preferred Shares for a purchase price of $25.8 million.Transactions

On September 16, 2013, Sogou entered into a series of agreements with Tencent, Sohu Search and Photon Group Limited (“Photon”) pursuant to which Sogou issued Series B Preferred Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares to Tencent for a net amount of $448 million in cash and Tencent transferred its Soso search-related businesses and certain other assets to Sogou (collectively, the “Sogou-Tencent Transactions”). Also on that date, Sogou entered into Repurchase Option Agreements with Sohu Search and Photon, and a Repurchase/Put Option Agreement with China Web Search (HK) Limited (“China Web”), with respect to all of the Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou held by Sohu Search and China Web, and a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou held by Photon. Also on that date, Sogou, Sohu Search, Photon, Mr. Xiaochuan Wang, four other members of Sogou’s management (collectively, the “Sohu Parties”) and Tencent entered into a Shareholders Agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) under which the parties agreed to vote their Sogou shares in all elections of directors to elect three designees of Sohu Search and two designees of Tencent.

On September 17, 2013, Sogou paid a special dividend to the three holders of Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou in the aggregate amount of $300.9 million, of which Sohu Search received $161.2 million, Photon received $43.0 million, and China Web received $96.7 million.

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On December 2, 2013, Tencent invested $1.5 million in cash in Sogou Information, which is a VIE of Sogou, as additional consideration in connection with the Sogou-Tencent Transactions, in return for a 45% equity interest in Sogou Information. Through a share pledge agreement and an exclusive equity interest purchase right agreement between Tencent and Sogou Technology, and similar agreements between the other two shareholders of Sogou Information, Sogou Technology controls all shareholder voting rights in Sogou Information, has the power to direct the activities of Sogou Information, and is the primary beneficiary of Sogou Information, and Tencent and the other two shareholders of Sogou Information act as Sohu Technology’s nominees.

In March 2014, Sogou purchased from China Web, pursuant to the Repurchase/Put Option Agreement entered into in September 2013, 14.4 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou, for an aggregate purchase price of $47.3 million.

In June 2014, Sogou repurchased approximately 4.2 million of its Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders, a majority of whom were employees of the Group, for an aggregate purchase price of $41.6 million.

In March 2014, September 2015, and September 2015, respectively, Sogou purchased from China Web, Sohu Search and Photon, pursuant to the Repurchase Option Agreements entered into in September 2013, 14.4 million, 24.0 million and 6.4 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou, for an aggregate purchase price of $47.3 million, $78.8 million and $21.0 million, respectively. After these repurchases, the Sohu Group holds approximately 36% of the outstanding equity capital of Sogou, assuming that all share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan and all share options under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement are granted and exercised and that all of the 4.2 million Class A Ordinary Shares Sogou repurchased in June 2014 were issued to shareholders other than Sohu.Sohu.com Inc.

Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, theThe Sohu Group holds approximately 52%over 50% of the total voting power and controlcontrols of the election of the Board of Directors of Sogou and, assuming that Tencent’s non-voting Class B Ordinary Shares are converted to voting shares, and that all Sogou share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan and all Sogou share options under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement are granted and exercised.exercised, the Sohu Group will continue to do so. As Sohu.com Inc. is the controlling shareholder of Sogou, Sohu.com Inc. consolidates Sogou in the Group’s consolidated financial statements, and recognizes noncontrolling interest reflecting economic interests in Sogou held by shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc.

Sohu’s Shareholding in Sogou

As of September 30, 2015,2016, Sogou had outstanding a combined total of 330,736,138334,670,182 ordinary shares and preferred shares held as follows:

 

(i)Sohu: 132,233,550Sohu.com Inc.: 131,697,750 Class A Ordinary Shares, of which 5,033,5504,484,500 shares are subject to purchase from Sohu under options heldmay be purchased by Sohu management and key employees;employees under an option arrangement;

 

(ii)Photon: 32,000,000 Series A Preferred Shares;Shares

 

(iii)Tencent: 6,757,875 Class A Ordinary Shares, 65,431,579 Series B Preferred Shares and 79,368,421 non-voting Class B Ordinary Shares; and

 

(iv)Various employees of Sogou and Sohu: 14,944,71319,414,557 Class A Ordinary Shares.

Because no ordinary shares will be issued with respect to share options granted by Sogou until they are vested and exercised, share options granted by Sogou that have not vested and vested share options that have not yet been exercised are not included as outstanding shares of Sogou and have no impact on the Sohu Group’s basic net income per share. Unvested share options with performance targets achieved and vested share options that have not yet been exercised do, however, have a dilutive impact on the Sohu Group’s dilutive net income per share. See Note 14 –13 - Net Income/(Loss) per Share.

Terms of Sogou Preferred Shares

In connection with the Sogou-Tencent Transactions, Sogou’s shareholders adopted a Fifth Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association and Second Amended and Restated Articles of Association (together, the “Revised Sogou Memorandum and Articles”), which became effective on September 16, 2013. The following is a summary of some of the key terms of the Sogou Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares (collectively, the “Sogou Preferred Shares”) under the Revised Sogou Memorandum and Articles.

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Dividend Rights

Sogou may not declare or pay dividends on its Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares (collectively, “Ordinary Shares”) unless the holders of the Sogou Preferred Shares then outstanding first receive a dividend on each outstanding Preferred Share in an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) the dividends that would have been payable to the holder of such Preferred Share if such share had been converted into Ordinary Shares, at the then-applicable conversion rate, immediately prior to the record date for such dividend, and (ii) all accrued and unpaid Accruing Dividends. “Accruing Dividends” are calculated from the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares at the rate per annum of $0.0375 per Series A Preferred Share and from the date of issuance of the Series B Preferred Shares at the rate per annum of $0.411 per Series B Preferred Share.

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Liquidation Rights

In the event of any “Liquidation Event,” such as the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Sogou, a merger or consolidation of Sogou resulting in a change of control, the sale of substantially all of Sogou’s assets or similar events, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to receive an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) $6.847 plus any unpaid Accruing Dividends or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable if the Series B Preferred Shares had been converted into Ordinary Shares prior the Liquidation Event, and holders of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, after payment to the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares but before any payment to holders of Ordinary Shares, an amount equal to the greater of (i) 1.3 times their original investment in the Series A Preferred Shares plus all accrued but unpaid Accruing Dividends or (ii) such amount per share as would be payable if the Series A Preferred Shares had been converted into Ordinary Shares immediately prior to the Liquidation Event.

Redemption Rights

The Sogou Preferred Shares are not redeemable at the option of the holders.

Conversion Rights

Each Sogou Preferred Share is convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder. Each Sogou Preferred Share is convertible into such number of Class A Ordinary Shares as is determined, in the case of Series A Preferred Shares, by dividing $0.625 by the then-effective conversion price for Series A Preferred Shares, which is initially $0.625, and, in the case of Series B Preferred Shares, by dividing $7.267 by the then-effective conversion price for Series B Preferred Shares, which is initially $7.267. The conversion prices of the Sogou Preferred Shares are subject to adjustment on a weighted average basis upon the issuance of additional equity shares, or securities convertible into equity shares, at a price per share less than $0.625, in the case of Series A Preferred Shares, or less than $7.267, in the case of Series B Preferred Shares, subject to certain customary exceptions, such as shares issued pursuant to the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. Each Sogou Preferred Share will be automatically converted into Class A Ordinary Shares of Sogou upon the closing of a qualified IPO of Sogou based on the then-effective conversion ratio of such Sogou Preferred Share, which is currently one-for-one for both Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares.

Voting Rights

Each holder of Sogou Preferred Shares is entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of Class A Ordinary Shares into which the Sogou Preferred Shares held by such holder are then convertible.

Other Rights

The holders of Sogou Preferred Shares have various other rights typical of preferred share investments.

Terms of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares

The Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares have identical rights, except that Class B Ordinary Shares do not have voting rights unless the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares elect, by written notice to Sogou, to convert them into shares with voting rights.

13.12. Noncontrolling Interest

The primary majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs of the Sohu Group which are consolidated in its consolidated financial statements with noncontrolling interest recognized are Sogou and Changyou.

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Noncontrolling Interest for Sogou

Since Sohu.com Inc. controls the election of the Board of Directors of Sogou, Sohu.com Inc. is Sogou’s controlling shareholder. Therefore, Sogou’s financial results have been consolidated with those of Sohu.com Inc. for all periods presented. To reflect the economic interest in Sogou held by shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc. (the “Sogou noncontrolling shareholders”), Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Sogou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders, along with changes in shareholders’ equity /(deficit) and adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to those share-based awards which are unvested and vested but not yet settled and the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders’ investments in Sogou Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares are accounted for as a noncontrolling interest classified as permanent equity in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, as the Sohu Group has the right to reject a redemption requested by the noncontrolling interest. These treatments are based on the terms governing the investment, and on the terms of the classes of Sogou shares held, by the noncontrolling shareholders in Sogou.

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By virtue of these terms, Sogou’s losses have been and will be allocated in the following order:

 

(i)net losses were allocated to holders of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the holder of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares until their basis in Sogou decreased to zero;

 

(ii)additional net losses were allocated to holders of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares until their basis in Sogou decreased to zero;

 

(iii)additional net losses will be allocated to the holder of Sogou Series B Preferred Shares until its basis in Sogou decreases to zero; and

 

(iv)further net losses will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou.

Net income from Sogou has been, and future net income from Sogou will be, allocated in the following order:

 

(i)net income will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou until their basis in Sogou increases to zero;

 

(ii)additional net income will be allocated to the holder of Sogou Series B Preferred Shares to bring its basis back;

 

(iii)additional net income will be allocated to holders of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares to bring their basis back;

 

(iv)further net income will be allocated to holders of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the holder of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares to bring their basis back; and

 

(v)further net income will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc. and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou.

Noncontrolling Interest for Changyou

As Sohu.com Inc. is Changyou’s controlling shareholder, Changyou’s financial results have been consolidated with those of Sohu.com Inc. for all periods presented. To reflect the economic interest in Changyou held by shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc. (the “Changyou noncontrolling shareholders”), Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income, based on their share of the economic interest in Changyou. Changyou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders, along with changes in shareholders’ equity, adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to those share-based awards which are unvested and vested but not yet settled and adjustment for changes in Sohu.com Inc.’s ownership in Changyou, are recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets.

Noncontrolling Interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 20142015 and September 30, 2015,2016, noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets was $487.2$547.6 million and $450.0$489.7 million, respectively.

 

  As of   As of 
  December 31,
2014

(in thousands)
   September 30,
2015

(in thousands)
   December 31, 2015
(in thousands)
   September 30, 2016
(in thousands)
 

Sogou

  $145,538    $96,561    $125,314    $150,393  

Changyou

   341,707     353,435     364,416     397,246  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $487,245    $449,996    $489,730    $547,639  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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Noncontrolling Interest of Sogou

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015, noncontrolling interest of Sogou of $145.5$150.4 million and $96.6$125.3 million, respectively, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, representing Sogou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc.;, Sogou’s share-based compensation expense;expense, the investments of shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc. in Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares of Sogou;Sogou, the repurchase of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from noncontrolling shareholders in March 2014 and September 2015;2015, and Sogou’s repurchase of Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders in June 2014.

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Noncontrolling Interest of Changyou

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015, noncontrolling interest of Changyou of $341.7$397.2 million and $353.4$364.4 million, respectively, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, representing a 32%31% and 31%32% economic interest, respectively, in Changyou’s net assets held by shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc. and reflecting the reclassification of Changyou’s share-based compensation expense from shareholders’ additional paid-in capital to noncontrolling interest.

Noncontrolling Interest in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014,2016, net lossincome attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income was $4.8$32.8 million and $19.1$80.2 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income was $42.1 million and $107.3 million, respectively.

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2014   2015   2014   2015   2015   2016   2015   2016 

Sogou

  $(3,977  $35,930    $(12,712  $74,212    $35,930    $20,283    $74,212    $46,383  

Changyou

   (783   6,212     (7,191   33,133     6,212     12,492     33,133     33,855  

Others

   0     0     765     0  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $(4,760  $42,142    $(19,138  $107,345    $42,142    $32,775    $107,345    $80,238  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Noncontrolling Interest of Sogou

For the three months ended September 30, 20142016 and 2015, a $4.0$20.3 million net loss and $35.9 million net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Sogou, respectively, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income, /(loss), representing Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc.

Noncontrolling Interest of Changyou

For the three months ended September 30, 20142016 and 2015, a $0.8net income of 12.5 million net loss and $6.2 million, net income, respectively, attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Changyou, representing a 32% and 31% economic interest respectively, in Changyou attributable to shareholders other than Sohu.com Inc., for the three months ended both September 30, 2016 and 2015, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

14.13. Net Income /(Loss) per Share

Basic net income /(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income /(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares comprise shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with performance requirements is not considered before the performance targets are actually met. The computation of diluted net income /(loss) per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e. an increase in earnings per share amounts or a decrease in loss per share amounts) on net income /(loss) per share. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, 32,000 common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards using the treasury stock method were dilutive and included in the denominator for calculation of diluted net income per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 64,0002016, 214,000 and 241,000, respectively, common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards using the treasury stock method were anti-dilutive and excluded from the denominator for calculation of diluted net loss per share.

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Additionally, for purposes of calculating the numerator of diluted net income /(loss) per share, the net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. is adjusted as follows. The adjustment will not be made if there is an anti-dilutive effect.

 

(1)Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. is determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Sogou shares held by Sohu.com Inc. represents of the weighted average number of Sogou Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares, shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible preferred shares under the if-converted method, and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and is not determined by allocating Sogou’s net income /(loss) to Sohu.com Inc. using the methodology for the calculation of net income /(loss) attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders discussed in Note 13 –12 - Noncontrolling Interest.

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In the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, the percentage of Sohu.com Inc.’s shareholding in Sogou was calculated by treating convertible preferred shares issued by Sogou as having been converted at the beginning of the period and unvested Sogou share options with the performance targets achieved as well as vested but unexercised Sogou share options as having been exercised during the period. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with a performance requirement was not considered before the performance targets were actually met. The effect of this calculation is presented as “incremental dilution from Sogou” in the table below. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Sogou shares and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted income /(loss) per share. As a result, Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s basic net income /(loss) per share.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, all of these Sogou shares and share options had an anti-dilutive effect, and therefore were excluded from the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss)loss per share, and “incremental dilution from Sogou” in the table below was zero.

 

(2)Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. is determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Changyou shares held by Sohu.com Inc. represents of the weighted average number of Changyou ordinary shares and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and not by using the percentage held by Sohu.com Inc. of the total economic interest in Changyou, which is used for the calculation of basic net income per share.

In the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, all of Changyou’s existing unvested restricted share units and share options, and vested restricted share units and share options that have not yet been settled, are treated as vested and settled by Changyou under the treasury stock method, causing the percentage of the weighted average number of shares held by Sohu.com Inc. in Changyou to decrease. As a result, Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis decreased accordingly. The effect of this calculation is presented as “incremental dilution from Changyou” in the table below. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Changyou restricted share units and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss) per share. As a result, Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s basic net income /(loss) per share.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, all of these Changyou restricted share units had a dilutive effect, and therefore were included in the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss)loss per share. This impact is presented as “incremental dilution from Changyou” in the table below.

In March 2014, Sogou purchased from China Web 14.4 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou for an aggregate purchase price of $47.3 million. In September 2015, Sogou purchased from Photon 6.4 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou for an aggregate purchase price of $21.0 million. These transactions gave rise to deemed dividends of $27.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively, which were deemed to have been contributed by Sohu.com Inc., as a holder of ordinary shares of Sogou, representing a portion of the differences between the prices Sogou paid to China Web and Photon for the Series A Preferred Shares and the carrying amounts of these Series A Preferred Shares in the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

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The following table presents the calculation of the Sohu Group’s basic and diluted net lossincome/ (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data).

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2014  2015  2014  2015 

Numerator:

     

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc., basic (after subtracting the deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders)

  $(27,138 $39,121   $(147,082 $(19,198
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

     

Incremental dilution from Sogou

   (1,259  0    (3,429  0  

Incremental dilution from Changyou

   (5  (324  0    (884
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc., diluted

  $(28,402 $38,797   $(150,511 $(20,082
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

   38,485    38,633    38,457    38,582  

Effect of dilutive securities:

     

Share options and restricted share units

   0    32    0    0  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

   38,485    38,665    38,457    38,582  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(0.71 $1.01   $(3.82 $(0.50
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $(0.74 $1.00   $(3.91 $(0.52
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,   September 30, 
   2015   2016   2015   2016 

Numerator:

        

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc., basic (after subtracting the deemed dividend to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders)

  $39,121    $(74,814  $(19,198  $(158,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Incremental dilution from Sogou

   0     0     0     0  

Incremental dilution from Changyou

   (324   (472   (884   (1,125
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc., diluted

  $38,797    $(75,286  $(20,082  $(159,249
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

   38,633     38,728     38,582     38,695  

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Share options and restricted share units

   32     0     0     0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

   38,665     38,728     38,582     38,695  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $1.01    $(1.93  $(0.50  $(4.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income /(loss) per share attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

  $1.00    $(1.94  $(0.52  $(4.12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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15.14. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In FebruaryMay 2014, the FASB issuedASU No.2014-09, ‘‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).’’ This guidance supersedes current guidance on revenue recognition in Topic 605, ‘‘Revenue Recognition.” In addition, there are disclosure requirements related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issuedConsolidation (Topic 810) – AmendmentsASU No.2015-14 to defer the Consolidation Analysiseffective date ofASU No.. The amendments in Topic 810 respond to stakeholders’ concerns about the current accounting2014-09 for consolidation of variable interestall entities by changing aspects of the analysisone year. For public business entities that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate such entities. Under the amendments, all reporting entities are within the scope ofSubtopic 810-10, Consolidation – Overall, including limited partnerships and similar legal entities, unless a scope exception applies. The amendments are intended to be an improvement to currentfollow U.S. GAAP, as they simplify the codification of FASB Statement No. 167,Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), with changes including reducingdeferral results in the number of consolidation models through the elimination of the indefinite deferral of Statement 167 and placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The amendmentsnew revenue standard are being effective for publicly-traded companies forfiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier2017, with early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements of adopting this guidance.

In September 2015, the FASB issuedASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which eliminates the requirement for acquirers in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts that would have been recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This update is effectivepermitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.2016. The implementationSohu Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this update is not expected to have any material impactstandard on the Group’s condensedits consolidated financial statements.

16.Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. On January 5, 2016, the FASB issuedASU2016-01 (“ASU 2016-01”), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Sohu Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases. On February 25, 2016, the FASB issuedASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases.ASU 2016-02 specifies the accounting for leases. For operating leases,ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions.ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Sohu Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Compensation – Stock Compensation. On March 30, 2016, the FASB issuedASU 2016-09 (“ASU2016-09”), Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which relates to the accounting for employee share-based payments. This standard addresses several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows; (d) accounting for forfeitures of share-based payments. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Sohu Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

-43-


Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update(“ASU”) 2016-13,Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Sohu Group is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Sohu Group is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

15. Subsequent Event

On October 24, 2016, Sohu Media entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with AmazGame, pursuant to which Sohu Media may borrow from time to time from AmazGame up to RMB1.0 billion (or approximately US$148.64 million). The first request for an advance under the Loan Agreement must be made on or prior to December 31, 2016, and requests for further advances may be made for one year following the initial advance. Such one-year request period may be extended for another one-year period with the consent of AmazGame. Principal amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement will bear interest at an annual rate of 6%. The outstanding principal of each advance will be due one year from the date of the advance, subject to extension for an additional year with the consent of AmazGame.

Also on October 24, 2016, Sohu.com (Game) Limited (“Sohu Game”), a Cayman Islands company that is an indirect subsidiary of Sohu and is the direct parent of Changyou, and Changyou entered into a share pledge agreement (the “Share Pledge Agreement”) pursuant to which Sohu Game pledged to Changyou an agreed-upon number of Changyou Class B ordinary shares of Changyou held by Sohu Game. The share pledge agreement will give Changyou the right to apply the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the loan to the repurchase of Changyou Class B ordinary shares from Sohu Game in the event that such principal and interest are not paid when due.

As of the date of this report, ChangyouSohu Media has completednot requested any advances from AmazGame under the sale of Doyo and has received most of the cash consideration. See Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements.Loan Agreement.

 

-46--44-


ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As used in this report, references to “us,” “we,” “our,” “our company,” “our Group,” the “Sohu Group,” the “Group,” and “Sohu.com” are to Sohu.com Inc. and, except where the context requires otherwise, our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) Sohu.com Limited, Sohu.com (Hong Kong) Limited (“Sohu Hong Kong”), All Honest International Limited (“All Honest”), Sohu.com (Game) Limited (“Sohu Game”), Go2Map Inc., Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”), Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”), Sogou (BVI) Limited (“Sogou BVI”), Sogou Hong Kong Limited (“Sogou HK”), Vast Creation Advertising Media Services Limited (“Vast Creation”), Sogou Technology Hong Kong Limited, Fox Video Investment Holding Limited (“Video Investment”), Fox Video Limited (“Sohu Video”), Fox Video (HK) Limited (“Video HK”), Focus Investment Holding Limited, Sohu Focus Limited, Sohu Focus (HK) Limited, Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Era”), Beijing Sohu Software Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Sohu Interactive Software Co., Ltd., Go2Map Software (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Sogou Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Technology”), Beijing Sogou Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Sogou Network”), Fox Information Technology (Tianjin) Limited (“Video Tianjin”), Beijing Sohu New Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Media”), Beijing Focus Time Advertising Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Sohu New Momentum Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu New Momentum”), Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (“High Century”), Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Heng Da Yi Tong”, formerly known as Beijing Sohu Entertainment Culture Media Co., Ltd.), Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Internet”), Beijing GoodFeel Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Information”), Beijing 21 East Culture Development Co., Ltd., Beijing Sohu Donglin Advertising Co., Ltd.(“Donglin”), Beijing Pilot New Era Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Pilot New Era”), Beijing Focus Yiju Network Information Technology Co., Ltd., SohuPay Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Sohu Dianjin Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Yi He Jia Xun Information Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Jinhu”), Guangzhou Qianjun Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guangzhou Qianjun”), Shenzhen Shi Ji Guang Su Information Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu Sogou Easypay Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Shi Ji Si Su Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Intelligence World Network Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing Qogir Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd., SendCloud Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Hua Yang Lian Zhong Advertising Co., Ltd, Beijing Focus Interactive Information Service Co., Ltd., Beijing Focus Xin Gan Xian Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Focus Real Estate Agency Co., Ltd. and our independently-listed majority-owned subsidiary Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou,” formerly known as TL Age Limited) as well as the following direct and indirect subsidiaries and VIEs of Changyou: Changyou.com (HK)HK Limited (“Changyou HK”) formerly known as TL Age Hong Kong Limited), Changyou.com Webgames (HK) Limited (“Changyou HK Webgames”), Changyou.com Gamepower (HK) Limited, ICE Entertainment (HK) Limited (“ICE HK”), Changyou.com Gamestar (HK) Limited, Changyou.com (US) LLC. (formerly known as AmazGame Entertainment (US) Inc.), Changyou.com Korea Limited, Changyou.com India Private Limited, Changyou BİLİŞİM HİZMETLERİ TİCARET LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ,BILISIM HIZMETLERI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, Kylie Enterprises Limited, Mobogarden Enterprises Limited, Heroic Vision Holdings Limited, TalkTalk Limited, RaidCall (HK) Limited, 7Road.com Limited (“7Road”), 7Road.com HK Limited (“7Road HK”), Changyou.com (TH) Limited, Changyou.com Rus Limited, PT.CHANGYOU TECHNOLOGY INDONESIA, Changyou Middle East FZ-LLC, Changyou.com Technology Brazil Desenvolvimento De Programas LTDA, Greative Entertainment Limited (formerly known as Greative Digital Limited), Glory Loop Limited (“Glory Loop”), MoboTap Inc. (“MoboTap”, a Cayman Islands company), MoboTap Inc. Limited (“MoboTap HK”), MoboTap Inc. (a Delaware corporation), Dolphin Browser Inc., TMobi Limited (formerly known as Muse Entertainment Limited), Dstore Technology Limited, Mobo Information Technology Pte. Ltd., Global Cool Limited, Changyou Mobo Glint Limited, Global Cool Limited, Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“AmazGame”), Beijing Changyou Skyline Property Management Co., Ltd, Beijing Cruise stars Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamespace”), ICE Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“ICE Information”), Beijing Changyou RaidCall Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“RaidCall”), Beijing Yang Fan Jing He Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Yang Fan Jing He”), Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jingmao”), Shanghai Hejin Data Consulting Co., Ltd., Beijing Changyou Jingmao Film & Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Jingmao”), Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”), Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanyou Gamespace”), Beijing Doyo Internet Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Zhi Hui You Information Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai ICE”), Shenzhen 7Road Network Technologies Co., Ltd. (“7Road Technology”), Beijing Changyou Star Digital Technology Co., Ltd (“Changyou Star”), Beijing Changyou Creation Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Changyou e-pay Co. Ltd.), Beijing Changyou Aishouxin Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Brilliant Imagination Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Brilliant Imagination”), Fujian Changyou Heguang Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Baina Information Technology Co., Ltd., Baina Zhiyuan (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Baina Technology”), Beijing Anzhuoxing Technology Co., Ltd., Baina Zhiyuan (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu Xingyu Technology Co., Ltd., Baina (Wuhan) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Baina Information”), Wuhan Xingyu Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan Hualian Chuangke Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Global Cool Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Changyou Ledong InternetCreative Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Global Cool Technology Co., Ltd.,HongKong New Xinlang Electron Group Limited, and these references should be interpreted accordingly. Unless otherwise specified, references to “China” or “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China and do not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region or Taiwan. This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015,February 26, 2016, as updated by Part II Item 1A of this report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

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OVERVIEW

Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU), a Delaware corporation organized in 1996, is a leading Chinese online media, search and game service group providing comprehensive online products and services on PCs and mobile devices in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). Our businesses are conducted by Sohu.com Inc. and its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”)VIEs (collectively referred to as the “Sohu Group” or “the Group”). The Sohu Group consists of Sohu, which when referred to in this report, unless the context requires otherwise, excludes the businesses and the corresponding subsidiaries and VIEs of Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”) and Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou”), Sogou and Changyou. Sogou and Changyou are indirect controlled subsidiaries of Sohu.com Inc. Sohu is a leading Chinese language online media content and services provider. Sogou is a leading online search, client software and mobile Internet product provider in China. Changyou is a leading online game developer and operator in China as measured by the popularity of its PC game TLBBTian Long Ba Bu (“TLBB”) and its mobile game TLBB 3D, and engages primarily in the development, operation and licensing of online games for PCs and mobile devices. Most of our operations are conducted through our indirect wholly-owned and majority-owned China-based subsidiaries and VIEs.

Factors and Trends Affecting our Business

With the accelerated shift in user activities from desktop computers (“PCs”)PCs to mobile devices and an increase in the number of Internet users, the usage of various kinds of mobile Internet services continued to accelerate at a fast pace during the third quarter of 2015.increase. At Sohu, we focused our efforts on developing a portfolio of leading mobile products across our business lines that we believed our users would like. Our key products continued to gain traction. For example, during the month ended September 30, 2015, mobile traffic for our online video business contributed more than 60% of our total traffic. Sogou maintained rapid growth in search traffic and as of the end of September 2015 mobile search traffic had surpassed PC search traffic for the first time. The monetization of mobile traffic is also progressing well, as advertisers have recognized the value of the mobile Internet.

For the third quarter of 2015, the soft Chinese macro economy impacted our brand advertising business, as traditional brand advertisers shrank their marketing budgets. The depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar also had an adverse effect on our reported financial results, which are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

For Sohu Media Portal, the transition from a PC portalwe continued our efforts to a leadingimprove content quality and refine our mobile news platform is well on track. We focused our efforts on enhancingproducts — the features within our leading mobile newsSohu News APP and the Web-based HTML5 Portal m.sohu.com. In September, we launched a new version of Sohu News App to optimize the user interface and improving the overall content quality. Our lean but highly efficient editorial team now mainly focuses on reporting general and business news, while we invited a vast numberenhance user engagement. As of outside contributors, who generated hundredsSeptember 2016, daily active users of articles on a daily basis.

Online video is one of the top Internet services in China, and Sohu Video is a leading video service provider in China. We noted an accelerating trend away from television toward streaming video, which is important specificallyNews APP continued to Sohu’s online video business, as advertising dollars shift from television to online video.gain traction. In the meantime, as competition intensified,third quarter, amid the major players stepped up their content spending to attract viewers. The average licensing fee for premium content grew significantly as compared to 2014. We expect that the industry-wide unfavorable cost structure will continue to overshadow the profitability outlook for the entire industry, including us, in the near term. The recent slowdown in the growth of the Chinese economy also hadin China, ad spending by large brand advertisers was soft, while demand from small and medium enterprise (SME) customers remained healthy.

The online video service remained one of the most popular internet applications, and continued to gain viewers from television stations. The video industry continued to be deeply competitive as major online platforms aggressively competed for popular content. The competition lead to an impact on ourescalation in the price of content. To secure a leading position in the online video business. Big advertisers became more conservative as they tended to prioritize their reduced budgetsindustry, during 2016 Sohu Video has ramped up its investment in content, particularly in original productions. These investments have contributed to the best-known traditional programs, a category inexpansion of our user base, which we have consciously scaled down investment given unacceptable price inflation. As a result, for the third quarter of 2015,expect will benefit our video advertising revenues decelerated. We remain optimistic aboutand subscription businesses. In the long-term prospectsmeantime, due to increased costs for content, the loss-making of Sohu Video widened in the online video business, which is a strategic key business line for Sohu. For 2015, our content strategy has been to rationalize our spending on licensed content while we focus more on original and professionally-generated content.first three quarters of 2016.

On September 16, 2013, we entered into a strategic cooperation with Tencent Holding Limited (Tencent Holding Limited together with its subsidiaries, “Tencent”) forFor our search and Web directorysearch-related business, in connection with which Tencent invested in Sogou. We believe that this strategic cooperation has reinforced Sogou as a leader in the large and fast-growing China market for search and Internet services, particularly for the mobile end. In the online search sector, Sogou is one of the top three PC search players in China, and wethe online search sector in China. We have demonstrated greater potential in mobile search. In the third quarter, we further differentiatedreinforced our mobile search services while we continued to deepen ourcompetitive position through cooperation with Tencent, which has helped us build exclusive access to Tencent’s social platforms connecting with moreand bring in unique and high-quality content. In the third quarter of 2016, we diligently enhanced our healthcare and English search services. Sogou’s mobile search traffic more than doubled from the same period in 2015, contributing nearly three-fourths of aggregate paid clicks and cost-per-click continuedtraffic. Mobile search revenues accounted for more than 50% of total search revenues. During the third quarter, we also made encouraging progress in artificial intelligence, in particular with voice technology. The daily usage of voice input through Sogou Mobile Keyboard increased by 100% from a year ago. Due to grow, with improving mobile monetization.newly-imposed regulations for online advertising that tightened the scrutiny of advertisers’ qualifications, in the third quarter, Sogou’s year-over-year revenue growth decelerated from the previous quarters.

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For Changyou’s PC game business, revenues from Tian Long Ba Bu (“TLBB”), remained stable on a PCsequential basis. Changyou’s top priority for TLBB is to retain a core base of game which we developedplayers and currently operate in China, continued to deliver solid revenues and profitability, although it slowed consistent with its status asmaintain the long-term healthy development of the game. To realize this, a mature game. Revenue contribution from PC gamesnew expansion pack for the game will be launched recently offset declines in Changyou’s older PC games induring the thirdfourth quarter of 2015. However,2016, which is expected to stabilize monthly active accounts, as market demand for new PC games continueswell as to fall, Changyou will shift more resources towards mobile game development.extend the game’s life span. For Changyou’s mobile game business, revenues from TLBB 3D which was launched in the fourth quarter of 2014,mobile game declined sequentially by roughly 30%. A new expansion pack is planned for launchapproximately 28%, mainly due to its natural declining life cycle and increasing competition in the fourth quarter, which Changyou management hopes will slow down the decline in revenue andMassively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (“MMORPGs”) mobile game market. In order to extend the game’s life span. Twospan, Changyou will explore new in-house developed mobilesocial interactive features that can be added to the game. Overall, Changyou plans to stick to the “Top Games, Big IP, Mass Marketing” strategy, and focus on developing popular games are atthat resonate with users and retain their interest over the final stage of beta-testing and are scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2015 or the first quarter of 2016.long term. For the three months ended September 30, 2015,2016, the PC games and mobile games that Changyou operates had approximately 6.55.5 million total average monthly active accounts and approximately 1.91.7 million total average monthly active paying accounts.

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Our Business

Through the operation of Sohu, Sogou and Changyou, we generate online advertising revenues (including brand advertising revenues and search and search-related revenues (which we formerly referred to as search and Web directory revenues), online games revenues and othersother revenues. Online advertising and online games are our core businesses. For the three months ended September 30, 2015,2016, total revenues generated by Sohu, Sogou and Changyou were approximately $522.1$410.6 million, including:

Sohu:

 

$133.699.2 million in brand advertising revenues, of which $51.2$48.0 million was from Sohu Media Portal, $55.4$25.4 million was from Sohu Video, and $27.0$25.8 million was from Focus; and

 

$37.69.6 million in othersother revenues, mainly attributable to the filming businessrevenues from the film “Jian Bing Man”interactive broadcasting services, paid subscription services, mobile-related services and mobile-related services.sub-licensing of purchased video content to third parties.

Total revenues generated by Sohu were $171.2$108.8 million.

Sogou:

 

$147.9150.7 million in search and search-related revenues (formerly referred to as “search and Web directory” revenues);revenues; and

 

$14.415.2 million in othersother revenues, primarily attributable to Sogou’s offering of Internet value-added services (or “IVAS”) with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, as well as other services and products provided to users.

Total revenues generated by Sogou were $162.3$165.9 million.

Changyou:

 

$152.598.6 million in online game revenues;

 

$17.911.7 million in brand advertising revenues, mainly attributable to Changyou’s 17173.com Website; and

 

$18.225.6 million in othersother revenues attributable to Changyou’s cinema advertising revenues, and Changyou’s operation of the platform channel business, including RaidCall, the Dolphin Browser and other software applications.business.

Total revenues generated by Changyou were $188.6$135.9 million.

For the three months ended September 30, 2015,2016 our total brand advertising revenues were $151.5$110.9 million, total search and search-related revenues were $147.9$150.7 million, total online game revenues were $152.5$98.6 million, and total othersother revenues were $70.2$50.4 million.

Sohu’s Business

Brand Advertising Business

Sohu’s main business is the brand advertising business, which offers to users, over our matrices of Chinese language online media, various content, products and services across multiple Internet-enabled devices, such as PCs, mobile phones and tablets. The majority of our products and services are provided through Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video and Focus.

 

Sohu Media Portal.Sohu Media Portal is a leading online news and information provider in China. Sohu Media Portal provides users comprehensive content through www.sohu.com for PCs, the mobile portal m.sohu.com and the mobile phone application Sohu News APP;APP and the mobile portal m.sohu.com;

 

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Sohu Video.Sohu Video (tv.sohu.com) is a leading online video content and service provider in China through tv.sohu.com for PCs and the mobile phone application Sohu Video APP; and

 

Focus.Focus (www.focus.cn) is a leading online real estate information and services provider in China.

Revenues generated by the brand advertising business are classified as brand advertising revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

OthersOther Business

Sohu also engages in the othersother business, which includes the filming business, mobile-relatedconsists primarily of interactive broadcasting services, sub-licensing of purchased video content to third parties, and paid subscription services, the filming business, and mobile-related services. Revenues generated by Sohu from the othersother business are classified as othersother revenues in the Sohu Group’sour consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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Sogou’s Business

Search and Search-related Business

The search and search-related business primarily offers advertisers pay-for-click services, as well as online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou. Pay-for-click services enable advertisers’ promotional links to be displayed on the Sogou search result pages and Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites where the links are relevant to the subject and content of such Web pages. Both pay-for-click services and online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou expand the distribution of our advertisers’ Websitepromotional links and advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites. Our search and search-related business benefits significantly from our collaboration with Tencent, which provides us access to traffic and content generated from users of products and services provided by Tencent.

Revenues generated by the search and search-related business are classified as search and search-related revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

OthersOther Business

Sogou also engages in the othersother business, primarily by primarily offering IVAS with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, as well as other services and products provided to users. Revenues generated by Sogou from the othersother business are classified as othersother revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Changyou’s Business

Changyou has three businesses, consistingChangyou’s business lines consist of the online game business, the platform channel business and the othersother business.

Online Game Business

Changyou’s online game business offers to game players (a) PC games, which are interactive online games designed primarily for playingthat are accessed and played simultaneously by hundreds of thousands of game players through personal computers and require that local client-end game access software be installed on PCs;the computers used; (b) mobile games, which are played on mobile devices withand require an Internet connection; and (c) Web games, which are online games that are played over the Internet usingthrough a Web browser.browser with no local game software installation requirements. Web games became a relatively insignificant part of Changyou’s PC games and mobile games are mainly MMOGs, which are interactive online games that may be played simultaneously by hundredsbusiness following the sale of thousands of game players.7Road’s operating company Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen 7Road, in August 2015. All of Changyou’s games are operated under the item-based revenue model, wheremeaning that game players can play the games for free, but can purchasechoose to pay for virtual items, to enhance the game-playing experience.which are non-physical items that game players can purchase and use within a game, such as gems, pets, fashion items, magic medicine, riding animals, hierograms, skill books and fireworks. Revenues derived from the operation of online games are classified as online game revenues in the Sohu Group’sour consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Platform Channel Business

Changyou also owns and operates a numberChangyou’s platform channel business consists primarily of Web properties and software applications for PCs and mobile devices (collectively referred to as “platform channels”), includingthe operation of the 17173.com Website, the Dolphin Browser and RaidCall. The 17173.com Website, which is one of the leading game information portals forin China, provides news, electronic forums, online videos and other information services on online games to game players in China; RaidCall, which provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan; and theplayers. The Dolphin Browser is a gateway to a host of user activities on mobile devices, with the majority of its users based in Europe, Russia and Japan. RaidCall provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Changyou management determined that the Dolphin Browser was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyou’s platform channels serve various needsbusiness and therefore formed the intention to divest Changyou’s 51% equity interest in MoboTap (collectively with its subsidiaries and VIEs “MoboTap”), which is the mobile technology developer behind the Dolphin Browser. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of its usersMoboTap were recognized as assets held for sale and help Changyou reach more user communities and conduct cross-promotionsliabilities held for sale, respectively, in the third quarter of its games and services.2016. Revenues generated by the 17173.com Website are classified as brand advertising revenues and revenues generated by RaidCall and the Dolphin Browser and by RaidCall are classified as othersother revenues in ourthe Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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OthersOther Business

Changyou also operates a cinema advertising business, which consists of ChangyouChangyou’s offering of pre-film cinema advertising slots for advertisements to bethat are shown in cinemas before the screening of movies.a movie in a cinema theatre. Revenues generated by Changyou’s cinema advertising business are classified as othersother revenues in ourthe Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND MANAGEMENT ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations relates to our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Identified below are the accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates and judgments, and those that we believe are the most critical to fully understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sohu.com Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.

VIE Consolidation

Our VIEs are wholly or partially owned by certain of our employees as nominee shareholders. For our consolidated VIEs, management made evaluations of the relationships between us and our VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangements with the VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of such contractual arrangements, we control the shareholders’ voting interests in these VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, management concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of our consolidated VIEs. Our Group has two VIEs that are not consolidated, since we are not the primary beneficiary.

Noncontrolling Interest Recognition

Noncontrolling interests are recognized to reflect the portion of the equity of majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling shareholder. Currently, the noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements primarily consist of noncontrolling interests for Sogou and Changyou.

Noncontrolling Interest for Sogou

As we control the election of the Board of Directors of Sogou, we are Sogou’s controlling shareholder. Accordingly, we consolidate Sogou in our consolidated financial statements, and recognize noncontrolling interest reflecting economic interests in Sogou held by shareholders other than us. To reflect the economic interest in Sogou held by shareholders other than us (the “Sogou noncontrolling shareholders”), Sogou’s net income /(loss)/ (loss) attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders is recorded as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Sogou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders, along with changes in shareholders’ equity /(deficit) and adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to those share-based awards which are unvested and vested but not yet settled and the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders’ investments in Sogou Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares are accounted for as a noncontrolling interest classified as permanent equity in our consolidated balance sheets, as we have the right to reject a redemption requested by the noncontrolling interest. These treatments are based on the terms governing investment, and on the terms of the classes of Sogou shares held, by the noncontrolling shareholders in Sogou.

By virtue of these terms, Sogou’s losses have been and will be allocated in the following order:

(i) net losses were allocated to holders of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the holder of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares until their basis in Sogou decreased to zero;

(ii) additional net losses were allocated to holders of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares until their basis in Sogou decreased to zero;

(iii) additional net losses will be allocated to the holder of Sogou Series B Preferred Shares until its basis in Sogou decreases to zero; and

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(iv) further net losses will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc.Sohu and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou.

Net income from Sogou has been, and future net income from Sogou will be, allocated in the following order:

(i) net income will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc.Sohu and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou until their basis in Sogou increases to zero;

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(ii) additional net income will be allocated to the holder of Sogou Series B Preferred Shares to bring its basis back;

(iii) additional net income will be allocated to holders of Sogou Series A Preferred Shares to bring their basis back;

(iv) further net income will be allocated to holders of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the holder of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares to bring their basis back; and

(v) further net income will be allocated between Sohu.com Inc.Sohu and noncontrolling shareholders based on their shareholding percentage in Sogou.

Noncontrolling Interest for Changyou

As of September 30, 2015,the date of this report, we held approximately 69% of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares, and controlled approximately 96% of the total voting power in Changyou. As we are Changyou’s controlling shareholder, we consolidate Changyou in our consolidated financial statements, andbut recognize noncontrolling interest reflecting the economic interest in Changyou held by shareholders other than us.

To reflect the economic interest in Changyou held by shareholders other than us (“Changyou noncontrolling shareholders”), Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders is recorded as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income, based on their share of the economic interest in Changyou. Changyou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders, along with changes in shareholders’ equity, adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to those share-based awards which are unvested and vested but not yet settled and adjustment for changes in Sohu’sour ownership in Changyou, are recorded as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated balance sheets.

Segment Reporting

Our Group’s segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”), or the decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM is Sohu.com Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The recognition of revenues involves certain management judgments. The amount and timing of our revenues could be materially different for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.

Barter trade transactions in which physical goods or services (other than advertising services) are received in exchange for advertising services are recorded based on the fair values of the goods and services received. For online advertising-for-online advertising barter transactions, no revenue or expense is recognized because the fair value of neither the advertising surrendered nor the advertising received is determinable.

Online Advertising Revenues

Online advertising revenues include revenues from brand advertising services as well as search and search-related services. We recognize revenue for the amount of fees we receive from our advertisers, after deducting agent rebates and net of value-added tax (“VAT”) and related surcharges.

Brand Advertising Revenues

Business Model

Through PCs and mobile devices, we provide advertisement placements to our advertisers on different Website channelsInternet platforms and in different formats, which include banners, links, logos, buttons, full screen, pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll video screens, pause video screens, loading page ads, news feed ads and in-feed video infomercial ads.

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Currently we have four main types of pricing models, consisting of the Fixed Price model, the Cost Per Impression (“CPM”) model, the E-commerce model, and the Cost Per click (“CPC”) modelmodel.

Fixed Price model

Under the Fixed Price model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided.

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CPM model

Under the CPM model, the unit price for each qualifying display is fixed, but there is no overall fixed price for the advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser. A qualifying display is defined as the appearance of an advertisement, where the advertisement meets criteria specified in the contract. Advertising fees are charged to the advertisers based on the unit prices and the number of qualifying displays.

E-commerce model

Under the e-commerce model, revenues were mainly generated from sales of membership cards which allow potential home buyers to purchase specified properties from real estate developers at a discount greater than the price that Focus charges for the card. Membership fees are refundable until the potential home buyer uses the discounts to purchase properties. Focus recognizes such revenues upon obtaining confirmation that the membership card has been redeemed to purchase a property.

CPC model

Under the CPC model, there is no overall fixed price for advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser. We

charge advertisers on a per-click basis when the users click on the advertisements. The unit price for each click is fixed or auction-based.

Revenue Recognition

For brand advertising revenue recognition, prior to entering into contracts, we make a credit assessment of the advertiser. For contracts for which collectability is determined to be reasonably assured, we recognize revenue when all revenue recognition criteria are met. In other cases, we only recognize revenue when the cash is received and all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

In accordance withASU No. 2009-13, we treat advertising contracts with multiple deliverable elements as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and to recognize revenue on a periodic basis during the contract when each deliverable service is provided. Since the contract price is for all deliverables, we allocate the arrangement consideration to all deliverables at the inception of the arrangement on the basis of their relative selling prices.

Search and Search-related Revenues

Search and search-related services primarily include pay-for-click services, as well as online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou.

Pay-for-click Services

Pay-for-click services are services that enable our advertisers’ promotional links to be displayed on Sogou search result pages and Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites where the links are relevant to the subject and content of such Web pages. For pay-for-click services, we introduce Internet users to our advertisers through our auction-based pay-for-click systems and charge advertisers on a per-click basis when the users click on the displayed links. Revenue for pay-for-click services is recognized on a per-click basis when the users click on the displayed links.

Online Marketing Services on Web Directories Operated by Sogou

Online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou mainly consist of displaying advertisers’ Websitepromotional links on the Web pages of Web directories. Revenue for online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou is normally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, provided our obligations under the contract have been met and all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

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Both pay-for-click services and online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou expand distribution of advertisers’ Websitepromotional links or advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogou Website Alliance members’ Websites. We recognize gross revenue forequal to the amount of fees we receive from advertisers, as we have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability. Payments made to Sogou Website Alliance members are included in cost of search and search-related revenues as traffic acquisition costs. We pay Sogou Website Alliance members based on either revenue-sharing arrangements, under which we pay a percentage of pay-for-click revenues generated from clicks by users of their properties, or on a pre-agreed unit price.

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Online Game Revenues

Changyou’s online game business offers to game players PC games, mobile games and Web games. All of Changyou’s games are operated under the item-based revenue model, where the basic game play functions are free of charge and players are charged for purchases of in-game virtual items, including those with a predetermined expiration time and perpetual virtual items. Revenues that Changyou generates from self-operated and licensed out online games are included in online game revenues.

Self-Operated Games

Changyou is the primary obligor of its self-operated games. Changyou hosts the games on its own servers and is responsible for the sale and marketing of the games as well as customer service. Accordingly, revenues are recorded gross of revenue sharing-payments to third-party developers and/or mobile appAPP stores, but are net of business taxVAT and discounts to game card distributors where applicable. Revenues obtained by Changyou obtains revenues from the sale of in-game virtual itemsitems. Revenues are recognized over the estimated lives of the virtual items purchased by game players or as the virtual items are consumed. If different assumptions were used in deriving the estimated lives of the virtual items, the timing of the recording of the revenues would be impacted.

PC Games

Proceeds from the self-operation of PC games are collected from players and third-party game card distributors through sales of Changyou’s game points on its online payment platform and prepaid game cards. Self-operated PC games are either developed in house or licensed from third-party developers. For licensed PC games, Changyou remits a pre-agreed percentage of the proceeds to the third-party developers, and keeps the balance pursuant to revenue-sharing agreements. Such revenue-sharing amounts paid to third-party developers are recorded in Changyou’s cost of revenues.

Mobile Games

For self-operated mobile games, Changyou sells game points to its game players via third-party mobile appAPP stores. The mobile appapplication stores in turn pay Changyou proceeds after deducting their share of pre-agreed revenue-sharing amounts.

Self-operated mobile games are either developed in house or licensed from or jointly developed with third-party developers. For licensed and jointly developed mobile games, Changyou remits a pre-agreed percentage of the proceeds to the third-party developers, and keeps the balance pursuant to revenue-sharing agreements. Such revenue-sharing amounts paid to mobile appapplication stores and third-party developers are recorded in Changyou’s cost of revenues.

Web Games

Proceeds from self-operated Web games are collected from players through the sale of game points. All of Changyou’s self-operated Web games were developed in house.

Licensed Out Games

Changyou also authorizes third-partiesthird parties to operate its online games. Licensed out games include PC games, mobile games and Web games developed in house and mobile games jointly developed with third-party developers. Changyou receives monthly revenue-based royalty payments from all the third-party licensee operators. Changyou receives additional up-front license fees from certain third-party licensee operators who are entitled to an exclusive right to operate Changyou’s games in specified geographic areas. Since Changyou is obligated to provide post-sale services, the initial license fees are recognized as revenue ratably over the license period, and the monthly revenue-based royalty payments are recognized when relevant services are delivered, provided that collectability is reasonably assured. Changyou views the third-party licensee operators as Changyou’s customers and recognizes revenues on a net basis, as Changyou does not have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the game services. Changyou remits to the third-party developers a pre-agreed percentage of revenues from jointly developed and licensed out mobile games, and recognizes revenues on a net basis.

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Others RevenuesOther revenues

Sohu

Sohu also engages in the othersother business, which includes the filming business, mobile-relatedconsists primarily of interactive broadcasting services, sub-licensing of purchased video content to third parties, and paid subscription services. Revenues generated by Sohu fromservices, and the others business are classified as others revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.filming business.

Sogou

OthersOther revenues attributable to Sogou are primarily IVAS revenues derived from the operation of Web games and mobile games of third-party developers as well as other services and products that Sogou provides to users. Revenues from IVAS are recognized when Sogou’s obligations under the agreements and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

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Changyou

OthersOther revenues attributable to Changyou are primarily generated from its platform channelcinema advertising business and its others business. In its platform channel business, Changyou offers IVAS with respect to the operation of Web games of third-party developers and services provided to software application users. Revenues from IVAS are recognized when Changyou’s obligations under the agreements with the third-party developers and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.business.

In its otherscinema advertising business, Changyou provides advertisementclients advertising placements in advertising slots to bethat are shown in cinemastheatres before the screening of movies. When all the recognition criteria are met, revenues from cinema advertising are recognized based on a percentage of the advertising slots actually delivered or on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

In its platform channel business, Changyou provides IVAS through its operation of software applications for PCs and mobile devices, such as the Dolphin Browser and RaidCall.

Product Development Expenses

Product development expenses mainly consist of personnel-relatedsalary and benefits expenses, technical service fees, depreciation and amortization expenses, stock-based compensation, content and license expenses, and facilities expenses. These expenses are incurred for the enhancement and maintenance of our Websites, costs associated with new product development and maintenance and costsInternet platforms as well as for enhancement of existingour products and services, including the development costs of online games prior to the establishment of technological feasibility and maintenance costs after the online games are available for marketing.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses are included in sales and marketing expenses, and generally represent the expenses of promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Sohu Group or a desire to subscribe for the Group’s products and services. Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred.

Share-based Compensation Expense

Sohu (excluding Fox Video Limited), Sogou, Changyou, and Fox Video Limited (“Sohu Video”) have incentive plans and prior to June 28, 2013 7Road had an incentive plan, for the granting of share-based awards, including common stock or ordinary shares,options, share options restricted shares and restricted share units, to members of the boards of directors, management and other key employees.

For share-based awards for which a grant date has occurred, share-based compensation expense is recognized as costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income based on the fair value of the related share-based awards on their grant dates. For share-based awards for which the service inception date precedes the grant date, share-based compensation expense is recognized as costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income beginning on the service inception date and is re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the related share-based awards. Share-based compensation expense is charged to the shareholders’ equity or noncontrolling interest section in the consolidated balance sheets. The assumptions used in share-based compensation expense recognition represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. If factors change or different assumptions are used, our share-based compensation expense could be materially different for any period. Moreover, the estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that ultimately will be realized by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value made by us for accounting purposes.

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Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, and Changyou Share-based Awards

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) Share-based Awards

In determining the fair value of sharestock options granted by Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) as share-based awards before 2006, the Black-Scholes valuation model was applied. In determining the fair value of restricted share units granted, the public market price of the underlying shares on the grant dates was applied.

Options for the purchase of 1,068,000 and 13,000 shares of Sohu common stock contractually granted on February 7, 2015 and May 1, 2016, respectively, are subject to vesting in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. For purposes ofUnderASC 718-10-25, no grant date had occurred as of September 30, 2015, because no grant date couldcan be established until a mutual understanding wasis reached between Sohu and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance withASC 718-10-55, as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. The estimate of the awards’ fair values will be fixed in the period in which the grant date occurs, and cumulative compensation expense will be adjusted based on the fair value at the grant date. In determining the fair values of the sharestock options granted, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was used, and a binomial valuation model was applied.

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Sogou Share-based Awards

In determining the fair value of share options granted by Sogou as share-based awards, the income approach /discounted cash flow method with a discount for lack of marketability was applied, given that the shares underlying the awards were not publicly traded at the time of grant. Certain persons who became Sogou employees when Tencent’s Soso search-related businesses were transferred to Sogou on September 16, 2013 had been granted restricted share units under Tencent’s share award arrangements prior to the transfer of the businesses to Sogou. These Tencent restricted share units will continue to vest under the original Tencent share award arrangements provided the transferred employees continue to be employed by Sogou during the requisite service period. After the transfer of the Soso search-related businesses to Sogou, Sogou applied the guidance inASC 505-50 to measure the related compensation expense, based on the then-current fair value at each reporting date, which is deemed to have been incurred by Tencent as an investor on Sogou’s behalf. To determine the then-current fair value of the Tencent restricted share units granted to these employees, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was applied. Because Sogou is not required to reimburse Tencent for such share-based compensation expense, the related amount was recorded by Sogou as a capital contribution from Tencent.

Changyou Share-based Awards

In determining the fair value of ordinary shares and restricted share units granted by Changyou as share-based awards in 2008, the income approach /discounted cash flow method with a discount for lack of marketability was applied, given that the shares underlying the awards were not publicly traded at the time of grant. In determining the fair value of restricted share units granted in 2009 shortly before Changyou’s initial public offering, the fair value of the underlying shares was determined based on Changyou’s offering price for its initial public offering. In determining the fair value of restricted share units granted after Changyou’s initial public offering, the public market price of the underlying shares on the grant dates was applied.

Options for the purchase of 2,400,000 Changyou ordinary shares that were converted to options from restricted share units on February 16, 2015, and options contractually granted on June 1, 2015 for the purchase of 1,998,000 Changyou ordinary shares awardsand options contractually granted on July 28, 2016 for the purchase of 1000,000 Changyou ordinary shares are subject to vesting in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. For purposes ofUnderASC 718-10-25, no grant date had occurred as of September 30, 2015, because no grant date couldcan be established until a mutual understanding wasis reached between Changyou and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance withASC 718-10-55, as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be re-measured on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. The estimate of the awards’ fair values will be fixed in the period in which the grant date occurs, and cumulative compensation expense will be adjusted based on the fair values at the grant date. In determining the fair values of Changyou share options granted, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was used, and a binomial valuation model was applied.

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Compensation Expense Recognition

For share options restricted shares and restricted share units granted with respect to Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) shares and Changyou shares, compensation expense is recognized on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period. For share options granted with respect to Sogou shares, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period during which the service period requirement and performance target will be met. For Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search-related businesses, compensation expense is recognized by Sogou on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period, and the fair value of the share-based compensation is re-measured at each reporting date until a measurement date occurs. The number of share-based awards for which the service is not expected to be rendered over the requisite period is estimated, and no compensation expense is recorded for the number of awards so estimated.

Sohu Video Share-based Awards

On January 4, 2012, Sohu Video, the holding entity of Sohu’s video division, adopted a 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan”) which provides for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 ordinary shares of Sohu Video (representing approximately 10% of the outstanding Sohu Video Sharesshares on a fully-diluted basis) to management and key employees of the video division and to Sohu management. As of September 30, 2015,2016, grants of options for the purchase of 16,368,200 ordinary shares of Sohu Video had been contractually made, of which options for the purchase of 4,972,800 ordinary shares were vested.

For purposes ofASC 718-10-25, as of September 30, 2015,2016, no grant date had occurred, because the broader terms and conditions of the option awards had neither been finalized nor mutually agreed upon with the recipients, and such mutual understanding cannot be reached untilrecipients. Therefore the fair value of the awards is not determinable and cancannot be accounted for. In accordance withASC 718-10-55, our management determined that the service inception date with respect to vested option awards for the purchase of 4,972,800 shares had preceded the grant date. Therefore, we began to recognizerecognized compensation expense for these vested Sohu Video share-based awards in the second quarter of 2014 and re-measured, and will re-measure, the compensation expense on each subsequent reporting date based on the then-current fair values of thethese vested awards until the grant date is established.

7Road Share-based Awards

On July 10, 2012, 7Road adopted the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan. On June 28, 2013, 7Road’s Board of Directors approved the cancellation of this incentive plan. 7Road concurrently offered to a total of 42 7Road employees holding an aggregate of 2,223,750 restricted share units which had been granted under this incentive plan the right to exchange their restricted share units for, at each employee’s election, in each case subject to the employee’s continued employment by 7Road, either (i) Scheme I: the right to a cash payment of up to an aggregate of $2.90 per restricted share unit exchanged, vesting and payable at the rate of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively, on the first, second and third anniversaries of July 18, 2012, which is the date when the surrendered restricted share units were granted under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan, or (ii) Scheme II: the right to receive an annual cash bonus, over a seven-year period commencing July 1, 2013, based on the adjusted annual cumulative net income of 7Road. As of June 28, 2013, all restricted share units held by these 42 7Road employees had been included in this exchange program. In the third quarter of 2013, 7Road granted to an additional 48 7Road employees the right to receive an annual cash bonus under Scheme II with the same terms as described above.

On August 17, 2015, Changyou completed the sale of the 7Road business. As of August 17, 2015, Changyou had recognized an aggregate of $4.2 million of compensation expense under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan for Scheme I and $0.7 million of compensation expense for Scheme II. In the future, there will be no compensation expense recognized under the 7Road 2012 Share Incentive Plan.

 

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Taxation

Income Taxes

Recognition

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on available evidence, it is considered that it is more likely than not that some portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making such determination, we consider factors including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future profitability, and tax planning strategies. If events were to occur in the future that would allow us to realize more of our deferred tax assets than the presently recorded net amount, an adjustment would be made to the deferred tax assets that would increase income for the period when those events occurred. If events were to occur in the future that would require us to realize less of our deferred tax assets than the presently recorded net amount, an adjustment would be made to the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets that would decrease income for the period when those events occurred. Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Our deferred tax assets relate to net operating losses and temporary differences between accounting basis and tax basis for our China-BasedChina- Based Subsidiaries and VIEs, which are subject to corporate income tax in the PRC under the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law (the “CIT Law”).

Applicable Income Tax Rate

The CIT Law applies an income tax rate of 25% to all enterprises but grants preferential tax treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTEs”). Under this preferential tax treatment, HNTEs can enjoy an income tax rate of 15% for three years,, but need to re-apply after the end of the three-year period. If at any time during theevery three years. During this three-year period, an HNTE must conduct an annual qualification self-review each year to ensure it meets the relevantHNTE criteria and is eligible for the 15% preferential tax bureau questions whetherrate for that year. If an enterprise continuesHNTE fails to qualifymeet the criteria for qualification as an HNTE,HTNE in any year, the enterprise can be subject to further tax examination and may not be able to continue tocannot enjoy the 15% preferential tax rate in that year, and must instead use the regular 25% CIT rate. In addition, theThe CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that a “Software Enterprise” can enjoy an income tax exemption for two years beginning with its first profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. An entity that qualifies as a “Key National Software Enterprise” (“KNSE”) can enjoy a further reduced preferential income tax rate of 10%10 Enterprises must perform a self-assessment each year to ensure they meet the relevant criteria for twoqualification as Software Enterprises and/or KNSEs and file required documents with the tax authorities before using the preferential CIT rates. These enterprises will be subject to authorities’ assessment each year after as to whether they are entitled to use the relevant preferential CIT treatments. If at any time during the preferential tax treatment years an enterprise uses the preferential CIT rates but needsfails to re-apply aftermeet applicable criteria for qualification, the end ofrelevant authorities may revoke the two-year period.enterprise’s Software Enterprise/KNSE status.

Principal Entities Qualified as HNTEs

As of September 30, 2015,2016, the following principal entities were qualified as HNTEs and were entitled to an income tax rate of 15%.

For Sohu’s Business

 

Sohu Internet. Sohu Internet re-applied for HNTE qualification in June 2015. Pending approval of its re-application, Sohu Internet is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as if it had already qualified as an HNTE for 2015.2016 and 2017, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2018.

 

Sohu Era, Sohu Media and Guangzhou Qianjun. Sohu Era, Sohu Media and Guangzhou Qianjun are each qualified as HNTEs for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

For Sogou’s Business

 

Sogou Information. Sogou Information re-applied for HNTE qualification in July 2015. Pending approval of its re-application, Sogou Information is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as if it had already qualified as an HNTE for 2015.2016 and 2017, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2018.

 

Sogou Technology. Sogou Technology is qualified as an HNTE for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

For Changyou’s Business

 

AmazGame and Gamease. AmazGame and Gamease are each qualified as HNTEs for 2015 and 2016, and will need to re-apply for HNTE qualification in 2017.

 

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Principal Entities Qualified as Software Enterprises

For Sohu’s Business

 

Sohu New Momentum. In 2015,2016, Sohu New Momentum is in its second income tax exemption year as a Software Enterprise.

For Changyou Business

AmazGame. AmazGame will need to re-apply before the end 2015 for designation as a Key National Software Enterprise in order to be entitled for 2015 and 2016 to the preferential income tax ratefirst of 10% to which it was entitled for the initial two-year period of 2013 and 2014.

Gamespace. In 2015, Gamespace is in the second of the three years in which it will beis entitled to a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% as a Software Enterprise.

For Sogou’s Business

 

ICE Information. ICE InformationSogou Technology recently filed documents for qualification as a KNSE for 2015 pursuant to new requirements for obtaining such qualification that were issued on May 4, 2016. As of the date of this report Sogou Technology had not received a response to the filing.

Sogou Network recently filed documents for qualification as a Software Enterprise for 2015 pursuant to new requirements for obtaining such qualification that were issued on May 4, 2016. As of the date of this report Sogou Network had not received a response to the filing.

For Changyou’s Business

AmazGame. In 2013 and 2014, AmazGame was not subject toqualified as a KNSE and enjoyed a preferential income tax rate of 10% and recently received confirmation that it was qualified as it incurred losses.a KNSE for 2015.

 

7Road Technology.Gamespace. In 2015, 7Road Technology2016, Gamespace is in the firstthird of the three years in which it will beis entitled to a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% as a Software Enterprise.

PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends

The CIT Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax on dividends distributed by foreign-investedforeign invested enterprises in the PRC to their immediate holding companies outside Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate may be applied if there is a tax treaty or other arrangement between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. A holding company in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate under an arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the “Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital”,Capital,” if such holding company is considered a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC foreign invested enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong holding company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%.

PRC Value Added Tax and BusinessValue-Added Tax

Revenues from brand advertising, revenuesOn May 1, 2016, the transition from the searchimposition of PRC business tax (“Business Tax”) to the imposition of value-added tax (“VAT”) was expanded to all industries in China, and search-related business,all of the Sohu Group’s revenues from Changyou’s Web games that were not developed in-house and from licensed mobile games, as well as revenues from mobile related services, which are recorded as others revenues, arehave been subject to VAT.VAT since that date. To record VAT payable, wethe Group adopted the net presentation method, which presents the difference between the output VAT (at a rate of 6%) and the available input VAT amount (at the rate applicable to the supplier). Other online game revenues from the operation of PC games and self-developed mobile games are subject to a 5% PRC business tax (“Business Tax”).

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc. is a Delaware corporation that is subject to U.S. corporate income tax on its taxable income at a rate of up to 35%. To the extent that Sohu.com Inc. hasportions of its U.S. taxable income, which generally arises mainlysuch as Subpart F income or a dividend, are determined to be from our interest income, we accruesources outside of the U.S. corporate, subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. may be able to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S. income tax liabilities. Any remaining liabilities are accrued in ourthe Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and make estimated tax payments as andare made when required by U.S. law.

Uncertain Tax Positions

We are subject to various taxes in different jurisdictions, primarily the USU.S. and the PRC. Management reviews regularly the adequacy of the provisions for taxes as they relate to our income and transactions. In order to assess uncertain tax positions, we apply a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. During its review in the third quarter of 2015, management determined that certain equity transactions that took place during the quarter may result in additional tax obligations under relevant tax rules. Accordingly, we recognized tax payable in the amount of $14.6 million and recognized tax expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

 

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Net Income /(Loss)/ (Loss) per Share

Basic net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares comprise shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with performance requirements is not considered before the performance targets are actually met. The computation of diluted net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e. an increase in earnings per share amounts or a decrease in loss per share amounts) on net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share. Additionally, for purposes of calculating the numerator of diluted net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share, the net income /(loss)/ (loss) attributable to the Sohu Group is adjusted as follows. The adjustment will not be made if there is ananti-dilutive effect.

 

(1)Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. is determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Sogou shares held by Sohu.com Inc. represents of the weighted average number of Sogou Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares, shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible preferred shares under the if-converted method, and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and is not determined by allocating Sogou’s net income /(loss) to Sohu.com Inc. using the methodology for the calculation of net income /(loss) attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders.

In the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss)/ (loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, the percentage of the Sohu.com Inc.’s shareholding in Sogou was calculated by treating convertible preferred shares issued by Sogou as having been converted at the beginning of the period and unvested Sogou share options with the performance targets achieved as well as vested but unexercised Sogou share options as having been exercised during the period. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with a performance requirement was not considered before the performance targets were actually met. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Sogou shares and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted income /(loss) per share. As a result, Sogou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s basic net income /(loss) per share.

 

(2)Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. is determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Changyou shares held by Sohu.com Inc. represents of the weighted average number of Changyou ordinary shares and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and not by using the percentage held by Sohu.com Inc. of the total economic interest in Changyou, which is used for the calculation of basic net income per share.

In the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss)income/ (loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, all of Changyou’s existing unvested restricted share units and share options, and vested restricted share units and share options that have not yet been settled, are treated as vested and settled by Changyou under the treasury stock method, causing the percentage of the weighted average number of shares held by Sohu.com Inc. in Changyou to decrease. As a result, Changyou’s net income /(loss)/ (loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis decreased accordingly. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Changyou restricted share units and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s diluted net income /(loss) per share. As a result, Changyou’s net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Inc. on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu.com Inc.’s basic net income /(loss) per share.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring the fair value of financial instruments. This hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three-tier fair value hierarchy is:

Level 1 - observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the market place.

Level 3 - unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

Our financial instruments mainly include cash equivalents, restricted time deposits, short-term investments, accounts receivable, assets held for sale, prepaid and other current assets, held-for-sale assets,long-term investments (including available-for-sale securities under long-term investments,equity securities), restricted time deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue, short-term bank loans,liabilities held for sale, other short-term liabilities held-for-sale liabilities,and long-term accounts payable and long-term bank loans.payable.

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Cash Equivalents

Our cash equivalents mainly consist of time deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less.less, and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash.

Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method.-57-

Collateral related to Sogou Incentive Shares Trust Arrangements

In February 2013, we deposited $9.0 million in cash into restricted time deposit accounts at a bank as collateral for credit facilities provided by the bank to certain Sogou employees. The facilities were intended to fund the employees’ early exercise of Sogou share options and related PRC individual income tax. We are not subject to any additional potential payments other than the restricted time deposit amounts, and believe that the fair value of our guarantee liability is immaterial.

Changyou Loans from Offshore Banks, Secured by Time Deposits

As of September 30, 2015, we had, through Changyou, loans from offshore banks secured by RMB deposits in onshore branches of those banks. The loans from the offshore branches of the lending banks are classified as short-term bank loans or long-term bank loans based on their repayment period. The rates of interest under the loan agreements with the lending banks were determined based on the prevailing interest rates in the market. The RMB onshore deposits securing the offshore loans are treated as restricted time deposits on our consolidated balance sheets.


Short-term Investments

For investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to the performance of underlying assets, we elected the fair value method at the date of initial recognition and carried these investments subsequently at fair value. Changes in fair values are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Accounts Receivable, Net

The carrying value of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects our best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. We make estimations of the collectability of accounts receivable. Many factors are considered in estimating the general allowance, including reviewing delinquent accounts receivable, performing an aging analysis and a customer credit analysis, and analyzing historical bad debt records and current economic trends. Additional allowance for specific doubtful accounts might be made if the financial conditions of our customers or the China mobile network operators deteriorate or the China mobile network operators are unable to collect fees from their end customers, resulting in their inability to make payments due to us.

Available-for-Sale Securities

Investments in debt securities and equity securities that have readily determinable fair values not classified as trading securities or as held-to-maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities.securities, and are included in long-term investments. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income or losses in the consolidated balance sheets. Realized gains or losses are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income during the period in which the gain or loss is realized. An impairment loss on the available-for-sale securities is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary.

On August 12, 2014, Sohu acquired approximately 6%Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method.

Collateral related to Sogou Incentive Shares Trust Arrangements

In February 2013, we deposited $9.0 million in cash into restricted time deposit accounts at a bank as collateral for credit facilities provided by the bank to certain Sogou employees. The facilities were intended to fund the employees’ early exercise of Sogou share options and related PRC individual income tax. We were not subject to any additional potential payments other than the restricted time deposit amounts, and believe that the fair value of our guarantee liability was immaterial.

Changyou Loans from Offshore Banks, Secured by Time Deposits

Commencing in 2012, we had, through Changyou, loans from offshore banks secured by RMB deposits in onshore branches of those banks. The loans from the offshore branches of the total outstanding common shareslending banks are classified as short-term bank loans or long-term bank loans based on their repayment period. The rates of Keyeast Co. Ltd., a Korean-listed company, for a purchase priceinterest under the loan agreements with the lending banks were determined based on the prevailing interest rates in the market. The RMB onshore deposits securing the offshore loans are treated as restricted time deposits on our consolidated balance sheets. In the first quarter of $15.1 million. We classified this investment as available-for-sale equity securities2016, Changyou had repaid all of the remaining bank loans, and reported it at fair value.restricted time deposits that secured these loans had been released.

Equity Investments

Investments in entities are recorded as equity investments under long-term investments. For entities over which we do not have significant influence, the cost method is applied;applied, as there is no readily determinable fair value; for entities over which we can exercise significant influence but do not own a majority equity interest or control, the equity method is applied. For cost method investments, we carry the investment at historical cost after the date of investment. For equity method investments, we adjust the carrying amount of an investment and recognize investment income or loss for our share of the earnings or loss of the investee after the date of investment.

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Repurchase Options and Put Option for Sogou Series A Preferred Shares

In September 2013, Sogou entered into Repurchase Option Agreements with Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”) and Photon Group Limited, the investment vehicle of the Sohu Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Charles Zhang (“Photon”), and a Repurchase/Put Option Agreement with China Web Search (HK) Limited (“China Web”), with respect to Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou held by them.

The repurchase options were initially recognized in additional paid-in capital in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value when the agreements were signed. Any subsequent changes in the fair values of the repurchase options were not and will not be recognized. The put option was initially recognized in other short-term liabilities in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value when the agreement was signed. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the put option were recognized quarterly in other income /(expense) in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Management determined the fair values of the repurchase options when the agreements were signed, and of the put option before Sogou exercised the repurchase option, using the binominal model, with a discount for lack of marketability, given that the repurchase options and the put option were not publicly traded at the time of grant. Management made the determination using management’s estimates and assumptions. We classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 3 of fair value measurements.

As of September 30, 2015, all of the Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou that were subject to the repurchase options and the put option had been repurchased by Sogou, and the balances of the additional paid-in capital recognized with respect to the repurchase options and of the other short-term liabilities recognized with respect to the put option were zero.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include fixed assets intangible assets and prepaid non-currentintangible assets.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets mainly comprise office buildings, leasehold improvements, building improvements, vehicles, office furniture and computer equipment and hardware. Fixed assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation with no residual value. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

 

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Fixed Assets

  

Estimated Useful Lives (years)

Office buildings

  36-47

Leasehold improvements

  Lesser of term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets

Building improvements

  10

Vehicles

  4-10

Office furniture

  5

Computer equipment and hardware

  2-5

Expenditure for maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred.

The gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the lower of the carrying value or fair value less cost to sell the relevant assets and is recognized in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets mainly comprise domain names and trademarks, developed technologies, computer software, purchased video content, cinema advertising slot rights and operating rights for licensed games. Intangible assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization with no residual value. Amortization of intangible assets other than purchased video content is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

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The estimated useful lives of our intangible assets are listed below:

 

Intangible Assets

  

Estimated Useful Lives (years)

Domain names and trademarks

  4-30

Developed technologies

  3-10

Computer software

  1-5

Purchased videoVideo content

  4 months to 2 years, or over the applicable licensing period

Cinema advertising slot rights

  over the contract terms

Operating rights for licensed games

  over the contract terms

Purchased Video Content and Self-produced Video Content

Video content consists primarily of purchased video content and self-developed video content. Purchased video content is recognized as intangible assets. Amortization of purchased video content is computed based on the trend in viewership accumulation. For self-producedself-developed video content, the production costs incurred in excess of the amount of revenue contracted for are expensed as incurred, instead of being recorded as intangible assets.

Sohu Video enters into nonmonetary transactions to exchange online broadcasting rights for purchased video content with other online video broadcasting companies. UnderASC 845, the cost of a nonmonetary asset acquired in exchange for another nonmonetary asset is the fair value of the asset surrendered to obtain the acquired nonmonetary asset, and a gain or loss should be recognized on the exchange. The fair value of the asset received should be used to measure the cost if the fair value of the asset received is more reliable than the fair value of the asset surrendered. We record these nonmonetary exchanges at the fair values of the online broadcasting rights for purchased video content and recognize any gain or loss from such exchange transactions.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

In accordance withASC 360-10-35, we review the carrying values of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Based on the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment of long-lived assets using the projected discounted cash flow method at the asset group level. The estimation of future cash flows requires significant management judgment based on our historical results and anticipated results and is subject to many factors. The discount rate that is commensurate with the risk inherent in our business model is determined by our management. An impairment loss would be recorded if we determined that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of our acquisitions of interests in our subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, we report in our financial statements provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. If a measurement period adjustment is identified, we recognize the adjustment as part of the acquisition accounting. We increase or decrease the provisional amounts of identifiable assets or liabilities by means of increases or decreases in goodwill for measurement period adjustments.

In accordance withASC 350, we do not amortize goodwill, but test it for impairment. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 1, and between annual tests when an event occurs or circumstances change that could indicate that the asset might be impaired. Commencing in September 2011, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) revised guidance on “Testing of Goodwill for Impairment.” Under this guidance,ASC 350-20-35, we have the option to choose whether we will apply thea qualitative assessment first and then thea quantitative assessment, if necessary, or to apply thea quantitative assessment directly. For reporting units applying a qualitative assessment first, we start the goodwill impairment test by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it is more-likely-than-notmore likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is mandatory. Otherwise, no further testing is required. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of goodwill with its carrying value. For reporting units directly applying the quantitative assessment, we perform the goodwill impairment test by quantitatively comparing the fair values of those reporting units to their carrying amounts.

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Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. The judgment in estimating the fair value of reporting units includes estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and making other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit.

Contingent Consideration

Changyou’s acquisition of Beijing Doyo Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“Doyo”) included a contingent consideration arrangement that requires additional consideration to be paid by Changyou based on the financial performance of Doyo for the fiscal years 2013 through 2015. The fair value of the contingent consideration was recognized on the acquisition date using the income approach/ discounted cash flow method with a scenario analysis applied. There were no indemnification assets involved. In March 2015, as Doyo’s performance had exceeded the relevant performance milestone, Changyou re-classified such contingent consideration to other short-term liabilities in the amount of $6.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet. In September 2015, Changyou entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of Doyo. The aggregate consideration under the agreement includes cash consideration of approximately $2.9 million, and forgiveness, upon the completion of the sale, of the $6.0 million contingent consideration payable. As of the date of this report, this sale has been completed and Changyou has received most of the cash consideration.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. Accumulated other comprehensive income, as presented on our consolidated balance sheets, includes a cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.adjustment and a unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities.

Functional Currency and Foreign Currency Translation

Functional Currency

An entity’s functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates, normally that is the currency of the environment in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash. Management’s judgment is essential to determine the functional currency by assessing various indicators, such as cash flows, sales price and market, expenses, financing and inter-company transactions and arrangements. The functional currency of Sohu.com Inc. is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our subsidiaries in the U.S., the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong is the U.S. dollar. The functional currencies of our subsidiaries and VIEs in other countries are the national currencies of those counties, rather than the U.S. dollar.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries and VIEs whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars, our reporting currency, at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the reporting period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are not included in determining net income for the period but are accumulated in a separate component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are re-measured at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency re-measurement are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Financial statements of entities with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars, which is the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at the average of the exchange rates in effect during the reporting period. Shareholders’ equity accounts are translated using the historical exchange rates at the date the entry to shareholders’ equity was recorded, except for the change in retained earnings during the year, which is translated using the historical exchange rates used to translate each period’s income statement. Differences resulting from translating a foreign currency to the reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues

The following table presents our revenues by revenue source and by proportion for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2014  2015  2015 vs 2014  2014  2015  2015 vs 2014 
   Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 

Revenues

             

Online advertising:

             

Brand advertising

  $148,823    35 $151,517    29 $2,694    2 $393,334    33 $436,187    30 $42,853    11

Search and search-related

   98,437    22  147,938    28  49,501    50  247,810    21  388,270    26  140,460    57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Subtotal of online advertising revenues

   247,260    57  299,455    57  52,195    21  641,144    54  824,457    56  183,313    29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Online game

   150,338    35  152,501    29  2,163    1  467,603    39  509,845    35  42,242    9

Others

   32,817    8  70,134    14  37,317    114  87,134    7  136,686    9  49,552    57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total revenues

  $430,415    100 $522,090    100 $91,675    21 $1,195,881    100 $1,470,988    100 $275,107    23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

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  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015 
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
revenue
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 

Revenues

            

Online advertising:

            

Brand advertising

 $151,517    29 $110,871    27  (40,646  (27)%  $436,187    30 $349,261    28  (86,926  (20)% 

Search and search-related

  147,938    28  150,667    37  2,729    2  388,270    26  444,633    36  56,363    15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Subtotal of online advertising revenues

  299,455    57  261,538    64  (37,917  (13)%   824,457    56  793,894    64  (30,563  (4)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Online game

  152,501    29  98,553    24  (53,948  (35)%   509,845    35  300,309    24  (209,536  (41)% 

Others

  70,134    14  50,491    12  (19,643  (28)%   136,686    9  144,469    12  7,783    6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total revenues

 $522,090    100 $410,582    100  (111,508  (21)%  $1,470,988    100 $1,238,672    100  (232,316  (16)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

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Online Advertising Revenues

Online advertising revenues were $299.5$261.5 million and $824.5$793.9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $247.3$299.5 million and $641.1$824.5 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increasedecrease in online advertising revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $52.2$37.9 million, representing a year-on-year growthdecrease rate of 21%13%, and the increasedecrease from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $183.3$30.6 million, representing a year-on-year growthdecrease rate of 29%4%.

Brand Advertising Revenues, Generated by Sohu and Changyou

Brand advertising revenues were $151.5$110.9 million and $436.2$349.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $148.8$151.5 million and $393.3$436.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increasedecrease in brand advertising revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $40.6 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 27%, and the decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $86.9 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 20%. The year-on-year decreases in brand advertising revenues were mainly from Sohu Video.

Sohu

Sohu Media Portal

Revenues from Sohu Media Portal were $48.0 million and $140.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $51.2 million and $148.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The decrease in revenues from Sohu Media Portal from the three months ended September 30, 2015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $3.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 6%, and the decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $8.5 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 6%. The number of advertisers for Sohu Media Portal was 1,865 and 2,997, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 1,597 and 2,987, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The average amount spent per advertiser was approximately $26,000 and $47,000, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $32,000 and $50,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015.

Sohu Video

Revenues from Sohu Video were $25.4 million and $98.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $55.4 million and $161.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The decrease in revenues from Sohu Video from the three months ended September 30, 2015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $30.0 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 54%, and the decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $63.4 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 39%. Both the number of advertisers and the average amount spent per advertiser for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 decreased compared to the corresponding periods in 2015, which led to the decreases in revenues from Sohu Video. The number of advertisers for Sohu Video was 208 and 385, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 291 and 492, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The average amount spent per advertiser was approximately $122,000 and $256,000, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $190,000 and $329,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015.

Focus

Revenues from Focus were $25.8 million and $79.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $27.0 million and $83.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The decrease in revenues from Focus from the three months ended September 30, 2015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $1.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 4%, and the decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $4.0 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 5%.

Revenues from Focus were generated through the Fixed Price model and the E-commerce model.

For the Fixed Price model, revenues were $10.9 million and $36.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to$12.7 million and $41.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015, representing a decrease of 1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, from the three months ended September 30, 2015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. In the currently soft Chinese macro economy, advertisers are less willing to adopt the Fixed Price model, which caused our revenues from this model to decrease.

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For the E-commerce model, revenues were $14.9 million and $43.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, generally stable compared to $14.4 million and $42.0 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015.

Changyou

17173.com Website

Revenues from the 17173.com Website were $11.7 million and $31.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $17.9 million and $42.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The decrease in revenues from 17173.com Website for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $2.7$6.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 35%, and the decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $11.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 26%. The decreases were primarily a result of a shifting in user activities from PC games to other games. The number of advertisers on the 17173.com Website was 106 and 163, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 89 and 171, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The average amount spent per advertiser was approximately $110,000 and $191,000, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $201,000 and $247,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015.

Search and Search-related Revenues, Generated by Sogou

Revenues from search and search-related services were $150.7 million and $444.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $147.9 million and $388.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015. The increase in revenues from search and search-related services from the three months ended September 30, 2015 to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $2.8 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 2%, and the increase from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $42.9$56.3 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 11%. The year-on-year increases in brand advertising revenues were mainly from Sohu Video.

Sohu

Sohu Media Portal

Revenues from Sohu Media Portal were $51.2 million and $148.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $54.4 million and $148.9 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. Revenues from Sohu Media Portal for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were generally stable when compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. In the third quarter, we continued to refine the mobile news App interface to improve users’ experience. In the meantime, we strived to enhance our content offerings, providing users high quality news and reliable information. The number of advertisers for Sohu Media Portal was 1,597 and 2,987, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 1,519 and 2,392, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Sohu Video

Revenues from Sohu Video were $55.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $51.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2014, an increase of $4.2 million, representing year-on-year growth of 8%, as we increased monetization. For the month of September 2015 compared to the month of September 2014, the average daily unique visitors for Sohu Video increased 20%, mainly from visitors contributed by a company that we acquired in late 2014 that focuses primarily on original and professionally-generated content. For the month of September 2015 compared to the month of September 2014, the average daily video views for Sohu Video decreased 12%, which mainly resulted from the rationalization of our spending on licensed content. The number of advertisers on Sohu Video was 291 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 306 for the corresponding periods in 2014. The pricing for online video has generally been stable.

Revenues from Sohu Video were and $161.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $125.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2014, an increase of $36.6 million, representing year-on-year growth of 29%. The number of advertisers on Sohu Video was 492 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 487 for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Focus

Revenues from Focus were $27.0 million and $83.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $26.6 million and $78.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in revenues from Focus from the three months ended September 30, 2014 to the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.5 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 2%, and the increase from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $5.0 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 6%.

Revenues from Focus were generated through the Fixed Price model and the E-commerce model.

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For the Fixed Price model, revenues were $12.7 million and $41.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16.4 million and $47.4 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014, representing decreases of $3.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively, from the three months ended September 30, 2014 to the three months ended September 30, 2015 and from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In the currently soft Chinese macro economy, advertisers are more willing to adopt the E-commerce model than the Fixed Price model, which caused our revenues from the Fixed Price model to decrease.

For the E-commerce model, revenues were $14.4 million and $42.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $10.2 million and $31.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase was mainly driven by our subscription membership services offered to prospective purchasers of real estate as a result of the expansion of the Focus business through our establishment of more partnerships with property developers. The number of developers with which we had cooperation arrangements was 431 and 838, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 348 and 588, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. The number of paying subscribers for the membership services was 24,043 and 68,103, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 17,202 and 48,264, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Changyou

17173.com Website

Revenues from the 17173.com Website were $17.9 million and $42.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16.7 million and $40.7 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. Revenues from the 17173.com Website were stable for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The number of advertisers on the 17173.com Website was 89 and 171, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 93 and 132, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Search and Search-related Revenues, Generated by Sogou

Revenues from search and search-related services were $147.9million and $388.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $98.4 million and $247.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in revenues from search and search-related services from the three months ended September 30, 2014 to the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $49.5 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 50%, and the increase from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $140.5 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 57%15%.

The increase in revenues from search and search-related services was mainly attributable to an increase in revenues from pay-for-click services.

Revenues from pay-for-click services accounted for approximately 83% and 82% of the total search and search-related revenues for the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 82% for both the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 82% and 79%, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The growth in revenues from pay-for-click services was principally attributable to an increase in the number of paid clicks, and a higher average cost-per-click.offsetting by depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar. Paid clicks increased by approximately 35%13% and 40%27%, respectively, driven by growth in mobile search traffic, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Average cost-per-click increased by approximately 10% and 13%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

Online Game Revenues Generated by Changyou

Revenues from the online game business were $152.5$98.6 million and $509.8$300.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $150.3$152.5 million and $467.6$509.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The decrease was mainly due to the natural decline in revenues of TLBB and TLBB 3D, and a decrease in Web game revenue upon the completion of the sale of the 7Road business during the third quarter of 2015.

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PC games and Mobile Games

Revenues from PC games were $100.1$70.4 million and 298.2$204.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $122.7$100.1 million and $379.9298.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The decrease in revenues from PC games from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $22.6$29.7 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 18%30%, and the decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $81.7$93.9 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 22%31%. The year-on-year decrease in revenues from PC games was mainly due to decreasedthe natural decline in revenues fromof TLBB, resulting fromwhich is an older game and is the strategic decision to reduce the level of promotional activities within TLBB to achieve an in-game balance and a sustainable environment forprincipal PC game players and the game’s maturity.operated by Changyou. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenues from2016, the PC game TLBB were $77.8generated $56.0 million and $244.9$162.9 million, respectively, in revenues, accounting for approximately 51%57% and 48%54%, respectively, of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 41% and 41%, respectively, of Changyou’s total revenues for both periods and approximately 15%14% and 17%13%, respectively, of the Sohu Group’s total revenues.

-63-


Revenues from mobile games were $42.8$27.3 million and $167.3$92.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $4.8$42.8 million and $8.3$167.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increasedecrease in revenues from mobile games from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $38.0$15.5 million, representing a year-on-year growthdecrease rate of 792%36%, and the increasedecrease from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $159.0$74.8 million, representing a year-on-year growthdecrease rate of 1916%45%. The increasedecrease was mainly due to revenues from Changyou’s mobile game TLBB 3D, which was launched in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The following table sets forth certain operating data for Changyou’s PC games and mobile games for the periods indicated:

 

Average Monthly Active
Accounts (1)
 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

Three Months Ended

June 30

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

   

Three Months Ended

June 30

   

Three Months Ended

September 30

 
(in millions) 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

  PC games   Mobile games   PC games   Mobile games   PC games   Mobile games 

2014

 6.5 9.1 6.9 8.2 10.7 12.1

2015

 4.9 9.3 4.4 10.1 4.1 6.5   4.9     4.4     4.4     5.7     4.1     2.4  

2016

   3.0     3.2     2.9     2.4     2.7     2.8  
Quarterly Aggregate Active Paying Accounts (2) 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

Three Months Ended

June 30

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

   

Three Months Ended

June 30

   

Three Months Ended

September 30

 
(in millions) 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

 

PC games

 

PC games and

mobile games

  PC games   Mobile games   PC games   Mobile games   PC games   Mobile games 

2014

 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6

2015

 1.1 2.0 1.1 2.5 1.3 1.9   1.1     0.9     1.1     1.4     1.3     0.6  

2016

   1.1     0.8     1.0     0.6     1.0     0.7  

 

(1)Average Monthly Active Accounts for a given period refers to the number of registered accounts that were logged in to these games at least once during the period.
(2)Quarterly Aggregate Active Paying Accounts for a given quarter refers to the number of accounts from which game points were used at least once during the quarter.

Web Games

Revenues from Web games were $9.5$0.8 million and $44.3$3.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $22.8$9.5 million and $79.4$44.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The decrease in Web games revenues was mainly due to decreaseda decrease in Web game revenues fromupon the Web games Wartune and DDTank and Changyou’scompletion of the sale of the 7Road business , which operates Wartune and DDTank, on August 17,during the third quarter of 2015.

OthersOther Revenues

Revenues from othersother services were $70.1$50.4 million and $136.7$144.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $32.8$70.1 million and $87.1$136.7 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was mainly attributable to a $28.7 million decrease in revenues from the film business, offset by a $12.1 million increase in revenues from the cinema advertisement business and interactive broadcasting services. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was mainly dueattributable to a $28.7 million increase in revenues from the cinema advertisement business and interactive broadcasting services, offset by a $22.8 million decrease in revenues from the film business. In the third quarter of 2015, revenue of $28.7 million fromwas recognized for the film “Jian Bing Man”Man,” which was broadcasted in that was produced by us and released in the third quarter of 2015.quarter.

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Costs and Expenses

Cost of Revenues

The following table presents our cost of revenues by source and by proportion for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages)

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2014  2015  2015 vs 2014  2014  2015  2015 vs 2014 
   Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 

Cost of revenues:

             

Online advertising:

             

Brand advertising

  $83,424    46 $91,163    43 $7,739    9 $230,462    47 $295,562    45 $65,100    28

Search and search-related

   46,375    26  62,365    29  15,990    34  118,532    24  170,836    26  52,304    44
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Subtotal of cost of online advertising revenues

   129,799    72  153,528    72  23,729    18  348,994    71  466,398    71  117,404    34
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Online game

   33,949    19  34,635    16  686    2  90,798    19  128,049    19  37,251    41

Others

   17,912    9  25,996    12  8,084    45  50,252    10  63,066    10  12,814    25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total cost of revenues

  $181,660    100 $214,159    100 $32,499    18 $490,044    100 $657,513    100 $167,469    34
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

-69--64-


  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015 
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
cost
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 

Cost of revenues:

            

Online advertising:

            

Brand advertising

 $91,163    43 $102,137    46 $10,974    12 $295,562    45 $281,427    45 $(14,135  (5)% 

Search and search-related

  62,365    29  76,457    34  14,092    23  170,836    26  210,547    34  39,711    23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Subtotal of cost of online advertising revenues

  153,528    72  178,594    80  25,066    16  466,398    71  491,974    79  25,576    5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Online game

  34,635    16  23,719    11  (10,916  (32)%   128,049    19  75,232    12  (52,817  (41)% 

Others

  25,996    12  20,571    9  (5,425  (21)%   63,066    10  60,783    9  (2,283  (4)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total cost of revenues

 $214,159    100 $222,884    100 $8,725    4 $657,513    100 $627,989    100 $(29,524  (4)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

-65-


Cost of Online Advertising Revenues

Cost of online advertising revenues was $153.5$178.6 million and $466.4$492.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $129.8$153.5 million and $349.0$466.4 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increase in cost of online advertising revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $23.7$25.1 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 18%16%, and the increase from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $117.4$25.6 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 34%5%.

Cost of Brand Advertising Revenues

Cost of brand advertising revenues mainly consists of content and license costs, bandwidth leasing costs, salary and benefits expenses, and depreciation expenses.

Cost of brand advertising revenues was $91.2$102.1 million and $295.6$281.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $83.4$91.2 million and $230.5$295.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The increase in cost of brand advertising revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $7.7$11.0 million, representing a year-on-year growthincrease rate of 9%12%. The increase mainly consisted of a $5.4$18.0 million increase in content and license costs, andoffset by a $1.5$6.0 million increasedecrease in salary and benefits expense.bandwidth leasing costs.

The increasedecrease in cost of brand advertising revenues from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $65.1$14.1 million, representing a year-on-year growthdecrease rate of 28%5%. The increasedecrease mainly consisted of a $48.1$14.4 million increase in content and license costs, a $7.4 million increase in salary and benefits expense, and a $3.3 million increasedecrease in bandwidth leasing costs.

Our brand advertising gross margin was 40%8% and 32%19%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, as compared to 44%40% and 41%32%, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The decreaseyear-over-year decreases in our brand advertising gross margin was primarilywere mainly due to an increase in content costs, which outpaced revenue growth.decreased video revenues.

Cost of Search and Search-related Revenues

Cost of search and search-related revenues mainly consists of traffic acquisition costs, bandwidth leasing costs, depreciation expenses, as well as salary and benefits expenses.

Cost of search and search-related revenues were $62.4$76.5 million and $170.8$210.5 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $46.4$62.4 million and $118.5$170.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The increase in cost of search and search-related revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $16.0 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 34%.$14.1 million. The increase mainly consisted of a $11.1$10.7 million increase in traffic acquisition costs and a $3.1$2.5 million increase in bandwidth leasing costs and a $1.6 million increase in depreciation expenses.costs.

The increase in cost of search and search-related revenues from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $52.3 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 44%.$39.7 million. The increase mainly consisted of a $38.2$34.4 million increase in traffic acquisition costs and a $10.5$5.1 million increase in bandwidth leasing costs and a $3.3 million increase in depreciation expenses.costs.

Our search and search-related gross margin was 58%49% and 56%53%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, as compared to 53%58% and 52%56%, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increasedecreases in our search and search-related gross margin waswere mainly due to increased revenues, combined with lowerhigher traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of search and search-related revenues.

Cost of Online Game Revenues

Cost of online game revenues mainly consists of revenue-sharing payments, salary and benefits expenses,expense, bandwidth leasing costs, content and license costs, amortization and depreciation expenses, and amortization expenses.other direct costs.

Cost of online game revenues was $34.6$23.7 million and $128.0$75.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $33.9$34.6 million and $90.8$128.0 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

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The increasedecrease in cost of online game revenues from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $0.7$10.9 million. The decrease included an $4.6 million representing a year-on-year growth rate of 2%. The increase included a $11.6 million increasedecrease in revenue-sharing payments to mobile appAPP stores, which was offset by a $6.7$1.3 million decrease in impairment provision for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility, a $1.1 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses, a $2.7 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses and a $1.7$1.0 million decrease in bandwidth leasing costs.

-66-


The increasedecrease in cost of online game revenues from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $37.3 million, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 41%.$52.8 million. The increasedecrease included a $63.0$32.1 million increasedecrease in revenue-sharing payments to mobile appAPP stores, which was offset by a $14.4$5.0 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses, a $4.4$3.5 million decrease in bandwidth leasing costs andimpairment provision for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility, a $4.9$3.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses.expenses, and a $2.9 million decrease in bandwidth leasing costs.

Our online game gross margin was 77%76% and 75%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to 77% and 81%75%, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

Cost of OthersOther Revenues

Cost of revenues for othersother services was $26.0$20.6 million and $63.1$60.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $17.9$26.0 million and $50.3$63.1 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increase wasdecreases were mainly due to $5.7 million in film production costs for “Jian Bing Man” that were recognized concurrently with revenue in the third quarter of 2015.

-71-


Operating Expenses

The following table presents our operating expenses by nature and by proportion for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2014  2015  2015 vs 2014  2014  2015  2015 vs 2014 
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 
Operating expenses:             

Product development

  $107,971    37 $92,779    35 $(15,192  -14 $327,911    37 $295,741    40 $(32,170  -10

Sales and marketing

   131,742    46  98,596    37  (33,146  -25  410,702    47  285,701    38  (125,001  -30

General and administrative

   49,730    17  33,330    13  (16,400  -33  138,330    16  128,214    17  (10,116  -7

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

   0    0  40,324    15  40,324    N/A    0    0  40,324    5  40,324    N/A  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total operating expenses

  $289,443    100 $265,029    100 $(24,414  -8 $876,943    100 $749,980    100 $(126,963  -14
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

-72--67-


  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015  2015  2016  2016 vs 2015 
 Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Percentage
of the total
expense
  Amount  Incremental
ratio
 

Operating expenses:

            

Product development

 $92,779    35 $90,007    38 $(2,772  (3)%  $295,741    40 $261,645    39 $(34,096  (12)% 

Sales and marketing

  98,596    37  110,584    46  11,988    12  285,701    38  318,597    47  32,896    12

General and administrative

  33,330    13  38,670    16  5,340    16  128,214    17  95,927    14  (32,287  (25)% 

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition

  40,324    15  0    0  (40,324  (100)%   40,324    5  0    0  (40,324  (100)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total operating expenses

 $265,029    100 $239,261    100 $(25,768  (10)%  $749,980    100 $676,169    100 $(73,811  (10)% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

-68-


Product Development Expenses

Product development expenses mainly consist of salary and benefits expenses, technical service fees, depreciation and amortization expenses, facilitiesstock-based compensation, content and license expenses, and technical service fees.facilities expenses.

Product development expenses were $92.8$90.0 million and $295.7$261.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $108.0$92.8 million and $327.9$295.7 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The decrease in product development expenses from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $15.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 14%.$2.8 million. The decrease mainly consisted of a $7.4 million decrease in share-based compensation expense, a $7.3$4.9 million decrease in salary and benefits expense, and a $4.5$3.7 million decrease in content and license costs,impairment provision for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility, offset by a $3.7$5.4 million increase in impairment related to game copyrights of Changyou and a $0.3 million increase in depreciation and amortizationshare-based compensation expense.

The decrease in product development expenses from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $32.2 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 10%.$34.1 million. The decrease mainly consisted of a $30.1$21.7 million decrease in salary and benefits expense, a $6.3$6.8 million decrease in impairment provision for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility, a $3.9 million decrease in share-based compensation expense, and a $5.5$3.5 million decrease in contentdepreciation and licenseamortization expense, offset by a $6.9$3.1 million increase in impairment related to game copyrights of Changyou and a $4.4 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense. The decrease in salary and benefits expenses resulted primarily from an accrual for estimated compensation expense associated with three employee incentive plans that had been recognized by Changyou in the first quarter of 2014. The accrual was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2014 due to lowered estimates based on management’s reassessment of the estimated compensation liabilities for the three employee incentive plans. The three employee incentive plans were cancelled during the first quarter of 2015, and therefore no such accrual was made in the first quarter of 2015.technical service fees.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses mainly consist of advertising and promotional expenditures, salary and benefits expenses, travel expenses, and facility expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses were $98.6$110.6 million and $285.7$318.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $131.7$98.6 million and $410.7$285.7 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The decreaseincrease in sales and marketing expenses from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $33.1 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 25%.$12.0 million. The decreaseincrease mainly consisted of a $27.5$19.0 million decreaseincrease in advertising and promotional expenditures, which was mainly due to Changyou’s reduction in marketing and promotional spending for mobile Internet products,offset by a $2.9$6.7 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses and a $1.5 million decrease in facility expenses.

The decreaseincrease in sales and marketing expenses from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $125.0$32.9 million. The decreaseincrease mainly consisted of a $114.9$57.9 million decreaseincrease in advertising and promotional expenditures, which was mainly due to Changyou’s reduction in marketing and promotional spending for mobile Internet products,offset by a $3.4 million decrease in facility expenses and a $3.2$20.4 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses.expenses, a $1.6 million decrease in content and license expenses, a $1.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, and a $0.6 million decrease in share-based compensation expense.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of salary and benefits expenses, professional service fees, share-based compensation expense, facility and office expenses, traveldepreciation and amortization expenses, and depreciation and amortizationtravel expenses.

General and administrative expenses were $33.3$38.7 million and $128.2$95.9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $49.7$33.3 million and $138.3$128.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The decreaseincrease in general and administrative expenses from the three months ended September 30, 20142015 to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 was $16.4 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 33%.$5.3 million. The decreaseincrease mainly consisted of a $8.9$9.6 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses, and a $8.8 million decreaseincrease in share-based compensation expense, offset by a $0.7$2.2 million increasedecrease in professional service fees,facilities expenses, and a $0.7$1.8 million increasedecrease in facilitysalary and benefits expenses.

-73-


The decrease in general and administrative expenses from the nine months ended September 30, 20142015 to the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $10.1 million, representing a year-on-year decrease rate of 7%.$32.3 million. The decrease mainly consisted of a $13.6$8.1 million decrease in salary and benefits expenses, and a $9.1$7.1 million decrease in share-based compensation expense, offset by a $7.4$7.0 million increasedecrease in professional service fees, a $3.6$5.2 million increasedecrease in facilityfacilities expenses, and a $2.0$2.9 million increasedecrease in depreciation and amortization expenses and a $1.9 million decrease in travel expenses.

-69-


Goodwill Impairment and Impairment of Intangibles Acquired as Part of Aa Business Acquisition

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there was no goodwill impairment or impairment of intangibles acquired as part of business acquisitions.

In the third quarter of 2015, we recognized $40.3 million of goodwill impairment and impairment of intangibles acquired as part of a business acquisition. This $40.3 million impairment loss consisted primarily of a $29.6 million goodwill impairment loss and aan $8.9 million intangible assets impairment loss related to the MoboTap business, as Changyou management determined that MoboTap was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyou’s platform business.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there was no goodwill impairment or impairment of intangibles acquired as part of business acquisitions.

Share-based Compensation Expense

Share-based compensation expense was recognized in costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20142015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively, as follows (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Share-based compensation expense  2014   2015   2014   2015   2015   2016   2015   2016 

Cost of revenues

  $469    $99    $1,454    $957    $99    $295    $957    $294  

Product development expenses (1)

   6,052     (1,331   15,999     9,680     (1,331   4,105     9,680     5,801  

Sales and marketing expenses

   937     466     3,751     1,573     466     752     1,573     927  

General and administrative expenses (1)

   7,342     (1,536   25,402     16,255     (1,536   8,018     16,255     9,125  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $14,800    $(2,302  $46,606    $28,465    $(2,302  $13,170    $28,465    $16,147  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Share-based compensation expense recognized for share awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, Changyou and Sohu Video was as follows (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Share-based compensation expense  2014   2015   2014   2015   2015   2016   2015   2016 

For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) share-based awards

  $1,337    $2,294    $5,242    $15,031    $2,294    $5,639    $15,031    $4,749  

For Sogou share-based awards (1) (2)

   13,098     (1,230   36,033     5,706     (1,230   180     5,706     2,505  

For Changyou share-based awards (1)

   514     (3,465   1,253     7,529     (3,465   7,202     7,529     9,340  

For Sohu Video share-based awards(1)

   (149   99     4,078     199     99     149     199     (447
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $14,800    $(2,302  $46,606    $28,465    $(2,302  $13,170    $28,465    $16,147  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Note (1): The negative amount resulted from re-measured compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on September 30, 2015each reporting date as well as a true-up of share-based compensation expense for forfeited share options and restricted share units for Sogou and Changyou share-based awards.

Note (2): Compensation expense for Sogou share-based awards also includeincludes compensation expense for Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search-related businesses, and compensation expense equal to the excess of the repurchase price paid to employees over the fair value at the repurchase date of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares that Sogou repurchased in the second quarter of 2014.businesses.

There was no capitalized share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2015.

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As of September 30, 2015,2016, unrecognized share-based compensation expense for Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou and Changyou share-based awards was as follows (in thousands):

 

Unrecognized share-based compensation expense  As of
September 30,
2015
   As of September 30, 2016 

For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) share-based awards

  $1,707    $681  

For Sogou share-based awards (3)

   5,482     7,529  

For Changyou share-based awards

   21,940     86  
  

 

   

 

 
  $29,129    $8,296  
  

 

   

 

 

Note (3): Includes the unrecognized compensation expense for employees who transferred from Tencent with Soso search-related businesses.

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Operating (Loss) / Profit /(Loss)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, we had an operating loss of $51.6 million and $65.5 million, respectively, compared to an operating profit of $42.9 million and $63.5 million, respectively, compared to an operating loss of $40.7 million and $171.1 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increases were mainly due to Changyou’s and Sogou’s having incurred operating losses in the earlier periods and generating operating profits in the later periods. Changyou generated an operating profit2015.

Other Income / (Expense)

We had other income of $23.6$3.7 million and $121.3other expense of $17.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to an operating loss of $2.6 million and $39.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Sogou generated an operating profit of $36.2 million and $74.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to an operating loss of $7.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Other Income /(Loss)

We had other income of $70.2 million and $72.9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to other income of $0.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015. The increase waschanges were mainly due to a disposal gain of $55.1 million recognized from Changyou’s sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries during the third quarter of 2015, and a $27.8 million one-time expense recognized in the second quarter of 2016 related to a donation by Sogou to Tsinghua University related to setting up a joint research institute focusing on August 17, 2015.artificial intelligence technology.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $5.2$6.1 million and $17.5$16.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to $7.5$5.2 million and $24.7$17.5 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

Income Tax Benefit /(Expense)Expense

Income tax expense was $29.5$1.0 million and $57.3$15.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to an income tax benefit of $1.0$29.5 million and $2.6$57.3 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

The change from an income tax benefit todecrease in income tax expense was mainly due to Changyou. Changyou incurredhaving recorded an income tax benefit of $0.5 million and income tax expense of $12.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to income tax expense of $25.8 million and $45.7 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of 2015. The income tax benefit recorded in the third quarter of 2016 was a result of a reversal of income tax expense of $10.6 million for the preferential tax rate that one of Changyou’s subsidiaries received as a 2015 KNSE for the third quarter of 2016.

Net (Loss) / Income

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, we had net loss of $42.0 million and $77.9 million, respectively, compared to annet income tax expense of $0.3$93.2 million and income tax benefit of $4.6$100.1 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2015.

Net (Loss) / Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $32.8 million and $80.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Net Income /(Loss)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we had net income of $93.2 million and $100.1 million, respectively,2016, compared to net loss of $31.9 million and $138.5 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Net Income /(Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest wasof $42.1 million and $107.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $4.8 million and $19.1 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

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Deemed Dividend to Noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred Shareholders

Deemed dividends to noncontrolling Sogou Series A Preferred shareholders were nil for both the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $11.9 million for both the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to nil and $27.7 million, respectively, for the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2014.2015.

In March 2014 and September 2015, Sogou purchased Sogou Series A Preferred Shares from its noncontrolling shareholders,shareholder, which gave rise to deemed dividends of $27.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively.million. The deemed dividends were deemed to have been contributed by Sohu.com Inc., as a holder of ordinary shares of Sogou, representingand represented a portion of the differencesdifference between the pricesamount Sogou paid to China Web and Photon for the Series A Preferred Shares and the carrying amountsamount of these Series A Preferred Shares in the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Net Income/ (Loss) / Income Attributable to Sohu.com Inc.

As a result of the foregoing, we had net income of $39.1 millionloss attributable to Sohu.com Inc. of $74.8 million and $158.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and a net loss of $19.2 million attributable to Sohu.com Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, compared to a net income attributable to Sohu.com Inc. of $39.1 million and a net loss attributable to Sohu.com Inc. of $27.1 million and $147.1$19.2 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2014.2015.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Resources Analysis

Liquidity Sources and Balances

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, time deposits, and cash flows generated from our operations. Cash equivalents primarily comprisemainly consist of time deposits with original maturities of three months or less, and money market funds.highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. Short-term investments comprise investment instruments issued by commercial banks in China, with a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets and maturity dates within one year. Time deposits comprise deposits placed with banks with original maturities of more than three months.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.1$1.09 billion, and short-term investments of $260.4$264.1 million. Of our cash and cash equivalents, $547.9$439.5 million was held in financial institutions inside Mainland China and $526.0$652.6 million was held in financial institutions outside of Mainland China. Our VIEs held $114.0$141.8 million of our cash and cash equivalents and $959.9$950.3 million was held outside of our VIEs. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, we had, through Changyou, loans from offshore banks in the principal amount of $344.5 million. These loans were secured by RMB deposits in onshore branches of those banks in the total amount of $371.8 million, which are recognized as restricted time deposits.

We believe our current liquidity and capital resources are sufficient to meet anticipated working capital needs (net cash used in operating activities), commitments, capital expenditures, and investment activities over the next twelve months. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changes in business conditions and other future developments, or changes in general economic conditions.

See “Restrictions and Limitations on Cash Available to Sohu.com Inc.” below and Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk - Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.”

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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of September 30, 20152016 (in thousands):

 

As of September 30, 2015

  

Contractual
Obligation

 

Repayment of principal of bank loans

  $344,500  

Purchase of content and services – video

   149,737  

Purchase of bandwidth

   64,719  

Purchase of cinema advertisement slot rights

   54,849  

Operating lease obligations

   31,241  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility – PC games

   24,984  

Purchase of content and services – others

   14,192  

Interest payment commitment

   11,819  

Fees for operating rights for licensed games in development – mobile games

   3,086  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility – mobile games

   2,911  

Fees for operating rights for licensed games in development – PC games

   1,520  

Others

   8,078  
  

 

 

 

Total

  $711,636  
  

 

 

 

Significant Cash Related Activities

Sogou

In September 2015, Sogou purchased from Sohu Search (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sohu) and Photon, pursuant to Repurchase Option Agreements entered into in September 2013, 24.0 million and 6.4 million Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou, for aggregate purchase prices of $78.8 million and $21.0 million, respectively.

Changyou

In the third quarter of 2015, pursuant to a share repurchase program approved by Changyou’s Board of Directors in July 2013, Changyou repurchased 557,600 ADSs, representing 1,115,200 ordinary shares, at an aggregate cost of approximately $13.2 million. The share repurchase program expired on July 26, 2015. As of that date, Changyou had repurchased under the program an aggregate of 1,364,846 Changyou ADSs, representing 2,729,692 ordinary shares, at an aggregate cost of approximately $35.0 million.

On August 17, 2015, (i) Changyou’s VIE Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”), a PRC company that is a VIE of Changyou, completed the sale to Shanghai Yong Chong Investment Center LP, a PRC limited partnership, of all of the equity interests in Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company primarily engaged in the Web game business, and (ii) Changyou.com (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changyou, completed the sale to Supermax Holdings Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, of all of the equity capital of Changyou My Sdn. Bhd, a Malaysia company, and Changyou.com (UK) Company Limited, a United Kingdom company, which are engaged in the online game business in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, respectively. The aggregate consideration for these transactions was $205.0 million in cash. All of the consideration had been paid to Changyou as of September 30, 2015.

As of September 30, 2016

  

 

 

Purchase of content and services – video

  $196,173  

Purchase of cinema advertisement slot rights

   109,550  

Purchase of bandwidth

   57,881  

Operating lease obligations

   25,692  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility - PC games

   15,750  

Purchase of content and services – others

   9,884  

Expenditures for operating rights for licensed games with technological feasibility – mobile games

   3,866  

Purchase of fixed assets

   2,261  

Expenditures for titles in game development

   1,035  

Fees for operating rights for licensed games in development – mobile games

   589  

Others

   3,819  
  

 

 

 

Total

  $426,500  
  

 

 

 

 

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Cash Generating Ability

Our cash flows wereare summarized below (in thousands):

 

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2014 2015   2015   2016 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $94,785   $357,463    $357,463    $214,224  

Net cash used in investing activities

   (418,097 (108,492   (108,492   (9,046

Net cash used in financing activities

   (118,888 (43,146   (43,146   (327,591

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

   (4,192 (8,220   (8,220   (20,427

Reclassification of cash and cash equivalents to held-for-sale assets

   0   (66

Reclassification of cash and cash equivalents to assets held for sale

   (66   (10,280
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase /(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (446,392 197,539     197,539     (153,120

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   1,287,288   876,340     876,340     1,245,205  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $840,896   $1,073,879    $1,073,879    $1,092,085  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $214.2 million net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to our net loss of $77.9 million, adjusted by (i) the add back of non-cash items consisting of $159.5 million in depreciation and amortization, $16.1 million share-based compensation expense, $6.0 million in impairment of intangible assets, $4.3 million in provision for allowance for doubtful accounts, and $0.7 million other items, (ii) offset by $7.7 million in change in fair value of short-term investments. The increase in cash from $113.2 million working capital items is also included in operating cash flow.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $357.5 million net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to our net income of $100.1 million, adjusted by (i) the add back of non-cash items consisting of $190.3 million depreciation and amortization expense, $40.3 million goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of a business acquisition, $28.5 million share-based compensation expense, $12.0 million impairment of intangible assets, $3.8 million investment loss from an equity investment, and $3.9 million other items, (ii) offset by $55.1 million of disposal gain from the sale of the 7Road business and certain Changyou subsidiaries, $13.0 million disposal gain from sale of investments, and a $1.1 million change in the fair value of short-term investments. TheAn increase in cash from $47.8 million working capital items is also included in operating cash flow.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $94.8 million net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to our net loss of $138.5 million, adjusted by (i) the add back of non-cash items consisting of $158.3 million depreciation and amortization expense, $29.5 million share-based compensation expense, and $3.2 million other items, (ii) offset by a $2.3 million change in the fair value of a put option, $1.4 million in income from investments in debt securities, and a $0.4 million change in the fair value of short-term investments. The increase in cash from $46.4 million working capital items is also included in operating cash flow.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $9.0 million net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to (i) $282.0 million used in purchase of financial instruments, $224.5 million used in purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets, $18.1 million used in a matching loan from Changyou to SoEasy, and $12.9 million used in the purchase of long-term investments, (ii) offset by $295.6 million proceeds from financial instruments, $225.5 million withdrawal of restricted time deposits originally used as collateral for Changyou loans from offshore banks, $3.6 million from loan repayment by a third party to Changyou, and $3.8 million cash received from other investing activities.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $108.5 million net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to (i) $619.0 million used in the purchase of financial instruments, $190.7 million used in the purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets, $76.6 million used in the purchase of short-term investments, $37.8 million used in the purchase of long-term investments (mainly composed byof Sohu’s investment of $16.3 million in SoEasy Internet Finance Group Limited in April 2015 and Sogou’s investment of $12.0 million in Zhihu Technology Limited in September 2015), $20.0 million in loans to a third party, and funds of $13.1 million of funds deposited by Changyou, (ii) offset by $542.4 million proceeds from financial instruments, $183.1 million in consideration received from Changyou’s sale of the 7Road business (net of cash in 7Road upon its disposition) and certain Changyou subsidiaries, $11.9 million in consideration received from the sale of an equity investment, the withdrawal of $30.8 million in restricted time deposits originally used as collateral for Changyou loans from offshore banks, $11.9 million in consideration received from the sale of an equity investment, and $3.9 million in proceeds from other investing activities.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $418.1 million net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to (i) $206.7 million used in short-term investments, $172.1 million used in the purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets, $86.5 million used as consideration for the acquisition of MoboTap (net of cash acquired), $24.6 million used for long-term investments, and $13.6 million of restricted time deposits made as collateral for Changyou loans from offshore banks, offset by (ii) $82.0 million in proceeds of debt securities at maturity, and $3.4 million in proceeds from other investing activities.

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Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $327.6 million net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to (i) $344.5 million used in repayments of Changyou loans from offshore banks, (ii) offset by $16.9 million Changyou received from the matching loan with SoEasy.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $43.1 net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to (i) $25.5 million used infor Changyou’s repayment of loans from offshore banks, $21.0 million used infor Sogou’s repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou from Photon, and $14.5 million used infor Changyou’s repurchase of its ADSs, offset by (ii) $12.9 million inChangyou received from the matching loan proceeds from Changyou,with SoEasy, $2.1 million received from the exercise of share-based awards, and $2.9 million in proceeds from other financing activities.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $118.9 million net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to (i) Changyou’s repayment of $410.2 million of loans to offshore banks, $47.3 million used in Sogou’s repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares of Sogou from China Web, $24.6 million used in Sogou’s repurchase of its Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders, $2.8 million used in payment of contingent consideration by Changyou, and $4.9 million used in other investing activities, (ii) offset by proceeds of loans from offshore banks of $370 million and $0.9 million received from the exercise of share-based awards.

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Restrictions and Limitations on Cash Available to Sohu.com Inc.

To fund any cash requirements it may have, Sohu.com Inc. may need to rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our wholly-owned subsidiary Sohu.com Limited or our majority-owned subsidiary Changyou.com Limited. Since substantially all of our operations are conducted through our indirect wholly-owned and majority-owned China-based subsidiaries and VIEs, Sohu.com Limited and Changyou.com Limited may need to rely on dividends, loans or advances made by our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs in order to make dividends and other distributions to us.

The ability of Sohu.com Limited and Changyou.com Limited to receive dividends and distributions from our China-based subsidiaries and VIEs, and the amount of cash available for distribution to, and use by, Sohu.com Inc., are subject to certain restrictions and limitations related to PRC law, our VIE structure and U.S. corporate income tax. We do not expect any of such restrictions or taxes to have a material impact on our ability to meet our cash obligations.

PRC Regulations Related to Profit Appropriation, Withholding Tax on Dividends and Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange

Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends of a PRC company only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with accounting standards and regulations in China. Our China-based subsidiaries, which are wholly foreign-owned enterprises (“WFOE”s) under PRC law,WFOEs are also required to set aside each year to their general reserves at least 10% of their after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards, until the cumulative amount reaches 50% of their paid-in capital. These reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends, or as loans or advances. Our WFOEs may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits, at the discretion of their Boards of Directors, to their staff welfare and bonus funds. Any amounts so allocated may not be distributed to Sohu.com Limited or Changyou.com Limited and, accordingly, would not be available for distribution to Sohu.com Inc.

The CIT Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax foron dividends distributed by foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC to their immediate holding companies outside Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. A holding company in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate under an arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the “Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital” if such holding company is considered a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC foreign invested enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong holding company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 10%.

Under regulations of the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), the RMB is not convertible into foreign currencies for capital account items, such as loans, repatriation of investments and investments outside of Mainland China, unless prior approval of the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.

PRC Restrictions Related to Our VIE Structure

While generally Sohu.com Inc.’s VIEs generate revenues and cash, most of those VIEs, other than those which are VIEs of Changyou.com Limited, incurred deficits as a result of significant costs involved in their operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

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Substantially all of Changyou.com Limited’s operations are conducted through its VIEs, which generate most of Changyou’s online game revenues. Although Changyou’s subsidiaries received or absorbed a majority of the VIEs’ profits or losses pursuant to contractual agreements between the VIEs and Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries providing for payments to the subsidiaries in return for services provided to the VIEs by the PRC subsidiaries, significant cash balances remained in Changyou’s VIEs as of SeptemberJune 30, 2015.2016. As Changyou’s VIEs are not owned by Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs are not able to make dividend payments to the subsidiaries. Therefore, in order for Sohu.com Inc. or our subsidiaries outside of Mainland China to receive any dividends, loans or advances from Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries, we will need to rely on these contractual payments made by Changyou’s VIEs to Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries. Depending on the nature of services provided by Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries to their corresponding VIEs, certain of these payments will subject to PRC taxes, including Business Tax andsuch as VAT, which will effectively reduce the amount that the PRC subsidiary receives from its corresponding VIE. In addition, the PRC government could impose restrictions on such payments or change the tax rates applicable to such payments.

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc. is a Delaware corporation andthat is subject to U.S. corporate income tax inon its taxable income at a rate of up to 35%. To the United States. Although in the past Sohu.com Inc. has been able to use NOLs to offset a portionextent that portions of its U.S. taxable income, atsuch as Subpart F income or a dividend, are determined to be from sources outside of the end of its 2012 taxable year it had no further NOLs available for offsetting any U.S. taxable income. The majority of our subsidiaries and VIEs are based in China and are, subject to income taxes in the PRC. These China-based subsidiaries and VIEs conduct substantially all of our operations and, as a result, we generate most of our consolidated income or losses in China. The amount of cash derived from our operations that can be used to buy back our shares of common stock in the market, paid as dividends to Sohu.com Inc.’s shareholders or used for other corporate purposes ofcertain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. may be limited by the imposition ofable to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S. corporate income tax on Sohu.com Inc.’s income.liabilities. Any remaining liabilities are accrued in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and estimated tax payments are made when required by U.S. law.

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In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we do not provide for U.S. federal income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings or losses of our non-U.S. subsidiaries or consolidated VIEs because, for the foreseeable future, we do not have the intention to repatriate those undistributed earnings or losses to the U.S. (except that, under certain circumstances, we may repatriate to the U.S. income that was previously included in our income for U.S. corporate income tax purposes). However, certain activities conducted in the PRC may give rise to U.S. corporate income tax, even if there are no distributions to Sohu.com Inc. U.S. corporate income taxes would be imposed on Sohu.com Inc. when its subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) generate income that is subject to Subpart F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Subpart F”). PassiveGenerally, passive income, such as rents, royalties, interest, dividends, and dividends,gains from disposal of our investments is among the types of income subject to taxation under Subpart F. Any income taxable under Subpart F is taxable in the U.S. at federal corporate income tax rates of up to 35%. Subpart F income also includes certain income from intercompany transactions between Sohu.com Inc.’s non-U.S. subsidiaries and VIEs and Changyou’s non-U.S. subsidiaries and VIEs, or where Sohu.com Inc.’s non-U.S. subsidiaries or VIEs make an “investment in U.S. property,” such as holding the stock in, or making a loan to, a U.S. corporation. Under a temporary provision of the U.S. tax code commonly referred to as the CFC look-through rule, Sohu.com Inc. has not had to treat dividends received by its CFC subsidiaries as Subpart F income includible in Sohu.com Inc.’s taxable income in the U.S. The CFC look-through rule, which is currently scheduled to expire for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014,2019, has been extended several times by the U.S. Congress. Unless further extended, the CFC look-through rule will be available for Sohu.com Inc.’s CFC subsidiaries and their VIEs only through their taxable years ending November 30, 2015.2020.

Dividend Policy

The Sohu Group intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its own business, and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on Sohu.com Inc.’s common stock or causing Changyouits wholly-owned subsidiary Sohu.com Limited to any pay any dividends on Changyou.com Limited’s ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by Changyou.com Limited’s ADSs, or causing Sogou to pay any dividends on Sogou.comSohu.com Inc.’s ordinary shares and preferred shares, for the foreseeable future. Future cash dividends distributed by Sohu.com Inc., Changyou.com or Sohu.com Limited, or Sogou.com Inc., if any, will be declared at the discretion of their respective BoardsSohu.com Inc.’s Board of Directors and will depend upon their future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and such other factors as their respective Boardsour Board of Directors may deem relevant.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of third parties, except for a $9.0 million restricted time deposit acting as collateral for credit facilities provided by a bank to certain Sogou employees. We are not subject to any additional potential payments other than the restricted time deposit amount, and believe that the fair value of our guarantee liability is immaterial. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.

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IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Revenue from Contracts with Customers.In FebruaryMay 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, ‘‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).’’ This guidance supersedes current guidance on revenue recognition in Topic 605, ‘‘Revenue Recognition.’’ In addition, there are disclosure requirements related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issuedConsolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments ASU No.2015-14 to defer the Consolidation Analysiseffective date of ASU No. 2014-09 for all entities by one year. For public business entities that follow U.S. GAAP, the deferral results in the new revenue standard are being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendmentsOn January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (“ASU 2016-01”), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in Topic 810 respond to stakeholders’ concerns about the currentfair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting foror those that result in consolidation of variable interest entities, by changing aspects of the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate such entities. Under the amendments, all reporting entities are within the scope of Subtopic810-10, Consolidation – Overall, including limited partnerships and similar legal entities, unless a scope exception applies. The amendments are intended toinvestee). This standard will be an improvement to current U.S. GAAP, as they simplify the codification of FASB Statement No. 167,Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), with changes including reducing the number of consolidation models through the elimination of the indefinite deferral of Statement 167 and placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The amendments are effective for publicly-traded companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and for2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. EarlierWe are evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

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Leases.On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases. ASU 2016-02 specifies the accounting for leases. For operating leases, ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Compensation – Stock Compensation. On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which relates to the accounting for employee share-based payments. This standard addresses several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; (c) classification on the statement of cash flows; and (d) accounting for forfeitures of share-based payments. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Statement of adopting this guidance.

Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.In September 2015,August 2016, the FASB issuedASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments,Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which eliminatesclarifies the requirement for an acquirerpresentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which it determines the amounts, including the effect on earningsstatement of any amounts that would have been recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.cash flows. This updateguidance is effective for interim and annual periodsfinancial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this update is not expected toWe are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have any material impact on our condensedits consolidated financial statements.statements and related disclosures.

 

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK

While our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, to date the majority of our revenues and costs are denominated in RMB and a significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our RMB revenues and assets as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline. We do not hold any derivative or other financial instruments that expose us to substantial market risk.

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The RMB is currently freely convertible under the “current account,” which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment. In addition, commencing on July 21, 2005, China reformed its exchange rate regime by changing to a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. Under the managed floating exchange rate regime, the RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar. The exchange rate of the RMB against the U.S. dollar was adjusted to RMB8.11 per U.S. dollar as of July 21, 2005, representing an appreciation of about 2%. The People’s Bank of China will announce the closing prices of foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar traded against the RMB in the inter-bank foreign exchange market after the closing of the market on each business day, and will make such prices the central parity for trading against the RMB on the following business day. On May 19, 2007, the People’s Bank of China announced a policy to expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.3% to 0.5%. While the international reactions to the RMB revaluation and widening of the RMB’s daily trading band have generally been positive, with the increased floating range of the RMB’s value against foreign currencies, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies in the long term, depending on the fluctuation of the basket of currencies against which it is currently valued. On June 19, 2010, the People’s Bank of China announced that it has decided to proceed further with the reform of the RMB exchange rate regime to enhance the flexibility of the RMB exchange rate and that emphasis would be placed on reflecting market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. While so indicating its intention to make the RMB’s exchange rate more flexible, the People’s Bank of China ruled out any sharp fluctuations in the currency or a one-off adjustment. On April 16, 2012, the People’s Bank of China announced a policy to expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.5% to 1%. On March 17, 2014, the People’s Bank of China announced a policy to further expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market to 2%. In the long term, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate more significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies, depending on the market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies.

To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure. Accordingly, we may incur economic losses in the future due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, which could have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

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The following table sets forth a summary of our foreign currency sensitive financial instruments as of September 30, 2015.2016. These financial instruments are recorded at their fair value.

 

  Denominated in (in thousands)   Denominated in (in thousands)     
  US$   RMB   HK$   Others   Total   US$   RMB   HK$   Others   Total 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $310,401    $746,957    $14,479    $2,042    $1,073,879    $652,198    $435,946    $2,427    $1,514    $1,092,085  

Restricted time deposits

   9,303     371,784     0     0     381,087  

Short-term investments

   0     260,431     0     0     260,431     0     264,109     0     0     264,109  

Accounts receivable

   5,974     278,410     912     0     285,296     5,192     198,584     972     0     204,748  

Prepaid and other current assets

   15,009     145,962     19     774     161,764     7,658     266,464     17     562     274,701  

Held-for-sale assets

   0     10,080     0     0     10,080  

Available-for-sale securities

   17,933     0     0     0     17,933  

Short-term bank loans

   25,500     0     0     0     25,500  

Held-for-sale liabilities

   0     1,251     0     0     1,251  

Available-for-sale equity securities

   12,180     0     0     0     12,180  

Restricted time deposits

   9,240     30     0     0     9,270  

Liabilities held for sale

   0     3,236     0     0     3,236  

Other current liabilities

   32,066     870,050     0     0     902,116     41,798     933,634     26     339     975,797  

Long-term accounts payable

   0     4,257     0     0     4,257     0     17,272     0     0     17,272  

Long-term bank loans

  $319,000    $0    $0    $0    $319,000  

INTEREST RATE RISK

The basic objectives of our investment program are to protect the invested funds from excessive risk and to provide for liquidity that is sufficient to meet operating and investment cash requirements. Under the investment policy, our excess cash is invested in high-quality securities which are limited as to length of time to maturity and the amount of credit exposure.

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated from excess cash invested in demand deposits, and interest expense generated from loans to Changyou from offshore banks. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio in order to reduce this risk. We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates.

INFLATION RATE RISK

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer price index grew 2.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to an increase of 1.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to an increase2015. The rate of 2.1%inflation in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. While the increase in 2015 represented a decline in the rate of inflation2016 was higher when compared to the corresponding period in 2014, there may be increases in the rate of inflation in the future,2015, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”), have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that all material information relating to Sohu.com Inc. required to be included in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the period covered by this quarterly report, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There have been no material developmentslegal proceedings commenced by us or against us or, to our knowledge, threatened against us during the period covered by this report. From time to time we become subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business. Such legal proceedings reportedor claims, even if not meritorious, could result in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015.

expenditure of significant financial and management resources.

 

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ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes or updates to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2016 and Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015.February 26, 2016.

 

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

USE OF PROCEEDS

On July 17, 2000, Sohu.com Inc. completed an underwritten initial public offering of its common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC file No. 333-96137), which became effective on July 10, 2000. Public trading of the common stock offered in the initial public offering commenced on July 12, 2000. Sohu.com Inc. sold an aggregate of 4,600,000 shares of common stock in the offering at a price to the public of $13 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $59.8 million. Sohu.com Inc.’s net proceeds, after deduction of the underwriting discount of $4.2 million and other offering expenses of $3.2 million, were approximately $52.4 million. All shares sold in the offering were sold by Sohu.com Inc.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, Sohu.com Inc. did not use any proceeds from the offering. The remaining net proceeds from the offering have been invested in cash and cash equivalents. The use of the proceeds from the offering does not represent a material change in the use of proceeds described in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 described above.

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

 

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

Please see the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 6, 20154, 2016

 

SOHU.COM INC.
By: 

/s/ Carol YuJoanna Lv

Joanna Lv

 Carol Yu
President andActing Chief Financial Officer

 

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Sohu.com Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended September 30, 20152016

EXHIBITS INDEX

 

10.1 (1) English Translation of Loan and Share Pledge Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, amongas of October 24, 2016, between AmazGame and Sohu Media, Charles Zhang and Wei Li.Media.
10.2 (1) Loan and Share Pledge Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, among Focus HK, Charles Zhangas of October 24, 2016, between Sohu Game and Wei Li.Changyou.
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Charles Zhang
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Carol YuJoanna Lv
32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Charles Zhang
32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Carol YuJoanna Lv
101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20142015 and September 30, 20152016 ; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 2015;2016; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 2015;2016; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20142015 and 2015;2016; and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged using four different levels of detail.

(1)Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2016.

 

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