Beijing, November 4th / PRNewswire / -- Autohome ( NYSE : ATHM ; HKEX : 2518) („ Autohome “ or „Company“) today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ending September 30, 2026.

Key Points of the Third Quarter of 2026

• Net revenue for the third quarter was 1.315 billion yuan (196.1 million US dollars), compared to 1.7781 billion yuan in the same period last year.
• The net profit attributable to Autohome in the third quarter was 195 million yuan (29.1 million US dollars), compared with 436.6 million yuan in the same period of the previous year; the net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders was 195 million yuan (29.1 million US dollars), compared with 419.4 million yuan in the same period of the previous year.
• The adjusted net profit attributable to Autohome in the third quarter (non-GAAP) was 252.7 million yuan (37.7 million US dollars), compared with 406.9 million yuan in the same period of the previous year.
• Share Repurchase: On July 28, 2026, the board of directors of Autohome authorized a share repurchase plan under which the company may repurchase up to $400 million in American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of ADS within the next 12 months. As of October 30, 2026, the company had repurchased 7,062,030 shares of ADS, at a total cost of approximately $155.4 million.
• Cash Dividend: The board of directors has approved a dividend of $1.58 per share of ADS (or $0.3950 per share of common stock), to be paid in US dollars. Shareholders who held common stock and ADS at the close of business on January 5, 2027, will be entitled to this dividend. The total amount of this dividend is approximately 1 billion yuan, and it is expected to be paid to the holders of common stock and ADS around March 15, 2027, and March 22, 2027, respectively. Together with the cash dividend of 500 million yuan announced on May 28, 2026, the total cash dividends announced by the company for 2026 amount to approximately 1.5 billion yuan.

Li Zhi ( Chi Liu ), Chairman and CEO of Autohome, stated: "In the third quarter, we made steady progress in upgrading to a comprehensive automotive service ecosystem, and our innovative businesses continued to develop steadily. On the user side, we intensified our efforts to systematically build a content and tool matrix to further strengthen the platform's moat. According to QuestMobile data, the average daily active users on mobile increased by more than 3% year-on-year in September. In terms of innovative businesses, our new retail business continued to optimize its model and expand its service network, further expanding city coverage. In addition, our used car business has advanced the development of both domestic and overseas platforms. Our full-process used car sales service platform continues to improve its standardized service system, and the cross-border export platform has seen growth in both the supply of high-quality car sources and export transaction volumes."

At the beginning of September, we officially launched our self-developed automotive service AI intelligent product – Cheese Car Butler. By combining AI capabilities with our dual-service ecosystem for both users and merchants, we are transforming automotive services from mere information matching to credible decision-making and reliable fulfillment. This also represents a key strategic move by Autohome in the field of ‘AI + automotive services’.

The Chief Financial Officer of Autohome, Craig Yan Zeng, added: "As we continue to optimize our model, the new retail business is beginning to contribute to revenue thanks to the growing network effect, and it directly complements our traditional core business. Upholding our commitment to continuously creating sustainable value for shareholders, we are pleased to announce the distribution of approximately 1 billion yuan in cash dividends for the second half of the year. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in strategic priorities to enhance our long-term competitiveness while maintaining a streamlined cost structure."

Unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2026

Net Revenue

In the third quarter of 2026, net revenue amounted to 1.315 billion yuan (196.1 million US dollars), compared to 1.7781 billion yuan in the same period of the previous year.

• Media service revenue amounted to 241.4 million yuan (36 million US dollars), compared to 298 million yuan in the same period last year. The decline is mainly due to automobile manufacturers reducing their advertising spending amid declining sales volumes.
• The revenue from the clue generation service amounted to 526.2 million yuan (78.5 million US dollars), compared to 663.7 million yuan in the same period last year. The decline is mainly due to dealers reducing their expenditures amid declining sales volumes, as well as a decrease in the number of paying dealers.
• Online trading platforms and other revenues amounted to 547.3 million yuan (81.6 million US dollars), compared to 816.4 million yuan in the same period last year. The decline is mainly due to a reduction in revenues related to the company's vehicle sales business.

Revenue Cost

Revenue costs in the third quarter amounted to 431.2 million yuan (64.3 million US dollars), compared to 646 million yuan in the same period of the previous year. This was mainly due to a decrease in revenue, which in turn led to a reduction in related costs. The equity incentive expenses included in the third-quarter revenue costs were 3.9 million yuan (600,000 US dollars), whereas in the same period of the previous year they were 5.2 million yuan.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the third quarter amounted to 861.2 million yuan (128.4 million US dollars), compared to 1.0245 billion yuan in the same period of the previous year.

• Sales and marketing expenses amounted to 575.3 million yuan (85.8 million US dollars), compared to 620.5 million yuan in the same period of the previous year. The equity incentive expenses included in the third-quarter sales and marketing costs were 7.9 million yuan (1.2 million US dollars), whereas in the same period of the previous year they were 19 million yuan.
• General and administrative expenses amounted to RMB 91.1 million (US$ 13.6 million), compared to RMB 125.4 million in the same period of the previous year. The equity incentive expenses included in the general and administrative expenses for the third quarter were RMB 13.9 million (US$ 2.1 million), whereas in the same period of the previous year they were RMB 21 million.
• The product development expenses amounted to 194.8 million yuan (29.1 million US dollars), compared to 278.6 million yuan in the same period of the previous year, mainly due to a decrease in personnel-related expenses. The equity incentive expenses included in the third-quarter product development costs were 17.8 million yuan (2.7 million US dollars), whereas in the same period of the previous year they were 29.5 million yuan.

Operating Profit

The operating profit for the third quarter was 95.7 million RMB (14.3 million USD), compared to 147 million RMB in the same period of the previous year.

Income Tax Income/Expenses

Income tax revenue for the third quarter was 1.6 million RMB (200,000 USD), compared to income tax expenses of 18.4 million RMB in the same period last year.

Net profit attributable to Autohome

The net profit attributable to Autohome in the third quarter was 195 million yuan (29.1 million US dollars), compared with 436.6 million yuan in the same period of the previous year.

Net profit attributable to common shareholders and earnings per share/per ADS

The net profit attributable to common shareholders in the third quarter was 195 million yuan (29.1 million US dollars), compared to 419.4 million yuan in the same period of the previous year. The basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were both 0.47 yuan (0.07 US dollars), whereas in the same period of the previous year they were both 0.89 yuan. The basic and diluted earnings per ADS for the third quarter were 1.87 yuan (0.28 US dollars) and 1.86 yuan (0.28 US dollars) respectively, compared to 3.58 yuan and 3.56 yuan respectively in the same period of the previous year.

Adjusted net profit attributable to Autohome (non-GAAP) and non-GAAP earnings per share/each ADS

The adjusted net profit attributable to Autohome in the third quarter (excluding GAAP) was 252.7 million yuan (37.7 million US dollars), compared to 406.9 million yuan in the same period of the previous year. In the third quarter, the basic and diluted earnings per share (excluding GAAP) were 0.61 yuan (0.09 US dollars) and 0.60 yuan (0.09 US dollars) respectively, whereas in the same period of the previous year they were 0.87 yuan and 0.86 yuan respectively. In the third quarter, the basic and diluted earnings per ADS were 2.43 yuan (0.36 US dollars) and 2.42 yuan (0.36 US dollars) respectively, compared to 3.47 yuan and 3.45 yuan in the same period of the previous year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2026, the company held a total of RMB 17.65 billion (US$ 2.63 billion) in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and other long-term investments. The net cash generated from operating activities in the third quarter was RMB 359.8 million (US$ 53.7 million).

Cash Dividends

The board of directors has approved a dividend of $1.58 per share of ADS (or $0.3950 per share of common stock), to be paid in US dollars. The record date for common stock and ADS holders is at the close of business on January 5, 2027, Eastern Time (ET) and Beijing/Hong Kong Time. The total amount of this dividend is approximately 1 billion RMB. In order to be eligible for the dividend, all valid share transfer documents and related stock certificates must be submitted to the company's Hong Kong share registration office, Central Securities Depository Limited, located at 1712–1716, 17th Floor, Hop Ho Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2027 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). The dividend is expected to be paid to the company's common stock holders and ADS holders (through the depository bank and subject to the terms of the depository agreement) around March 15, 2027, and March 22, 2027, respectively.

Employees

As of September 30, 2026, the company has a total of 3,785 employees, including 1,116 employees from TTP Car and Inc.

Telephone Conference Arrangement

The company will hold a earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2026 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time/Hong Kong Time on the same day).

Please register in advance through the registration link below before the teleconference. After registration, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers and a personal PIN code to join the teleconference.

Registration link:

Please use the meeting access information and connect 10 minutes before the meeting starts.

In addition, the live broadcast and archived webcast of the teleconference will be available at https :// ir.autohome.com.cn. Replay is also possible after the meeting has concluded.

About Autohome

Autohome (NYSE : ATHM; HKEX : 2518) is a leading online destination for car consumers in China. The company's mission is to rely on advanced technology to continuously reduce decision-making and transaction costs in the automotive industry. Autohome provides car consumers with professionally generated content, user-generated content, as well as a comprehensive car database and rich vehicle information, covering the entire lifecycle of car purchasing and usage. With its ability to reach a large and active base of car consumers, Autohome has become a preferred platform for car manufacturers and dealers to conduct advertising. In addition, the company's dealer subscription and advertising services enable dealers to promote their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to millions of internet users in China and bringing them sales leads. The company also provides sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to help car manufacturers and dealers improve efficiency and facilitate transactions. Furthermore, Autohome offers additional value-added services such as auto finance, auto insurance, used car trading, and after-sales service through its website and mobile applications. For more information, please visit https :// www.autohome.com.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that may qualify as “safe harbor” statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “estimate”, and similar phrases. These include Autohome’s business outlook, strategies, and operational plans, as well as statements made by management in this announcement. Autohome may also make forward-looking statements in periodic reports submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announcements published on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, annual shareholder reports, press releases, and other written materials, as well as oral statements made by the company’s executives, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including those regarding Autohome’s beliefs and expectations, are considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and various factors could cause actual results to differ significantly from those contained in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: Autohome’s objectives and strategies; future business development, operating results, and financial conditions; expected growth in the online automotive advertising market in China; Autohome’s ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and to further enhance brand awareness; Autohome’s expectations regarding demand for its products and services and market acceptance; competition in the online automotive advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulatory environments in China; fluctuations in China’s overall economic and business conditions; and assumptions related to or based on the aforementioned matters. For more information regarding these and other risks, please refer to the documents submitted by Autohome to the SEC and the announcements published on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. As of the date of issuance, except as required by applicable laws, Autohome assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Use of non-GAAP financial indicators

To supplement the net profit reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use adjusted net profit attributable to AutoHome, non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per share, non-ADS revenue per share, adjusted net profit margin, and adjusted EBITDA among other non-GAAP financial indicators. We define the adjusted net profit attributable to AutoHome as the net profit attributable to AutoHome, less equity incentive expenses, amortization of intangible assets arising from business acquisitions, and the share of investment income under the equity method, and we adjust all adjustment items for their relevant tax impact. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per share as the adjusted net profit attributable to AutoHome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted revenue per ADS as the adjusted net profit attributable to AutoHome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average ADS. We define the adjusted net profit margin as the adjusted net profit attributable to AutoHome divided by total net revenue. We define the adjusted EBITDA as the net profit attributable to AutoHome, to which we add back income tax expenses, depreciation of fixed assets, amortization of intangible assets, and equity incentive expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial indicators because, in addition to the net profit prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management also uses these indicators to evaluate operational performance. We believe that these non-GAAP financial indicators help investors understand the company's operational and financial performance, allow for a consistent comparison of business trends over different periods, and assess core operating results, as they exclude certain non-cash expenditures or non-operational items. However, the use of these non-GAAP financial indicators has certain limitations, as they exclude certain items that will still occur in the future, but they should still be considered in the overall assessment of the company's performance.These non-GAAP financial indicators should be considered as a supplement to the financial indicators prepared in accordance with GAAP, and should not be regarded as a substitute for or superior to the GAAP financial indicators. For more information regarding these non-GAAP financial indicators, please refer to the table at the end of this press release titled "Unaudited Non-GAAP and GAAP Performance Adjustment Table".

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