REG-VK Company VK Company Limited audited IFRS results for Q4 and 2022
16/03/2023 07:15
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VK Company (VKCO)
VK Company Limited audited IFRS results for Q4 and 2022
16-March-2023 / 10:00 MSK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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VK Company Limited audited IFRS results for Q4 and 2022
March 16, 2023. VK Company Limited (LSE, MOEX: VKCO, hereinafter referred to as “VK” or
“the Company”) releases audited IFRS results and segment financial information for Q4
and 12 months of 2022.
KEY VK HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY 2022:
• VK revenue grew by 19% to RUB 97.8 bn in 2022. Revenue growth was driven by 29%
growth in online advertising sales in comparison with 2021. The main growth drivers
of advertising were:
◦ performance formats with 59% YoY growth;
◦ the SME segment with a 2.1x YoY growth.
• Adjusted EBITDA rose by 8,9% YoY to RUB 20.0 bn in 2022 with an EBITDA margin of
20.4%. This was due to the growth in profitability of the “EdTech” and “VK Tech”
segments – by 15 p.p. and 17 p.p. YoY, respectively.
• Total comprehensive loss in 2022 fell by RUB 12.4 bn YoY from RUB 15.3 bn in 2021 to
RUB 2.9 bn, in part due to restructuring and optimization of the Group's assets.
• As of the end of 2022, users of VK services accounted for over 90% of the total
Russian Internet monthly audience*.
• VK continued to increase the audience of its platforms while also increasing user
engagement:
◦ In Q4 2022 the average DAU of all VK services reached a record of 73 mn users*;
◦ In Q4 2022 time spent across VK services increased by 18% YoY, averaging 3.4 bn
minutes per day*.
The growth of key audience indicators was ensured by the implementation of VK's updated
strategy aimed at strengthening its leading position in the market of content focused
entertainment and educational IT products and active development in the segments of
innovative solutions for businesses.
* Source: Mediascope, Q4 2022, Russia 0+, age 12+, desktop and mobile devices
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF OPERATING SEGMENTS FOR 2022
Segment performance for 2022
RUB billions, Social networks Elimination of
& content EdTech VK Tech New business intragroup Group
unless otherwise services lines transactions and
stated non-allocated costs
Revenue 75.1 11.3 5.8 6.3 (0.7) 97.8
YoY, % 21.8% 4.0% 82.6% -5.9% 84.2% 19.3%
Operating (49.8) (10.9) (4.6) (10.6) (7.0) (83.0)
expenses
Share-based - - - - 5.2 5.2
payments
Adjusted EBITDA 25.3 0.3 1.2 (4.3) (2.5) 20.0
EBITDA margin, % 33.6% 3.0% 20.1% -68.7% - 20.4%
• Taking into account the substantial business transformation and in order to enhance
the quality and transparency of the Group's financial reporting, VK has adjusted the
provision of key segmental financial information in accordance with the current
asset composition starting from Q4 2022 reporting.
• The “Communications & Social” segment has been renamed into “Social networks &
content services” to reflect the increasing emphasis on media and content projects,
launches of new internal business functions for media strategy and influencer
activity, and the acquisition of Dzen. Given the similar nature of activities and
business drivers, services such as VK Calls, VK Clips, and VK Video have been
included in this segment. These projects were previously part of the “New
Initiatives” segment.
• The revenue of VK's key “Social networks & content services” segment increased by
22% YoY in 2022 to RUB 75.1 bn, while its Q4 2022 revenue increased by 30% YoY. The
segment's EBITDA margin in 2022 stood at 34%. The main drivers of growth were:
◦ The growth of the VKontakte social network, VK's biggest asset. Its average MAU in
Russia in Q4 2022 increased by 9.6% YoY to a record 79.5 mn users, while DAU grew by
8.9% YoY to a record 51.1 mn users. The growth of the audience and its engagement
led to a 29% increase in VKontakte's revenue in 2022. In Q4 2022 VKontakte's revenue
grew by 31% YoY.
◦ The acquisition of the Dzen and News platforms in September 2022. The average MAU of
Dzen’ newsfeed in 2022 was 70 mn, and the number of active creators doubled to
100,000 per week.
• “EdTech” segment revenue grew by 4% in 2022 to RUB 11 bn. At the end of December
2022, the number of registered students of VK’s education platforms rose by 28% YoY,
reaching over 13 mn. Adjusted EBITDA was positive in 2022, reaching RUB 337 mn,
while EBITDA margin rose by 15 p.p. YoY to 3%.
• Given VK's increasing emphasis on providing technologies for business and their
growing revenue share, a number of B2B services developed internally under the VK
Tech brand were moved from the “New Initiatives” to a standalone “VK Tech” segment.
• “VK Tech” was the fastest growing VK segment in 2022. Its revenue increased by 83%
YoY to RUB 5.8 bn, with revenue more than doubling in Q4 2022 YoY. The segment's
EBITDA margin increased by 17 p.p. YoY to 20% in 2022.
• “New business lines” segment is in the active investment phase. It includes such new
products and services such as VK Play and RuStore.
SOCIAL NETWORKS & CONTENT SERVICES SEGMENT
Social networks & content services segment performance - Q4 & 2022
RUB billions,
Q4 2021 Q4 2022 YoY, % 2021 2022 YoY, %
unless otherwise stated
Revenue 18.4 24.0 30.3% 61.7 75.1 21.8%
Operating expenses (11.0) (17.7) 60.7% (37.3) (49.8) 33.7%
EBITDA 7.4 6.3 (15.1%) 24.4 25.3 3.6%
EBITDA margin, % 40.1% 26.2% -14.0pp 39.5% 33.6% -5.9pp
Main projects: VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Dzen, Pulse, Portal, e-mail Mail.ru, VK Music,
VK Clips, VK Video, VK Messenger
The revenue of the “Social networks & content services” segment in Q4 2022 increased by
30.3% YoY, reaching RUB 24.0 bn. The growth in online advertising income was the primary
driver of revenue growth. Revenue increase VKontakte, in particular, reached 31% YoY.
Revenue from the Dzen and News projects has been included in the segment revenue since
their purchase in early September 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA lost 15% YoY and reached RUB 6.3 bn in Q4 2022, with a margin of 26%
versus 40% in Q4 2021. EBITDA was impacted by major product launches and upgrades of
existing services, accompanied with growth in hiring and marketing activities.
VKontakte
VKontakte continued to strengthen its leading position among Russian social networks:
the average MAU in Q4 2022 grew by 9.6% YoY to a record of 79.5 mn users. The global
average audience of VKontakte in Q4 2022 reached a record high of 101.7 mn monthly
active users, while the average DAU in Russia grew by 8,9% compared to Q4 2021 to a
record of 51.1 mn users. In Q4 2022, the average total time spent on VKontakte was 45.2
minutes per day*. VKontakte was reaching a record 86% of the Russian internet audience
in December 2022, with 54% of users visiting the platform daily**.
One of the most exciting launches in Q4 of 2022 with an emphasis on audience engagement
was the development of deepfake technology for UGC content, where neural networks can
replace users' faces with celebrities' faces in VK Clips and VK Video with a single
click. VKontakte also actively implements Web3 technologies. NFT transactions can now be
carried out in the new VK NFT service without leaving the social network.
More than 6.3 bn units of content, including posts, clips, articles, videos, music, and
other formats, were published on VKontakte in 2022. News feed views increased by 47% in
Q4 2022 compared to Q4 2021, owing to improved recommendations and greater audience
engagement. The number of approved friend requests increased by 31% YoY.
VKontakte is actively developing Communities: the total number of active creator public
pages in December 2022 increased by 13% YoY and reached 2 mn. VKontakte continues to add
new ways for communities and creators to monetize their content.
The number apps on the VK Mini Apps platform increased in Q4 2022 by 90% YoY to 75,380.
The platform's MAU increased by 8% to 44.6 mn people in Q4 2022 compared to Q4 2021, and
in-app ad revenue of mini apps increased by 95% over the same period.
The number of mobile games in the VKontakte catalog in Q4 2022 increased by 132% YoY,
and revenue from in-game purchases on mobile devices increased by 91%.
* Source: Mediascope, Q4 2022, Russia 0+, age 12+, desktop and mobile devices; **
Source: Mediascope, December 2022, Russia 0+, age 12+, desktop and mobile devices.
Odnoklassniki (OK)
Average Russia MAU for OK stood at 36.6 mn in Q4 2022. Audiences demonstrated strong
engagement in Q4 by sending more than 8.3 bn virtual gifts, 614 mn postcards and 543 mn
stickers.
OK continues to expand its content services within the social network. OK relaunched its
recommendation system with a focus on creator content. As a result, the time spent on
the social network's feed increased by 28% YoY in Q4, while groups of bloggers and media
got an increase in reach by 78% YoY. The reach of bloggers’ content increased by 1.5x
YoY and the share of content made by communities in users' feeds grew from 31% to 46%.
OK was updated in September as part of the social network's new positioning, and
launched a new service called Hobbies, which shows content about users’ particular
interests and hobbies. More than 21.4 mn people per month watched Hobbies in Q4 2022.
Moments (vertical, full-screen photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours) average
MAU reached 28 mn in Q4 2022 (+4.7% YoY). The number of views stood at 456 mn (+11%
YoY).
Dzen
Dzen, a key multi-format platform for viewing and distributing content on a variety of
subjects, joined VK on September 12, 2022. Every month, over 70 mn people read articles
and posts, watch vertical and long videos in the Dzen newsfeed.
Dzen relaunched its mobile app in Q4, added a new way to sign in to the platform using
VK ID, and also gave creators the option to transfer funds earned from platform
monetization to bank cards and through the payment service VK Pay.
The platform's content will continue to grow with Pulse integrated into Dzen since March
2023. The merger is taking place under a single Dzen brand and its technology
foundation, which includes a sophisticated recommendation system.
Furthermore, Dzen will serve as a unified entry point for all creators, providing simple
tools for making, distributing, and monetizing content. Every week, over 100,000 active
authors make content on the platform – their number doubled in 2022, and the number of
topics increased fivefold.
Email Mail.ru
Mail.ru remains the largest email service in Russia. The product’s audience continues to
grow, with DAU up by 5% YoY in Q4 to 18 mn people and average MAU up by 5% to 50 mn*.
The service's revenue exceeded RUB 1 bn for the first time in Q4 2022, rising by 28%
YoY.
VK Clips
Daily views of VK Clips reached 836 mn (+127% YoY) in Q4. The number of new Clips
published rose by 346% YoY and the number of content creators increased by 133% YoY.
VK Video
VK Video average daily views (not including VK Clips) reached 1.96 bn in Q4 (+36% YoY).
The platform's library of professional content continues to grow: by the end of 2022, VK
Video featured around 100,000 titles in films, TV shows and series from over 130
copyright owners.
*Source: Mediascope Cross Web, Q4 2022, Russia, age 12+, desktop and mobile devices;
In 2023, VK Video will continue to focus on attracting new users and developing the
platform both within the VKontakte and Odnoklassniki social networks and as a standalone
app.
VK Music
Average MAU for VK Music stood at 46.5 mn in Q4 2022. The service's subscriber base grew
by 34% from September to December 2022. VK Records, a new business line, was launched in
September 2022, which will create and manage its own music labels. Two live music venues
were also opened in Q4 – VK STADIUM with a capacity of 7,000 people and VK Gipsy with a
capacity of 2,500 people.
VK Messenger
The average MAU of VK Messenger in Q4 2022 grew by 3.7% to 66.2 mln users. VK Messenger
was launched as a standalone app in May 2022 with the number of installations reaching
4.5 mn by the end of 2022.
New features have been added to Messenger – chats can now be organized into folders, and
multiple profiles can be created within the same app. Users can now browse communities
as channels, receive notifications from federal services portal Gosuslugi, and pay fines
without commission. VK Messenger has significantly accelerated the service’s performance
and the speed of video downloads, increased the maximum size of sent files to 4 GB, and
introduced video messages with recording templates.
VK Calls
VKontakte introduced shared video content streaming in VK Calls in Q4 2022, with
real-time reactions and no limit on the number of viewers. The service introduced
animated vmoji, allowing VK Calls users to participate in meetings using personal
avatars instead of live webcam videos.
EDTECH SEGMENT
EdTech segment performance – Q4 2022 & 2022
RUB billions,
Q4 2021 Q4 2022 YoY, % 12M 2021 12M 2022 YoY, %
unless otherwise stated
Revenue 4.8 3.2 (33.0%) 10.8 11.3 4.0%
Operating expenses (4.0) (3.0) (25.7%) (12.2) (10.9) (10.3%)
EBITDA 0.7 0.2 (73.7%) (1.4) 0.3 n/a
EBITDA margin, % 15.1% 5.9% -9.2pp -12.5% 3.0% 15.4pp
Main projects: Skillbox, GeekBrains, SkillFactory, Mentorama, Lerna, Sferum
The “Education” segment was renamed into “Educational Technologies” or “EdTech”. It
combines VK's consolidated online learning platforms and educational technologies
providing services to individuals and businesses.
In 2022, the segment achieved a sustained positive Adjusted EBITDA. In particular,
EdTech delivered EBITDA of RUB 189 mn in Q4 2022 compared to RUB 719 mn in Q4 2021 with
EBITDA margin of 6%.
At the end of December 2022 VK education platforms saw the number of combined cumulative
registered students grow by 28% YoY to more than 13 mn, with 1.2 mn in new registrations
during Q4 2022. Cumulative number of paying students reached 519,000 (+49% YoY), with
54,000 new paying students joining in Q4. The overall number of courses and programs at
the end of December 2022 was 1,641. The average check in Q4 2022 reached RUB 67,000
(+11% YoY)*.
* Operating data covers only Skillbox Holding Limited companies.
VK TECH SEGMENT
VK Tech Segment Performance – Q4 2022 & 2022
RUB billions,
Q4 2021 Q4 2022 YoY, % 12M 2021 12M 2022 YoY, %
unless otherwise stated
Revenue 1.2 2.8 2.4x 3.2 5.8 82.6%
Operating expenses (0.8) (1.5) 76.5% (3.1) (4.6) 51.2%
EBITDA 0.3 1.4 4.2x 0.1 1.2 10.6x
EBITDA margin, % 27.9% 48.0% 20.0pp 3.4% 20.1% 16.6pp
Main projects: VK Cloud, communication services VK WorkSpace
VK Tech Q4 revenue more than doubled YoY and reached RUB 2.8 bn, driven mainly by
corporate communication services on the VK WorkSpace platform. Revenue from these
services more than tripled, and the share of services in the segment's total revenue
exceeded one third. Revenue from VK Cloud services doubled in Q4.
VK Tech posted positive Adjusted EBITDA in both Q4 2022 and 2022 with margins rising by
20 p.p. to 48.0% in Q4.
NEW BUSINESS LINES SEGMENT
New business lines segment performance – Q4 2022 & 2022
RUB billions,
Q4 2021 Q4 2022 YoY, % 12M 2021 12M 2022 YoY, %
unless otherwise stated
Revenue 2.3 2.1 (8.5%) 6.7 6.3 (5.9%)
Operating expenses (3.4) (4.3) 26.5% (9.3) (10.6) 14.3%
EBITDA (1.0) (2.1) (2.0x) (2.6) (4.3) (66.3%)
EBITDA margin, % -45.0% -100.5% -55.5pp -38.9% -68.7% -29.8pp
Main projects: VK Play, RuStore, VK Pay, Youla, Marusia, Capsule, ESforce, Movika
The “New Initiatives” segment was reorganized into “New business lines”. It represents
recent launches or acquisitions, as well as assets that are not significant as
standalone assets when analyzing VK's business activities.
The segment’s revenue totaled RUB 2.1 bn (-9% YoY) in Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA loss in
Q4 amounted to RUB 2.1 bn (vs. the loss of RUB 1.0 bn in Q4 2021). EBITDA margin in the
Q4 came in at negative 101% against negative 45% in Q4 2021. In Q4 2022 VK continued to
invest in several fast-growing services, including the VK Play gaming platform, the
RuStore app store and other initiatives.
Youla
The asset achieved a positive adjusted EBITDA margin for the full financial year for the
first time.
VK Play
VK Play ended its beta phase in October 2022. The number of developers on the platform
doubled in the second half of 2022, reaching 600 in December 2022. Over 12 mn accounts
were registered on the platform by the end of Q4 2022. Average MAU for the last 30 days
of 2022 exceeded 11 mn.
VK Play Live streaming platform, which was launched on VK Play in August 2022, completed
its closed beta test phase at the end of November 2022. In November 2022, VK Play Live
launched its mobile app. As a result, by the end of 2022, more than 52,000 streams were
conducted on VK Play Live and more than 12,000 streamers were registered.
In 2023 VK Play will continue focusing on developing the platform and attracting new
users.
RuStore
RuStore is Russia's largest app store for Android devices. Its average MAU reached 7 mn
people in 4Q. As of December 2022, RuStore had around 3,700 apps and over 2,000
developers.
In January 2023 average MAU reached 10 mln users. In February the product completed beta
testing and allowed international developers to publish their apps. This year, RuStore
plans to continue focusing on expanding functionality, attracting new users and
developers.
Voice technologies (Marusia and VK Capsule)
In October 2022 VK launched its VK Capsule (the smart speaker with Marusia voice
assistant) in new color options and presented a new VK Capsule Neo smart speaker in
December 2022.
Marusia voice assistant DAU increased more than 1.5-fold at the end of 2022, thanks in
part to greater integration with the company's various products.
GAMES SEGMENT
On September 27, 2022 VK announced the sale of MY.GAMES. The deal included all MY.GAMES
assets such as its studios and game products. The total deal value amounted to USD 642
mn and was closed in Q4 2022. The segment and its performance figures were excluded from
financial statements for 2022, according to the IFRS 5 requirements due to the sale of
the asset.
JOINT VENTURES
VK exited from the O2O Holding. The deal was closed on September 29, 2022.
VK KEY CORPORATE EVENTS IN Q4 2022:
• VK completed the sale of MY.GAMES. The company continues to develop its own local
gaming services under the VK Play brand.
• In October 2022 VK's subsidiary ITR acquired 87.2% in Movika, the developer of a
platform for short videos, and in December 2022 VK announced it signed an agreement
to acquire 51% in Medium Quality Production, a leader in digital video content
creation in the CIS. Both deals were a part of the company's strategy to expand its
content services. In December 2022, the company opened VK STADIUM, its first own
concert venue.
• On November 10, 2022, VK announced that Prosus ceased to be a shareholder in the
Company by way of renouncing its shares to the Company for nil consideration. Prosus
held a 25.7% economic stake. This stake was subsequently sold to Singularity Lab to
support VK's future long-term management motivation programs.
• VK bought back around 66% of its total convertible bond issue with a nominal value
of ~$263 mn as part of the restructuring carried out before the end of 2022.
KEY EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE
• On February 13, 2023, the VK Board of Directors approved the possibility of the
company’s re-domiciliation from the British Virgin Islands to the Russian
Federation, subject to the company’s ability to meet all the applicable legal and
regulatory requirements. VK plans to maintain its public company status and will
provide regular updates on the re-domiciliation process;
• On February 20, 2023, VK consolidated Uchi.ru, the largest online platform for
schoolchildren, by buying out the remaining 75% of the company. The deal’s value
reached RUB 8.7 bn. The acquisition will strengthen VK's foothold in the segment of
extracurricular education for schoolchildren;
• On March 9, 2023, VK announced an acquisition of 51% stake in Didenok Star, the
largest communication agency specializing on working with celebrity bloggers
For further information please contact:
VK IR team
1 ir@vk.team
VK PR team
2 pr@vk.team
EBITDA
This release presents Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-IFRS financial measure. MY.GAMES
has been excluded from all measures in accordance with IFRS 5 due to the disposal of the
asset at the end of Q3 2022.
Cautionary Statement regarding Forward Looking Statements and Disclaimers
This press release contains statements of expectation and other forward-looking
statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Group. You
can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect", "believe",
"anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "intend", "will", "could", "may" or "might", the
negative of such terms or other similar expressions including "outlook" or "guidance".
The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions that
are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are
difficult or impossible to predict and may be beyond the Group's control. Actual results
could differ materially from those discussed in the forward looking statements herein.
Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the
forward looking statements included herein, including competition in the marketplace,
changes in consumer preferences, the degree of Internet penetration and online
advertising in Russia, concerns about data security, claims of intellectual property
infringement, adverse media speculation, changes in political, social, legal or economic
conditions in Russia, exchange rate fluctuations, and the Group's success in identifying
and responding to these and other risks involved in its business, including those
referenced under "Risk Factors" in the Group's public filings. The forward-looking
statements contained herein speak only as of the date they were made, and the Group does
not intend to amend or update these statements except to the extent required by law to
reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
About VK
VK is one of the largest technology companies in Russia. Its products help millions of
people with their day-to-day needs online. More than 90% of the Russian internet
audience use VK services, which enable people to keep in touch, play video games, master
new skills, listen to music, watch and create video content, buy and offer goods and
services and fulfill wide range of other needs. The company provides a number of
solutions for digitizing business processes, from online promotion and predictive
analytics to corporate social networks, cloud services and enterprise automation.
The information contained in this Announcement is considered by the company as insider
information, in accordance with the Regulation on Market Abuse (Regulation 596/2014/eu),
as it is part of the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom in accordance with the
European Union Act 2018 as amended. After the publication of this announcement through
the required disclosure service, this insider information is recognized as publicly
available.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR Q4 AND 2022
The Group's consolidated financial statements for Q4 and twelve months ended 31 December
2022 prepared in accordance with IFRS and accompanied by an independent auditor's review
report have been filed on the National Storage Mechanism appointed by the Financial
Conduct Authority and can be accessed
at 3 https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism or on the Group’s website
at 4 https://vk.company/media/files/vkifrsfy2022eng.pdf.
4Q 4Q
RUB millions YoY, % YoY, %
2021 2022 2021 2022
Revenue
Online advertising 13,659 19,316 41.4% 44,066 56,917 29.2%
Community IVAS 4,915 4,298 -12.6% 17,924 17,008 -5.1%
Education technology services 4,727 3,156 -33.2% 10,651 11,190 5.1%
Other revenue 3,239 4,942 52.6% 9,341 12,655 35.5%
Total Revenue 26,540 31,712 19.5% 81,982 97,770 19.3%
Operating expenses
Personnel expenses (9,004) (11,680) 29.7% (27,928) (38,847) 39.1%
Agent/partner fees (6,708) (7,580) 13.0% (22,943) (23,988) 4.6%
Marketing expenses (2,879) (5,712) 98.4% (8,903) (14,018) 57.5%
Server hosting expenses (131) (120) -8.4% (520) (636) 22.3%
Professional services (342) (478) 39.8% (1,135) (1,229) 8.3%
Other operating income 76 31 -59.2% 570 792 38.9%
Other operating expenses (1,998) (1,847) -7.6% (4,879) (5,055) 3.6%
Total operating expenses, net (20,986) (27,386) 30.5% (65,738) (82,981) 26.2%
Adjustments
Share-based payment transactions 1,380 499 -63.8% 2,091 5,186 2.5x
Adjusted EBITDA 6,934 4,825 -30.4% 18,335 19,975 8.9%
EBITDA margin, % 26.1% 15.2% -10.9pp 22.4% 20.4% -1.9pp
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit (5,204) 7,923 n/m (15,314) (2,934) -80.8%
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit -19.6% 25.0% 44.6pp -18.7% -3.0% 15.7pp
margin, %
OPERATING SEGMENTS
• Social networks & content services
• EdTech
• VK Tech
• New business lines
• Non-allocated items
The “Social networks & content services” segment includes email, instant messaging
services, News and Dzen platform, recommendation platform Pulse, as well as Portal (main
page and media projects), VK Music, VK Calls, VK Videos, VK Mini Apps projects. It
generates substantially all its revenues fromadvertising. This segment also aggregates
the Group’s social networks VKontakte,OK,My World and generates revenues from (1)
commissions from application developers based on the respective applications’ revenue,
(2) user payments for virtual gifts, stickers and music subscriptions, and (3) online
advertising. The businesses within this segment have similar nature and economic
characteristics as they are associated with social media, content and online
communication services, offer products and services to similar customer groups, and
regulated in a similar regulatory environment.
The “EdTech” segment includes the Group’s online education platforms with educational
courses and programs (such as GeekBrains, Skillbox, Skillfactory and others), and earns
substantially all revenue from individuals paying for education courses, as well as a
small share of the B2B segment.
The “VK Tech” segment includes VK Cloud platform, data management solutions, corporate
communication services, tax monitoring platform, and other corporate software.
The “New business lines” segment represents separate operating segments aggregated into
one reportable segment because of their similar nature of newly acquired or newly
launched and dynamically developing businesses. This segment consists primarily of Youla
classifieds, which derives substantially all of its revenues from advertising and
listing fees, the VK Play gaming platform, the Marusia voice assistant and VK Capsule
smart speakers, and the RuStore app store for mobile devices.
The Group evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA). Adjusted EBITDA for
the segments is calculated as revenues net of operating expenses (excluding
depreciation, amortization, and impairment of intangible assets), taking into account
the Group's corporate expenses allocated to the respective segment.
OPERATING SEGMENTS PERFORMANCE FOR Q4 2022
Social New Elimination
RUB millions networks & EdTech VK Tech business Non-allocated of Group
content lines intragroup
services transactions
Revenue 23,989 3,187 2,838 2,130 16 (448) 31,712
Total
operating (17,715) (2,998) (1,477) (4,271) (1,373) 448 (27,386)
expenses
Adjustments
Share-based
payment - - - - 499 - 499
transactions
Adjusted 6,274 189 1,361 (2,141) (858) - 4,825
EBITDA
Adjusted
EBITDA 26.2% 5.9% 48.0% -100.5% 0.0% 15.2%
margin, %
Consolidated
loss after 7,923
income tax
expense
Consolidated
loss after
income tax 25.0%
expense
margin
OPERATING SEGMENTS PERFORMANCE FOR Q4 2021
Social New Elimination
RUB millions networks & EdTech VK Tech business Non-allocated of Group
content lines intragroup
services transactions
Revenue 18,416 4,756 1,161 2,329 - (122) 26,540
Total
operating (11,022) (4,037) (837) (3,377) (1,835) 122 (20,986)
expenses
Adjustments
Share-based
payment - - - - 1,380 - 1,380
transactions
Adjusted 7,394 719 324 (1,048) (455) - 6,934
EBITDA
Adjusted
EBITDA margin, 40.1% 15.1% 27.9% -45.0% 26.1%
%
Consolidated
loss after (5,204)
income tax
expense
Consolidated
loss after -19.6%
income tax
expense margin
OPERATING SEGMENTS PERFORMANCE – 12M 2022
Social New Elimination
RUB millions networks EdTech VK Tech business Non-allocated of Group
& content lines intragroup
services transactions
Revenue 75,116 11,274 5,778 6,300 31 (729) 97,770
Total
operating (49,847) (10,937) (4,618) (10,628) (7,680) 729 (82,981)
expenses
Adjustments
Share-based
payment - - - - 5,186 - 5,186
transactions
Adjusted 25,269 337 1,160 (4,328) (2,463) - 19,975
EBITDA
Adjusted
EBITDA 33.6% 3.0% 20.1% -68.7% 20.4%
margin, %
Consolidated
loss after (2,934)
income tax
expense
Consolidated
loss after
income tax -3.0%
expense
margin
OPERATING SEGMENTS PERFORMANCE – 12M 2022
Social New Elimination
RUB millions networks EdTech VK Tech business Non-allocated of Group
& content lines intragroup
services transactions
Revenue 61,662 10,841 3,164 6,694 - (379) 81,982
Total
operating (37,277) (12,191) (3,055) (9,297) (4,297) 379 (65,738)
expenses
Adjustments
Share-based
payment - - - - 2,091 - 2,091
transactions
Adjusted 24,385 (1,350) 109 (2,603) (2,206) - 18,335
EBITDA
Adjusted
EBITDA 39.5% -12.5% 3.4% -38.9% 22.4%
margin, %
Consolidated
loss after (15,314)
income tax
expense
Consolidated
loss after
income tax -18.7%
expense
margin
LIQUIDITY
As at December 31, 2022, the Group had RUB 48,759 mn of cash and cash equivalents, RUB
124,517 mn of debt outstanding (excluding lease liabilities) and RUB 8,788 mn of
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. The Group’s net debt
position amounted to RUB 84,546 mn.
AGGREGATE SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Group evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA). Segment Adjusted
EBITDA is calculated as the segment's revenue minus operating expenses (excluding
amortization and impairment of intangible assets), but taking into account corporate
expenses allocated to the relevant segment.
A reconciliation of the adjusted EBITDA of the Group and the Group's comprehensive
profit/(loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, under
IFRS is presented in the table below:
RUB millions 4Q 2022 4Q 2021
Group adjusted EBITDA 4,825 6,934
Share-based payment transactions (499) (1,380)
Depreciation and amortisation (4,811) (4,295)
Impairment of intangible assets - (1,714)
Share of loss of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (167) (6,986)
Finance income 4,262 236
Finance expenses (2,169) (1,338)
Other non-operating gain / (loss) 224 (207)
Net (loss)/gain on financial assets and liabilities at fair value (1,407) 677
through profit or loss
Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries 13 -
Impairment of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (356) (559)
Loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale (283) -
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in joint ventures and 174 -
equity accounted associate
Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments (4) (429)
Expected credit loss allowance on restricted cash (28) -
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) 703 (953)
Income tax expense (2,344) (389)
Net profit from discontinued operations 8,051 4,494
Other comprehensive income 1,739 705
Consolidated profit/(loss) after income tax expense under IFRS 7,923 (5,204)
Reconciliation of the adjusted EBITDA of the Group to comprehensive loss of the Group
for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, under IFRS is
presented in the table below:
RUB millions 2022 2021
Group adjusted EBITDA 19,975 18,335
Share-based payment transactions (5,186) (2,091)
Depreciation and amortisation (18,113) (16,131)
Impairment of intangible assets (1,052) (1,714)
Share of loss of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (16,994) (21,167)
Finance income 6,561 951
Finance expenses (12,379) (4,229)
Other non-operating gain / (loss) 187 (182)
Goodwill impairment (9,681) -
Net (loss)/gain on financial assets and liabilities at fair value (10,486) 2,755
through profit or loss
Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries 13 -
Impairment of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (13,973) (559)
Loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale (283) -
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in joint ventures 24,360 305
and equity accounted associate
Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments (123) (819)
Expected credit loss allowance on restricted cash (2,190) -
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) 9,867 (1,042)
Income tax expense (3,149) (757)
Net profit from discontinued operations 28,736 10,648
Other comprehensive income 976 383
Consolidated loss after income tax expense under IFRS (2,934) (15,314)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION UNDER IFRS
As of As of
RUB millions December 31, December 31,
2022 2021 (restated
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Investments in equity accounted associates and joint 4,585 48,921
ventures
Goodwill 157,111 138,414
Right-of-use assets 9,519 14,843
Other intangible assets 22,249 18,324
Property and equipment 39,250 15,798
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 350 6,903
Deferred income tax assets 2,293 5,157
Other financial assets 2,158 69
Advance under office lease contracts 437 462
Total non-current assets 237,952 248,891
Current assets
Trade accounts receivable 20,533 20,688
Accounts receivable from the sale of a subsidiary 43,739 -
Prepaid income tax 262 359
Prepaid expenses and advances to suppliers 1,965 2,353
Loans issued 2,982 109
Inventories 226 157
Other current assets 4,205 1,445
Cash and cash equivalents 48,759 23,737
Assets held for sale 292 -
Total current assets 122,963 48,848
Total assets 360,915 297,739
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Issued capital - -
Share premium 81,872 79,397
Treasury shares (1,039) (1,044)
Retained earnings 86,841 89,985
Foreign currency translation reserve 2,585 1,578
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 170,259 169,916
Non-controlling interests (2,147) 346
Total equity 168,112 170,262
Non-current liabilities
Deferred income tax liabilities 2,107 1,228
Deferred revenue 793 1,455
Non-current lease liabilities 7,292 11,327
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through 3,982 879
profit or loss
Long-term interest-bearing loans and bonds 35,775 50,810
Other non-current liabilities 572 522
Total non-current liabilities 50,521 66,221
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable 17,121 14,541
Income tax payable 2,689 3,208
VAT and other taxes payable 5,183 4,391
Deferred revenue and customer advances 8,428 17,794
Short-term portion of long-term interest-bearing loans and 88,742 7,078
bonds
Current lease liabilities 3,216 4,121
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit 4,806 -
or loss
Other payables and accrued expenses 11,810 10,123
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale 287 -
Total current liabilities 142,282 61,256
Total liabilities 192,803 127,477
Total equity and liabilities 360,915 297,739
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHANSIVE INCOME UNDER IFRS
RUB millions 2022 2021
Continuing operations
Online advertising 56,917 44,066
Community IVAS 17,008 17,924
Education technology services 11,190 10,651
Other revenue 12,655 9,341
Total revenue 97,770 81,982
Personnel expenses (38,847) (27,928)
Agent/partner fees (23,988) (22,943)
Marketing expenses (14,018) (8,903)
Server hosting expenses (636) (520)
Professional services (1,229) (1,135)
Other operating income 792 570
Other operating expenses (5,055) (4,879)
Total operating expenses, net (82,981) (65,738)
Depreciation and amortisation (18,113) (16,131)
Impairment of intangible assets (1,052) (1,714)
Share of loss of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (16,994) (21,167)
Finance income 6,561 951
Finance expenses (12,379) (4,229)
Other non-operating gain/loss 187 (182)
Goodwill impairment (9,681) -
Net (loss)/gain on financial assets and liabilities at fair value (10,486) 2,755
through profit or loss
Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries 13 -
Impairment of equity accounted associates and joint ventures (13,973) (559)
Loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale (283) -
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in joint ventures 24,360 305
and equity accounted associate
Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments (123) (819)
Expected credit loss allowance on restricted cash (2,190) -
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) 9,867 (1,042)
Loss before income tax expense from continuing operations (29,497) (25,588)
Income tax expense (3,149) (757)
Loss from continuing operations (32,646) (26,345)
Discontinued operations - -
Profit from discontinued operations 28,736 10,648
Net loss (3,910) (15,697)
Other comprehensive income - -
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss - -
in subsequent periods
Effect of translation to presentation currency of Group’s joint 1,002 132
ventures
Exchange difference on translation of foreign operations (26) 251
Total other comprehensive loss that may be reclassified to profit or 976 383
loss in subsequent periods
Total other comprehensive loss net of tax effect of 0 976 383
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax (2,934) (15,314)
Net loss, attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent (3,144) (15,493)
Non-controlling interests (766) (204)
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax, attributable to: - -
Equity holders of the parent (2,168) (15,110)
Non-controlling interests (766) (204)
Loss per share, in RUB: - -
Basic loss per share attributable to ordinary equity holders (14) (69)
of the parent
Diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary equity holders n/m n/m
of the parent
Loss per share from continuing operations, in RUB: - -
Basic loss per share attributable to ordinary equity holders of (116) (115)
the parent
Diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary equity holders n/m n/m
of the parent
Profit per share from discontinued operations, in RUB: - -
Basic profit per share attributable to ordinary equity holders 102 47
of the parent
Diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary equity holders 100 45
of the parent
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS UNDER IFRS
RUB millions 2022 2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before income tax from continuing operations (29,497) (25,588)
Profit before income tax from discontinued operations 27,858 10,962
Loss before income tax (1,639) (14,626)
Adjustments to reconcile loss before income tax to cash flows - -
Depreciation and amortisation 20,074 18,371
Impairment of intangible assets 1,052 1,714
Share of loss of equity accounted associates and joint ventures 16,994 21,167
Finance income (6,668) (969)
Finance expenses 12,388 4,253
Expected credit loss allowance on trade receivables 89 418
Expected credit loss allowance on restricted cash 2,911 -
Goodwill impairment 9,681 -
Net loss/(gain) on financial assets and liabilities at fair value 11,067 (2,700)
through profit or loss
Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries (27,143) -
Impairment of equity accounted associates and joint ventures 13,973 559
Loss on remeasurement of assets held for sale 283 -
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in equity accounted (24,360) (305)
associates
Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments 420 843
Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss (9,391) 943
Сash settled and equity settled share-based payments 2,480 2,091
Other non-cash items (82) 227
Change in operating assets and liabilities - -
Increase in accounts receivable (5,792) (3,912)
Increase in prepaid expenses and advances to suppliers (3,462) (1,512)
Increase in inventories and other assets (2,863) (960)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expense 9,604 5,700
Decrease in other non-current assets 25 205
(Decrease)/increase in deferred revenue and customer advances (285) 86
Increase in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (570) (5,129)
Operating cash flows before interest and income taxes 18,786 26,464
Interest received 724 393
Interest paid (4,969) (2,977)
Income tax paid (1,992) (2,968)
Net cash provided by operating activities 12,549 20,912
Cash flows from investing activities - -
Cash paid for property and equipment from continuing operations (14,143) (8,640)
Cash paid for intangible assets from continuing operations (6,189) (4,017)
Cash paid for property and equipment from discontinued operations (126) (127)
Cash paid for intangible assets from discontinued operations (2,132) (2,329)
Dividends received from equity accounted associates 76 891
Loans issued (8,713) (15,959)
Loans collected 165 348
Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 3,302 (3,503)
Cash outflow from sale of subsidiary (1,743) -
Cash paid for investments in equity accounted associates and joint (2,834) (11,767)
ventures
Net cash used in investing activities (32,337) (45,103)
Cash flows from financing activities - -
Payment of lease liabilities (4,628) (3,783)
Loans received 82,226 21
Loans repaid (30,198) (3,718)
Proceeds from bonds issued - 15,000
Cash received from disposal of non-controlling interests in - 1,486
subsidiaries
Cash paid for non-controlling interests in subsidiaries - (20)
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling shareholders (86) (215)
Net cash provided by financing activities 47,314 8,771
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 27,526 (15,420)
Effect of exchange differences on cash balances (664) (140)
Change in expected credit loss allowance on restricted cash (1,679) -
Change in cash related to asset held for sale (161) -
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 23,737 39,297
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 48,759 23,737
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information in
accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), transmitted by EquityStory RS.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
ISIN: US5603172082
Category Code: FR
TIDM: VKCO
LEI Code: 2138009IXUP41SPL5B50
Sequence No.: 230182
News ID: 1583719
End of Announcement EquityStory RS News Service
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