UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report.
For the transition period fromto
Commission file number:
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Telephone:
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
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Trading Symbol(s) |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
representing seven Class A ordinary shares par value US$0.00001 per share |
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(The Nasdaq Global Select Market) |
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shares, par value US$0.00001 per share* |
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(The Nasdaq Global Select Market) |
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*Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market of our American depositary shares, each representing seven Class A ordinary shares. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
As of December 31, 2021, there were 5,598,752,855 ordinary shares outstanding, being the sum of
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☒
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ Yes ☒
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
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. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
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Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☐ |
Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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International Financial Reporting Standards as issued ☐ |
Other ☐ |
by the International Accounting Standards Board |
If “other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. ☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. ☐ Yes ☐ No
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ITEM 1. |
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ITEM 2. |
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ITEM 3. |
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ITEM 4. |
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ITEM 4.A. |
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ITEM 5. |
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ITEM 6. |
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ITEM 7. |
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ITEM 8. |
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ITEM 9. |
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ITEM 10. |
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ITEM 11. |
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ITEM 12. |
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ITEM 13. |
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ITEM 14. |
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MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
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ITEM 15. |
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ITEM 16.A. |
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ITEM 16.B. |
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ITEM 16.C. |
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ITEM 16.D. |
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ITEM 16.E. |
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PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
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ITEM 16.F. |
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ITEM 16.G. |
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ITEM 16.H. |
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ITEM 16.I. |
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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS |
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ITEM 17. |
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ITEM 18. |
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ITEM 19. |
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i
INTRODUCTION
Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to:
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“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents seven Class A ordinary shares; |
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“AI” refers to artificial intelligence; |
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“Average daily number of total subscribing members” for a given period is calculated by averaging the number of total subscribing members, including individuals with trial membership, in each day of such period; |
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“Average daily number of subscribing members excluding individuals with trial memberships” for a given period is calculated by averaging the number of subscribing members excluding individuals with trial memberships in each day of such period; |
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“Monthly ARM” refers to average revenue per membership during a month. Monthly ARM is calculated by dividing our total revenues from membership services during a given period by the average daily number of total subscribing members and the number of months during such period; |
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“Baidu” refers to Baidu, Inc., our parent company and controlling shareholder; |
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“bullet chat” known as Danmu in Chinese, refers to a form of video commentary used on online videos. Bullet chats are comments that appear directly on the video in real-time; |
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“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this annual report only, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau; |
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“Connected TV DAUs,” for our iQIYI platform, refers to the number of unique connected TV devices, that have accessed our platform at least once during a day. Our Connected TV DAUs are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, and we treat each distinguishable device as a separate user for purposes of calculating Connected TV DAUs, although it is possible that some people may use more than one device and multiple people may share one device to access our platform; |
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“IP” refers to intellectual property; |
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“IT” refers to information technology; |
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“mobile DAUs,” for our iQIYI platform, refers to the number of unique mobile devices that have accessed our platform through our iQIYI mobile app at least once during a day. Our mobile DAUs are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, and we treat each distinguishable device as a separate user for purposes of calculating mobile DAUs, although it is possible that some people may use more than one mobile device and multiple people may share one mobile device to access our platform; |
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“mobile MAUs,” for our iQIYI platform, refers to the number of unique mobile devices that have accessed our platform through our iQIYI mobile app at least once during a month. Our mobile MAUs are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, and we treat each distinguishable device as a separate user for purposes of calculating mobile MAUs, although it is possible that some people may use more than one mobile device and multiple people may share one mobile device to access our platform; |
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“Connected TV MAUs,” for our iQIYI platform, refers to the number of unique connected TV devices that have accessed our platform at least once during a month. Our Connected TV MAUs are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, and we treat each distinguishable device as a separate user for purposes of calculating Connected TV MAUs, although it is possible that some people may use more than one device and multiple people may share one device to access our platform; |
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“RMB” and “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China; |
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“shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per share; |
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“subscribing members,” refers to the individuals who subscribed for our membership packages during a given period, including individuals with trial membership, and excluding individuals who pay for video on-demand services or stand-alone packages for sports paid content, online literature or online games; subscribing members are calculated using the number of unique iQIYI user accounts that have subscribed for the relevant services; |
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“U.S. GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; |
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“US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$,” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States; |
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“video views” refers to the number of times a video is launched on our platform, regardless of time spent viewing the video; |
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“WAP” refers to wireless application protocol; and |
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“we,” “us,” “our company” and “our” refer to iQIYI, Inc., a Cayman Islands company, and its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and combined and consolidated financial information, also include its consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC that we control through a series of contractual arrangements. |
We present our financial results in RMB. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. This annual report contains translations of certain foreign currency amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations of Renminbi into U.S. dollars were made at the rate at RMB6.3726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in effect as of December 31, 2021.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995.
You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
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our goals and strategies; |
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our ability to retain and increase the number of users, members and advertising customers, and expand our service offerings; |
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our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; |
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expected changes in our revenues, costs or expenditures; |
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competition in our industry; |
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relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; |
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general economic and business conditions globally and in China; and |
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assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. |
You should read this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report and have filed as exhibits to this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Other sections of this annual report discuss factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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PART I.
ITEM 1. |
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. |
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable.
Item 3. |
Key Information |
Our Holding Company Structure and Contractual Arrangements with our Consolidated Affiliated Entities
iQIYI, Inc. is not a Chinese operating company, but rather a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in its consolidated affiliated entities. Our Cayman Islands holding company does not conduct business operations directly. We conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) our consolidated affiliated entities with which we have maintained contractual arrangements and their subsidiaries in China. PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in certain value-added telecommunication services, internet audio-video program services and certain other businesses. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China through our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries, and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their nominee shareholders to control the business operations of our consolidated affiliated entities. Our consolidated affiliated entities are consolidated for accounting purposes, but are not entities in which our Cayman Islands holding company, or our investors, own equity. Revenues contributed by our consolidated affiliated entities accounted for 93%, 92% and 94% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. As used in this annual report, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” or “iQIYI” refers to iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, our consolidated affiliated entities in China, including Beijing iQIYI Interactive Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing iQIYI”), Shanghai iQIYI Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai iQIYI”) and Shanghai Zhong Yuan Network Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Zhong Yuan”), iQIYI Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“iQIYI Pictures”) and Beijing iQIYI Intelligent Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd., (“Intelligent Entertainment”). Investors in our ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in our consolidated affiliated entities in China, but instead are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
A series of contractual agreements, including loan agreement, share pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement, business cooperation agreement, commitment letter, shareholder voting rights trust agreement, exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, trademark license agreement, software usage license agreement, power of attorney and spousal consent letter, have been entered into by and among our subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. Despite the lack of legal majority ownership, our Cayman Island holding company is considered the primary beneficiary of our consolidated affiliated entities and consolidates our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of our consolidated affiliated entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the Consolidated Affiliated Entities and Their Respective Shareholders.”
However, the contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our consolidated affiliated entities and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. Uncertainties in the PRC legal system may limit our ability, as a Cayman Islands holding company, to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents as to whether contractual arrangements would be judged to form effective control over the relevant consolidated affiliated entities through the contractual arrangements, or how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated affiliated entity should be interpreted or enforced by the PRC courts. Should legal actions become necessary, we cannot guarantee that the court will rule in favor of the enforceability of the consolidated affiliated entity contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our consolidated affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially adversely affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—The shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.”
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There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their nominee shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of our consolidated affiliated entities is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. Our Cayman Islands holding company, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our consolidated affiliated entities and our company as a whole. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “—Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”
We face various risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments or financing, or list on a United States or other foreign exchange. In addition, since our auditor is headquartered in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditor is currently not inspected by the PCAOB. As a result, our ADSs may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections deprives our investors with the benefits of such inspections. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.”
Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”
Cash Flows through Our Organization
iQIYI, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries in China. As a result, iQIYI, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Furthermore, each of our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entities in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its
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board of directors. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.” Our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings.
We have established stringent controls and procedures for cash flows within our organization. Each transfer of cash between our Cayman Islands holding company and a subsidiary, our consolidated affiliated entities or the subsidiaries of our consolidated affiliated entities is subject to internal approval. The cash inflows of the Cayman Islands holding company were primarily generated from the proceeds we received from our public offerings of ordinary shares, our offerings of convertible senior notes and other financing activities. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Cayman Islands holding company provided capital contributions of RMB6,715.4 million, RMB5,074.0 million and RMB3,573.0 million (US$560.7 million), respectively, to our subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Cayman Islands holding company provided loans of RMB6,690.7 million, RMB9,556.6 million and RMB7,395.4 million (US$1,160.5 million), respectively, to our subsidiaries, and received repayments of RMB4,693.4 million, RMB6,409.4 million and RMB11,175.5 million (US$1,753.7 million), respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, our consolidated affiliated entities received nil, nil and nil as loans provided by the Cayman Islands holding company, respectively, and repaid nil, RMB90.5 million and nil, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no assets other than cash were transferred between the Cayman Islands holding company and a subsidiary, a consolidated affiliated entity or its subsidiary, no subsidiaries paid dividends or made other distributions to the holding company, and no dividends or distributions were paid or made to U.S. investors. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, our subsidiaries provided capital contributions of RMB50.0 million, nil and nil, respectively, to our consolidated affiliated entities. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no assets other than the above cash transactions were transferred between our subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” However, if our PRC subsidiaries declare and distribute profits to us, such payments will be subject to withholding tax, which will increase our tax liability and reduce the amount of cash available to our company. For example, IQIYI Film Group HK Limited, which directly owns our PRC subsidiaries, Beijing iQIYI New Media Science and Technology Co., Ltd., is incorporated in Hong Kong. For the potential distributable profits to be distributed to IQIYI Film Group HK Limited, the deferred tax liabilities will be accrued at a 5% withholding tax rate. However, if IQIYI Film Group HK Limited is not considered to be the beneficial owner of the dividends paid to it by Beijing iQIYI New Media Science and Technology Co., Ltd. under the tax circulars promulgated in February and October 2009, such dividends would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. For more information on related risks, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.” For PRC and United States federal income tax considerations in connection with an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”
For details of the financial position, cash flows and results of operations of our consolidated affiliated entities, see “Item 3. Financial Information Related to the Consolidated Affiliated Entities.” We plan to continue to determine the amount of service fee and payment method with our consolidated affiliate entities and their shareholders through bona fide negotiation, and settle fees under the contractual arrangements accordingly in the future.
In addition, our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”
Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations
We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, our PRC subsidiaries, consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our holding company, our consolidated affiliated entities in China, including, among others, the Value-added Telecommunications Business Operation License for information services via internet, or ICP License, the Permit for Internet Audio-Video Program Service, the Network Culture Business Permit and Permit to Produce or Operate Radio and Television Programs, and the Permit for Internet Drug Information Service. Given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations and the enforcement practice by relevant government authorities, we may be required to obtain
5
additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future, and may not be able to maintain or renew our current licenses, permits, filings or approvals. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Any lack of requisite permits for any of our internet video and other content or any of our business may expose us to regulatory sanctions.”
Furthermore, under current PRC laws, regulations and regulatory rules, we, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may be required to obtain permissions from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and may be required to go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, in connection with any future offering and listing in an overseas market. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been subject to any cybersecurity review made by the CAC. If we fail to obtain the relevant approval or complete other review or filing procedures for any future offshore offering or listing, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operating privileges in China, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in China, restrictions on or delays to our future financing transactions offshore, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—The approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval” and “—Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in claims, changes to our business practices, negative publicity, legal proceedings, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.”
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report beginning on page F-2. The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. Our historical results for any period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.
The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Despite the lack of legal majority ownership, our Cayman Island holding company is considered the primary beneficiary of our consolidated affiliated entities and consolidates our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries as required by ASC topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of our consolidated affiliated entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Starting from January 1, 2018, we adopted a new revenue accounting standard ASC topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which reclassifies value added taxes (“VAT”) from cost of revenues to net against revenues among other changes. The consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 presented below have been prepared in accordance with ASC 606, while the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss data for the year ended December 31, 2017 presented below have been prepared in accordance with the legacy revenue accounting standard ASC topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”).
6
|
|
For the year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2017(1) |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
||||||
|
|
(in thousands, except for share and per share data) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
17,378,350 |
|
|
|
24,989,116 |
|
|
|
28,993,658 |
|
|
|
29,707,215 |
|
|
|
30,554,359 |
|
|
|
4,794,645 |
|
Operating costs and expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues(3) |
|
|
(17,386,563 |
) |
|
|
(27,132,811 |
) |
|
|
(30,348,342 |
) |
|
|
(27,884,395 |
) |
|
|
(27,513,497 |
) |
|
|
(4,317,468 |
) |
Selling, general and administrative(3) |
|
|
(2,674,990 |
) |
|
|
(4,167,889 |
) |
|
|
(5,236,007 |
) |
|
|
(5,187,835 |
) |
|
|
(4,725,142 |
) |
|
|
(741,478 |
) |
Research and development(3) |
|
|
(1,269,806 |
) |
|
|
(1,994,652 |
) |
|
|
(2,667,146 |
) |
|
|
(2,675,494 |
) |
|
|
(2,794,927 |
) |
|
|
(438,585 |
) |
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
|
(21,331,359 |
) |
|
|
(33,295,352 |
) |
|
|
(38,251,495 |
) |
|
|
(35,747,724 |
) |
|
|
(35,033,566 |
) |
|
|
(5,497,531 |
) |
Operating loss |
|
|
(3,953,009 |
) |
|
|
(8,306,236 |
) |
|
|
(9,257,837 |
) |
|
|
(6,040,509 |
) |
|
|
(4,479,207 |
) |
|
|
(702,886 |
) |
Total other income/(expense), net |
|
|
208,512 |
|
|
|
(676,194 |
) |
|
|
(967,050 |
) |
|
|
(943,368 |
) |
|
|
(1,532,781 |
) |
|
|
(240,527 |
) |
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(3,744,497 |
) |
|
|
(8,982,430 |
) |
|
|
(10,224,887 |
) |
|
|
(6,983,877 |
) |
|
|
(6,011,988 |
) |
|
|
(943,413 |
) |
Income tax benefit/(expense) |
|
|
7,565 |
|
|
|
(78,801 |
) |
|
|
(51,852 |
) |
|
|
(23,276 |
) |
|
|
(96,545 |
) |
|
|
(15,150 |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
(3,736,932 |
) |
|
|
(9,061,231 |
) |
|
|
(10,276,739 |
) |
|
|
(7,007,153 |
) |
|
|
(6,108,533 |
) |
|
|
(958,563 |
) |
Less: Net income attributed to non-controlling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
48,545 |
|
|
|
46,590 |
|
|
|
31,208 |
|
|
|
61,051 |
|
|
|
9,580 |
|
Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred shares |
|
|
5,073,140 |
|
|
|
(298,990 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,542 |
) |
|
|
(7,087 |
) |
|
|
(20,336 |
) |
|
|
(3,191 |
) |
Extinguishment and reissuance of Series B preferred shares |
|
|
(363,279 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net income/(loss)attributable to ordinary shareholders |
|
|
972,929 |
|
|
|
(9,408,766 |
) |
|
|
(10,324,871 |
) |
|
|
(7,045,448 |
) |
|
|
(6,189,920 |
) |
|
|
(971,334 |
) |
Net earnings/(loss) per ordinary share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
(1.15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per Class A and Class B ordinary share(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.43 |
) |
|
|
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
(1.36 |
) |
|
|
(1.11 |
) |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.43 |
) |
|
|
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
(1.36 |
) |
|
|
(1.11 |
) |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
Net loss per ADS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17.01 |
) |
|
|
(14.14 |
) |
|
|
(9.52 |
) |
|
|
(7.77 |
) |
|
|
(1.19 |
) |
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17.01 |
) |
|
|
(14.14 |
) |
|
|
(9.52 |
) |
|
|
(7.77 |
) |
|
|
(1.19 |
) |
Shares used in net earnings/(loss) per ordinary share computation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
342,548,237 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
3,243,147,261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in net loss per Class A and Class B ordinary share computation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,867,931,786 |
|
|
|
5,104,882,400 |
|
|
|
5,176,180,057 |
|
|
|
5,570,736,706 |
|
|
|
5,570,736,706 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,867,931,786 |
|
|
|
5,104,882,400 |
|
|
|
5,176,180,057 |
|
|
|
5,570,736,706 |
|
|
|
5,570,736,706 |
|
(1) |
In accordance with the legacy revenue accounting standard (ASC 605), VAT is presented in cost of revenues rather than net against revenues. |
(2) |
Our ordinary shares are comprised of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. As holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares have the same dividend right and the same participation right in our undistributed earnings, the basic and diluted loss per Class A ordinary share and Class B ordinary share are the same for all the periods presented during which there were two classes of ordinary shares. |
7
(3) |
Share-based compensation expenses were allocated in operating costs and expenses as follows: |
|
|
For the year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
||||||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
34,895 |
|
|
|
83,351 |
|
|
|
171,053 |
|
|
|
201,970 |
|
|
|
173,263 |
|
|
|
27,189 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
130,994 |
|
|
|
368,598 |
|
|
|
675,278 |
|
|
|
851,416 |
|
|
|
718,377 |
|
|
|
112,728 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
67,535 |
|
|
|
104,262 |
|
|
|
238,189 |
|
|
|
316,709 |
|
|
|
327,523 |
|
|
|
51,396 |
|
Total |
|
|
233,424 |
|
|
|
556,211 |
|
|
|
1,084,520 |
|
|
|
1,370,095 |
|
|
|
1,219,163 |
|
|
|
191,313 |
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
||||||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
733,010 |
|
|
|
4,586,405 |
|
|
|
5,934,742 |
|
|
|
10,915,282 |
|
|
|
2,997,212 |
|
|
|
470,328 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,174,042 |
|
|
|
974,932 |
|
|
|
25,230 |
|
|
|
77,652 |
|
|
|
12,185 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
779,916 |
|
|
|
6,061,832 |
|
|
|
4,579,313 |
|
|
|
3,358,174 |
|
|
|
1,348,255 |
|
|
|
211,571 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
5,700,528 |
|
|
|
19,853,443 |
|
|
|
20,272,838 |
|
|
|
22,290,424 |
|
|
|
11,524,117 |
|
|
|
1,808,386 |
|
Total assets(1) |
|
|
20,200,899 |
|
|
|
44,759,698 |
|
|
|
44,792,550 |
|
|
|
48,185,429 |
|
|
|
42,472,165 |
|
|
|
6,664,810 |
|
Total current liabilities(1) |
|
|
11,625,612 |
|
|
|
19,812,356 |
|
|
|
20,173,166 |
|
|
|
24,854,578 |
|
|
|
22,476,470 |
|
|
|
3,527,048 |
|
Total liabilities(1) |
|
|
11,918,299 |
|
|
|
26,604,135 |
|
|
|
35,077,618 |
|
|
|
38,741,131 |
|
|
|
36,799,052 |
|