Sunlands Technology Group Announces Unaudited First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE:STG) reported unaudited Q1 2026 net revenues of RMB440.7 million, down 9.6% year-over-year, and net income of RMB76.8 million, its 20th consecutive profitable quarter, with net income margin at 17.4%.
Cost of revenues fell 17.7% and operating expenses 16.7%, including a 19.5% drop in sales and marketing. New student enrollments declined to 102,127 and deferred revenue to RMB500.5 million. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB547.2 million, with RMB236.0 million in short-term investments.
For Q2 2026, Sunlands expects net revenues of RMB410–430 million, implying a 20.2%–23.9% year-over-year decrease.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Net income increased to RMB76.8 million with margin at 17.4%
- 20th consecutive profitable quarter
- Cost of revenues decreased 17.7% year-over-year to RMB59.5 million
- Operating expenses decreased 16.7% to RMB284.3 million
- Sales and marketing expenses reduced 19.5% to RMB241.9 million
- Cash and restricted cash plus short-term investments totaled RMB783.2 million
Negative
- Net revenues declined 9.6% year-over-year to RMB440.7 million
- Gross profit decreased 8.2% to RMB381.1 million
- New student enrollments fell to 102,127 from 169,083
- Deferred revenue decreased to RMB500.5 million from RMB585.3 million
- Q2 2026 net revenues guided to fall 20.2%–23.9% year-over-year
News Market Reaction – STG
On the day this news was published, STG gained 1.48%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
STG was down 9.52% while key peers were mixed: CHGG up 9.15%, SKIL up slightly, LGCY and IH down. Peer momentum data also show CHGG up and AACG down, suggesting stock-specific pressure rather than a broad education-sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19 | Q4/FY 2025 earnings | Neutral | -0.7% | Full-year 2025 profitability with revenue growth but weaker Q1 2026 outlook. |
| Nov 20 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -13.3% | Strong revenue, margin and net income growth alongside falling deferred revenue. |
| Aug 14 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +7.9% | Double-digit net income growth and margin expansion driven by cost optimization. |
| May 22 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | -2.5% | Declines in net revenues, net income and enrollments despite strong margins. |
| Mar 21 | Q4/FY 2024 earnings | Negative | +4.6% | Revenue and profit declines with lower margins but record annual enrollments. |
Earnings releases have often led to mild negative moves, with occasional sharp divergences when strong results met selling pressure.
Over the last year, Sunlands’ earnings releases have highlighted a shift from growth to managing declines. Q4 and full-year 2024 showed revenue and profit pressure but record enrollments and high deferred revenue. Through 2025, Q1 and Q4 results flagged decreasing net revenues and net income, while Q2 and Q3 2025 delivered strong profitability and margin expansion. Despite these mixed fundamentals, earnings-day reactions clustered around small losses near -0.79%, with two notable divergences where strong or mixed reports triggered larger moves.
Historical Comparison
Across five prior earnings releases, STG’s average next-day move was about -0.79%. Any large reaction to this Q1 2026 report would stand out against typically modest earnings-day volatility.
Earnings have traced a path from FY2024 revenue and profit declines, through strong Q2–Q3 2025 margin expansion, to Q4 2025 guidance for weaker 2026 revenues, framing Q1 2026 as part of a managed downshift phase.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details Q1 2026 results showing lower net revenues at RMB440.7M but stable profitability, with net income of RMB76.8M and margin of 17.4%, supported by a 19.5% cut in selling expenses. At the same time, enrollments and deferred revenue continue to decline, and Q2 2026 guidance implies a 20.2%–23.9% revenue drop. Investors may monitor future quarters for whether cost discipline and cash of RMB547.2M can offset ongoing top-line headwinds.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial measures financial
gross billings financial
ebitda financial
adjusted ebitda financial
deferred revenue financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BEIJING, May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Financial and Operational Snapshots
- Net revenues were RMB440.7 million (US
$63.9 million ), compared to RMB487.6 million in the first quarter of 2025. - Gross billings (non-GAAP) were RMB304.8 million (US
$44.2 million ), compared to RMB412.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. - Gross profit was RMB381.1 million (US
$55.3 million ), compared to RMB415.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. - Net income was RMB76.8 million (US
$11.1 million ), compared to RMB75.2 million in the first quarter of 2025. - Net income margin1 was
17.4% , compared to15.4% in the first quarter of 2025. - New student enrollments2 were 102,127, compared to 169,083 in the first quarter of 2025.
- As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s deferred revenue balance was RMB500.5 million (US
$72.6 million ), compared to RMB585.3 million as of December 31, 2025.
_____________________________
1 Net income margin is defined as net income as a percentage of net revenues.
2 New student enrollments for a given period refer to the total number of orders placed by students that newly enroll in at least one course during that period, including those students that enroll and then terminate their enrollment with us, excluding orders of our low-price courses, such as “mini courses” and “RMB1 courses”, which we offer in the form of recorded videos or short live streaming, to strengthen our competitiveness and improve customer experience.
“We opened 2026 with net revenues of RMB440.7 million and net income of RMB76.8 million, our 20th consecutive profitable quarter. Net income margin remained stable at
These results reflect choices we have been making consistently: raising the bar on learner quality, letting AI compound across the acquisition and delivery workflow, and improving retention in our senior-learning business. The operating platform we have built positions us well for when market conditions turn more supportive. We are building with that horizon in mind.”said Mr. Tongbo Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Sunlands.
Mr. Hangyu Li, Finance Director of Sunlands, commented, “The first quarter continued the profitability trajectory we have been building toward, driven by deliberate choices made over several years rather than short-term tactical adjustments. Net income reached RMB76.8 million, while net income margin expanded to
Our balance sheet remains in a stable position, which gives us flexibility in how we operate. We concluded the quarter with RMB545.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, alongside RMB236.0 million of short-term investments. This liquidity buffer gives us the flexibility to invest in technology and new business directions without being constrained by near-term financial pressure. Looking ahead, we continue to execute our operational plan with financial discipline, while actively monitoring the market environment to adjust our business activities as needed.”
Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2026
Net Revenues
In the first quarter of 2026, net revenues decreased by
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues decreased by
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased by
Operating Expenses
In the first quarter of 2026, operating expenses were RMB284.3 million (US
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by
General and administrative expenses increased by
Product development expenses increased by
Net Income
Net income for the first quarter of 2026 was RMB76.8 million (US
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share
Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB11.48 (US
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had RMB547.2 million (US
Deferred Revenue
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had a deferred revenue balance of RMB500.5 million (US
Outlook
For the second quarter of 2026, Sunlands currently expects net revenues to be between RMB410 million to RMB430 million, which would represent a decrease of between
Exchange Rate
The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and all revenues are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB6.8980 to US
Conference Call and Webcast
Sunlands’ management team will host a conference call at 6:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time, (6:30 PM Beijing/Hong Kong time) on May 26, 2026, following the quarterly results announcement.
For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete online registration 15 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, a personal PIN and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.
Registration Link:
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI195d2f2c80dc47428cd4e4d9f1981291
Additionally, a live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands' website at https://ir.sunlands.com/.
About Sunlands
Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market. With a one to many live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree- or diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as professional certification preparation, professional skills and interest courses. Students can access the Company's services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use gross billings, EBITDA, non-GAAP operating cost and expenses, non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP net income per share, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.
We define gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course packages, net of the total amount of refunds paid in such period. Our management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because we generally bill our students for the entire course tuition at the time of sale of our course packages and recognize revenue proportionally over a period. EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income tax expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expenses and impairment loss on long-lived assets. We believe that gross billings, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA provide valuable insight into the sales of our course packages and the performance of our business.
These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As gross billings, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, operating cost and expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, sales and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, product development expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses, and basic and diluted net income per share excluding share-based compensation expenses have material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider gross billings, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for, or superior to, their respective most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Sunlands may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sunlands' beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: Sunlands' goals and strategies; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and services; its ability to retain and increase student enrollments; its ability to offer new courses and educational content; its ability to improve teaching quality and students’ learning results; its ability to improve sales and marketing efficiency and effectiveness; its ability to engage, train and retain new faculty members; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure necessary to operate its business; competition in the online education industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Sunlands’ corporate structure, business and industry; and general economic and business condition in China. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in Sunlands' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and Sunlands does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media enquiries, please contact:
Sunlands Technology Group
Investor Relations
Email: sl-ir@sunlands.com
SOURCE: Sunlands Technology Group
| SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted) | ||||||
| As of December 31, | As of March 31, | |||||
| 2025 | 2026 | |||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 575,740 | 545,679 | 79,107 | |||
| Restricted cash | 1,023 | 1,485 | 215 | |||
| Short-term investments | 235,937 | 235,974 | 34,209 | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 82,566 | 80,740 | 11,705 | |||
| Deferred costs, current | 22,125 | 17,504 | 2,538 | |||
| Held for sale assets | - | 127,912 | 18,543 | |||
| Total current assets | 917,391 | 1,009,294 | 146,317 | |||
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 662,178 | 533,050 | 77,276 | |||
| Intangible assets, net | 250 | 131 | 19 | |||
| Right-of-use assets | 99,111 | 96,007 | 13,918 | |||
| Deferred costs, non-current | 10,643 | 8,682 | 1,259 | |||
| Long-term investments | 318,791 | 319,169 | 46,270 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 19,104 | 13,728 | 1,990 | |||
| Other non-current assets | 19,750 | 18,329 | 2,657 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 1,129,827 | 989,096 | 143,389 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 2,047,218 | 1,998,390 | 289,706 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 366,011 | 340,081 | 49,300 | |||
| Deferred revenue, current | 384,334 | 321,044 | 46,542 | |||
| Lease liabilities, current portion | 9,104 | 9,166 | 1,329 | |||
| Held for sale liabilities | - | 4,477 | 649 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 759,449 | 674,768 | 97,820 | |||
| SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-continued (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted) | |||||||||
| As of December 31, | As of March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | ||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue, non-current | 200,960 | 179,504 | 26,023 | ||||||
| Lease liabilities, non-current portion | 129,564 | 121,838 | 17,663 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 5,786 | 10,324 | 1,497 | ||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 7,392 | 6,172 | 895 | ||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 343,702 | 317,838 | 46,078 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 1,103,151 | 992,606 | 143,898 | ||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares (par value of US | |||||||||
| authorized; 3,131,807 and 3,131,807 shares issued as of December 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| and March 31, 2026, respectively; 2,538,047 and 2,538,047 shares | |||||||||
| outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively) | 1 | 1 | - | ||||||
| Class B ordinary shares (par value of US | |||||||||
| authorized; 826,389 and 826,389 shares issued and outstanding | |||||||||
| as of December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively) | - | - | - | ||||||
| Class C ordinary shares (par value of US | |||||||||
| authorized; 3,332,062 and 3,332,062 shares issued and outstanding | |||||||||
| as of December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively) | 1 | 1 | - | ||||||
| Treasury stock | - | - | - | ||||||
| Statutory reserves | 22,440 | 22,440 | 3,253 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,486,011 | ) | (1,409,164 | ) | (204,286 | ) | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 2,287,553 | 2,287,553 | 331,626 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 121,570 | 106,440 | 15,431 | ||||||
| Total Sunlands Technology Group shareholders’ equity | 945,554 | 1,007,271 | 146,024 | ||||||
| Non-controlling interest | (1,487 | ) | (1,487 | ) | (216 | ) | |||
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 944,067 | 1,005,784 | 145,808 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 2,047,218 | 1,998,390 | 289,706 | ||||||
| SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted) | |||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | ||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
| Net revenues | 487,625 | 440,660 | 63,882 | ||||||
| Cost of revenues | (72,336 | ) | (59,539 | ) | (8,631 | ) | |||
| Gross profit | 415,289 | 381,121 | 55,251 | ||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||
| Sales and marketing expenses | (300,444 | ) | (241,860 | ) | (35,062 | ) | |||
| Product development expenses | (6,242 | ) | (6,594 | ) | (956 | ) | |||
| General and administrative expenses | (34,459 | ) | (35,869 | ) | (5,200 | ) | |||
| Total operating expenses | (341,145 | ) | (284,323 | ) | (41,218 | ) | |||
| Income from operations | 74,144 | 96,798 | 14,033 | ||||||
| Interest income | 5,407 | 5,220 | 757 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (407 | ) | - | - | |||||
| Other income, net | 6,617 | 4,641 | 673 | ||||||
| Income before income tax expenses | |||||||||
| and loss from equity method investments | 85,761 | 106,659 | 15,463 | ||||||
| Income tax expenses | (9,774 | ) | (28,805 | ) | (4,176 | ) | |||
| Loss from equity method investments | (811 | ) | (1,007 | ) | (146 | ) | |||
| Net income | 75,176 | 76,847 | 11,141 | ||||||
| Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | - | - | - | ||||||
| Net income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group | 75,176 | 76,847 | 11,141 | ||||||
| Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of | |||||||||
| Sunlands Technology Group: | |||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 11.12 | 11.48 | 1.66 | ||||||
| Weighted average shares used in calculating net income | |||||||||
| per ordinary share: | |||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 6,759,187 | 6,696,498 | 6,696,498 | ||||||
| SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Amounts in thousands) | |||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | ||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
| Net income | 75,176 | 76,847 | 11,141 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effect of nil: | |||||||||
| Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments | (3,596 | ) | (9,156 | ) | (1,327 | ) | |||
| Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax effect of nil | (11,259 | ) | (5,974 | ) | (866 | ) | |||
| Total comprehensive income | 60,321 | 61,717 | 8,948 | ||||||
| Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest | - | - | - | ||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group | 60,321 | 61,717 | 8,948 | ||||||
| SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (Amounts in thousands) | ||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | |||||
| RMB | RMB | |||||
| Net revenues | 487,625 | 440,660 | ||||
| Less: other revenues | (58,920 | ) | (60,529 | ) | ||
| Add: tax and surcharges | 22,290 | 16,223 | ||||
| Add: ending deferred revenue | 891,617 | 500,548 | ||||
| Add: ending refund liability | 98,516 | 57,553 | ||||
| Less: beginning deferred revenue | (916,510 | ) | (585,294 | ) | ||
| Less: beginning refund liability | (112,342 | ) | (64,393 | ) | ||
| Gross billings (non-GAAP) | 412,276 | 304,768 | ||||
| Net income | 75,176 | 76,847 | ||||
| Add: income tax expenses | 9,774 | 28,805 | ||||
| Add: depreciation and amortization | 7,218 | 7,170 | ||||
| Add: interest expense | 407 | - | ||||
| Less: interest income | (5,407 | ) | (5,220 | ) | ||
| EBITDA (non-GAAP) | 87,168 | 107,602 | ||||
| Add: Impairment loss on long-lived assets | - | - | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) | 87,168 | 107,602 | ||||
