Bilibili (Nasdaq: BILI) returns to profit with Q1 2026 margin and ad growth
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Bilibili Inc. reported a profitable first quarter of 2026 with improving margins and user growth. Total net revenues reached RMB7.47 billion, up 7% year over year, driven mainly by a 30% increase in advertising revenue to RMB2.59 billion and 4% growth in value-added services to RMB2.91 billion.
Gross profit rose 9% to RMB2.77 billion, lifting gross margin to 37.1%, the company’s 15th consecutive quarter of margin expansion. Profit from operations surged to RMB166.8 million, and net profit was RMB202.0 million, compared with a net loss a year earlier.
Adjusted measures also strengthened, with adjusted profit from operations at RMB523.9 million, up 53%, and adjusted net profit at RMB585.4 million, up 62%. Average daily active users grew 8% to 115 million, monthly active users exceeded 376 million, and total user time spent increased 19%. Bilibili ended March 31, 2026 with RMB24.19 billion in cash, time deposits and short-term investments and completed a US$200 million share repurchase program covering 9.9 million listed securities.
Positive
- Return to profitability and strong non-GAAP growth: Q1 2026 net profit was RMB202.0 million versus a RMB10.7 million net loss a year earlier, while adjusted net profit rose 62% year over year to RMB585.4 million, indicating a meaningful improvement in underlying earnings power.
- Margin expansion and operating leverage: Gross margin improved to 37.1%, the 15th consecutive quarter of expansion, and adjusted profit from operations increased 53% to RMB523.9 million, showing better cost control and monetization efficiency.
- Robust advertising momentum: Advertising revenues grew 30% year over year to RMB2.59 billion, outpacing overall revenue growth and underscoring stronger demand and improved ad product performance.
- Healthy balance sheet and capital return: Cash, time deposits and short-term investments totaled RMB24.19 billion as of March 31, 2026, and the company completed its US$200 million share repurchase program, buying back 9.9 million listed securities.
Negative
- Pressure in mobile games and other revenues: Mobile games revenue declined 12% year over year to RMB1.52 billion and IP derivatives and others fell 4% to RMB448.2 million, reflecting softer performance in these segments despite strength elsewhere.
Insights
Bilibili posts profitable Q1 with stronger ads, margins and cash.
Bilibili delivered RMB7.47 billion in Q1 2026 revenue, up 7% year over year, with advertising up 30% and value-added services up 4%. Mobile games declined 12%, but overall mix shifted toward higher-margin segments.
Gross margin improved to 37.1%, marking 15 straight quarters of expansion. Profit from operations reached RMB166.8 million, and net profit was RMB202.0 million versus a loss a year earlier, while adjusted net profit climbed 62% to RMB585.4 million.
The company reported RMB24.19 billion in cash, time deposits and short-term investments as of March 31, 2026, giving it flexibility to support AI-focused R&D, which lifted research and development expenses by 9%. Completion of the US$200 million share repurchase program in Q1 2026, covering 9.9 million listed securities, signals ongoing capital return alongside growth investments.